Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Hinge Tank Dual Puruose Trailer
1. Introduction
This document exposes several different embodiments of a trailer-system that
can haul
a load of liquid cargo to a destination and then carry a substantial load of
general cargo (or
other kind of cargo) on the return trip. Tank trailers are often repositioned
empty because
there is no appropriate liquid cargo available for backhaul. General cargo,
however, often is
readily available for backhaul. The proposed trailer system is able to create
overall
productivity gains in such circumstances.
2. The Drawn Figures
Fig 1 shows a side elevation view of a flatbed type tractor and double trailer
combination used for over the road transportation. Fig 2 is a side elevation
view of the
preferred embodiment of the trailer-system innovation in what is termed the
loaded-position.
Fig 3 is a side elevation view of the trailer-system innovation's preferred
embodiment in what
is termed the empty-position. Fig 4 shows a close up rear end elevation view
of the trailer-
system's preferred embodiment in the loaded-position. Fig 5 shows a close up
side elevation
view of the rear part of the trailer-system's preferred embodiment in the
loaded-position. Fig
6 shows a close up side elevation view of the rear part of the trailer-
system's preferred
embodiment in the empty-position. Fig 7 shows a side elevation view of the
innovation
applied to a hopper type trailer embodiment of the innovation. All the figures
are simplified
representations. In some of them certain dimensions are exaggerated for
descriptive clarity.
All these drawn figures are reintroduced in the appropriate sections of the
description below.
3. The Preferred Embodiment
The Typical B-Train
Fig 1 shows a side elevation view of a flatbed type rig. It is a common
tractor and
double trailer combination used for over the road transportation. The trailer
configuration
shown is a typical b-train type. This figure is used to identify the standard
truck and trailer
parts that are also part of an innovative trailer system that is described
further below.
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The flatbed rig includes a tractor 2 (only the tractor-neck is showing in the
figure), a
front-trailer 3 and a rear-trailer 4. A tractor-neck 5 extends out from the
tractor's 2 back end;
it is supported by a drive-tandem 6, the tractor's 2 power axles. A front-
fifth-wheel 7, a
common kind of kingpin hitch connection, is positioned connected to the
tractar-neck's 5 top
surface. Preferably, it is positioned about between the drive-tandem's 6 two
axles.
The front-trailer 3 includes a front-platform 8, the front underside of which
connects
to the front-fifth-wheel 7. Of course, this kingpin connection allows the
front-trailer 3 to pivot
side to side in relation to the tractor 2. The rear underside of the front-
platform 8 is supported
by a center-tridem 9; this central three axle set is typical of most b-train
type tractor trailer
rigs. (Note that the centre beams and other structural members that support
the front-platform
8 are included as part of the platform in this description and are not
detailed in the figures.
The technology involved in their construction is well known).
The centre-tridem's 9 support beam extends backward out beyond the rear end of
the
front-platform 8. A rear-fifth-wheel 10 is positioned in about the top centre
of this rearward
extension of the beam. The rear-trailer 4 includes a rear-platform 11, the
front underside of
which connects to the rear-fifth-wheel 10. Of course, the rear-trailer 4
pivots side to side on
this connection in relation to the front-trailer 3. A rear-tandem 12 supports
the back end
underside of the rear-platform 11. (Note that the centre beams and other
structural members
that on most trailers support the rear-platform 20 are included as part of it
in this description
and are not detailed in the figures).
From hereon in the description that follows, the term "trailer-platform" is
used to refer
to either one or the other of the front-platform 8 or the rear-platform 11.
The term "trailer-
platforms" is used to refer to both these platforms in plural. No part number
will follow the
term in the text.
The Dual Purpose Trailer System
Fig 2 is a side elevation view of a trailer-system 1 in what is termed from
hereon to be
the loaded-position. Fig 3 is a side elevation view of the trailer-system 1 in
what is termed
from hereon to be the empty-position. The trailer-system 1 is presented as a b-
train tractor and
trailer configuration, as was outlined above. However, the innovative features
detailed in this
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document can also be applied to other configurations, including a-trains, c-
trains, and other
multiple trailer configurations, as well as to straight trucks, truck and
trailer, and semitrailer
rigs.
The loaded-position (as shown in Fig 2) is appropriate for when the trailer-
system 1 is
to be loaded with, to transport, and to be emptied of liquid cargo. The liquid
cargo could be,
for example, diesel fuel. The empty-position (as per Fig 3) is appropriate for
when the trailer-
system 1 is substantially empty of liquid cargo and is to be loaded with, to
transport, and to be
unloaded of general cargo. The general cargo could include pallets of plywood
or dimensional
lumber, for example.
In addition to the parts that correspond to a typical b-train tractor and
trailer flatbed type
rig, as detailed above and in Fig l, the trailer-system 1 also has the
following parts that are
detailed in Fig 2 and Fig 3 and describe in letters (a) through (e) below:
(a) A front-belly-tank 14 -
An integral part of the front-trailer 3, it is positioned under the front-
platform 8 behind the
drive-tandem 6 and in front of the center-tridem 9. Preferably, it is made of
metal, like steel or
aluminium, and has a welded construction. Its front end must be set far enough
back so as to
not interfere with the drive-tandem 6 when the trailer-system 1 is taking
corners. The front-
belly-tank 14 is a fully closed liquid cargo transport tank fitted with
appropriate parts and
systems for loading, unloading, pressure and vacuum relief, vapour recovery,
and access for
cleaning, inspection, repair and maintenance as required. The construction of
possum bellied
tanks of this kind on trailers is known technology.
(b) A rear-belly-tank 15 -
An integral part of the rear-trailer 4, it is positioned under the rear-
platform I 1 behind the
center-tridem 9 and in front of the rear-tandem 12. Preferably, it is made of
metal, like steel or
aluminium, and has a welded construction. Its front end must be set far enough
back so as to
not interfere with the center-tridem 9 when the trailer-system 1 is taking
corners. The rear-
belly-tank 15 is a fully closed liquid cargo transport tank fitted with the
appropriate parts and
systems for loading, unloading, pressure and vacuum relief, vapour recovery,
and access for
cleaning, inspection, repair and maintenance as required. Again, the
construction of such
possum bellied tanks is known technology.
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(c) A series of hinge-tanks 16 -
One of these tanks - and preferably there are four of them - is positioned
toward the front end
and the rear end of each of the trailer-platforms' top surfaces. Each hinge-
tank 16 is a fully
closed liquid cargo transport tank. It is fitted with appropriate parts and
systems for loading,
unloading, pressure and vacuum relief, vapour recovery, and access for
cleaning, inspection,
repair and maintenance as required. Preferably, it is made of metal, like
steel or aluminium,
and has a welded construction.
Each hinge-tank 16 can take on two positions. The first position is termed the
horizontal-position, as shown in Fig 2, which corresponds to the trailer-
system 1 being in the
loaded-position. The hinge-tank 16 lies low and flat on the trailer-platform's
top surface. The
second position is termed the vertical-position, as shown in Fig 3, which
corresponds to the
trailer-system 1 being in the empty-position. In the vertical-positioned, the
hinge-tank 16 is
rotated up on a hinge-arrangement (this part is described in detail further
below) until they are
placed at about a 90-degree angle compared to the horizontal-position
placement.
Preferably, in the vertical position, the hinge-tanks 16 will be positioned at
the extreme
ends of the trailer-platforms as Fig 3 shows, thus creating long spans of
space in the centre of
the trailer-platforms on which general cargo can be stowed. The hinge-tanks 16
are parts that
can be connected to and separated from the trailer-platforms.
(d) A series of winch-towers 17 -
One of these rigid vertical towers is position extending substantially
vertically upward
from the front end and the rear end of each of the trailer-platforms.
Preferably, there are four
of them, one corresponding to each of the hinge-tanks 16. The winch-tower 17
corresponds to
the hinge-tank 17 that is closest to it on the same trailer-platform.
(e) A series of winch-cables 18 -
Each corresponding winch-tower 17 and hinge-tank 16 has a corresponding winch-
cable
18. One end of this cable is connected to the top of the hinge-tank 16 toward
the end that is
furthest from the winch-tower 17. This connection is made in a way that
permits it to be easily
detached later, like a hook in a loop (not shown). The cable's other end is
connect to a winch
(describe in detail further below) that is positioned near the winch-tower's
17 base. The cable
extends from the winch up and over a pulley (not shown) that :is position near
the winch-
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tower's 17 tap and then out and down to where the cable connects to the hinge-
tank 16.
Considering the hinge-tank 34 in the horizontal-position (as per Fig 2) when
the winch draws
in the winch-cable 18, the hinge-tank I6 will be rotated up on the hinge-
arrangement until it is
in the vertical-position (as per Fig 3). By letting out the winch-cable 18,
the hinge-tank 16 can
be lowered - rotating down on the hinge-arrangement - from the vertical
position to the
horizontal-position. An airbag (described later) is used to push over the tank
from the vertical-
position toward the horizontal-position. Thus by this automated means of
moving the hinge-
tanks 16 from the horizontal-position to the vertical-position and vice versa,
the trailer-system
1 is converted from the loaded-position (which is appropriate for transporting
liquid cargo) to
the vertical-position (which is appropriate for transporting general cargo).
Close Up Figures
Fig 4 shows a close up rear end elevation view of the trailer-system 1 in the
loaded-
position - the hinge-tank 34 that shows (the rearmost hinge-tank 34) is in the
horizontal-
position. Fig 5 shows a close up side elevation view of the rear part of the
trailer-system I in
the loaded-position. Only the rearmost hinge-tank 34 shows and it is in the
horizontal-
position. Fig 6 shows a close up side elevation view of the rear part of the
trailer-system 1 in
the empty-position. Only the rearmost hinge-tank 34 shows and it is in the
vertical-position.
Hinge Tank Detail
Preferably made of metal with welded construction, each of the hinge-tanks I 6
has a
low profile, generally rounded rectangular shape when looked at from the rear
end view in the
horizontal-position (as per Fig 5). This profile should extend for
substantially the tanks full
length (except for perhaps the ends bulging out slightly). The tank in the
horizontal-position
(as per Fig 6) preferably is substantially longer than it is high, as this
provides the tank loaded
with liquid cargo a low centre of gravity for stable transport.
The hinge-tank's 16 liquid holding body is comprised of a series of walls, all
of which
have an inside surface and an outside surface. Each of these walls is detailed
in letters (a)
through (f) below:
(a) A bottom-wall 19
This wall is preferably substantially flat and rectangular in shape. Its
outside surface rests
on the trailer-platform's top surface when in the horizontal-position. Note
that preferably a
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cushioned-mat (not shown) is adhered to the bottom-wall's 19 outside surface;
it can be a
sheet of rubber or sponge rubber, for example. It protects the bottom-wall 19,
including from
damage that might be caused by protrusions or imperfections in the trailer-
platform's top
surface.
(b) A pair of lower-curve-walls 20
One of these walls extends outward and upward in a curved shape from along the
full
length of each of the lateral edges of the bottom-wall 19. Preferably, the
slope of the lower-
curve-wall 20 becomes increasingly steep as it extends outward until about
vertical. Both
lower-curve-walls 20 extend upward to about the same height., and this height
is about equal
along their full length.
(c) A pair of side-walls 21
One of these walls extends about vertically upward from along the full length
of the top
edge of each of the lower-curve-walls 20. The two side-walls 21 extend upward
to about the
same height, and this height is about equal along their full length.
(d) A top-wall 22
This wall extends across connecting the top edges of the two side-walls 21.
The top-wall
22 has a somewhat arched shape. From along the entire top edge of each of the
side-walls 21
it extends first upward and inward in a curve shape with an increasingly less
steep slope, and
then in a gentle upward and inward slope to its apex in about the centre
between the two side-
walk 21.
(A note aside - Described up to this point, in letters (a) through (d) above,
the hinge-tank 16
is a rounded rectangular shaped tube, closed across the bottom, up the lateral
sides and across
the top. This tube is comprised of the continuum of the bottom-wall 19, the
lower-curve-walls
20, the side-walls 21, and the top-wall 22. Described up to this point,
however, this tube's
ends are fully open).
(e) An inward-end-wall 23
This wall closes offthe end of the above mentioned tube furthest from the
hinge-tank's 16
corresponding winch-tower 17 when in the horizontal position. Preferably, the
inward-end-
wall 23 will be either be substantially flat or have a slightly outward bulged
shape.
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(f) A tower-end-wall 24
This wall closes off the end of the tube mentioned above that is closest to
the hinge-
tank's 16 corresponding winch-tower 17 when the same hinge-tank 16 is in the
horizontal-
position. Preferably, this wall has a slightly outward bulge. It is best that
this bulge is tapered
from the sides toward the centre such that if the hinge-tank 16 is tilted up
slightly from the
horizontal-position in the direction of the vertical-position, the liquid
cargo will flow by force
of gravity to the bottom centre of the tower-end-wall 24.
Here ends the description of the walls that form the hinge-tank's 16 liquid
retaining body.
Other hinge-tank 16 parts follow.
The hinge-tank's 16 discharge-valve is 25 is best fit through the bottom
centre of the
tower-end-wall 24. It is positioned so that if the hinge-tank 16 is rotated up
slightly from the
horizontal-position toward the vertical-position the liquid cargo will flow by
force of gravity
to this valve, thus facilitating the tank's full discharge.
Preferably, each hinge-tank 16 has a rollover-wall 26 positioned extending
above the top-
wall's 22 top centre. Preferably, the rollover-wall 26 is made of metal and is
welded to the
hinge-tank 16. It is a rigid ridge extending upward above the top-wall 22
surrounding, and
providing rollover protection to, the required tank fixtures that are fixed
through the top-wall
22 into the tank's liquid holding chamber. These fixtures can include some or
all of the load
port, the access hatch, the pressure vent, the vacuum vent, and vapour
processing equipment
or hook ups; other fixtures are also possible. The dimensions of the rollover-
wall 26 have a
specially relationship with the hinge-tank's 16 corresponding winch-tower 17.
This is
described further below.
Winch System Detail
Fig 4, Fig 5, and Fig 6 show that the winch-tower 17 is preferably comprised
of two
about vertical positioned tower-poles 27 that are connected, preferably by
welding, by a series
of about horizontally positioned crossbars 28. A series of tower-bolts 29 pass
though the
lowermost crossbar 28 connecting the winch-tower 17 to the trailer-platform's
end.
A winch 30 is positioned connect to the top of the lowest most crossbar 28,
preferably
bolted to it. The winch-cable 18 extends up from the winch 30 and is guided
over a pulley
(not shown) positioned in about the centre of the uppermost crossbar 28. The
pulley is
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appropriately connected to the crossbar 28 so that it rotates substantially
aligned with the
trailer-system's 2 front to back direction. The winch-cable 18 passes over the
pulley and
extends down to where it is connected to the hinge-tank's 16 top-wall 22.
Preferably, the winch 30 is powered by an integrated electric motor. This
motor
receives its power from the trailer-system's 1 integrated electrical power
means (far example,
the tractor's 2 generator) to which it is connected by an appropriate electric
cable. It is best
that the connection allows for easy disconnection (such as the typical
electrical plugs used on
tractor and trailer rigs).
Because the winch-tower 17 is connected to the trailer-platform by the tower-
bolts 29,
if necessary or convenient for a given transport operation, the winch-tower 17
can be
separated from the rest of the trailer-system 1. The winch 30 will need to be
unplugged from
the cable that connects it to the electrical power source and the winch-cable
18 will need to be
disconnected from the hinge-tank 17.
The Hinge Arrangement Detail
Each trailer-platform has a centre-span 31 across its centre length and an end-
span 32
at either end. As the figures show, the centre-span's 31 top surface is
slightly higher in
elevation than the end-span's 32 top surface. At the intersection of these two
spans is a short
vertical wall. When the hinge-tank 16 is in the vertical-position, it sits
with its tower-end-wall
24 facing down over the top surface of the end-span 32 (as Fig 6 shows). When
the hinge-tank
16 is in the horizontal-position, its bottom-wall 19 rests on the top surface
of the centre-span
31 (as Fig 5 shows).
A hinge-arrangement 33 is positioned on the end-span 32 right up against the
short
vertical wall where it intersects with the centre-span 31. The hinge-
arrangement 33 is
comprised of a set of platform-hinge-loops 34 that extend up from the end-span
32 and are
connected to it by bolts or welding. A set of tank-hinge-loops 35 extend down
from the hinge-
tank 16 connected to it by welding near the intersection of the lower-curve-
wall 20, the
bottom-wall 19, and the tower-end-wall 24. The tank-hinge-loops 35 intersect
with the
platform-hinge-loops 34 to form a continuous tube typical of hinges. A hinge-
pin 36 is fit
though this pair of intersecting loops to complete the hinge-arrangement 33,
Preferably, the
hinge-pin 36 has an appropriate means (not shown) that connects it firmly in
place so that it
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will not shake loose during transport, and this means should allow for easy
disconnection.
Thus, the hinge-pin 36 can be removed from the hinge-arrangement 33 and the
hinge-tank 16
can be separated from the trailer-platform.
Preferably, as Fig 4 shows, there are two hinge-arrangements 33, one
positioned near
each lateral side of the trailer-platform and hinge-tank 16. The hinge-
arrangements 33 allow
the hinge-tank 16 to be rotated between the horizontal-position and the
vertical-position. It
also permits the hinge-tank 16 to be connected and disconnected from the
trailer-platform - as
the hinge-pin 36 can be remove and the platform-hinge-loops 34 and the tank-
hinge-loops 35
separated from each other.
Hinge Tank Stowage
In the horizontal-position (as per Fig 5), the hinge-arrangements 33 hold one
end (that
corresponding to the tower-end-wall 24) of the hinge-tank 16 firmly to the
trailer-platform.
The hinge-tank's 16 other end (that corresponding to the inward-end-wall 23)
is held down by
a cargo-strap 37, connected to one side of the trailer-platform, loop over the
tank's top, and
connected to a ratchet 38 welded to the trailer-platform's other side. The
ratchet 38 is
tightened down to hold the hinge-tank 16 firmly in place. The same cargo-strap
37 and ratchet
38 can be used for the stowage of the general cargo.
An alternative to the cargo-strap 37 and ratchet 38, connector castings (like
the corner
castings typical of multimodal containers) can be welded the lower-curve-wall
20, positioned
to intersect with turn-on-pins (like those typically used to connect
multimodal containers to
trailer to flatbeds and chassis) embedded in the trailer-platform.
In the vertical-position, the hinge-tank's 16 tower-end-wall 24 is facing
downward
toward the end-span's 32 the top surface. Its edge furthest from the winch-
tower 17 (at the
intersection of the bottom-wall 19 and the tower-end-wall 24) is connected
firmly to the
trailer-platform by the hinge-arrangements 33. The edge of the hinge-tank 16
that is right next
to the winch-tower 17 (at the intersection of the top-wall 22 arid the tower-
end-wall 24) is
connected to the truck-platform on each side by a connector-clamp 39. These
are welded to
each side of the platform (thus preferably there are two connector-clamps 39
in total). Each of
these clamps is positioned to hook into a connector-eye 40 that is welded to
the hinge tank 16
(about at the intersection of the top-wall 22, the side-wall 21, and the tower-
end-wall 24). The
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connector-clamps 39 are tightened down to hold the hinge-tank 16 firmly to the
trailer-
platform.
Again, as an alternative to the connector-clamps 39 and connector-eyes 40,
intersecting connector castings and turn-on-pins could be used to hold this
edge of the hinge-
tank 16 to the trailer-platform.
Considering the horizontal-position, preferably the connector-eyes 40 extend
out
toward the winch-tower 17 slightly beyond the most outward surface of the
tower-end-wall
24. Preferably, each connector-eye 40 has a flat about vertical surface facing
the winch-tower
17. Thus, when put into the vertical-position, these flat surfaces of the
connector-eyes 40 will
rest on the top surface of the end-span 32, supporting the hinge-tank 16.
To convert the hinge-tank 16 from the horizontal-position to the vertical-
position, the
cargo-strap 37, of course, must first be loosened and removed. Likewise, to
convert the hinge-
tank 16 from the vertical-position to the horizontal-position, the connector-
clamps 39 must be
loosed and disconnected from the connector-eyes 40.
The Winch Tower and Hinge Tank
The dimension of the rollover-wall 26 and the spacing of the winch-tower's 17
tower-
poles 27 and crossbars 28 preferably are such that when the hinge-tank 16 is
in the vertical-
position, the rollover-wall 26 will nest in the spacing between the tower-
poles 27 and the
crossbars 28.
Preferably, a rigid-plate 41, about vertically positioned, is welded between
the tower-
poles 27. An airbag 42 is appropriately connected to the rigid-plate 41 on the
side facing the
hinge-tank 16, so that when inflated with air it will expand out toward the
hinge-tank 16. The
airbag 42 has the appropriate valves and controls that permit it to be
inflated and deflated with
compressed air. An air-hose (not shown) connects it to the trailer-system's 1
integrated
compressed air system, preferably by means that allows it to be easily
disconnected later. The
rigid-plate 41 and the airbag 42 are best positioned on the lower half of the
winch-tower 17.
When the hinge-tank 16 is in the vertical-position, the airbag 42 is collapsed
- empty
of compressed air. When then inflated with compressed air, the airbag expands
pushing on the
hinge-tank'sl6 top-wall 22 - being obstructed in the opposite direction by the
rigid-plate 41.
If the connector-clamps 39 are disconnected from the connector-eyes 40 and if
the winch-
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cable 18 is slackened enough; the airbag 42 will push over the hinge-tank 16.
In other words,
it will push it sufficiently far out that the hinge-tank 16 (in the. vertical-
position) will begin to
fall - rotating on the hinge-arrangement 33 - under the force of gravity
toward the horizontal-
position. When converting from the vertical-position to the horizontal
position, the descent of
the hinge-tank'sl6 fall is controlled by slowly releasing the winch-cable 18.
Likewise, when
converting from the horizontal-position to the vertical-position, the airbag
42 is slowly
deflated, easing the hinge-tank 16 into its final placement. Preferably, the
controls for the
winch 30 and those for inflating and deflating the airbag 42 are located next
to each other.
Flatbed Conversion
Both the hinge-tanks 16 and the winch-towers 17 (with the winches 30 and the
airbags
42 attached thereto) can be connected and disconnected from the rest of the
trailer-system 1.
Thus, by removing these parts the trailer-system 1 can be converted for use as
to a dedicated
flatbed trailer (with the front-belly-tank 14 and the rear-belly-tank 1 ~
still available for liquid
cargo). An appropriately sized plate (not shown), with the appropriate hinge
loops and
connector eyes, can be positioned over and connected to each of the end-spans
32, so the
entire top surface of each the trailer-platform's are substantially level
across their entire top
surfaces.
Trailer System Operation
The trailer-system 1 is put into the loaded-position to be loaded with, to
transport and
to be unloaded of liquid cargo. The liquid cargo of course is held in the
hinge-tank 16 and the
front-belly-tank 14 and the rear-belly-tank 15. To facilitate complete
drainage of the hinge-
tanks 16, the cargo-strap 37 can be removed from its inward end, and the hinge-
tank 16
rotated slightly upward to facilitate complete drainage through the discharge-
valve 25. Lifting
the tank can be accomplished by winding in the winch-cable 18. Alternatively,
a jack (not
shown), preferably embedded in an appropriate inset in the inward-end-wall 24
can be used to
elevate the hinge-tank's 16 end.
The trailer-system 1 is put into the empty-position when empty of liquid cargo
and
when it is to be loaded with, transport and unloaded of general cargo and the
like. The general
cargo being stowed on the top surface of the front-trailer's 3 and the rear-
trailer's 4 centre-
spans 31 between the hinge-tanks 16 in the vertical-position.
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3. Alternative Embodiments
No Belly Tanks
The front-belly-tank 14 and the rear-belly-tank 15 can be absent of the
trailer-system
1. The only tanks that hold liquid cargo are the hinge-tanks 16.
Van Trailer Embodiment
The hinge-tanks 16 and all the parts and systems used to convert them from
their
horizontal-position to their vertical-position can be applied to a van type
trailer. The van box
has dimensions so that it does not obstruct the hinge-tank 16 in either
position or when
rotating between them. The van box preferably has side access to allow loading
and unloading
of the general cargo - a curtain sided van arrangement is a good way to
accomplish this. The
side access also allows access to the hinge-tanks' 16 from the inward-end-wall
23 to secure it
into the horizontal-position. The van box is also equipped with front and back
end doors for
access to discharge-valves 25 for unloading and to secure the tanks into the
vertical-position.
The winch-towers 17 are preferably inside the van box when these front and
back end doors
are closed.
Hopper Trailer Embodiment
Fig 7 shows a side elevation view of the innovation can applied to a hopper-
trailer-
system 43 with its unloading shoots positioned at the bottom between the axle
sets. The front-
trailer's 3 hinge-tanks 16 are in the vertical-position, and the rear-
trailer's 4 hinge-tanks 16
are in the horizontal-position. Instead of the hinge-tank 16 itself being
connected to the hinge-
arrangement 33, the tank is fixed to a hinged-door 44. This door is slightly
wider than the
hinge-tank 16. In the vertical-position the hinge-door 44 seals a hopper-box
45 at the end so
that the granule product loaded therein cannot escape. In the horizontal-
position, the hinged-
door 44 is supported by and appropriately connected to a cross-brace 46 that
runs from side to
side across the hopper box and is preferably welded to its structure. The
hinge-tank 16, of
course, is supported on the hinged-door 44 in the horizontal-position. The
cross-braces 46 are
preferably made of metal and have the shape of an inverted "u". In the
horizontal-position, the
end of the hinged-door's 44 bottom surface furthest from the winch-tower 17
sits on the cross-
brace's 46 top. A series of straps (not shown) with an appropriate hooks are
hooked under the
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cross-brace's 46 lower lip on one end and tightened by ratchet devices (not
shown) on the
other end. These ratchet devices being welded to the hinge-tank'sl6 top-wall
22 near the
intersection with the inward-end-wall 23. The hopper-trailer-system 43
operator attaches and
detaches the straps to the cross-braces 46 by climbing atop the hinge-tank 16
in the horizontal
position.
One Level Flatbed
The hinge-arrangement's 16 platform-hinge-loops 34 can be bolted or welded to
a
regular flatbed platform that is substantially level from end to end. In other
words, a platform
without the different levels between the centre-spans 31 and the end-spans 32.
The position of
the hinge-arrangements 33 and the connector-eyes 40 visa vie the trailer-
platform is such that
the bottom-wall 19 is supported by the trailer-platform in the horizontal-
position and the
hinge-tank 16 rests, supported by the connector-eyes 40 in the vertical-
position.
Detachable Framework
The platform-hinge-loops 34 can alternatively be part of a welded framework
that is
connected and disconnected from the trailer-platform. This framework includes
the winch-
tower 17 and associated parts. The framework is comprised of a lateral beam
that crosses
from side to side at the end of the trailer-platform's top surface. The winch-
tower 17 extends
upward out of the centre of this lateral beam. A forward beam extends from
each end of the
lateral beam, along each side of the trailer-platform's top surface toward its
opposite end. The
platform-hinge-loops 34 are positioned welded to the ends of these forward
beams farthest
from the winch-tower 17. The connector-clamps 39 used to hold the hinge-tank
16 in the
vertical-position are also welded to the forward beams close to their
intersections with the
lateral beam. The framework is connected to the trailer-platform by a series
of turn-on-pins
that intersect with appropriate openings in the lateral beam and the forward
beam so that the
framework can be connected and disconnected from the trailer-platform. When in
the vertical-
position, the framework, the hinge-tank 16 and the winch-tower 17 can be
separated as a unit
from the rest of the trailer-system 1.
Sliding Hinge Arrangements
A further variation of the framework describe in the paragraph immediately
above is
for the platform-hinge-loops 44 to be positioned welded to a sliding bar that
crosses between
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the two forward beams. A set of upper and lower rails are set into the inside
walls of the
forward beams and run fox much of their length, and a rotating wheel is
positioned on either
end of the sliding bar. The rotating wheels are designed to intersect with the
upper and lower
rails and roll on them being guided by them. The sliding bar can be pinned in
place in at least
two positions along the length of the upper and lower rails. This wheel and
rail arrangement
allows the hinge-tank 16 in the horizontal-position to be moved closer to the
winch-tower 17
compared to in the preferred embodiment. In some cases this can permit a
better distribution
of the liquid cargo's weight over the trailer's axle sets. It also permits the
hinge-tanks 16 to be
longer (from the inward-end-wall 23 to the tower-end-wall 24) and/or higher
(from the
bottom-wall 19 to the top-wall 22) in relation to the trailer-platform's total
length. To
facilitate rolling the hinge-tank 16 forward and backward along using the
wheel and rail
arrangement, a downward extending jack with a wheel on its lower end can be
positioned
connected to the inward-end-wall 23. When the jack is extended downward it
lifts that end of
the tank slightly above the trailer-platform's top surface, permitting the
empty tank to be
easily moved forward and backward.
Alternate Fluid Cargoes
Alternative to liquid cargo, the hinge-tanks 34 can be designed to hold other
kinds of
fluid cargoes including powders and gaseous fluids.
