Trailer System

Abstract

A trailer system for providing transportability for a cavity cleaning and coating system may include a frame, a bed that is attached to the frame, a pair of ground engaging elements that are attached to the frame, and a lifting and reclining assembly that is attached to the frame that is configured to raise and lower the cavity cleaning system into position over a cavity.

Claims

1. A remote manhole cleaning and coating system, comprising: a trailer attachable to and removable from a vehicle; a lifting and reclining assembly coupled to the trailer; and a manhole cleaning and coating assembly coupled to the lifting and reclining assembly; wherein the lifting and reclining assembly is adjustable, relative to the trailer, between a stowed position to transport the manhole cleaning and coating assembly and an operating position that enables the manhole cleaning and coating assembly to clean and/or coat a manhole.

2. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 1, wherein the stowed position of the lifting and reclining assembly positions the manhole cleaning and coating assembly in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to a manhole.

3. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 1, wherein the operating position of the lifting and reclining assembly positions the manhole cleaning and coating assembly in a substantially vertical orientation relative to a manhole.

4. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 1, wherein the trailer includes at least one vertical stabilizer that is extendible and retractable relative to the trailer.

5. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 1, wherein the trailer includes a rearward facing slot that receives the lifting and reclining assembly.

6. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 5, wherein the trailer additionally includes a floor beam that extends laterally across the rearward facing slot that is positioned below the lifting and reclining assembly when the lifting and reclining assembly is received in the rearward facing slot.

7. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 6, wherein the floor beam includes a cutout that receives a portion of the lifting and reclining assembly when the lifting and reclining assembly is received in the rearward facing slot.

8. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 1, wherein the lifting and reclining assembly includes at least one actuator to move the lifting and reclining assembly between the stowed position and the operating position.

9. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 1, wherein the lifting and reclining assembly includes a bottom assembly coupled to the trailer, a lifting mechanism coupled to the bottom assembly, and a top assembly coupled to both the lifting mechanism and the manhole cleaning and coating assembly.

10. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 9, wherein lifting mechanism includes at least one actuator to move the top assembly along with the lifting and reclining assembly between the stowed position and the operating position.

11. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 9, wherein the lifting mechanism includes at least two pairs of actuators to move the top assembly along with the lifting and reclining assembly between the stowed position and the operating position.

12. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 11, wherein a first pair of actuators of the at least two pairs of actuators extends and retracts the top assembly along with the lifting and reclining assembly a first distance in a clockwise and a counterclockwise motion, respectively, and wherein a second pair of actuators of the at least two pairs of actuators extends and retracts only the top assembly a second distance in a clockwise and a counterclockwise motion, respectively.

13. The remote manhole cleaning and coating system of claim 12, wherein the second distance is shorter than the first distance.

14. A method of positioning a manhole cleaning and coating system, wherein the method comprises: coupling a manhole cleaning and coating assembly to a lifting and reclining assembly; coupling the lifting and reclining assembly to a trailer; adjusting the lifting and reclining assembly along with the manhole cleaning and coating assembly, relative to the trailer, to a stowed position; attaching the trailer to a vehicle; towing the trailer with the vehicle to position the manhole cleaning and coating assembly proximate a manhole; and adjusting the lifting and reclining assembly along with the cleaning and coating assembly, relative to the trailer, to an operating position above a manhole.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the stowed position places the manhole cleaning and coating assembly in a substantially horizontal orientation relative to the manhole.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the operating position places the manhole cleaning and coating assembly in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the manhole.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising extending a vertical stabilizer from the trailer to a ground surface proximate the manhole.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein coupling the lifting and reclining assembly to the trailer includes receiving the lifting and reclining assembly in a rearward facing slot of the trailer.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein coupling the lifting and reclining assembly to the trailer further includes receiving the lifting and reclining assembly in a cutout of a floor beam that extends laterally across the rearward facing slot of the trailer.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the lifting and reclining assembly includes a bottom assembly coupled to the trailer, a lifting mechanism coupled to the bottom assembly, and a top assembly coupled to both the lifting mechanism and the manhole cleaning and coating system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer system in accordance with an example embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of the trailer system of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3A is a side view of the trailer system of FIG. 1 with the movable arm having a cavity cleaning and coating system attached thereto shown attached to a lifting and reclining assembly.

[0017] FIG. 3B is a side view of the trailer system of FIG. 3A with the movable arm and the cavity cleaning and coating system being manipulated over a cavity by the lowering of the lifting and reclining assembly. Also, the vertical stabilizers are shown lowered to provide stability for the operation.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the trailer system of FIG. 1 with the lifting and reclining assembly removed.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the trailer system of FIG. 4 with the bed plates, wheel and axle assemblies, and vertical stabilizer assembled removed, revealing the frame that is shown in isolation.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a detail view of a joint of the frame of FIG. 5 that is held together using a bracket.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lifting and reclining assembly of the trailer system of FIG. 1 shown in isolation.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a front view of the lifting and reclining assembly of FIG. 7.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a side view of the lifting and reclining assembly of FIG. 8.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bottom subassembly of the lifting and reclining system of FIG. 7 shown in isolation.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a front view of the bottom subassembly of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 11,253,883 (hereinafter, the '883 patent), the entire disclosure of which, except for any definitions, disclaimers, disavowals, and inconsistencies, is incorporated herein by reference.

A. Overview

[0027] Some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a trailer system 10 that can more easily transport a cavity cleaning and coating system similar or identical to that disclosed in the '883 patent as well as some desired auxiliary equipment. Some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure include a trailer system 10 comprising a lifting and reclining assembly 30 that is attached to the frame 20. In some example embodiments, the trailer system 10 includes a plurality of auxiliary equipment assemblies that rest on the bed 22 of the trailer system 10. In some other example embodiments, the lifting and reclining assembly 30 includes a bottom assembly 60, a top assembly 80, and a lifting mechanism 100 that is interposed between the top assembly 80, and the bottom assembly 60. Various embodiments of the trailer system 10 may increase the ease and the stability of the system in transit.

B. Trailer System

[0028] The trailer system 10 includes a frame 20, a bed 22 attached to the frame 20, a pair of ground engaging elements 24 (e.g., crawler tracks, tires as shown, etc.) attached to the frame 20, and a lifting and reclining assembly 30 attached to the frame 20.

[0029] More specifically as seen in FIGS. 1 thru 3A, the trailer system 10 may include a front hitch portion 12, and an apertured rear portion 14 that receives the lifting and reclining assembly 30, allowing the lifting and reclining assembly 30 to raise and lower a cavity cleaning and coating system 16. A mounting assembly 40 may be provided that is connected to the lifting and reclining assembly 30, as well as a cavity cleaning and coating system 16.

[0030] In addition as shown in FIG. 3A, a first storage tank 18 (e.g., a water storage tank) may be provided that rests on the bed 22 adjacent to the lifting and reclining assembly 30 along the longitudinal direction 11. Next, a control and mixing assembly 13 may be provided that rests on the bed 22 adjacent to the first storage tank 18 along the longitudinal direction 11. This assembly may also be able to heat the combined water and cleaning solution.

[0031] Also, a motor and a pump assembly 15 may be provided that rests on the bed 22 that is adjacent to the control and mixing assembly 13 along the longitudinal direction 11. A second storage tank 17 (e.g., a smaller tank than the first storage tank for storing a cleaning/coating fluid) may be provided that rests on the bed 22 adjacent to the motor and the pump assembly 15. Next, a first storage bin 19 (e.g., a plastic storage bin) may be provided that rests on the bed 22 along the longitudinal direction 11 adjacent to the second storage tank. A second storage bin 90 (e.g., a smaller tool chest than the first storage bin that is at least partially metallic) may be provided that rests on the bed 22 longitudinally between the first storage bin 19, and a front hitch portion 12 of the trailer system 10.

[0032] Since everything needed for a cleaning or a coating operation is provided on the trailer, the trailer system 10 and the cavity cleaning and coating system 16 can be effectively transported to a desired spot by pulling the trailer system 10 to the spot. Also, the extended length of the trailer system 10 provides more stability during transit since the center of gravity is nearer the middle of the trailer.

[0033] While not specifically shown or pointed out in the drawings, it is to be understood that the various assemblies, storage tanks, etc. are in communication with each other in various ways including electrically, mechanically, hydraulicly, etc.

C. Trailer Frame and Bed

[0034] As best seen in FIGS. 3A and 4, the frame 20 of the trailer may be covered by a plurality panels 29, forming a bed 22 upon which the various auxiliary equipment assemblies (e.g., the first storage tank 18, the second storage tank 17, the first storage bin 19, the second storage bin 90, the motor and pump assembly 15, the control and mixing assembly 13, etc.) may rest. The panels 29 may be apertured, corrugated, textured, etc. to help provide traction.

[0035] The frame 20 in FIG. 5 is shown to comprise a plurality of metallic tubes that are joined together. The front hitch portion 12 is formed by a triangular arrangement 26 of these metallic tubes, while the rest of the frame 20 is formed of a rectangular array of metallic tubes including two main side tubes 28, and a plurality of joist tubes 21 that connect to the main side tubes 28. Any of the metallic tubes may be joined to each other in any suitable manner including fastening, welding, etc. In some embodiments, the joist tubes 21 may be suitably close to each other such that the use of panels 29 to form the bed 22 is not necessary. That is to say, the joist tubes 21 themselves may act as the bed 22.

[0036] Also, FIG. 6 illustrates that a bracket 50 may be provided to connect multiple tubes together. In this instance, the bracket 50 is used to attach the triangular arrangement 26 of the front hitch portion 12 to the first joist tube 21, and one of the main side tubes 28. The bracket 50 includes a right angle portion 52 for connecting to the bottom of these tubes, and an obtuse angle portion 54 that connects to their side surfaces. The bracket 50 may be welded or fastened to all three tubes.

[0037] As alluded to earlier herein and understood by looking at FIG. 5 together, the bed 22 may rest on the frame 20 that may be elongated defining a longitudinal direction 11 (e.g., this is the direction in which the mains side tubes 28 extend), and a lateral direction 56 (e.g., this is the direction in which the joist tubes 21 extend).

[0038] In FIG. 4, the frame 20 may define a rearward facing slot 23 that is configured to receive at least a portion of the lifting and reclining assembly 30. At least a first vertical stabilizer 70, as well as possibly a second vertical stabilizer 71 may be provided that are laterally adjacent the rearward facing slot 23. Specifically, the first and the second vertical stabilizers 70, 71 may be positioned diametrically opposite each other being aligned laterally. The first and the second vertical stabilizers 70, 71 may use a vertical hydraulic cylinder 72 that lowers a foot 73 to contact the ground (see FIG. 3B) before the lifting and reclining assembly 30 is lowered to allow the cavity cleaning and coating system 16 to be lowered into the cavity.

[0039] Still referring to FIG. 4, the rearward facing slot 23 may extend longitudinally through a rear portion of the elongated frame 20 forming a U-shaped portion (e.g., see apertured rear portion 14). Also, a floor beam 25 may extend laterally across the rearward facing slot 23 that at least partially defines the rearward facing slot 23. More particularly, the floor beam 25 may define a cutout 27 for receiving a portion of the cavity cleaning and coating system 16 (see also FIG. 2).

D. Lifting and Reclining Assembly

[0040] Turning to FIGS. 7 thru 9, the lifting and reclining assembly 30 may comprise a bottom assembly 60, a top assembly 80, and a lifting mechanism 100 attached to the bottom assembly 60, and the top assembly 80.

[0041] The bottom assembly 60 may be configured to be attached to the frame 20 in a manner that will be described more thoroughly later herein. The top assembly 80 may be configured to be attached to a mounting assembly 40 that is in turn attached to the cavity cleaning and coating system 16. This arrangement allows the lifting and reclining assembly 30 to raise and lower the cavity cleaning and coating system 16 as indicated by FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0042] The lifting mechanism 100 will also be described in more detail momentarily. It is powered hydraulically to move the top assembly 80 in an upward facing position (which puts the cavity cleaning and coating system 16 into a stowed position as shown in FIG. 3A), or a backwards facing position (which places the cavity cleaning and coating system 16 into a vertical operating position such as shown in FIG. 3B).

E. Bottom Assembly

[0043] In FIGS. 10 and 11, the bottom assembly 60 includes a sheet metal enclosure 62 or the like with one open side 64 that allows the lifting mechanism to extend out toward the rear of the trailer system 10 (see FIGS. 3A and 8). The sheet metal enclosure 62 is configured to fit with the cutout 27 in the floor beam 25 that has been previously mentioned herein, and includes a lip 66 that extends at least partially along its perimeter so that it rests in a matching shaped rectangular aperture 68 formed by the frame 20 (see FIG. 4).

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a first bearing assembly 61 is provided that extends laterally being disposed near the back wall (e.g., opposite of the open side 64) of the sheet metal enclosure 62, while a second bearing assembly 63 may be provided that also extends laterally being disposed near the open side 64 of the sheet metal enclosure 62. A dual action hydraulic cylinder 65 may be interposed longitudinally between the first bearing assembly 61, and the second bearing assembly 63. The shafts 67 of the dual action hydraulic cylinder 65 may extend laterally once the bottom assembly 60 is positioned in the rectangular aperture 68 of the frame 20, causing the sides of the sheet metal enclosure 62 to bulge laterally, holding the bottom assembly 60 in the rectangular aperture 68.

[0045] Yokes 69 are provided to attach the first bearing assembly 61 and the second bearing assembly 63 to components of the lifting mechanism 100, allowing the components to rotate as the mechanism lifts or lowers as will be described momentarily herein.

F. Lifting Mechanism

[0046] In FIGS. 7 thru 9, it can be seen that the lifting mechanism 100 includes a pair of Y-shaped brackets 102, a pair of lower hydraulic cylinders 104 connecting the bottom assembly 60 to the pair of Y-shaped brackets 102, and a pair of upper hydraulic cylinders 106 connecting the pair of Y-shaped brackets 102 to the top assembly 80.

[0047] As just alluded to herein, the bottom assembly 60 includes a first bearing assembly 61, and the pair of downwardly oriented Y-shaped brackets 102 are attached to the first bearing assembly 61 via a pair of lower hydraulic cylinders 104 and the yokes 69. In addition, the bottom assembly 60 includes a second bearing assembly 63 that is spaced longitudinally away from the first bearing assembly 61, and the pair of Y-shaped brackets 102 are attached to the second bearing assembly 63 directly. As the lower hydraulic cylinders 104 expand, the Y-shaped brackets 102 will rotate clockwise as indicated in FIG. 8. Contraction of the lower hydraulic cylinders 104 will cause counterclockwise motion.

[0048] The upper hydraulic cylinders 106 connect at a midpoint 108 of the Y-shaped bracket 102, and to the top assembly 80 at a first point, or a first lateral line 81. The top portion of the Y-shaped brackets 102 are also attached to the top assembly 80 at a second point, or a second lateral line 82 that is spaced longitudinally away from the first lateral line 81 a predetermined distance. As the upper hydraulic cylinders 106 expand, the top assembly 80 will rotate clockwise as indicate in FIG. 8. Contraction of the upper hydraulic cylinders 106 will cause counterclockwise motion.

[0049] In order to get the desired rotational motions as best seen in FIG. 8, the pair of lower hydraulic cylinders 104 define a first throw-length 101, while the pair of upper hydraulic cylinders 106 define a second throw-length 103 that is less than the first throw-length 101.

G. Top Assembly

[0050] Still referring to FIGS. 7 thru 9, the top assembly 80 includes a top bracket 83, and the pair of upper hydraulic cylinders 106 are connected to the top bracket 83 at the midpoint 108 of the pair of Y-shaped brackets 102 along a first lateral line 81 of the top bracket 83, while the pair of Y-shaped brackets 102 are attached to the top bracket 83 at an extremity 84 of the Y-shaped brackets 102 at a second lateral line 82 of the top bracket 83 that is spaced longitudinally away from the first lateral line 81.

[0051] The top bracket 83 is attached to the underside of a sheet metal channel member 85 (may be U-shaped or C-shaped), and the top bracket 83 may have fastener receiving holes 86 so that the top assembly 80 may be attached to the mounting assembly 40 that acts as an intermediary between the lifting and reclining assembly 30, and the cavity cleaning and coating system 16.

H. Mounting Assembly

[0052] The mounting assembly 40 includes a pair of side mounting plates 42 (may have a truncated triangular shape), a support pad 44, and a bracing structure 46 that connects (directly, or indirectly) the side mounting plates 42 to the support pad 44. The support pad 44 may be a C-shaped sheet metal member that includes fastener receiving apertures for connecting the mounting assembly 40 to the cavity cleaning and coating system 16.

I. Operation of Preferred Embodiment

[0053] In use, the trailer system 10 may be transported to a desired location via a truck or other towing vehicle to where a cavity (e.g., a manhole) is located that needs to be cleaned and/or coated. Next, the lifting and reclining assembly 30 may be activated until the cavity cleaning and coating system 16 is positioned over the cavity. Then, the control and mixing assembly 13 may be used to lower the cavity cleaning and coating system 16 into the cavity.

[0054] Once the cleaning and/or coating operations are complete, then the cavity cleaning and coating system 16 may be raised and then reclined by reversing the above steps. Then, the trailer system 10 may be transported back to a base station where the auxiliary equipment may be serviced, filled with fluids, etc.

[0055] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described above. All patent applications, patents, and printed publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, except for any definitions, subject matter disclaimers or disavowals, and except to the extent that the incorporated material is inconsistent with the express disclosure herein, in which case the language in this disclosure controls. The various embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the various embodiments in the present disclosure be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.