Assemblies for connecting dump trailers

Abstract

Assemblies for connecting dump trailers are described herein. The assemblies include a first linkage member having a first end pivotally coupled to a chassis of a forward trailer of the trailers, a second linkage member having a first end pivotally coupled to a second end of the first linkage member by a first pin, and a third linkage member having a first end pivotally coupled to a chassis of a rear trailer of the trailers and a second end pivotally coupled to a second end of the second linkage member. A first actuator is configured to pivot the first linkage member about the chassis of the forward trailer and a second actuator is configured to pivot the second linkage member about the third linkage member to provide for the rear trailer to move laterally relative to the forward trailer.

Description

Title: ASSEMBLIES FOR CONNECTING DUMP TRAILERSRelated Applications

[0001] The present application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 692,306 entitled ASSEMBLIES FOR CONNECTING DUMP TRAILERS filed on September 9, 2025, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to assemblies for dump trailers, and, more specifically, to assemblies for connecting two dump trailers that provide for a forward dump trailer to dump a load therein when the forward dump trailer is connected to a rearward dump trailer.Background

[0003] Many different dump truck and dump trailer configurations exist for transporting loads from one location to another. These trucks and trailers are able to conveniently transport and unload various materials upon arriving at a particular destination.

[0004] Still, there is a need for a simple and effective dual dump trailer configuration including a forward dump trailer and rearward dump trailer where each trailer may be emptied independently without having to detach either trailer and without obstructing the other trailer.Summary

[0005] Assemblies for a pair of dump trailers are described herein The assemblies include a first linkage member having a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally coupled to a chassis of a forward trailer of the pair of trailers. The assemblies also include a second linkage member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the second linkage member is pivotally coupled to the second end of the first linkage member by a first pin. The assemblies also include a third linkage member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the third linkage member is pivotally coupled to a chassis of a rear trailer of the pair of trailers and the second end of the third linkage19359953member is pivotally coupled to the second end of the second linkage member. The assemblies also include a first actuator coupled to the chassis of the forward trailer. The first actuator is configured to pivot the first linkage member about the chassis of the forward trailer. The assemblies also include a second actuator coupled to the third linkage member. The second actuator is configured to pivot the second linkage member about the third linkage member. The pivoting of the first linkage member about the chassis of the forward trailer and the second linkage member about the third linkage member moves the rear trailer laterally relative to the forward trailer when the forward trailer is connected to the rearward trailer by the assembly.

[0006] In at least one embodiment, the first pin provides for the second linkage member to pivot horizontally relative to the first linkage member.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the first end of the third linkage member is pivotally coupled to the chassis of the rear trailer by a first chassis pin.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the first chassis pin provides for the third linkage member to pivot vertically about the chassis of the rear trailer.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the second end of the third linkage member is pivotally coupled to the second end of the second linkage member by a second pin.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the second pin provides for the second linkage member to pivot horizontally relative to the third linkage member.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the first end of the first linkage member is pivotally coupled to the chassis of the forward trailer by a third pin.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the third pin provides for the first linkage member to pivot horizontally relative to the chassis of the forward trailer.

[0013] Methods of translating tandem dump trailers are also described herein.

[0014] These and other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the application, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of29359953the application will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein, and to show more clearly how these various embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show at least one example embodiment, and which are now described. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings described herein.

[0016] FIG. 1A is perspective view of a forward dump trailer connected to a rearward dump trailer by an assembly according to at least one embodiment described herein.

[0017] FIG. 1 B is a perspective view of the pair of dump trailers of FIG. 1 A when dump bodies of the trailers are each at a raised position.

[0018] FIG. 2A is a top view of the pair of trailers of FIG. 1A with the dump bodies of each of the trailers removed from their frames and the trailers being aligned with each other.

[0019] FIG. 2B is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 2A.

[0020] FIG. 3A is a top view of the pair of trailers of FIG. 1A with the dump bodies of each of the trailers removed from their frames and the rear trailer being move laterally relative to the forward trailer.

[0021] FIG. 3B is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 3A.

[0022] FIG. 4A is a perspective view from a rear end and above of the pair of dump trailers of FIG. 3A.

[0023] FIG. 4B is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 4A.

[0024] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a first linkage member of an assembly connected to a forward dump trailer of a pair of dump trailers, according to at least one embodiment described herein.39359953

[0025] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a second linkage member connected to a third linkage member of an assembly for connecting dump trailers according to at least one embodiment described herein.

[0026] Further aspects and features of the example embodiments described herein will appear from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.Detailed Description

[0027] Various systems, devices and methods are described below to provide an example of at least one embodiment of the claimed subject matter. No embodiment described below limits any claimed subject matter and any claimed subject matter may cover systems, devices and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed subject matter are not limited to systems, devices and methods having all of the features of any one systems, device or method described below or to features common to multiple or all of the systems, devices and methods described below. It is possible that a system, device or method described below is not an embodiment of any claimed subject matter. Any subject matter that is disclosed in a system, device or method described herein that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and / or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

[0028] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that 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 example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example 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 example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein.49359953

[0029] It should be noted that terms of degree such as "substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms of degree should be construed as including a deviation of the modified term, such as 1 %, 2%, 5%, or 10%, for example, if this deviation does not negate the meaning of the term it modifies.

[0030] Furthermore, the recitation of any numerical ranges by endpoints herein includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1 , 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.90, 4, and 5). It is also to be understood that all numbers and fractions thereof are presumed to be modified by the term "about" which means a variation up to a certain amount of the number to which reference is being made, such as 1 %, 2%, 5%, or 10%, for example, if the end result is not significantly changed.

[0031] The following description is not intended to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed subject matter. Subject matter that may be claimed may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that an apparatus, system or method disclosed in accordance with the teachings herein may embody any one or more of the features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination that is physically feasible and realizable for its intended purpose.

[0032] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1A is perspective view of a pair of dump trailers, including a forward dump trailer 100 and a rear dump trailer 102. Forward dump trailer 100 and rear dump trailer 102 may be any shape or design. Forward dump trailer 100 and rear dump trailer 102 include at least a frame 104, a dump body 106 pivotally coupled to frame 104 and a set of wheels 108 supporting the frame 104 and the dump body 102 above the ground and providing for motion of the trailers 100, 102.

[0033] Forward dump trailer 100 and rear dump trailer 102 are connected to each other by an assembly 110. Assembly 110 provides for each trailer 100, 102 to be emptied independently from the other trailer without having to detach either trailer from a tow vehicle (not show; e.g., a truck, tractor or other farming implement) and without either trailer or the load emptied therefrom obstructing the other trailer. FIG. 1 B shows the59359953trailers 100, 102 of FIG. 1A having their respective dump bodies raised to illustrate how each trailer may be emptied.

[0034] To provide for each trailer 100, 102 to be emptied independently from the other trailer without having to detach either trailer from a tow vehicle and without either trailer or the load that is emptied from either trailer obstructing the other trailer, forward trailer 100 and rear trailer 102 are connected to each other by an assembly 110 that is shown in FIGs. 2A-4B.

[0035] Assembly 110 provides for rear trailer 102 to move laterally (i.e., in a direction towards a side of the trailers) from an aligned position to a laterally spaced position relative to forward trailer 100 before either of the forward trailer 100 and rear trailer 102 are emptied. By moving the rear trailer 102 laterally relative to forward trailer 100, assembly 110 provides for a space to be present behind the forward trailer 100 to empty the forward trailer 100 while the forward trailer 100 is connected to the rear trailer 102. Herein, the term “laterally” means that the rear trailer moves from an aligned position where a longitudinal axis of each of the trailers is aligned with the other trailer to a position where a longitudinal axis of the rear trailer is spaced apart and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the forward trailer.

[0036] In at least one embodiment, forward trailer 100 and rear trailer 102 may be moving in a forward direction when the rear trailer 102 is shifted laterally relative to the forward trailer 100 by assembly 110.

[0037] In at least one embodiment, rear trailer 102 may be shifted laterally by a distance that provides for wheels 108 of the rear trailer 102 to be laterally spaced outwardly relative to wheels 108 of forward trailer 100. This distance can be seen on FIG. 3A as distance AA.

[0038] Assembly 110 includes a first linkage member 122, a second linkage member 132 and a third linkage member 135.

[0039] First linkage member 122 is pivotally coupled to frame 104 of forward trailer 100 and extends outwardly towards rear trailer 102. First linkage member 122 is shown as a square, tubular member, however, it may be any shape and / or design. More specifically,69359953first linkage member 122 has a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally coupled to chassis 104 of forward trailer 100.

[0040] Assembly 110 also includes a first actuator 124 pivotally coupled to frame 104 of first trailer 100 and pivotally coupled to first linkage member 122. First actuator 124 is coupled to frame 104 at a position spaced apart from a position where first linkage member 122 is pivotally coupled to frame 104. In FIG. 5A it is shown that first linkage member 122 is pivotally coupled to frame 104 at a position that is spaced apart from the position where first actuator 124 is coupled to frame 104 in the direction that rear trailer 102 is laterally shifted by first actuator 124. First actuator 124 is also coupled to first linkage member 122 at a positioned along the first linkage member 122 that is between its first end where the first linkage member 122 is pivotally couped to the frame 104 and its second end where the first linkage member 122 is pivotally couped to second linkage member 132 (via pin 125).

[0041] First actuator 124 is shown in FIG. 5A in a retracted position. When first actuator 124 is in its retracted position, forward trailer 100 and rear trailer 102 are aligned such that a longitudinal axis X of each trailer 100, 102 is aligned (see FIG. 4A).

[0042] As first actuator 124 extends outwardly from its retracted position to its extended position (shown in FIG. 3A), first linkage member 122 pivots about frame 104 in a direction towards a direction of movement of rear trailer 102 relative to forward trailer 100. FIG. 3A shows how each trailer’s longitudinal axis X is parallel when the first actuator 124 and the second actuator 134 are each extended.

[0043] First actuator 124 may be a hydraulic actuator and may be powered by a hydraulic line from the implement towing the trailers.

[0044] Assembly 110 also includes a second linkage member 132. In at least one embodiment, second linkage member 132 is coupled to first linkage member 122 at a pivot pin 125.

[0045] Second linkage member 132 is pivotally coupled to third linkage member 135 and extends outwardly towards forward trailer 100. Second linkage member 132 is shown as a square, tubular member, however, it may be any shape and / or design.79359953

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 5B, second linkage member 132 is connected to third linkage member 135 by a pivot pin 137. Third linkage member 135 is then coupled to frame, or chassis, 104 of the rear trailer 102 by a pivot 139. Pivot 139 is configured to provide for the third member 135 to pivot vertically with respect to frame 104.

[0047] Assembly 120 also includes a second actuator 134 pivotally coupled to third linkage member 135 and pivotally coupled to second linkage member 132. Second actuator 134 is coupled to second connector 114 at a position spaced apart from pivot pin 137 where second linkage member 132 is pivotally coupled to third linkage member 135. In FIG. 5B it is shown that second linkage member 132 is pivotally coupled third linkage member 135 at pivot pin 137 that is laterally spaced apart from the position where second actuator 134 is coupled to coupled third linkage member 135 in the direction that rear trailer 102 is laterally shifted by second actuator 134.

[0048] Second actuator 134 is also coupled to second linkage member 132 at a position along the second linkage member 132 that is between where the second linkage member 132 is pivotally couped to the third linkage member 135 and where the second linkage member 132 is pivotally couped to first linkage member 122. Second actuator 134 and third linkage member 135 may each be formed steel channels and may be any material or shape. When the second actuator 134 is fully extended, there is a great amount of torque around pivot pin 137. The strengthen the assembly and support pivot pin 137, one or more plates 141 (see FIG. 5B) may be provided.

[0049] Second actuator 134 is shown in FIG. 4B in a retracted position. When second actuator 134 is in its retracted position, forward trailer 100 and rear trailer 102 are aligned along a longitudinal axis X that passes through both of the trailers 100, 102 (see FIG. 4A).

[0050] As first actuator 124 extends outwardly from its retracted position to its extended position (as shown in FIG. 3A), second actuator 134 also extends outwardly from its retracted position to its extended position. Second actuator 134 extending outwardly from its retracted position to its extended position provides for the rear trailer 102 to remain facing a same direction as the forward trailer 100 and translate laterally with respect to forward trailer 100 without pivoting about forward trailer 100.89359953

[0051] Second actuator 124 may be a hydraulic actuator and may be powered by a hydraulic line from the implement towing the trailers.

[0052] In at least one embodiment, linkage assembly 120 may include a first locking mechanism to inhibit movement of first linkage member 122 relative to the forward trailer 100 to inhibit movement of the rear trailer 102 relative to the forward trailer 100 in the event that the first actuator 124 fails.

[0053] In at least one embodiment, linkage assembly 120 may include a second locking mechanism to inhibit movement of second linkage member 132 relative to the rear trailer 102 to inhibit movement of the rear trailer 102 relative to the forward trailer 100 in the event that the second actuator 134 fails.

[0054] While the applicant's teachings described herein are in conjunction with various embodiments for illustrative purposes, it is not intended that the applicant's teachings be limited to such embodiments as the embodiments described herein are intended to be examples. On the contrary, the applicant's teachings described and illustrated herein encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, without departing from the embodiments described herein, the general scope of which is defined in the appended claims.99359953

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:1 . An assembly for a pair of dump trailers, the assembly comprising: a first linkage member having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally coupled to a chassis of a forward trailer of the pair of trailers; a second linkage member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second linkage member being pivotally coupled to the second end of the first linkage member by a first pin; a third linkage member having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally coupled to a chassis of a rear trailer of the pair of trailers and the second end being pivotally coupled to the second end of the second linkage member; a first actuator coupled to the chassis of the forward trailer and configured to pivot the first linkage member about the chassis of the forward trailer; and a second actuator coupled to the third linkage member and configured to pivot the second linkage member about the third linkage member, the pivoting of the first linkage member about the chassis of the forward trailer and the second linkage member about the third linkage member providing for the rear trailer to move laterally relative to the forward trailer when the forward trailer is connected to the rearward trailer by the assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first pin provides for the second linkage member to pivot horizontally relative to the first linkage member.

3. The assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first end of the third linkage member is pivotally coupled to the chassis of the rear trailer by a first chassis pin.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the first chassis pin provides for the third linkage member to pivot vertically about the chassis of the rear trailer.1093599535. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second end of the third linkage member is pivotally coupled to the second end of the second linkage member by a second pin.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the second pin provides for the second linkage member to pivot horizontally relative to the third linkage member.

7. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first end of the first linkage member is pivotally coupled to the chassis of the forward trailer by a third pin.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the third pin provides for the first linkage member to pivot horizontally relative to the chassis of the forward trailer.

9. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first actuator is a hydraulic actuator.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the first actuator is powered by a hydraulic line from an implement towing the trailers.11 . The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second actuator is a hydraulic actuator.

12. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the second actuator is powered by a hydraulic line from an implement towing the trailers.119359953

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