Support for a trailer

Abstract

A trailer support for a trailer, useable without requiring direct interaction of an operator at the connection point, comprising a base unit (110), at least one trailer support element (112), at least one lift energizing assembly (150), first and second lift elements (120 and 122), biasing elements (130 and 230), one-way and directional controllers (210 and 220) for energizing and de-energizing the lift elements, and an actuatable element (140) which acts on the biasing elements and directional controller to energize and de-energize the lift elements.

Description

[0001] SUPPORT FOR A TRAILER

[0002] Field of the Disclosure

[0003] The present disclosure relates to systems for supporting free truck trailers. In particular, the disclosure relates to a self-supporting trailer support for supporting a trailer on a ground surface.

[0004] Background of the Disclosure

[0005] When a freight semi-trailer is set down on its landing gear, the semi-trailer is freestanding, i.e., without a mechanical connection between the kingpin of the trailer and the tractor unit, dolly, or truck, including a shunt truck. Associated pneumatic and electrical connections between the truck and trailer are disconnected, and the trailer is left to be supported at its front end using only the trailer's landing gear. Seldom used or rusted landing gear may fail and collapse under the extreme weight conditions of a loaded trailer and / or during the loading and / or unloading operations, such as via forklifts. Any tipping, or crashing down, of the trailer due to failed or collapsed landing gear can result in damage to any goods within the trailer, the trailer itself, and the forklift, as well as injury to, or death of, an operator.

[0006] Currently, devices known as “trailer jacks” or “trailer stands” are often used to act as a safety support under the front end of a trailer when it is freestanding on its landing gear, including when it is being loaded and / or unloaded. Some known devices are placed under the front end of the trailer and make supporting contact with the underside of the trailer distributing and / or support the load of the trailer, including during loading and / or unloading. During the loading and / or unloading operations with forklift driving in and out of the trailer, the trailer may bounce up and down and / or sway from side to side. Trailer stands that make supporting contact with the underside of the trailer distributing and / or supporting the load of the trailer at all times while this supporting contact is maintained, may stabilize the trailer against the bouncing and swaying of the trailer during loading and / or unloading operations as well as providing support for the trailer if and when the landing gear fails and / or collapses thus preventing the trailer from tipping and / or crashing down. Other known devices are placed under the front end of the trailer and do not make contact with the underside of the trailer, i.e., there is a vertical gap or space between the supporting member of the trailer stand and the underside of the trailer meaning that at this time and / or under this condition, the trailer is not supported by the trailer stand, nor is the trailer stabilized, such as, for example, against the bouncing and / or swaying of the trailer during unloading and / or loading operations. These other known devices only provide supporting and / or stabilizing contact with the underside of the trailer to support and / or distribute the load of the trailer if and when the landing gear fails and / or collapses.

[0007] When docked, semi-trailers and / or similar trailers require stabilization, especially as they are being loaded and unloaded. For trailers that will be loaded or unloaded with a very heavy load or using a forklift, a trailer support stand is provided beneath the trailer to distribute and support the load of the trailer in case of collapse of the trailer’s landing gear.

[0008] Some current trailer support stands include pneumatic jacks that are operable and position-able through the hydraulic system of, for example, a shunt truck. This type of device requires the operator to hook up, make positioning adjustments, and disconnect the device, while on the bed of the shunt truck. This leaves the operator in a vulnerable position between the cab of the shunt truck and the semi-trailer. There is a need for an easy-to-use, reliable trailer support stand that inhibits a trailer from tipping over and / or crashing down, and which does not require direct operator interaction to engage the stand with, or disengage the stand from, the trailer.

[0009] Within existing trailer support stands, there are various “shuntable” devices that are designed to be maneuvered and positioned using, for example, an intermodal vehicle, and do not require manual positioning by a directed operator. More specifically, these designs allow the trailer support to be maneuvered and positioned entirely using the intermodal vehicle (commonly referred to as a “shunt truck”). These trailer support stands are pushed or pulled into place by a vehicle such as a shunt truck, where the only operator required to setup the support stand is the driver in the vehicle. A significant drawback of these existing trailer support stands can be that they are predominantly mounted on wheels and are simply pulled or pushed around by a vehicle such as a shunt truck. The wheels on these trailer support stands, and the push / pull maneuvering required to move these trailer supports stands can make these systems less than ideal, as the support stand can be poorly maneuverable and difficult to use in busy, more congested loading facilities. The sometimes-poor maneuverability of these systems can mean that they can be inefficient at rapidly providing the necessary support stands to trailers that have been left at various locations around loading facilities.

[0010] Summary of the Disclosure

[0011] According to an aspect, there is provided a trailer support for supporting a trailer, the trailer support comprising: a base unit; at least one trailer support element that is structured for engaging an underside of the trailer; and at least one lift energizing assembly for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element relative to the base unit, the at least one lift energizing assembly comprising: a first lift element that is connected between the base unit and the at least one trailer support element; a second lift element that is in connection with the first lift element; a one-way controller that is connected between the first and second lift elements for preventing the energizing of the first lift element in favour of the second lift element; a directional controller that is in parallel connection with the one-way controller, between the first and second lift elements; a primary biasing element that is removably connectable to the second lift element for selectively energizing and de-energizing the second lift element; and an actuatable element that is movably mounted to the base unit for actuating between at least first and second positions relative to the base unit, the actuatable element being operatively connected to the directional controller and the primary biasing element such that when the actuatable element is in the first position relative to the base unit, the directional controller is closed and the primary biasing element is coupled to the second lift element, and when the actuatable element is in the second position relative to the base unit, the directional controller is open and the primary biasing element is decoupled from the second lift element such that the second lift element is not energized via the primary biasing element.

[0012] According to an aspect, there is provided a trailer support for supporting a trailer, the trailer support comprising a base unit, at least one trailer support element that is structured for engaging an underside of the trailer, and at least one hydraulic energizing assembly for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element relative to the base unit, the at least one hydraulic energizing assembly including: a first hydraulic cylinder that is connected between the base unit and the at least one trailer support element, a second hydraulic cylinder that is in fluid connection with the first hydraulic cylinder, a one-way valve that is fluidly connected between the first and second hydraulic cylinders for preventing the flow of a hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic cylinder to the second hydraulic cylinder, a directional control valve that is in parallel fluid connection with the one-way valve, between the first and second hydraulic cylinders, a primary biasing element that is removably connectable to the second hydraulic cylinder for selectively pressurizing a hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder, an actuatable element that is movably mounted to the base unit for actuating between at least first and second positions relative to the base unit, the actuatable element being operatively connected to the directional control valve and the primary biasing element such that when the actuatable element is in the first position relative to the base unit, the directional control valve is closed and the primary biasing element is coupled to the second hydraulic cylinder, and when the actuatable element is in the second position relative to the base unit, the directional control valve is open and the primary biasing element is decoupled from the second hydraulic cylinder such that hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder is not pressurized via the primary biasing element.

[0013] In an embodiment, the at least one hydraulic energizing assembly further comprises a secondary biasing element that is operably connected to the first hydraulic cylinder for pressurizing hydraulic fluid within the first hydraulic cylinder.

[0014] In an embodiment, the primary biasing element and secondary biasing element are relatively structured such that when the primary biasing element is connected to the second hydraulic cylinder for selectively pressurizing the hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder, a magnitude of pressure exerted on hydraulic fluid within second hydraulic cylinder is greater than a magnitude of pressure exerted on hydraulic fluid within first hydraulic cylinder.

[0015] In an embodiment, the base unit is structured for releasably connecting to an external lifting apparatus for lifting the trailer support.

[0016] In an embodiment, the actuatable element is movably mounted on the base unit such that when the base unit is separate from the external lifting apparatus the actuatable element is in the first position relative to the base unit, and when the base unit is releasably connected to the external lifting apparatus the actuatable element is in the second position relative to the base unit.

[0017] In an embodiment, the base unit includes at least one receiving channel that is sized to receive a connecting element of the external lifting apparatus therewithin for releasably connecting the trailer support to the external lifting apparatus, and wherein the actuatable element is movably mounted on the base unit such that as the connecting element of the external lifting apparatus is received in the at least one receiving channel of the base unit, the connecting element of the external lifting apparatus contacts the actuatable element such that the actuatable element is driven from the first position towards the second position.

[0018] In an embodiment, the directional control valve is a two-position valve.

[0019] In an embodiment, the hydraulic energy storage unit further comprises a valve control element.

[0020] In an embodiment, the valve control element is a solenoid-based limit switch.

[0021] In an embodiment, the valve control element is connected to both the actuatable element and the directional control valve for providing the operative connection therebetween.

[0022] In an embodiment, the valve control element is a spring-loaded roller-cam. In an embodiment, the primary biasing element is a primary external spring that is connected to a rod of the second hydraulic cylinder, and wherein the secondary biasing element is a secondary external spring that is connected to a rod of the first hydraulic cylinder.

[0023] In an embodiment, each of the first and second hydraulic cylinders are spring-return hydraulic cylinders.

[0024] In an embodiment, the one-way valve is a spring-operated check valve.

[0025] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a trailer support for supporting a trailer, the trailer support comprising: a base unit that is structured for supporting the trailer support stand, at least one trailer support element that is structured for engaging an underside of the trailer, a first hydraulic cylinder that includes a first end connected to the base unit and a second end connected to the at least one trailer support element for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element relative to the base unit, a hydraulic energy storage unit comprising a second hydraulic cylinder that is in fluid connection with the first hydraulic cylinder, a one-way valve that is connected between the first and second hydraulic cylinders for preventing the flow of a hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic cylinder to the second hydraulic cylinder, a directional control valve that is in parallel fluid connection with the one-way valve, between the first and second hydraulic cylinders, and a primary biasing element that is selectively connectable to the second hydraulic cylinder for selectively pressurizing a hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder, and an actuatable element that is movably mounted to the base unit for actuating between at least first and second positions relative to the base unit, the actuatable element being operatively connected to the directional control valve and the primary biasing element such that when the actuatable element is in the first position relative to the base unit, the directional control valve is in a closed state and the primary biasing element is coupled to the second hydraulic cylinder, and when the actuatable element is in the second position relative to the base unit, the directional control valve is in an open state and the primary biasing element is decoupled from the second hydraulic cylinder such that hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder is not pressurized via the primary biasing element.

[0026] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a trailer support for supporting a trailer, the trailer support comprising: a base unit, at least one trailer support element that is structured for engaging an underside of the trailer, and at least one hydraulic energizing assembly for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element relative to the base unit, the at least one hydraulic energizing assembly comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder that is connected between the base unit and the at least one trailer support element, the first hydraulic cylinder having a piston side and a rod side, a second hydraulic cylinder in fluid connection with the rod side of the first hydraulic cylinder, at least one storage vessel that is in fluid connection with the piston side of the first hydraulic cylinder, a one-way valve that is fluidly connected between the piston side of the first hydraulic cylinder and the at least one storage vessel for preventing the flow of a hydraulic fluid from the piston side to the at least one storage vessel, a two-position control valve that is in parallel fluid connection with the one-way valve, between the piston side of the first hydraulic cylinder and the at least one storage vessel, a support biasing element that connected between the at least one trailer support element and the base unit for biasing the at least one trailer support element towards an extended position relative to the base unit, at least one actuatable element that is movably mounted to the base unit for actuating between at least first and second positions relative to the base unit, the actuatable element being operatively connected to the two-position control valve and the second hydraulic cylinder such that when the at least one actuatable element is driven to the first position, the two-position control valve is closed, and each of the second hydraulic cylinder and the piston side of the first hydraulic cylinder contain hydraulic fluid such that the at least one support element is held in the extended position above the base unit, and when the at least one actuatable element is driven to the second position, the hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic cylinder is driven into the rod side of the first hydraulic cylinder, and the two-position control valve is opened such that the hydraulic fluid from the piston side of the first hydraulic cylinder is released into the at least one storage vessel and the at least one support element is driven to a non-extended position above the base unit.

[0027] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a trailer support for supporting a trailer, the trailer support comprising: a base unit configured to engage a support surface; a trailer engagement element configured to selectively engage an underside portion of a trailer; a hydraulic energizing assembly operatively connected between the base unit and the trailer engagement element, the hydraulic energizing assembly configured to selectively extend and / or retract the trailer engagement element relative to the base unit; a positioning element engagement element configured to selectively couple with a trailer support positioning element of a vehicle for positioning the trailer support; and a valve assembly to control the hydraulic energizing assembly to retract the trailer engagement element relative to the base unit when the positioning element engagement element is coupled to the trailer support positioning element of the vehicle, and to extend the trailer engagement element relative to the base unit when the positioning element engagement element is uncoupled from the trailer support positioning element of the vehicle.

[0028] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

[0030] Figure 1 A shows an isometric view of the trailer support according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, where the trailer support is in a rest state;

[0031] Figure IB shows a front perspective view of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 1 A;

[0032] Figure 1C shows a rear view of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 1A;

[0033] Figure ID shows a section view of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 1C, along the section line C-C;

[0034] Figure IE shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 1A, where the trailer support is in an energized state;

[0035] Figure IF shows a front perspective view of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 1 A, where the trailer support is in an energized state;

[0036] Figure 2A shows a schematic diagram of the hydraulic energizing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 1A, where the directional control valve is closed;

[0037] Figure 2B shows a schematic diagram of the hydraulic energizing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 1A, where the directional control valve is open;

[0038] Figure 3 A shows a close-up, perspective view of a housing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 1A; Figure 3B shows a close-up, perspective view of a housing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 1A, where the L-shaped outer plate of the housing assembly is removed;

[0039] Figure 4A shows a close-up, perspective view of the spring-loaded roller-cam and actuatable element of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 1 A, where the actuatable element is in a first position;

[0040] Figure 4B shows a close-up, perspective view of the spring-loaded roller-cam and actuatable element of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 1 A, where the actuatable element is in a second position;

[0041] Figure 5 A shows a side view of the hydraulic energizing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support stand in Figure 1 A, where the hydraulic energizing assembly is in a rest state;

[0042] Figure 5B shows a side view of the hydraulic energizing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support stand in Figure 1 A, where the hydraulic energizing assembly is in an energized state;

[0043] Figure 5C shows a side view of the hydraulic energizing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support stand in Figure 1 A, where the hydraulic energizing assembly is in a support state;

[0044] Figure 6A shows an isometric view of the trailer support according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, where the trailer support is in a rest state;

[0045] Figure 6B shows a front perspective view of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 6A where the trailer support is in a rest state;

[0046] Figure 6C shows a front perspective view of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 6A where the trailer support is in an energized state;

[0047] Figure 7A shows a close-up, perspective view of a housing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 6A;

[0048] Figure 7B shows a rear view of the trailer support element from the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 6A;

[0049] Figure 8 shows a close-up, perspective view of a housing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 6A, where the L-shaped outer plate of the housing assembly is removed;

[0050] Figure 9 shows a side view of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 6A, where the L- shaped outer plate of the housing assembly is removed;

[0051] Figure 10 shows a section view of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 9, along the section line d-d;

[0052] Figure 11 A shows a schematic diagram of the hydraulic energizing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 6A, where the two-position control valve is closed;

[0053] Figure 1 IB shows a schematic diagram of the hydraulic energizing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support in Figure 6A, where the two-position control valve is open;

[0054] Figure 12A shows a side view of the hydraulic energizing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support stand in Figure 6A, where the hydraulic energizing assembly is in a rest state; Figure 12B shows a side view of the hydraulic energizing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support stand in Figure 6A, where the hydraulic energizing assembly is in an energized state; and

[0055] Figure 12C shows a side view of the hydraulic energizing assembly of the embodiment of the trailer support stand in Figure 6A, where the hydraulic energizing assembly is in a support state.

[0056] Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0057] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment or embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

[0058] Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: “or” as used throughout is inclusive, as though written “and / or”; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns so that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; “exemplary” should be understood as “illustrative” or “exemplifying” and not necessarily as “preferred” over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description. It will also be noted that the use of the term “a” or “an” will be understood to denote “at least one” in all instances unless explicitly stated otherwise or unless it would be understood to be obvious that it must mean “one.”

[0059] As used herein, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed as being inclusive and open ended, and not exclusive. Specifically, when used in the specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” and variations thereof mean the specified features, steps or components are included. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps, or components.

[0060] As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” are meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of values, such as variations in properties, parameters, and dimensions.

[0061] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the apparatuses described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

[0062] Referring to Figures 1A to IF and 2A to 2B, there is provided a trailer support 100 for supporting a trailer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The trailer support 100 comprises a base unit 110, at least one trailer support element 112 that is structured for engaging an underside of the trailer, and at least one lift energizing assembly for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element 112 relative to the base unit 110. The at least one lift energizing assembly may be any type of lift energizing assembly known to persons skilled in this art that is capable of driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element 112 relative to the base unit 110, such as, for example, but not limited to, a mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic lift energizing assembly. The at least one lift energizing assembly comprises a first lift element that is connected between the base unit 110 and the at least one trailer support element 112 for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element 112 relative to the base unit 110, a second lift element that is in connection with the first lift element, a one-way controller that is connected between the first and second lift elements for preventing the energizing of the second lift element in favour of the first lift element, and a directional controller that is in parallel connection with the one-way controller, between the first and second lift elements.

[0063] In an additional embodiment, the at least one lift energizing assembly further comprises a primary biasing element 130 that is removably connectable to the second lift element for selectively energizing the second lift element, as well as an actuatable element 140 that is movably mounted to the base unit 110 for actuating between at least first and second positions relative to the base unit 110. The actuatable element 140 is operatively connected to the directional controller and the primary biasing element 130 such that when the actuatable element 140 is in the first position relative to the base unit 110, the directional controller is closed and the primary biasing element 130 is coupled to the second lift element, and when the actuatable element 140 is in the second position relative to the base unit 110, the directional controller is open and the primary biasing element 130 is decoupled from the second lift element. The decoupling of the primary biasing element 130 from the second lift element is such that second lift element is not energized via the primary biasing element 130.

[0064] In an alternate embodiment, the primary biasing element 130 of the at least one lift energizing assembly is connected between the base unit 110 and the at least one support element 112 for applying a biasing force to the at least one support element 112 as the support element 112 moves relative to the base unit. The primary biasing element 130 may, in this embodiment, be structured as at least one support biasing element 384 that is connected between the base unit 110 and the at least one support element 112. In this embodiment, the primary biasing element 130 remains connected between the base unit 110 and at least one support element 112 as the at least one support element 112 moves between extended and retracted positions relative to the base unit 110.

[0065] In the embodiment depicted in Figures 1A to IF and 2A to 2B, the at least one energizing assembly is at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 150. The at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 150 comprises a first hydraulic cylinder 120 that is connected between the base unit 110 and the at least one trailer support element 112 for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element 112 relative to the base unit 110. The at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 150 also comprises a second hydraulic cylinder 122 that is in fluid connection with the first hydraulic cylinder 120, a one-way valve 210 that is fluidly connected between the first and second hydraulic cylinders 120, 122 for preventing the flow of a hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic cylinder 120 to the second hydraulic cylinder 122, and a directional control valve 220 that is in parallel fluid connection with the one-way valve 210, between the first and second hydraulic cylinders 120, 122.

[0066] The at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 150 also comprises a primary biasing element 130 that is removably connectable to the second hydraulic cylinder 122 for selectively pressurizing a hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder 122, as well as an actuatable element 140 that is movably mounted to the base unit 110 for actuating between at least first and second positions relative to the base unit 110. The actuatable element 140 is operatively connected to the directional control valve 220 and the primary biasing element 130 such that when the actuatable element 140 is in the first position relative to the base unit 110, the directional control valve 220 is closed and the primary biasing element 130 is coupled to the second hydraulic cylinder 122, and when the actuatable element 140 is in the second position relative to the base unit 110, the directional control valve 220 is open and the primary biasing element 130 is decoupled from the second hydraulic cylinder 122. The decoupling of the primary biasing element 130 from the second hydraulic cylinder 122 is such that hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder 122 is not pressurized via the primary biasing element 130.

[0067] In an embodiment, the hydraulic fluid may comprise any fluid suitable for use as a medium for hydraulically transferring power. Some such fluids may be substantially incompressible under expected operating conditions. For example, the hydraulic fluid may include one or more of water, propylene glycol, a petroleum-based oil, and / or a synthetic oil.

[0068] In an embodiment of the trailer support 100 such as provided in Figures 1A to IF, the trailer support 100 is formed as an adjustable, trailer support 100 that can independently adjust a height of the at least one trailer support element 112 for supporting the trailer at a variety of heights and in a variety of load conditions. The adjustable, trailer support 100 includes the base unit 110 and the at least one trailer support element 112.

[0069] In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 1 A to IF, the at least one trailer support element 112 is a substantially horizontal bar 112a that is laterally oriented about the base unit 110. The at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 150 of the trailer support 100 is a pair hydraulic energizing assemblies 150 and the first hydraulic cylinders 120 of each of the pair of hydraulic energizing assemblies 150 are connected to opposing ends of the substantially horizontal bar 112a for varying a height at which the substantially horizontal bar 112a is positioned relative to the base unit 110.

[0070] In an alternate embodiment, the at least one trailer support element 112 is a pair of trailer support platforms, where the pair of trailer support platforms are connected to separate first hydraulic cylinders 120 of one of the pair of hydraulic energizing assemblies 150.

[0071] In an embodiment such as shown in Figure 1C, the base unit 110 of the trailer support 100 is structured for supporting the trailer support 100 on a ground surface.

[0072] In the specific embodiment of the trailer support 100 provided in Figures 1A to IF, the trailer support 100 includes the base unit 110, and the base unit 110 includes pairs of front and rear legs 160, 161, as well as front and rear cross supports 162, 163 extending between each of the pairs of front and rear legs 160, 161. The pairs of front and rear legs 160, 161 are pairs of substantially vertical legs with substantially rectangular cross-sections. Each of the front and rear legs 160, 161 are supported on a bottom plate 164 such that each of the front and rear legs 160, 161 are normal to the bottom plate 164. The front cross support 162 is connected to a top surface of each front leg 160 and the rear cross support 163 is connected to a top surface of each rear leg 161.

[0073] In an embodiment, any of the pairs of front and rear legs 160, 161 and the front and rear crosssupports 162, 163 may be made from various forms of stock metal tubing.

[0074] Referring again to Figures 1A to IF, between each of the front legs 160 and each of the rear legs 161 is a leg bracing member 165 which keeps the legs 160, 161 apart and prevents the legs 160, 161 from twisting relative to each other in the case where the ground surface on which the trailer support 100 sits is not level. The leg bracing member 165 may be formed from a metal plate, such as rolled steel plate.

[0075] In an embodiment, the structure of the trailer support 100 also includes angled support beams 166 which are mounted on, and which extend between each of the front and rear legs 160, 161 and each of the front and rear cross supports 162, 163. The angled support beams 166 may be welded in place between the cross supports and the legs or may be secured by fasteners such as rivets.

[0076] In the embodiment of Figures 1A to IF, the bottom plate 164 upon which one of front and rear legs 160, 161 are each mounted are themselves mounted on a pair of support blocks 167 via a pair of angle brackets 168. The bottom plate 164 can be secured to the bottom of the front and rear legs 160, 161 by welding. The angle brackets 168 that secure the bottom plate 164 on the support blocks 167 can also be secured in place by fasteners which are threaded into the bottom plate 164 and each of the support blocks 167. In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 1A to IF, the fastener is a threaded bolt.

[0077] In the specific embodiment of Figures 1A to IF, two gussets 169 are mounted in place between the bottom plate 164 and each of the front and rear legs 160, 161, to further secure the legs on the bottom plate 164. In a further embodiment, the gussets 169 are welded in place between the bottom plate 164 and legs 160, 161.

[0078] In an embodiment such as shown in Figures 1 A to IF and 3 A to 3B, the trailer support 100 also includes a pair of housing assemblies 170 that are each sized to house one of the pair of hydraulic energizing assemblies 150. The pair of housing assemblies 170 are disposed on left and right sides of the front and rear cross supports 162, 163 of the trailer support 100. Each housing assembly 170 sits atop and is connected to the front cross support 162 of the front pair of legs 160 and the back cross support 163 of the back pair of legs 161. Each housing assembly 170 comprises an L-shaped inner plate 172, an L-shaped outer plate 174, a plurality of frame members 176 extending between the L-shaped inner and outer plates 172, 174, and a pair of bumpers 178 mounted in a space between an upper region of the L-shaped inner and outer plates 172, 174.

[0079] The L-shaped inner and outer plates 172, 174 of each housing assembly 170 are mounted in an upright orientation and are sized to traverse the gap between the front and rear cross supports 162, 163 and to extend beyond the pair of front and rear legs 160, 161. The plurality of frame members 176 of each housing assembly 170 extend between and are connected between the L- shaped inner and outer plates 172, 174, to support the L-shaped inner and outer plates 172, 174 in their upright orientations. Referring to Figures IB and IF, the pair of bumpers 178 are positioned towards an upper portion of the L-shaped inner plate 172 and L-shaped outer plate 174 such that when the trailer support element 112 is positioned for supporting the trailer (such as in the second position), the trailer support element 112 will vertically support the trailer, while the pair of bumpers 178 will dampen any to-and-fro and up-and-down movement of the trailer relative to the trailer support 100. The bumper 178 prevents metal -on-metal contact between the L-shaped inner and outer plates 172, 174, and a front-end surface of a trailer that is to be supported on the trailer support 100. Each of the pair of bumpers 178 has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0080] In an embodiment, the bumper 178 is composed of an elastic material, such as for example, a plurality of rubber or elastic plates. In another embodiment, the elastic material is a single piece of molded rubber or plastic.

[0081] In the specific embodiments of the trailer support 100 provided in Figures 1A to IF, and Figures 3 A and 3B, the base unit 110 of the trailer support 100 includes a plurality of hook-shaped members 180 projecting in a rearward direction from the trailer support 100. In this embodiment, the hooked form of each of the hook-shaped members 180 defines a channel portion therein.

[0082] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1A to IF, and Figures 3A and 3B, each of the plurality of hook-shaped members 180 are formed in one of the L-shaped inner and outer plates 172, 174 of the pair of housing assemblies 170. The plurality of hook-shaped members 180 are disposed at corresponding heights about at least one rear surface of the trailer support 100 and are transversely spaced along the at least one rear surface of the trailer support 100.

[0083] In an additional embodiment, the trailer support 100 is structured to be lifted and maneuvered about the ground surface by an external lifting apparatus that is attached to a vehicle. When the trailer support 100 is structured to be lifted by the external lifting apparatus, the base unit 110 is structured for releasably connecting to the external lifting apparatus for lifting the trailer support 100.

[0084] In an exemplary embodiment of the lifting apparatus that is attached to the vehicle for lifting the trailer support 100, the lifting apparatus includes at least an apparatus frame, a first support structure, a second support structure and an actuator. The first support structure includes at least one first contact member and the first support structure is movably mounted to the apparatus frame for movement between at least first, second, and third positions relative to the apparatus frame. The at least one first contact member is shaped such that when the lifting apparatus is positioned near to the trailer support 100 and when the first support structure is moved from the first position (i.e., the rest, disengaged or uncoupled position) to the second position (i.e., the releasably engaged or releasably coupled position), the at least one first contact member is releasably received by the trailer support 100 for releasably coupling the trailer support 100 to the apparatus frame. The second support structure is mounted to the apparatus frame and includes at least one second contact member that is shaped to contact the trailer support 100. Contact of the at least one second contact member with the trailer support 100 indicates to the operator that the at least one first contact member is properly aligned with the trailer support 100 such that the trailer support 100 can be releasably coupled to the apparatus frame. The actuator is connected to the apparatus frame and to the first support structure for driving an actuation of the first support structure from the first position to the second position. The actuator is also connected for driving an actuation of the first support structure from the second position to the third position (i.e., the lifting position) such that the lifting apparatus lifts the releasably coupled trailer support 100 relative to the vehicle off the ground surface on which the trailer support 100 rests.

[0085] In an embodiment, the vehicle to which the lifting apparatus is mounted is a shunt truck.

[0086] In an additional embodiment where the trailer support 100 is structured to be lifted by the external lifting apparatus, the base unit 110 includes at least one receiving channel that is sized to receive a connecting element of the external lifting apparatus therewithin for releasably connecting the trailer support 100 to the external lifting apparatus.

[0087] In an exemplary embodiment where the external lifting apparatus includes the first support structure, second support structure and actuator as described above, the connecting element of the external lifting element is defined by the at least one first contact member of the first support structure.

[0088] In an additional embodiment, the pair of housing assemblies 170 of the base unit 110 of the trailer support 100 collectively define the at least one receiving channel 182 for the at least one first contact member of the lifting apparatus. In this embodiment, the plurality of hook-shaped members 180 define the at least one receiving channel 182 of the trailer support 100. As shown in Figures 1A to IF, the plurality of hook-shaped members 180 of the trailer support 100 are relatively aligned along the trailer support 100. In this way, the channel portion of each of the plurality of hook-shaped members 180 collectively define the at least one receiving channel 182 of the trailer support 100.

[0089] In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 1A to IF, the plurality of hook-shaped members 180 extend from the trailer support 100 to define a single receiving channel 182 that is sized to receive the at least one first contact member of the first support structure. The plurality of hookshaped members 180 are formed as part of the L-shaped inner and outer plates 172, 174, and extend out from a top, rearward portion of each L-shaped inner and outer plate 172, 174.

[0090] As provided above in reference to Figures 1A to IF, the hydraulic energizing assembly 150 includes the first hydraulic cylinder 120 that is connected to the at least one trailer support element 112 and the base unit 110. The first hydraulic cylinder 120 generally includes a cylinder housing and a cylinder rod 120a, where the relative movement of the cylinder rod 120a relative to the cylinder housing drives the movement of the at least one trailer support element 112 relative to the base unit 110

[0091] In an embodiment such as shown in Figure 3A, the cylinder housing of the first hydraulic cylinder 120 is mounted to the base unit 110 and a free end of the cylinder rod 120a is connected to the trailer support element 112.

[0092] In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 3A and 3B, the cylinder housing of the first hydraulic cylinder 120 of each of the pair of hydraulic energizing assemblies 150 is a rectangular housing and is mounted between the L-shaped outer plate 174 and L-shaped inner plate 172 of one of the pair of housing assemblies 170. The substantially horizontal bar 112a includes a pair of threaded apertures, the free end of the cylinder rod 120a of each first hydraulic cylinder 120 is threaded and the free ends of the cylinder rods 120a of the first hydraulic cylinders 120 are removably mounted through one of the pair of threaded apertures.

[0093] As provided above in reference to Figures 1A to IF, the hydraulic energizing assembly 150 includes the second hydraulic cylinder 122 that is operably connected to the actuatable element 140 and the base unit 110. The second hydraulic cylinder 122 generally includes a cylinder housing and a cylinder rod 122a.

[0094] In an embodiment such as shown in Figures 3B, the cylinder housing of the second hydraulic cylinder 122 is mounted to the base unit 110 and a free end of the cylinder rod 122a is connected to the actuatable element 140.

[0095] In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 3A and 3B, the cylinder housing of the second hydraulic cylinder 122 of each of the pair of hydraulic energizing assemblies 150 is a rectangular housing and is mounted between the L-shaped outer plate 174 and L-shaped inner plate 172 of one of the pair of housing assemblies 170.

[0096] Referring to Figures ID, 2A, 2B, 5A, 5B and 5C, the primary biasing element 130 of the hydraulic energizing assembly 150 is a primary external spring 130a that is operably connected about the cylinder rod 122a of the second hydraulic cylinder 122. In the specific embodiment provided in Figures ID, 5 A, 5B and 5C, the primary biasing element 130 is the primary external spring 130a. The primary external spring 130a has a top end that is mounted to the housing assembly 170 of the base unit 110 and a bottom end that is in contact with the actuatable element 140 and the cylinder rod 122a of the second hydraulic cylinder 122 but is not attached to the second hydraulic cylinder 122.

[0097] In an embodiment, the actuatable element 140 of the hydraulic energizing assembly 150 is formed as an actuatable member and is movably mounted on the base unit 110 for moving between first and second positions.

[0098] In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 1 A to 3B, each actuatable element 140 includes an upper tongue 140a that projects rearward from the actuatable element 140 and a lower tongue 140b that projects forward from the actuatable element 140. The actuatable element 140 of each hydraulic energizing assembly 150 is slidably mounted within each housing assembly 170 of the base unit 110. The actuatable element 140 is slidably mounted on the base unit 110 for moving between a first, lower position and a second, raised position.

[0099] In an additional embodiment, the actuatable element 140 of the hydraulic energizing assembly 150 is movably mounted on the base unit 110 such that when the trailer support 100 is not engaged with the external lifting apparatus, the actuatable element 140 is in the first position relative to the base unit 110, and when the trailer support 100 is releasably engaged with the external lifting apparatus, the actuatable element 140 is in the second position relative to the base unit 110.

[0100] In an another additional embodiment, the actuatable element 140 is positioned within the housing of on the base unit 110 such that as the connecting element of the external lifting apparatus is received in the at least one receiving channel 182 of the base unit 110, the connecting element of the external lifting apparatus contacts the actuatable element 140 such that the actuatable element 140 is driven from the first position towards the second position.

[0101] In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 1 A to 3B, the actuatable element 140 is positioned within the housing assembly 170 such that when the actuatable element 140 is in the first, lower position, the upper tongue 140a projects across the opening of the receiving channel 182 defined by the plurality of hook-shaped members 180. With the actuatable element 140 positioned on the base unit 110 it this way, as the at least one first contact member of the external lifting apparatus is advanced towards the receiving channel 182, the at least one first contact member will abut the upper tongue 140a of the actuatable element 140 and drive the upper tongue 140a towards the raised second position.

[0102] In an embodiment such as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 150 further comprises a secondary biasing element 230 that is operably connected to the first hydraulic cylinder 120 for pressurizing hydraulic fluid within the first hydraulic cylinder 120.

[0103] In the specific embodiments shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the secondary biasing element 230 is connected to the cylinder rod 120a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120 for applying a secondary biasing force to the cylinder rod 120a.

[0104] In an exemplary embodiment, the secondary biasing element 230 is a secondary external spring that is connected to a cylinder rod 120a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120.

[0105] In some embodiments of the at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 150 of the trailer support 100, the primary biasing element 130 and secondary biasing element 230 are relatively structured and / or sized such that when the primary biasing element 130 is connected to the second hydraulic cylinder 122 for selectively pressurizing the hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder 122, a magnitude of pressure exerted on hydraulic fluid within second hydraulic cylinder 122 is greater than a magnitude of pressure exerted on hydraulic fluid within first hydraulic cylinder 120.

[0106] In an exemplary embodiment, the primary biasing element 130 is sized to provide a load of approximately 2001b on the cylinder rod 122a of the second hydraulic cylinder 122, and the secondary biasing element 230 is sized to provide a load of approximately 1001b on the cylinder rod 120a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120.

[0107] In an alternate embodiment of the first and second hydraulic cylinders 120, 122, the first and second hydraulic cylinders 120, 122 are spring-return hydraulic cylinders with integral springs, where the integral springs of the spring return hydraulic cylinders define the primary and secondary biasing elements 130, 230 of the at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 150.

[0108] In the specific embodiment of the at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 150 provided in Figures 2A and 2B, the directional control valve 220 is a two-position valve 220a and the oneway valve 210 is a spring-operated check valve 210a. In this embodiment, each of the first and second hydraulic cylinders 120, 122 have the same volume and stroke length.

[0109] While the primary and secondary biasing element 130, 230 of the trailer support 100 are characterized herein as “biasing elements”, the primary and secondary biasing element 130, 230 can be any suitable element that can apply a force downwards on the cylinder rods of the first and second hydraulic cylinders 120, 122, such as a set of weights.

[0110] In an additional embodiment of the hydraulic energizing assembly 150 such as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 150 further comprises a valve control element 240 that is operatively connected between the actuatable element 140 and the directional control valve 220 for controlling the directional control valve 220 based on the movement of the actuatable element 140.

[0111] In embodiments, one or more of the one-way valve 210, the spring-operated check valve 210a, the directional control valve 220, the two-position valve 220a, and the valve control element 240 may collectively be referred to as a valve assembly. In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 2A and 2B, the valve control element 240 is directly connected to both the actuatable element 140 and the directional control valve 220 for providing the operative connection therebetween.

[0112] In an exemplary embodiment of the valve control element 240 provided in Figures 4A and 4B, the valve control element 240 is a spring-loaded roller-cam 240a. The spring-loaded roller-cam 240a and directional control valve 220 are connected such that when the spring-loaded rollercam 240a is compressed, the directional control valve 220 opens, and when the spring-loaded roller-cam 240a is not compressed, the directional control valve 220 is closed. The actuatable element 140 of each hydraulic energizing assembly 150 is slidably mounted within the housing assembly 170 to slide vertically between the lower, first position (see Figure 4A) and the upper, second position (see Figure 4B). The actuatable element 140 includes a taper 242 formed along a portion of one side thereof.

[0113] The spring-loaded roller-cam 240a is mounted perpendicular to the length of the actuatable element 140 such that a roller of the spring-loaded roller-cam 240a contacts the side of the actuatable element 140 that includes the taper 242. The spring-loaded roller-cam 240a is spaced relative to the actuatable element 140 such that when the actuatable element 140 is in the first position (shown in Figure 4A), the spring-loaded roller-cam 240a is aligned with the taper 242 of the one side of the actuatable element 140 such that the spring-loaded roller-cam 240a is not compressed. As the actuatable element 140 slides from the first position to the second position, the roller of the spring-loaded roller-cam 240a slides up the taper 242 and along the one side of the actuatable element 140 and is compressed due to the reduced space (shown in Figure 4B).

[0114] In an alternate embodiment of the valve control element 240, the valve control element 240 is structured as a solenoid-based limit switch. The limit switch is mounted within each of the at least one housing assemblies 170 and is positioned such that the actuatable element 140 will contact the solenoid limit switch when the actuatable element 140 is in either the first position or the second position relative to the base unit 110.

[0115] The overall function of the trailer support 100 as it is picked-up by an external lifting apparatus and as it is energized to support the underside of a trailer will now be described with specific reference to Figures 2 A, 2B, 5A, 5B and 5C.

[0116] Referring first to Figures 5 A, the trailer support 100 is shown in a rest state, that corresponds to a state where the actuatable element 140 is in the first position. When the trailer support 100 is in this rest state, the second hydraulic cylinder 122 is in a retracted configuration (also shown in Figure 2A). The primary biasing element 130 (in the form of the axial spring) is at an extended position and is in contact with the lower tongue 140b of the actuatable element 140. The primary biasing element 130 is also in contact with a portion of the cylinder rod 122a of the second hydraulic cylinder 122 such that the biasing force from the primary biasing element 130 is transferred from the primary biasing element 130 to the cylinder rod.

[0117] When the trailer support 100 is in the rest state (actuatable element 140 is in the first position) the directional control valve 220 is in a closed state such that one of the two fluid pathways between the first and second hydraulic cylinders 120, 122 is shut. The check valve 210a still permits flow of the hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic cylinder 122 to the first hydraulic cylinder 120. In this rest state, the first hydraulic cylinder 120 is in an expanded configuration and has been filled with hydraulic fluid. The trailer support element 112 on the end of the cylinder rod 120a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120 is at a maximum stroke distance (height) above the base unit 110 of the trailer support 100. In the embodiments where the trailer support 100 includes the secondary biasing element 230, the secondary biasing element 230 will be applying a biasing (return) force to the cylinder rod 120a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120 in this rest state of the trailer support 100.

[0118] In the embodiments where the pressure on the hydraulic fluid in the second hydraulic cylinder 122 due to the primary biasing element 130 is greater than the pressure on the hydraulic fluid in the first hydraulic cylinder 120 (due to the secondary biasing element 230), the hydraulic fluid will continue to accumulate in the first hydraulic cylinder 120 (due to the pressure difference between the two cylinders) while any backflow of fluid from the first hydraulic cylinder 120 will be prevented due to the one-way valve 210 and the closed directional control valve 220.

[0119] Referring next to Figure 5B, the trailer support 100 is shown in an energized state that corresponds to a state where the actuatable element 140 is in the second position. In this state, the connecting element of the lifting apparatus would have been received in the receiving channel 182 of the trailer support 100 such that the actuatable element 140 is driven from the first position towards the second position, thereby driving the rest of the hydraulic energizing assembly 150 towards the energized state.

[0120] As the actuatable element 140 is moving from the first position towards the second position, the directional control valve 220 is activated and switches from the closed state to the open state, thereby opening a second fluid pathway between the first and second hydraulic cylinders 120, 122. The movement of the actuatable element 140 from the first position towards the second position also causes the primary biasing element 130 (which is contact with the lower tongue 140b of the actuatable element 140) to be driven upwards, such that the primary biasing element 130 is no longer in contact with the cylinder rod 122a of the second hydraulic cylinder. Said another way, the movement of the actuatable element 140 from the first position towards the second position causes the primary biasing element 130 to decouple from the second hydraulic cylinder 122 such that the biasing force from the primary biasing element 130 is no longer applied to the hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder 122.

[0121] As the primary biasing element 130 is no longer pressurizing the hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder 122, the fluid pressure within the first hydraulic cylinder 120 (due to the secondary biasing element 230) will be greater than the pressure on the hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder 122. As the directional control valve 220 has been driven to the open state, the pressure difference between the first and second hydraulic cylinders 120, 122 will drive the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic cylinder 120 towards the second hydraulic cylinder 122, through the fluid pathway of the directional control valve 220 (the check valve 210a still permits flow of the hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic cylinder 122 to the first hydraulic cylinder 120). As the hydraulic fluid is driven into the second hydraulic cylinder 122, the cylinder rod 122a of the second hydraulic cylinder 122 reaches a maximum stroke length and the cylinder rod 120a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120 reaches a minimum stroke length. In the energized state, the second hydraulic cylinder 122 is in an expanded configuration and has been at least partially filled with hydraulic fluid while the first hydraulic cylinder 120 is in a retracted configuration. The trailer support element 112 on the end of the cylinder rod 120a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120 is at a minimum stroke distance (height) above the base unit 110 of the trailer support 100.

[0122] Referring to Figure 5C, the trailer support 100 is shown in a support state that corresponds to a state where the actuatable element 140 is once again in the first position. In this state, the trailer support 100 has been placed under the trailer and the connecting element of the external lifting apparatus has been removed from the receiving channel 182 of the trailer support 100 such that the actuatable element 140 is driven from the second position down towards the first position. As provided above, the tongue of the actuatable element 140 is only in contact with the primary biasing element 130 and is not directly attached to the primary biasing element 130.

[0123] As the actuatable element 140 is moving from the second position down to the first position, and then reaches the first position, the directional control valve 220 is deactivated and switches from the open state to the closed state, thereby closing off the second fluid pathway between the first and second hydraulic cylinders 120, 122.

[0124] The movement of the actuatable element 140 from the second position back to the first position also permits the primary biasing element 130 to expand downwards again such that the primary biasing element 130 again contacts the cylinder rod 122a of the second hydraulic cylinder 122. The movement of the actuatable element 140 from the second position towards the first position frees the end of the primary biasing element 130, allowing the primary biasing element 130 to expand and engage the second hydraulic cylinder 122 for pressurizing the hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder 122.

[0125] As the primary biasing element 130 is again pressurizing the hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder, the fluid pressure within the second hydraulic cylinder 122 (due to the primary biasing element 130) will be greater than the pressure on the hydraulic fluid within the first hydraulic cylinder 120. This pressure difference drives the hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic cylinder, through the one-way check valve 210a, and into the first hydraulic cylinder 120, thereby causing the cylinder rod 122a of the second hydraulic cylinder 122 to retract and the cylinder rod 120a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120 to expand and raise the trailer support element 112 upwards.

[0126] As the trailer support element 112 is raised upwards by the movement of the cylinder rod 120a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120, the trailer support element 112 will engage the underside of the trailer at some height above the base unit 110. This need not happen at the maximum stroke distance of the first hydraulic cylinder 120 and can happen at various stroke distances of the cylinder rod 120a. Once the trailer support element 112 is contacting against the underside of the trailer, the weight of the trailer on the trailer support element 112 prevents further movement of the cylinder rod 120a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120, thereby preventing any further flow of hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic cylinder 122 and into the first hydraulic cylinder 120 via the check valve. As the directional control valve 220 has also been driven to the closed state, the first hydraulic cylinder 120 has become fluidly isolated from the second hydraulic cylinder 122 and the hydraulic fluid that has accumulated in the first hydraulic cylinder 120 has no fluid pathway through which to flow back towards the second hydraulic fluid cylinder 122. As the hydraulic fluid cannot flow out of the first hydraulic cylinder 120, the cylinder rod 120a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120 is effectively “locked” in place and cannot be driven downwards. In this way, the trailer support element 112 will be held in place for supporting the underside of the trailer.

[0127] When the trailer is supported by some other means (such as trailer landing gear) and the trailer support 100 is removed from beneath the underside of the trailer by the lifting apparatus, the trailer support 100 will then return to the energized state. The actuatable element 140 will again be driven from the first position towards the second position, the primary biasing element 130 will decouple from the second hydraulic cylinder 122, the directional control valve 220 will open, and the hydraulic fluid will be free to flow from the first hydraulic cylinder 120, towards the second hydraulic cylinder 122 such that the first hydraulic cylinder 120 moves to the retracted state and the second hydraulic cylinder 122 moves to the expanded state.

[0128] When the lifting apparatus then disengages from the trailer support 100 and places the trailer support 100 on the ground surface, away from the trailer or any other object that will limit the movement of the trailer support element 112 (and the cylinder rod 120a), the trailer support 100 will return to the rest state. The actuatable element 140 will be free to return to the first position, the primary biasing element 130 will engage the second hydraulic cylinder 122 for pressurizing the hydraulic fluid therewithin, the directional control valve 220 will close, and the hydraulic fluid will flow from the second hydraulic cylinder 122 towards the first hydraulic cylinder 120 such that the first hydraulic cylinder 120 moves to the expanded state and the second hydraulic cylinder 122 moves to the retracted state.

[0129] Referring to Figures 6A to 12C, there is provided an alternate embodiment of the trailer support 100 as the trailer support 300. Like the trailer support 100, the trailer support 300 includes a base unit 310 as well as the at least one trailer support element 112 for engaging the underside of the trailer. In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 7A to 10, and 12A to 12C, the at least one trailer support element 112 comprises a substantially horizontal member 312.

[0130] In at least some embodiments of the trailer support 100, 300 of the present disclosure, the trailer support 100, 300, and specifically the trailer support element 112 of the trailer support 100, 300 is structured to actively support the underside of the trailer only in the event of a failure of the legs of the trailer. In this embodiment, the trailer support element 112 includes at least one resilient, partially compliant member 212. The resilient, partially compliant member 212 is connected on the trailer support element 112 and will move with the trailer support element 112 due to the movement of the cylinder rod 120a, 320a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120, 320. The resilient, partially compliant member 212 is positioned on the trailer support element 112 such that when the trailer support element 112 is driven upwards by the movement of the cylinder rod 120a, 320a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 will contact with the underside of the trailer and the horizontal bar 112a of the trailer support element 112 will not directly contact the underside of the trailer.

[0131] As the resilient, partially compliant member 212 is driven into contact with the underside of the trailer by the movement of the cylinder rod 120a, 320a, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 will be at least partially compressed between the underside of the trailer and the horizontal bar 112a of the trailer support element 112. In this way, the weight of the trailer is progressively transferred to the trailer support element 112 via the resilient, partially compliant member 212. The progressive transferring of the weight of the trailer onto the trailer support element 112 drives the “locking” of the first hydraulic cylinder. The weight of the trailer on the trailer support element 112 prevents further movement of the cylinder rod 120a, 320a of the first hydraulic cylinder 120, thereby preventing any further flow of hydraulic fluid between the second hydraulic cylinder 122 and the first hydraulic cylinder 120, 320. As the directional control valve 220 has been driven to the closed state, the hydraulic fluid that has accumulated in the first hydraulic cylinder 120, 320 has no fluid pathway through which to flow back towards the second hydraulic fluid cylinder 122 and as a result the trailer support element 112 is held in place.

[0132] In at least some embodiments, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 is structured with a sufficient internal resilience / compliance such that as the resilient, partially compliant member 212 is compressed against the underside of the trailer and the weight of the trailer is transferred to the trailer support element 112 via the resilient, partially compliant member 212, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 will still be able to deform and expand relative to the trailer support element 112. Said another way, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 is sufficiently compliant such that even when the first hydraulic cylinder is locked in place by the weight of the trailer on the resilient, partially compliant member 212, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 will still be able to flex and expand, and thereby vary the position of the underside of the trailer relative to the trailer support element 112. This flexing and expansion of the resilient, partially compliant member 212 provides active support of the trailer by the resilient, partially compliant member 212, not the surfaces of the trailer support element 112. The compliance and resilience of the resilient, partially compliant member 212 actively supports the underside of the trailer in this configuration. During relatively small vertical movements of the trailer (such as due to loading and unloading the trailer with a forklift), the compliance of the resilient, partially compliant member 212 will support the underside of the trailer and prevent excessive vertical movement of the trailer.

[0133] The resilient, partially compliant member 212 supports the vertical movement / travel of the trailer over a distance that equal or less than a maximum vertical dimension of the resilient, partially compliant member 212

[0134] By structuring the resilient, partially compliant member 212 in this way, the trailer support element 112 will function to support the full weight of the trailer only during an at least partial collapse of the landing gear of the trailer. In the event of such a failure, the full weight of the trailer will effectively “fall” down onto the resilient, partially compliant member 212 and will be supported by the horizontal bar 112a of the trailer support element 112. Due to the weight of the at least partially collapsed trailer and the closed directional control valve 220, the hydraulic fluid that has accumulated in the first hydraulic cylinder 120, 320 has no fluid pathway through which to flow back towards the second hydraulic fluid cylinder 122 and will remain in the expanded state, supporting the weight of the trailer.

[0135] In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 6A to 8, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 has a tong, bar shape with a rectangular cross-section. The resilient, partially compliant member 212 is mounted along a top surface of the horizontal bar 112a and extends along most of the length of the horizontal bar.

[0136] In an additional embodiment, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 is composed of at least one resilient foam material.

[0137] In exemplary embodiments of the resilient, partially compliant member 212, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 is composed of an about %” thick layer of foam, an about ! ” thick layer of foam, or an about 14” thick layer of foam.

[0138] In an alternate embodiment, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 is composed of at least one resilient soft rubber material.

[0139] In another alternate embodiment, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 includes at least one spring element that is connected to the trailer support element 112 and extends substantially vertically upwards therefrom.

[0140] In embodiments comprising the resilient, partially compliant member 212, at certain times and / or under certain conditions, only non-supporting contact with the underside of the trailer is made, i.e., at certain times and / or under certain conditions, the resilient, partially compliant member 212 makes contact with the underside of the trailer but such contact is non-supporting, meaning that such contact is not enough to sufficient to support and / or distribute the load of the trailer at this time and / or under this condition nor is such contact sufficient enough to stabilize the trailer at this time and / or under this condition, such as, for example, against the bouncing and / or swaying of the trailer during unloading and / or loading operations. In these embodiments, the trailer support 300 only provides supporting contact with the underside of the trailer to support and / or distribute the load of the trailer if and when the landing gear fails and / or collapses and / or a certain threshold of the load applied to the trailer support 300 is detected to be exceeded.

[0141] Referring to Figures 6A to 12C, the embodiment of the trailer support 300 is illustrated in detail.

[0142] In at least some embodiments, the base unit 310 of the trailer support 300 includes some or all of the elements of the base unit 110 from the adjustable, trailer support 100 (described above with reference to Figures 1 A to IF and 3A to 3B). For example, the trailer support 300 can include the pairs of front and rear legs 160, 161, the pair of housing assemblies 170, the bumpers 178, and / or the plurality of hook-shaped members 180. Like the trailer support 100, some embodiments of the trailer support 300 can also be structured to be lifted and maneuvered about the ground surface by the external lifting apparatus that is attached to a vehicle. When the trailer support 300 is structured to be lifted by the external lifting apparatus, the base unit 310 is structured for releasably connecting to the external lifting apparatus for lifting the trailer support 300.

[0143] The trailer support also includes the at least one lift energizing assembly for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element 112 relative to the base unit 110. In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 6A to 12C, the at least one lift energizing assembly comprises the first lift element that is connected between the base unit 310 and the at least one trailer support element 112 for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element 112 relative to the base unit 310. The at least one lift energizing assembly also comprises the second lift element, the one-way controller and the directional controller as described above.

[0144] In the embodiment provided in Figures 6A to 10, and 12A to 12C, the at least one lift energizing assembly includes at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 350 (shown as two hydraulic energizing assemblies 350 in Figures 6A to 10, and 12A to 12C). The hydraulic energizing assembly 350 comprises a first hydraulic cylinder 320 that is connected between the base unit 310 and the at least one trailer support element 112. The first hydraulic cylinder 320 has a piston side 320b and a rod side 320c. In at least some embodiments, the first hydraulic cylinder 320 functions in a substantially equivalent manner to the first hydraulic cylinder 120 for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element 112 relative to the base unit 310.

[0145] The hydraulic energizing assembly 350 also comprises a second hydraulic cylinder 322 in fluid connection with the rod side 320c of the first hydraulic cylinder 320, as well as at least one storage vessel 396 that is in fluid connection with the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder 320. As shown in Figures 6A to 12C, the hydraulic energizing assembly 350 also comprises a one-way valve 391 that is fluidly connected between the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 and the at least one storage vessel 396 for preventing the flow of a hydraulic fluid from the piston side 320b to the at least one storage vessel 396, and a two- position control valve 390 that is in parallel fluid connection with the one-way valve 391, between the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 and the at least one storage vessel 320. In this same embodiment, the primary biasing element 130 is structured as at least one support biasing element 384 that connected between the at least one trailer support element 112 and the base unit 310 for biasing the at least one trailer support element 112 towards an extended position relative to the base unit 310. The actuatable element 140 is structured as at least one actuatable element 340, 341 that is movably mounted to the base unit 310 for actuating between at least first and second positions relative to the base unit 310.

[0146] In the specific embodiments provided in Figures 6A to 12C, the at least one actuatable element 340, 341 is first and second actuatable members 340, 341.

[0147] The at least one actuatable element 340, 341 is operatively connected to the two-position control valve 390 and the second hydraulic cylinder 322 such that when the at least one actuatable element 340, 341 is driven to the first position, the two-position control valve 390 is closed, and each of the second hydraulic cylinder 322 and the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 contain hydraulic fluid for holding the at least one support element 112 in the extended position above the base unit 310, and when the at least one actuatable element 340, 341 is driven to the second position, the hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic cylinder 322 is driven into the rod side 320c of the first hydraulic cylinder 320, and the two-position control valve 391 is opened such that the hydraulic fluid from the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder is released into the at least one storage vessel 396 and the at least one support element 112 is driven to a non-extended position above the base unit.

[0148] In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 11 A and 1 IB, each of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 and the second hydraulic cylinder 322 is a double-acting or two-way hydraulic cylinder. The first hydraulic cylinder 320 includes a cylinder rod 320a and has a piston side 320b and a rod side 320c where filling of the piston side 320b with hydraulic fluid will drive fluid out of the rod side 320c and vice-versa. The hydraulic energizing assembly 350 also comprises a second hydraulic cylinder 322 that includes a cylinder rod 322a and has a piston side 322b and a rod side 322c where filling of the piston side 322b with hydraulic fluid will drive fluid out of the rod side 322c and vice-versa.

[0149] The hydraulic energizing assembly 350 also comprises the least one storage vessel 396 in the form of a single storage tank that is mounted on the cross supports 161, 162 of the base unit, as well as the two-position control valve 390 and the one-way valve 391.

[0150] In the specific embodiment illustrated in the schematic diagrams of Figures 11A and 11B, the piston side 322b of the second hydraulic cylinder 322 is fluidly connected to the rod side 320c of the first hydraulic cylinder 320. The piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 is fluidly connected to the at least one storage vessel 396 via two parallel conduits. The one-way valve 391 is fluidly connected between the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 and the storage vessel 396 along one of the two parallel conduits for preventing the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic cylinder 320 to the at least one storage vessel 396, along the one of the two parallel conduits. The two-position control valve 390 is in parallel fluid connection with the one-way valve 391, along the second parallel conduit.

[0151] Unlike in the hydraulic energizing assembly 150 where the second hydraulic cylinder 122 is mounted in the same orientation as the first hydraulic cylinder 120, the hydraulic energizing assembly 350 has the second hydraulic cylinder 322 mounted in an inverted (i.e., substantially upside-down) configuration where the hydraulic rod 322a of the second hydraulic cylinder 322 extends substantially vertically downwards from the housing of the second hydraulic cylinder 322.

[0152] In the specific embodiment of the at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 350 provided in Figures 6A to 12C, the two-position control valve 390 is a ball valve 390a, and the one-way valve 391 is a spring-operated check valve 391a. In this embodiment, the first and second hydraulic cylinders 320, 322 have different volumes and stroke length. The hydraulic energizing assembly 350 also comprises the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 that are movably mounted to the base unit 310 for actuating between at least a first position (shown in Figures 9, 11 A, 12A and 12C) and second position (shown in Figures 11b, and 12B) relative to the base unit 310. The first actuatable member 340 is connected to the ball valve, and the second actuatable member 341 is connected to a hydraulic rod 322a of the second hydraulic cylinder 322.

[0153] In embodiments, one or more of the two-position control valve 390, the ball valve 390a, the oneway valve 391, and the spring-loaded check valve 391a, may collectively be referred to as a valve assembly.

[0154] In an embodiment, the hydraulic energizing assembly 350 further comprises a first biasing element 342 that is connected between the first actuatable member 340 and the two-position control valve 390. The first biasing element 342 functions to bias the first actuatable member 340 towards the first position (shown in Figures 9, 11 A, 12A and 12C). The first biasing element 342 also functions to operatively connect the first actuatable member 341 to the two-position control valve 390. Due to the connection between the two-position control valve 390 and the first actuatable member 340 provided by the first biasing element 342, movement of the first actuatable member 341 between the first and second positions relative to the base unit 310 will drive the two-position control valve 390 between closed and open states, respectively.

[0155] While the first biasing element 342 is characterized herein as a “biasing element”, the first biasing element 342 can be any suitable element that can apply a force downwards on the first actuatable member 340, such as a set of weights, for biasing the first actuatable member 340 towards the first, lowered position.

[0156] In this same embodiment, the hydraulic energizing assembly 350 comprises a second biasing element 343 that is connected between the second actuatable member 341 and the base unit 310 and / or the second hydraulic cylinder 322 for biasing the second actuatable member 341 towards the first position. Due to the connection between the second actuatable member 341 and the hydraulic rod 322a of the second hydraulic cylinder 322, movement of the second actuatable member 341 from the first position towards the second positions will drive the hydraulic rod 322a of the second hydraulic cylinder 322 from an extended position towards a retracted positions. The movement of the hydraulic rod 322a between the extended and retracted positions (shown in Figures 11A / 12A and 11B / 12B, respectively) drives hydraulic fluid into and out of the piston side 322b of the second hydraulic cylinder 322.

[0157] In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 6A to 10 and 12A to 12C, the first actuatable member 340 of each hydraulic energizing assembly 350 includes an upper tongue 340a that projects rearward from the rest of the first actuatable member 340, and a lower tongue 340b that projects forward from the rest of the first actuatable member 340. Similarly, the second actuatable member 341 of each hydraulic energizing assembly 350 includes an upper tongue 341a that projects rearward from the rest of the second actuatable member 341, and a lower tongue 341b that projects forward from the rest of the second actuatable member 341. Each of the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 are slidably mounted in slots 173 that are formed on the L-shaped inner and outer plates 172, 174 of the base unit 310.

[0158] In an another additional embodiment, the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 are positioned on the base unit 310 such that as the connecting element of the external lifting apparatus (not shown) is received in the at least one receiving channel 382 of the base unit 310, the connecting element of the external lifting apparatus contacts the upper tongues 340a, 341a of the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 for driving the first and second actuatable members 340 from the first position (shown, for example, in Figures 12A and 12C) towards the second position (shown, for example, in Figure 12B).

[0159] In the embodiments provided in Figures 6A to 12C, the hydraulic energizing assembly 350 has an alternate arrangement of biasing elements that differs from the arrangement of the secondary biasing element provided in the hydraulic energizing assembly 150 of Figures 1A to 5C. In the embodiments of Figures 6A to 12C, the hydraulic energizing assembly 350 includes the first and second biasing elements 342, 343, in addition to the at least one support biasing element 384 that is connected between the base unit 110 and the at least one trailer support element 112. The at least one support biasing element 384 is structured for applying a biasing force to the at least one trailer support element 112 for driving the rod 320a of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 downwards and thereby driving fluid out of the first hydraulic cylinder 310 and / or applying a pressure to fluid within the first hydraulic cylinder 320.

[0160] In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 6A to 10 and 12A to 12C, the at least one support biasing element 384 is a gas spring 384a that is connected between the horizontal member 312 of the at least one trailer support element 112 and the base unit 310 of the trailer support 300. The gas spring 384a includes a pin connection on each end thereof. One of the pin connections on the gas spring 384a is pivotably connected to a pivot point 384b along the horizontal member 312 and the other pin connection is pivotably connected to a flange on the base unit 310. The gas spring 384a is structured to apply a biasing force on the horizontal member 312 for pressurizing the fluid within the first hydraulic cylinder 310.

[0161] In the specific embodiment provided in Figures 6A to 6A to 10 and 12A to 12C, the at least one trailer support element 112 comprises the substantially horizontal member 312 that is laterally oriented about the base unit 330. The at least one hydraulic energizing assembly 350 of the trailer support 300 is a pair hydraulic energizing assemblies 350, and the at least one support biasing element 384 is a pair of support biasing elements 384 formed as a pair of the gas springs 384a. The first hydraulic cylinders 320 of the pair of hydraulic energizing assemblies 350 are connected to opposing ends of the substantially horizontal member 312 for varying a height at which the substantially horizontal bar 312 is positioned relative to the base unit 330.

[0162] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6A to 10 and 12A to 12C, the base unit 310 of the trailer support 300 is structured for supporting the trailer support 300 on the ground surface.

[0163] In the specific embodiment of the trailer support 100 provided in Figures 6A to 10 and 12A to 12C, the base unit 310 also includes the pairs of front and rear legs 160, 161, the front and rear cross supports 162, 163, the bottom plate 164, the leg bracing member 165, the angled support beams 166, the support blocks 167, and the angle brackets 168, and the gussets 169 as described previously. In this same embodiment, the base unit 310 also comprises a pair of housing assemblies 370 that are each sized to house one of the pair of hydraulic energizing assemblies 350. The pair of housing assemblies 370 are disposed on left and right sides of the front and rear cross supports 162, 163 of the trailer support 300.

[0164] In an additional embodiment, each housing assembly 370 of the pair of housing assemblies 370 comprises the L-shaped inner and outer plates 172, 174, the frame members 176 and the bumpers 178 as described previously.

[0165] In another additional embodiment, the trailer support 300 is structured to be lifted by the external lifting apparatus described previously. The base unit 310 of the trailer support 300 includes the plurality of hook-shaped members 180 as described previously, where the hooked form of each hook-shaped member 180 defines a channel portion therein. The pair of housing assemblies 370 of the base unit 310 of the trailer support 300 collectively define at least one receiving channel 382 for the at least one first contact member of the lifting apparatus. As shown in Figures 6A to 10 and 12A to 12C, the plurality of hook-shaped members 180 of the trailer support 100 are relatively aligned along the trailer support 300. In this embodiment, the plurality of hook-shaped members 180 define the at least one receiving channel 382 of the trailer support 300.

[0166] In embodiments, the hooked-shaped members 180 may collectively be referred to as a positioning element engagement element and the external lifting apparatus may be referred to as a trailer support positioning element for positioning the trailer support, which trailer support position element may be located on a vehicle.

[0167] The overall function of the trailer support 300 as it is picked-up by the external lifting apparatus and as it is energized to support the underside of a trailer will now be described with specific reference to Figures 11 A to 12C.

[0168] Referring first to Figures 11 A and 12A, the trailer support 300 is shown in a rest state that corresponds to a state where the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 are in the first, lowered position. When the trailer support 300 is in this rest state, the second hydraulic cylinder 322 is in an expanded configuration where the piston side 322b of the second hydraulic cylinder 322 is filled with hydraulic fluid, the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 is also filled with hydraulic fluid and the at least one storage vessel 396 is either partially filled with hydraulic fluid or completely empty. The first biasing element 342 is in an un-extended position, the second biasing element 343 is in an un-extended position and is in contact with a lower tongue 341b of the second actuatable member 341. The second biasing element 343 is also in contact with a portion of the cylinder rod 322a of the second hydraulic cylinder 322 such that the biasing force from the second biasing element 343 is transferred from the second biasing element 343 to the cylinder rod 322a. The at least one support biasing element 384 is in a noncompressed position that corresponds to the extended position of the trailer support element 112 relative to the base unit 310. In this position, the at least one support biasing element 384 does not apply a biasing force to the trailer support element 112.

[0169] When the trailer support 300 is in this rest state (e.g., the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 are in the first position and the trailer support element 112 is in the extended position) the two-position control valve 390 is in a closed state such that one of the two parallel fluid conduits between the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinders 320 and the storage vessel 396 is shut. The one-way valve 391 still permits flow of the hydraulic fluid from the storage vessel to the first hydraulic cylinder 320. In this rest state, the first hydraulic cylinder 120 is in an expanded configuration, the rod side 320c is not entirely filled with hydraulic fluid and the piston side 320b is substantially filled with hydraulic fluid. The trailer support element 112 on the end of a cylinder rod 320a of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 is at a maximum stroke distance (height) above the base unit 110 of the trailer support 100.

[0170] Referring next to Figure 12B, the hydraulic energizing assembly 350 of the trailer support 300 is shown in an energized state that corresponds to a state where the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 are in the second, raised position. In this state, the connecting element of the lifting apparatus would have been received in the receiving channel 382 of the trailer support 300 such that the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 are driven from the first position to the second position, thereby driving the rest of the hydraulic energizing assembly 350 towards the energized state.

[0171] As the first actuatable members 340 is driven from the first position towards the second position, the connection between the first actuatable member 340 and the two-position control valve 390 (via the first biasing element 342) will cause the two-position control valve 390 to rotate to the open state (thereby opening one of the parallel fluid conduits between the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder 320). Similarly, as the second actuatable member 341 is driven towards the second position, the tongue of the second actuatable member 341 will compress the hydraulic rod 322a of the second hydraulic cylinder 320 and pressurize the hydraulic fluid in piston side 322b of the second hydraulic cylinder 322. The pressurized fluid in the piston side 322b will be driven out the piston side 322b and into the rod side 320c of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 such that the hydraulic fluid in the rod side 320c applies a substantially downwards force on the piston of the first hydraulic cylinder 320. Because the two-position control valve 390 is in the open state, the downward force applied on the piston of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 by hydraulic fluid in the rod side 320c can drive the hydraulic fluid out of the piston side 320b, through the open two-position control valve 390 and into the at least one storage vessel 396. As the hydraulic fluid is driven out of the piston side 320b and into the storage vessel, the piston and cylinder rod 320a of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 retracts, which in turn will cause the trailer support element 112 to be driven from the extended position to the un-extended position. As the trailer support element 112 is driven towards the un-extended position, the at least one support biasing element 384 applies a biasing force to the trailer support element 112.

[0172] Referring to Figure 12C, the trailer support 300 is shown in a support state that corresponds to a state where the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 are once again in the first position. In this state, the trailer support 300 has been placed under the trailer, and the connecting element of the external lifting apparatus has been removed from the receiving channel 382 of the trailer support 300 such that the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 are free to move relative to the base unit 310. When the connecting element of the external lifting apparatus is removed, the biasing force applied by the first and second biasing elements 342, 343 on the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 drives the first and second actuatable members 340, 341 down from the second position towards the first position.

[0173] As first and second actuatable members move from the second position down towards the first position, the two-position control valve 390 is rotated to the closed state, thereby closing off one of the parallel fluid conduits pathway between the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 and the storage vessel 396.

[0174] The movement of the second actuatable member 341 from the second position back to the first position also causes the second actuatable member 341 to engage the cylinder rod 322a and drive the cylinder rod 322a towards the extended position. At the same time, the biasing force being applied by the at least one support biasing element 384 on the trailer support element 112 will drive the trailer support element 112 upwards towards the support position, thereby driving the cylinder rod 320a of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 towards the extended position. With the cylinder rod 320a of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 being driven to the extended position, hydraulic fluid will be drawn from the storage vessel 396 into the piston side 320b via the oneway valve 391, and hydraulic fluid will be driven out of the rod side 320c of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 and into the piston side 322b of the second hydraulic cylinder 322.

[0175] As the trailer support element 112 is raised upwards by the movement of the cylinder rod 320a of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 towards the extended position, the trailer support element 112 will engage the underside of the trailer at some height above the base unit 310. This need not happen at the maximum stroke distance of the first hydraulic cylinder 120 and can happen at various stroke distances of the cylinder rod 320a. Once the trailer support element 112 is contacting against the underside of the trailer, the weight of the trailer on the trailer support element 112 will be greater than the biasing force provided by the at least one support biasing element 384, and the underside of the trailer will thereby prevents further upward movement of the cylinder rod 320a of the first hydraulic cylinder 320. This halts the further flow of hydraulic fluid into the piston side 320b from the storage vessel 396 and / or into the piston side 322b from the rod side 320c of first hydraulic cylinder 320.

[0176] In this state, the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 is fluidly isolated from the at least one storage vessel 396, and the hydraulic fluid that has accumulated in the piston side 320b of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 has no fluid pathway through which to flow back towards the storage vessel 396. Because the hydraulic fluid cannot flow out of the piston side 320b, hydraulic fluid also cannot flow from the piston side 322b of the second hydraulic cylinder 322 into the rod side 320c of the first hydraulic cylinder 320. As such, the cylinder rod 320a of the first hydraulic cylinder 320 is effectively “locked” in place and cannot be driven downwards. The trailer support element 112 is therefore held in place for supporting the underside of the trailer.

[0177] When the trailer is supported by some other means (such as trailer landing gear) and the trailer support 300 is removed from beneath the underside of the trailer by the lifting apparatus, the trailer support 300 will then return to the energized state. When the lifting apparatus then disengages from the trailer support 300 and places the trailer support 300 on the ground surface, away from the trailer or any other object that will limit the movement of the trailer support element 112 (and the cylinder rod 320a), the trailer support 300 will return to the rest state.

[0178] The embodiments described herein are exemplary (e.g., in terms of materials, shapes, dimensions, and constructional details) and do not limit by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the following examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope of the disclosure, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto.

[0179] The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the above-described embodiments are intended to be examples of the present disclosure and alterations and modifications may be affected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the disclosure that is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

[0180] Part Numbers 100 trailer support

[0181] 110 base unit

[0182] 112 trailer support element

[0183] 112a horizontal bar

[0184] 120 first hydraulic cylinder

[0185] 120a cylinder rod of first hydraulic cylinder

[0186] 122 second hydraulic cylinder

[0187] 122a cylinder rod of second hydraulic cylinder

[0188] 130 primary biasing element

[0189] 130a primary external spring

[0190] 140 actuatable element

[0191] 140a upper tongue

[0192] 140b lower tongue

[0193] 150 hydraulic energizing assembly

[0194] 160 front legs

[0195] 161 rear legs

[0196] 162 front cross support

[0197] 163 rear cross support

[0198] 164 bottom plate

[0199] 165 leg bracing member

[0200] 166 angled support beams

[0201] 167 support blocks

[0202] 168 angle brackets

[0203] 169 gussets

[0204] 170 housing assembly

[0205] 172 L-shaped inner plate

[0206] 173 slots

[0207] 174 L-shaped outer plate

[0208] 176 frame members

[0209] 178 bumpers

[0210] 180 hook-shaped members

[0211] 182 receiving channel

[0212] 210 one-way valve

[0213] 210a spring-operated check valve

[0214] 212 partially compliant member

[0215] 220 directional control valve

[0216] 220a two-position valve

[0217] 230 secondary biasing element

[0218] 240 valve control element

[0219] 240a spring-loaded roller-cam

[0220] 242 taper of one side of the actuatable element

[0221] 300 trailer support

[0222] 310 base unit

[0223] 312a horizontal member

[0224] 320 first hydraulic cylinder

[0225] 320a cylinder rod of first hydraulic cylinder

[0226] 320b piston side of the first hydraulic cylinder 320c rod side of the first hydraulic cylinder

[0227] 322 second hydraulic cylinder

[0228] 322a cylinder rod of second hydraulic cylinder

[0229] 322b piston side of the second hydraulic cylinder

[0230] 322c rod side of the second hydraulic cylinder

[0231] 340 first actuatable member

[0232] 340a upper tongue

[0233] 340b lower tongue

[0234] 341 second actuatable member

[0235] 341a upper tongue

[0236] 341b lower tongue

[0237] 342 first biasing element

[0238] 343 second biasing element

[0239] 384 support biasing element

[0240] 384a gas spring

[0241] 390 two-position control valve

[0242] 390a ball valve

[0243] 391 one-way valve

[0244] 391a spring-loaded check valve

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A trailer support for supporting a trailer, the trailer support comprising: a base unit; at least one trailer support element that is structured for engaging an underside of the trailer; and at least one lift energizing assembly for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element relative to the base unit, the at least one lift energizing assembly comprising: a first lift element that is connected between the base unit and the at least one trailer support element; a second lift element that is in connection with the first lift element; a one-way controller that is connected between the first and second lift elements for preventing the energizing of the first lift element in favour of the second lift element; a directional controller that is in parallel connection with the one-way controller, between the first and second lift elements; a primary biasing element that is removably connectable to the second lift element for selectively energizing and de-energizing the second lift element; and an actuatable element that is movably mounted to the base unit for actuating between at least first and second positions relative to the base unit, the actuatable element being operatively connected to the directional controller and the primary biasing element such that when the actuatable element is in the first position relative to the base unit, the directional controller is closed and the primary biasing element is coupled to the second lift element, and when the actuatable element is in the second position relative to the base unit, the directional controller is open and the primary biasing element is decoupled from the second lift element such that the second lift element is not energized via the primary biasing element.

2. A trailer support for supporting a trailer, the trailer support comprising: a base unit; at least one trailer support element that is structured for engaging an underside of the trailer; and at least one hydraulic energizing assembly for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element relative to the base unit, the at least one lift energizing assembly comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder that is connected between the base unit and the at least one trailer support element; a second hydraulic cylinder that is in fluid connection with the first hydraulic cylinder; a one-way valve that is fluidly connected between the first and second hydraulic cylinders for preventing the flow of a hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic cylinder element to the second hydraulic cylinder;a directional control valve that is in parallel fluid connection with the one-way valve, between the first and second hydraulic cylinders; a primary biasing element that is removably connectable to the second hydraulic cylinder for selectively pressurizing a hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder; and an actuatable element that is movably mounted to the base unit for actuating between at least first and second positions relative to the base unit, the actuatable element being operatively connected to the directional control valve and the primary biasing element such that when the actuatable element is in the first position relative to the base unit, the directional control valve is closed and the primary biasing element is coupled to the second hydraulic cylinder, and when the actuatable element is in the second position relative to the base unit, the directional control valve is open and the primary biasing element is decoupled from the second hydraulic cylinder such that hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder is not pressurized via the primary biasing element.

3. The trailer support of claim 2, wherein the at least one hydraulic energizing assembly further comprises: a secondary biasing element that is operably connected to the first hydraulic cylinder for pressurizing hydraulic fluid within the first hydraulic cylinder.

4. The trailer support of claim 3, wherein the primary biasing element and secondary biasing element are relatively structured such that when the primary biasing element is connected to the second hydraulic cylinder for selectively pressurizing the hydraulic fluid within the second hydraulic cylinder, a magnitude of pressure exerted on hydraulic fluid within second hydraulic cylinder is greater than a magnitude of pressure exerted on hydraulic fluid within first hydraulic cylinder.

5. The trailer support of claim 2, wherein the base unit is structured for releasably connecting to an external lifting apparatus for lifting the trailer support.

6. The trailer support of claim 5, wherein the actuatable element is movably mounted on the base unit such that when the base unit is separate from the external lifting apparatus the actuatable element is in the first position relative to the base unit, and when the base unit is releasably connected to the external lifting apparatus the actuatable element is in the second position relative to the base unit.

7. The trailer support of claim 6, wherein the base unit includes at least one receiving channel that is sized to receive a connecting element of the external lifting apparatus therewithin for releasably connecting the trailer support to the external lifting apparatus, and wherein the actuatable element is movably mounted on the base unit such that as the connecting element of the external lifting apparatus is received in the at least one receiving channel of the base unit, the connecting element of the external lifting apparatus contacts the actuatable element such that the actuatable element is driven from the first position towards the second position.

8. The trailer support of claim 2, wherein the directional control valve is a two-position valve.

9. The trailer support of claim 3, wherein the hydraulic energy storage unit further comprises a valve control element10. The trailer support of claim 9, wherein the valve control element is a solenoid-based limit switch11. The trailer support of claim 9, wherein the valve control element is connected to both the actuatable element and the directional control valve for providing the operative connection therebetween.

12. The trailer support of claim 11, wherein the valve control element is a spring-loaded roller-cam.

13. The trailer support of claim 3, wherein the primary biasing element is a primary external spring that is connected to a rod of the second hydraulic cylinder, and wherein the secondary biasing element is a secondary external spring that is connected to a rod of the first hydraulic cylinder.

14. The trailer support of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second hydraulic cylinders are spring-return hydraulic cylinders.

15. A trailer support for supporting a trailer, the trailer support comprising: a base unit; at least one trailer support element that is structured for engaging an underside of the trailer; and at least one hydraulic energizing assembly for driving a movement of the at least one trailer support element relative to the base unit, the at least one hydraulic energizing assembly comprising: a first hydraulic cylinder that is connected between the base unit and the at least one trailer support element, the first hydraulic cylinder having a piston side and a rod side a second hydraulic cylinder in fluid connection with the rod side of the first hydraulic cylinder; at least one storage vessel that is in fluid connection with the piston side of the first hydraulic cylinder; a one-way valve that is fluidly connected between the piston side of the first hydraulic cylinder and the at least one storage vessel for preventing the flow of a hydraulic fluid from the piston side to the at least one storage vessel; a two-position control valve that is in parallel fluid connection with the one-way valve, between the piston side of the first hydraulic cylinder and the at least one storage vessel; a support biasing element that connected between the at least one trailer support element and the base unit for biasing the at least one trailer support element towards an extended position relative to the base unit; at least one actuatable element that is movably mounted to the base unit for actuating between at least first and second positions relative to the base unit, the actuatable element being operatively connected to the two-position control valve and the second hydraulic cylinder such that when the at least one actuatable element is driven to the first position, the two-positioncontrol valve is closed, and each of the second hydraulic cylinder and the piston side of the first hydraulic cylinder contain hydraulic fluid such that the at least one support element is held in the extended position above the base unit, and when the at least one actuatable element is driven to the second position, the hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic cylinder is driven into the rod side of the first hydraulic cylinder, and the two-position control valve is opened such that the hydraulic fluid from the piston side of the first hydraulic cylinder is released into the at least one storage vessel and the at least one support element is driven to a non-extended position above the base unit.

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