TRACTEUR-REMORQUE EXTENSIBLE

EXTENDABLE TRACTOR TRAILER SYSTEM

Description

CA 02438225 2003-07-25
ln~~
~~ee~~~~~W
~. lf~ld of the ~~ee~tio~
The invention relates to a container for increasing the cargo capacity of a
tractor-
trailer. l4~ore specifically, it relates to such a container that is mounted
can the truck-tractor
during over the road transport and then shifted onto the semi-trailer when the
trailer is
dropped off for loading and unloading.
2. ~9escriptaon of the Pr~r r~rt
A, tractor trailer is an articulated road vehicle used for transporting cargo
having a
steerable tractor on the rear of which is mounted a fifth whcrel to which the
semi-trailer is
pivotally and releasably connected. The fifth wheel is mounted on a chassis
ofthe tractor
to sit approximately above the rear wheels. The rear wheel:; may involve a
single axle or
a pair of tandem axles. The driver area of many modern tractor cabs has
conveniences
similar to those in automobiles, often including a sleeping s~ompartment
behind the driver
area.
In recent years construction of tractor-trailers has been modified in various
ways to
increase cargo-carrying capacity. The length and width of t:he standard semi-
trailer is
restricted by laws and regulations, as is its height above the road surface.
C9ne
modification has involved increasing the length of the truck-.-tractor chassis
and fixing an
auxiliary cargo container to the chassis between the cab anal the fifth wheel.
Sufficient
room has to be maintained ahead of the ~ fth wheel to allow for movement of
the front
end of semi-trailer trailer during the articulation between the tractor and
the semi-trailer.
~ne difficulty with fixing a cargo container to the tractor chassis involves
loading and
unloading of the container.
whereas a trailer may be easily loaded or unloaded b;y a forklift driven into
it after
it has been backed up to a loading dock, the loading or unloading of a cargo
container
fixed to a tractor chassis ahead of the fifth wheel is not as e;~sily
accomplished. such
cargo containers are often loaded and emptied through side doors, which
usually does not

CA 02438225 2003-07-25
allow for entry of a forl~li#~. Other situations involve unloading the
container itself from
the tractor and placing it on the floor for unloading. Both these scenarios
can create
dif#iculties that can be costly, especially if the loading or unloading
operation is
organized to load and unload o#T a loading duel.:.
Larry J. Fall, Canadian Patent no. 21?,18?9 solves the loading problem by
providing a cargo container that can be shi#ted rearward on the tractor
chassis over the
fifth wheel, thus permitting it to be loaded and unloaded from a loading dock.
This
solution creates another potentially costly problem, however. To fully load
the tractor-
trailer with cargo (or unload it) both the tractor and the trailer must be
positioned at the
loading dock. Each one using a bay of the loading dock. It v~ould be
advantageous to
have a cargo box that could be dropped off with the semi-trailer and loaded
from the
same loading dock bay door as the semi-trailer, and that the; tractor need not
be stationed
there during loading or unloading.
SUMMARY DE~CRa'TI~N OF THE ~VENTlEON
The invention regards a tractor~railer comprised of a truck-tractor and semi-
trailer of the box van type. The thick tractor is #~tted with a box-container
behind the cab
and forward of the fifth-wheel. The box-container is supposed on a platform
for over the
road transport.
The semi-trailer is comprised of an extendable-eliassis with a van-container
mounted atop it. The length of the van-container is substantial equal to the
length of the
extendable-chassis when it is retracted, and this length preferably is
substantially equal to
the maximum semi-trailer length permitted on the roads in l;he jurisdiction in
wliicli it is
being used. When being used for over the road ei-ansport the semi-trailer's
extendable-
chassis is kept in its retracted-position.
When the tractor-trailer reaches its destination and is o#f o#"regulated
roads, in a
freight yard, for example, where over the rt~ad semi-trailer length
regulations do not
apply, the extendable-chassis is converted to its elongated or extended-
position. The rear
end of the van-container is permanently al~'ixed to the rear e;nd of the
extendable-chassis.
The front end of the van container, however, is releasably affixed to the
extendable-

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3/15
chassis' front end. A series of rollers are mounted on the bottom of the van-
container and
these rollers intersect with longitudinally positioned rails on the front top
surface of the
extendable-chassis. When the front ofthe van-container is ~diseonnected from
the front
end of the extendable-chassis and the extendable-chassis is telescopically
elongated, the
van-container will roll rearward in relation to the front end of the
extendable-chassis. ~
means is provided to releasably affix tl~e van-container in this more rearward
position.
~nce elongated, an empty space is made available on the top surface of the
extendable
chassis onto which the box-container can be transferred.
The box-container is supported by a platform positioned behind the cab of the
track-tractor. The container is releasably affixed to this platform. This
platform is
supported by a series of hydraulic jacks. These jacks can be; used move the
platform
between a lowered-position, where it rest atop the truck-tractor chassis and a
raised-
position, where the platform°s top surface is at substantially the sane
elevation as the top
surface of the front end of the extendable-chassis. During over the road
transport, the
platform is preferably in the lowered-posataon.
i~Vhen the tractor-trailer arrives at its destination, and is offof regulated
roads, the
platform is elevated to its raised-position. ~ series, at least t~vo, bridging
span-beams are
placed between the platform's rear end and the front end of the extendable
chess is, which
has been converted into its extended-position, l~.ollers mounted on the bottom
of the box-
container intersect with rails running longitudinally along the top surface of
the platform.
These rails are substantial level with and substantially longitudinally
aligned v~ith rails
that run the length of the span-beams and the rails on the to:p surface of the
front end of
the extendable-chassis. The box-container is disconnected from the platform
and rolled
over the series of aligned rails onto the front end ofthe extendable-chassis
and releasably
affixed to it. The rear end of the box-container preferably is flush against
the front end of
the van'container. The reverse process to that described here is used to
convert the
tractor-trailer back into its over the road configuration with the box-
container mounted on
the truck-firactor~.

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The now extended length semi-trailer can be pulled around and repositioned off
of
regulated roads, including being taken from a trailer line up and positioned
in a loading
dock bay and vise versa.
The rear end of the box-container is fix with a cargo door preferably of the
roller
shutter type that can be latched and unlatch and opened ancd closed from the
outside. The
front end of the van container is also preferably fitted v~ith a roller
shutter type door,
preferably with substantially the same width and height of that on the box-
container, that
can he latch and unlatched and opened and closed from the interior ofthe van-
container.
The rear end of the van-container is fix v~ith two barn doors typical of
transport vans and
multi-modal cargo containers. The semi-trailer can be backed into a loading
dock with
the barn doors open. If empty, the cargo can be loaded starting from the front
end of the
box-container by opening the two roller shutter doors. This kind of door can
be opened
and closed despite being almost right up against each other. A forklift can be
driven the
length of the van-container into the box container. ~nce the box-container is
loaded, the
roller shutter doors are closed and the van-container is loaded, front to
back. The reverse
process is followed if the two containers are to be unloaded.
The truck tractor that delivered the semi-trailer its destination, with box-
~contair~er
duly n3ounted upon the semi-trailer, does not need remain with the semi-
trailer. The truck
tractor can move on to pull other trailers over the road and a yard tractor
can be used to
move the elongated extended) semi-trailer off of regulated roads. A truck-
tractor with
similar characteristics to the one described is only needed v~rhen the semi-
trailer {with
box-container attached? is to once again to be used for over the road
transport.
To move the box-container between the platform and the extendable-chassis'
front
end, in either direction, two winches are provided. One is p3-eferably mounted
on the
truck tractor behind the cab between the beams of the tractor chassis. The
other winch is
mounted between the beams ofthe front section of the extendable chassis, but
rearward
of front end of the van-eontaia~er when the extendable-chassis is in its
extended position.
The cables extending from these winches are releasably hooked to rings on the
front or
rear of the box-container permitting the box-container to be pulled either
forward of
rearward as per what is required.

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srl s
Wh~e~ the platform is in its lowered-positio~a, its top surface is below the
elevation
of the fifth-wheel. Thus, the trick-tractor's i~#~h-wheel can be shi#~ed
forward for better
weight distribution and a eoneentior~al semi-trailer connected to it. The
bottom surface of
the front end of the conventional semi-trailer will be free to pivot above the
top surface of
the platform.
~7ESC . TION OF '~'~IF FRFFEI) F~OI3IFlYT
1. Overview o#° the ~~-awn Figures
FIG. I is a side elevation of the innovative tractor trailer system with the
semi_
trailer°s extendable chassis in the retracted position and the box
container mounted on the
trocl~ tractor behind the cab.
FIG 2 is a side elevation of the same tractor trailer ;system with the semi-
trailers'
extendable chassis in the ea~ter~ied position and the box container
transferred to the front
of the semi trailer.
FIG, 3 is a close up side elevation showing the box container in the process
of
being moved between the tractt~r arid the semi-trailer.
FIG. 4 is a close up top plan view showing the box container in the process of
being mov ed between the tractor and the semi-trailer.
FIG. 5 is close up rear end cross section elevation, shawing the intersection;
of one
of the rollers on the box container with the rails on the platior~n that
supports the
container.
FICr. 6 is a close up rear end cross seetiar~ elevation" showing the
intersection of
one of the rollers on the van container with the rails on the iextendable
chassis that
supports the container.
FIG. 7 is a close up side elevation of the rear part of the container platform
and
the front part of the semi-trailer, showing the span-beam system used to
bridge the gap
between the platform and the semi-trailer.
FIG. 8 is a close up rear end cross section of the rear part of the container
platform shoving the span-beam system used to bridge between the platform and
the
semi-trailer.

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bl15
2o Description Detail
FIG. 1 shows a tractor-trailer 2. It has a track tractor 4 and a semi-trailer
5 releasably
and pivotally connected to each other. The truck-tractor hoc; a tractor-
chassis b that is
suspended on a set of steerahle front-wheels 8 and one or more sets of
rearward position
drive-wheels 1~. t~r~ the forward end of the chassis is mounted a tractor-cab
12,
preferably including an integrated sleeping compartment for the driver. At the
rearward
end of the tractor-chassis 6, preferably generally above the drive-wheels 10,
is mounted a
f fth-wheel 14.
P~ box-container l b for carrying cargo is mounted biehind the tractor-cab 1 ~
in its
forward-position. It is forward from the fifth-wheel 14. Preferably the box-
container lb
approximates the width and height dimensions of the standard dry box van
commonly
used in over the road transport. The rearward end ofthe container has a box-
door i7 that
can be opened and closed to permit cargo to be loaded and unloaded.
Preferably, it is a
common roller shutter type cargo box door which is opened and shut by being
guided by
rollers on tracks positioned running longitudinally along thE; top interior
sides of the box-
container lb. Such doors are known technology. The box-door 1'7 has a latching
means
knot shown) which permits the door to be latched and unlatched and opened and
closed
from the exterior of the box-container.
The box-container 16, in its forward-position, is mounted upon a container-
platform 18, shown in its raised-position. The box-containe3r lb is releasably
connectable
to the container-platformf 8. 'The container-platform 18 is mounted on a
series of
platform jacks 19 that permit it to be moved vertically between a raised-
position (as
shown in the iigure3 and a lowered-position, where the bottom surface of the
container-
platforrra t 8 rests on the top surface of the tractor-chassis 6. The platform
jacks 19 are
rr~ounted at the ends of a series of cross-braces ~(3, beams mounted laterally
across and
through the tractor-chassis b. They extend about an equal length out on either
side of the
tractor-chassis b. Preferably, one cross-brace 20 is positioned near the front
of the
container-platform 18, and a second cross-brace 20 is positioned near the rear
of the
container-platform i8. Preferably, the platform-yacks 19 are mounted on both
lateral ends

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of both of these two cross-braces 20. Preferably, each platf~rm-jack 19 is a
vertically
positioned hydraulically powered piston.
Tl~e semi-trailer 5 is composed of an extendable-chassis 24, supported toward
its
rear end by one or more sets oftrailer-wheels 26 {preferably a tandem or tri-
axle
configuration). f1 connector-pin {not shown), also called a :kingpin: is
a#~ixed on front end
bottom surface of the extendable-chassis 24. It permits the semi-trailer ~ to
be releasably
and pivotally connected to the truck-tractor 4 by means of the fi#~l~-wheel
14. 'dYhen so
connected, the front end of the semi-trailer 5 front is supported by the rear
end of the
truck-tractor 4. A set of landing-gear 28 is mounted on the extendable-chassis
24. It is
used to support the front end of the semi-trailer 5 when disconnected from the
truck-
tractor 4. It is set back from front end enough to permit thf; tractor-trailer
2 to pi~~ot
appropriately during over the road transport. Tl~e described l~ingpin to fi~l~
wheel
connections and the landing gear are known technology.
A van-container 30 is mounted on the extendable-cl~~ssis 24. Preferably, its
interior dimensions approximate those of a stand dry box van used in over the
road
transport. At the front end of the van-container 30 is a van front-door 3 l .
Preferably, it is
a common roller shutter type cargo van door tvl~ich is opened arid shut by
being guided
on rollers on tracts positioned longitudinally along the top interior sides of
the van-
container 3(?. The van-front-door 31 has a latching means {not shown) which
permits the
door to be latched and unlatched and to be opened and closed from the interior
of the
van-container 30. The van-container 30 also has a set of van-rear-doors 32,
and
preferably a pair of barn door style doors frequently used on over the road
van boxes and
mufti-modal cargo containers.
FIG. 2 slows the extendable-chassis 24 leas a front-;>ection 33, a rear-
section. 34,
and a telescoping-section 36. The telescoping-section 3fi is rigidly axed to
the rear-
section 34 and extends longitudinally forward from it telescoping into a
corresponding
longitudinal opening at the rearward end of the front-section 32. This feature
permits the
length of the extendable-chassis 24, and thus the semi-trailer 5, to be
lengthened and
shortened. FIG. 1 shows the extendable-chassis 24 in its ret3racted-position
and FIG. 2
shows it in its extended-position. The technology of extendable or trombone
trailers and

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8/l~
extendable trailer chassis for the road transport of mufti-me>dal cargo
containers and the
like is well know. Known features include how such trailers are changed from
the
extended to the retracted positions and fixed in said positions. Therefore, no
further
discussion is provided on these matters here.
then the extendable-chassis 24 is in its retracted-position, as per FIG l, it
has
substantially the same length as the van-container 3U.
The front-section 33 of the extendable-chassis 24 has substantially the same
width
as the container-platform 18.
The van-container 30 is affixed to the rear-section ?,~ of the extendable-
chassis
24, and it is releasably connected to the front-section 33. When the
extendable-chassis 24
is to be moved from its retracted-position to its extended-position, the van
container 3~
having been disconnected from the front-section 33, the vary--container 30 is
transferred
rearwvard visa vie the front end of the semi-trailer 5 when tl~e extendable-
chassis is
extended. Once extended, the fbrward portion of the front-section 33 is left
without a
container upon it. A series of span-beams 38 are releasably connected between
the front
end of the extendable-chassis 24 and the rear end of the container-platform
18. When so
affixed, the top surface of the span-beams 38 is about level with the top
surface of the
container-platform lb, in its raised-position and the top surface of the front-
section 33.
The span-beams 38 are used to bridge the gap between the truck-tractor 4 and
the semi-
trailer 5, permitting the box-container 16 to be transferred between the
container-platform
18 and the unused front-section 33 of the extendable-chassi 24 in its extended-
position.
Preferably, there are two span-beams 38, one toward each s>ide of the
container-platforan
18 and extendable-chassis 24.
Means are provided to releasably affix the box-container 1 ~s t~ the front--
section
33. ~~'hen the box-container 16 is affixed to the container-platform 18 it is
termed to be in
its tractor-position (as per FIG. 1). When it is affaxed to the front-section
33 ofthe
extendable-chassis 24 it is termed to be in its trailer-position has per FIG.
2~.
The reverse process to that described above is used to move the box-container
t 6
from the front-section 33 onto the container-platform t 8.

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For over the road transport the box-container is put into the tractor-
position,
because the length of the semi-trailer 5, dvith the extendabhe-chassis 24 in
its retracted-
position is preferably substantially close to the maximum length allowable by
regulations.
Clnce arriving at destination, for example a trt.~ck terminal or industrial
installation, the
extendable-chassis 24 can be changed into its extended-position and the box-
container
moved to its trailer-position, The truck tractor 4 can be separated from the
seirii-trailer 5.
The semi-trailer S can be moved around in its elongated state by a
conventional yard
tractor in this environment vc~l~ere road regulations do not apply.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the box-container I6 being transferred between its
tractor-position and its trailer-position. A pair of platform-rails 40 run
parallel and
longitudinally along the top surface of the container-platform 1G, one toward
each side of
the said platform. A span-rail 42 runs longitudinally along each of the span
beams 38.
Une span-rail 38 is longitudinally aligned with each of the platform-rails 44.
A pair of
trailer-rails 42 are positioned parallel to each other on the top surface of
the front-section
33 of the extendable-chassis 24. The trailer-rails 42 are longitudinally
aligned vaith the
span-rails 42 and the platform-rails 44, and these three sets of rails form a
continuous
track. Hereafter, the combination of these three sets of rails is referred to
as a continuous-
track.
A series of box-rollers 4~C are of#ixed to the underside ofthe box-container
1f in
two sets that are parallel to each other. Each set is positioned in a
longitudinal line so that
it intersects with one of the continuous-tracks permitting the box-container
16 to be rolled
forward and rearward along the said track. Similarly, a series of van-rollers
48 are
affixed to the underside of the van-container in two sets parallel to each
other. 'fhe van-
rollers 4~ are positioned to intersect vaith the trailer-rails 44 on the front-
section 33,
permitting the van-container 34 to roll forward and reartvard on the trailer-
rails 44 when
the extendable-chassis is moved between its extended-position and its
retracted-position.
To move the box-eontair~er 16 in the forward direction, the drive force is
provided
by a tractor-winch 50 that preferably is mounted between the beams of the
tracta3r-chassis
b directly behind the tractor-cab 12. A tractor-winch-cable ~2, with a hook
(not shown
on the end, extends from the tractor-winch 54, at first gener,aily vertically,
through a

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dVi ~~
cable-guide 53, and then generally longitudinally rearward. #t is releasably
connected to a
front-ring 54 that is mounted ~r~ the underside of the box-container 16 at tha
front center.
To move the box container in the rearward direction, the dr~i~e farce is
provided by a
trailer-winch 56 from which a trailer-v,~inch-cable 5~, v~ith a hook {not
sliou~n~ on the
end, extends from in a generally longitudinally ft~rv~~ard dir~ectioris. The
trailer-wirtch-
cable ~S is releasably connected to a rear-ring 59 that is ~csunted on the
underside oftl~e
box-container 16 in a rear center position. #'referably, the trailer-winch Sb
is mounted
between the front-section 33 beams slightly reaz°v~ard of the position
of the front end of
tl~e van-container 30 when the extendable-chassis 24 is in the extended-
position.
~ series of connector-slats ~0 are mounted on the underside of the box-
cc~r~tainer
I6 and tl~e underside of the van-container 30, extending abr3ut vertically
doava~ward
therefro~a. #'referably, one pair of connector-slats 6t3 is positioned, about
parallel to each
ether, toward the fror3t flf tl~ bc~x-cflntainer, extending downward right
next to each of
the two lateral sides of the container-platform 18 or tl~e front-section 33,
depending on
tl~e position of the box-container 16. preferably, a second pair of connector-
slats ~0 is
positioned, about parallel to each other, toward the rear ene! of the box
container
extending downward, also right next to each of the lateral sides of the
container-platform
t 8 or front-section 33. Preferabiy, a third pair of connector-slats is
positioned, about
parallel to each other, toward the front end ofthe van-contiuner 30
exter~di~ag downward,
right next to each of tl~e lateral sides of the front-section 33 of the
extendable-chassis 24.
each connector-slat 64 has a pin-opening ~l passing though it laterally. A
series
of connector-pins 62 are mounted on the two lateral sides c~~f the container-
platform # 8
arid on the two lateral sales of tl~e front-section 33. The corEnector-pins 6~
are of the size
arid shape and positioning that they can be extended and reatracted through
the pin-.
openings ~l in the connector-slats b0. There are connector-pins 62 positioned
visa vie the
connector-slats C0, so that the box-container #6 can be releasably of#ixed to
the corgtainer-
platfflrm 1 ~ in its tractor-position and releasably affixed to the front-
section 33 of tl~e
extendable chassis when in its trailer-position. also, there connected-pins 62
positioned
visa vie the connector-slats 6~ permitting the van-contai~aer 3~ to be
releasably affixed to
the franc-section 33 with the extendable-chassis 24 in its extended-position
and also

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11l1 ~
releasably affixed to the front-section 33 with the extendable-chassis ~4 iaa
its retracted-
position.
~ platforside't~be 64 is mounted, running longitudinally, to each of the
lateral
sides of the container-platform 18 and is consider part of the container-
platforml8. A
trailer-side-tube 65 is mounted, running longitudinally, to Each of the
lateral sides of the
front-section 33 of the extendable-chassis 24 and is considered part of the
front-section
33.
p'IG. 5 is a close up rear end cross section showing the intersection of the
box-
roller 46 with the platform-rail 40. The box-roller 46 has t~vs~ vertical
support-slats b6
that support a horizontal central-pin 68 at either end. The central-pin 68
passes through
the center of a roller-wheel 70, forming the axle on which t:he box-roller 46
rotates. The
perimeter of the roller-wheel ?d~ is preferably formed in a concave shape that
mates with
the convex shape of the top of the platform-rail 4L1. The span-rails 4~ and
trailer-rails 44
have substantially the same size and shape The base structure of the box-
container
includes a box-floor ?2 that is mounted on and supported by two lateral-beams
knot
shown. These lateral-beams run longitudinally, the length of the box-container
16 one on
either lower bottom side of it. The box-floor ?2 is also mounted ors and
supported by a
plurality of box joists 74 that run laterally connecting the tawo lateral-
laeams at intervals
along the length of the box-container t6. ~'referably, the support-slats 66
are affixed
between two of the box joists ?4, and the central-pin f 8 positioned so that
only a portion
of the roller-wheel ?0 extends downward below the structural base elements of
the box-
container 16.
The container-platform 18 is comprised of a Longitudinal platform-bearrz ?~ on
either lateral side of it, running its Length. A plurality ofplatform-foists
?8 connected the
two platform-beams ?~ at intervals along its Length. The platform-beams ?6 and
platform joists ?8 support a platform-floor 8~, which is mounted to them. The
platform
side-tubes fa4 are mounted on the lateral side of each ofthe platform-beams
?~. The
connector-pins 6~ are mounted through the platform-beams. ?6 in a generally
horizontal
position. The connector-pin 62 has a push-piston 82, preferably hydraulically
or-
pneurnatically actuated, that drives the extension and retraction of the
connector-bolt 84.

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1~f15
FIG. 5 shows the connector-haft 84 retreated. then so retracted, the box-
container lb is
not affixed to the container-platform 18 or the front-section 33 and can be
rolled forward
or rearward. When extended the connector-bolt 84 passes through an aligned
opening in
the side of the platform side-tutje b4 and then through the pin-opening 61 in
the
connector-slat bt~, affixing the box-container 1 b to the container-platform
18. The
connector-slat b0 extends about vertically downward right next to the about
vertical side
of the platform side-tube b4. preferably, an anti-lift-arm extends fron3 the
bottom end of
the connector-slat b0 inward under the bottom of the platform-side-tube b4,
preventing
the box-container lbfrom lifting or tipping when being transferred between its
tractor-
position and its trader-positron. Preferably, the connector-slats b0 are
mounted to the
box-container lb between two of the box-joists 74.
FIG. b is a close up rear end cross section showing the intersection of one of
the
van-rollers 48 with the corresponding trailer-rail 44. The wan-roller 48 has
two vertical
support-slats 66 supporting a Horizontal central-pin 68 at either end. The
central-pin 68
passes through the center of a roller-wheel 70, forming the axle on which the
van-roller
48 rotates. The perimeter of the roller-wheel '70 is preferably formed in a
concave shape
that mates with the convex shape of the top of the trailer-rail 44. The base
structure of the
wan-container 3~ includes a van-floor 88 that is mounted on and supported by
two lateral-
wan-beams knot shown. These lateral-beams run longitudinally, the length of
the wan-
container 3d? one on either lower bottom side oI° it. The wan--floor 88
is also mounted on
and supported by a plurality of van joists 94 that run laterally across
connecting the two
lateral-van-beams at intervals along the length of the van-container 30.
Preferably, the
support-slats 6b are affixed between two ofthe van joists g0, and the central-
pin 68 is
positioned so tHat only a portion ofthe roller-wheel '~0 extends downward
below the base
structure of the van-container 30.
The front-section 33 of the extendable-chassis 24 has a front-section-beam 92
running longitudinally along each lateral side of it. A plurality of front-
section joists 94
are positioned laterally across connecting the two front-section-beams 92 at
intervals
along its length. The front-section-beans 9~ and the front-section-joists 94
support a
fro~at-section-floor 9b, wHich is mounted to them. The trailer-side-tubes b
are mounted on

CA 02438225 2003-07-25
13~1~
the lateral side of each of the front-section-beams 92. The <~onnector-pins
fit are ~noonted
through the front-section-beans 92 in a generally horizontal position. The
connector-pin
b2 has a push-piston 82, preferably hydraulically or pneumatically actuated,
that drives
the extension and retraction of the connector-bolt 84. FIG. 6 shows the
connector-bolt 84
extended and passing through an aligned opea~ir~g in the side of the trailer-
side-tube 65
and then through the pin-opening b 1 in the connector-slat ~i(~, affixing the
van-container
34 to the front-section 33 on the extendable-chassis ~4. For the van container
30 to roll
forward and rearward, the connector-bolt 84 need be z~etracted. The connector-
slat 60
extends about vertically downward right next to the about vertical side of the
trailer-side-
tube 65. 1~n anti-lift-arm extends from the bottom end of the connector-slat
60 inward
under the bottom of the trailer-side-tube 65, preventi~ag the ~~~n-container
3~ from lifting
or tipping when the extendable-chassis 24 is being moV~ed between its
retracted-position
and its extended-position. Preferably, the connector-slats ~3 are mounted to
the van-
container 3a between t~.vo of the van joists 90.
FIG. 7 and FIG S show close up views of one of the: span-beams 38 and how it
is
releasably affixed to the rear end of the container-platform 18 and the front
end of the
extendable-chassis 24.
A pair of span-beam-saddles 1 t~ are mounted on tl3e rear end of the container-
platform 18, and a second pair of span-beasaddles 1130 a3-e rr~ounted on the
front end of
the extendable-chassis 24. These two pair of span-bearr~-saddles l~fl are
longitudinally
aligned with each other. Each span-beam-saddle 10~ has two vertical side walls
and a
horizontal bottom wall forming a slot into which the longitudia~al end of the
spar-beam
38 mates. ~ span-beam-bolt 10~ is passed through openings in the side walls of
the span-
beam-saddle 100 and a corresponding opening that passes laterally through the
span-
beam. then the truck-tractor 4 and the semi-trailer 5 are about longitudinally
aligned
(visa vie their longitudinal centerlines, both ends of the span-beams 38 are
nested into
the span-beam saddles to bridge the gap between the eontair~er-platform 18 and
the
extendable-chassis 24.
The front end of the span-beams 38 are nested into the span-beam-saddles 140
on
the rear end ofthe container-platform 18 and the rear end oi~the span-beams 38
are nested

CA 02438225 2003-07-25
t4J~s
into the span-beam-saddles 100 on the front end ofthe extendable-chassis 24.
The span-
beam-bolts 1(32 affix the span-beams 38 in place. i~hen so aff'gxed the span-
rails 42 will
be substantially aligned with the platform rails 40 and the trailer-rails 44
so as to form a
continuous track. The box-container 16 can be rolled in either direction
between its
tractor-position and its trailer-position cover the continuous tract. ~ span-
beam-angle 104
is mounted on the lateral side of each span-beam 3~. then the span-beam is
mounted in
the span-beam-saddles 100, the horizontal extension of the span-beam-angle 104
is at
about the same elevation as the bottom surface of the platform-side-tube b4
anti the
trailer-side-tube 6~. When the box-container 1~ is move frc>m its tractor-
position to its
trailer-position, the anti-lift-arm 8b passes under the span-beam-angle 104,
preventing the
box-container 16 from lifting or tipping as it is being transferred.
ff the box-container lb is not mounted on the conta3;ner-platform 18, the
truck-
tractor 4 can be used to pull a conventional trailer (semi-trailer). The
container-platform
is put in its lowered-position where its top surface is lower than the
connecting place
surface of the fifth-wheel 12. The fifth-~.vheel 12 can be shifted forward for
better weight
distribution, The conventional trailer, when connected to the truck-tractor 4
will articulate
freely above the top surface of the container-platform 18. This characteristic
permits the
truck-tractor 4 to be used in conventional trailer pulling application as well
as the
specialized application described above.
A SEA~~TD ElI~BCl~~ll~E~ °p
A second embodiment of the invention involves the track-tractor 4 and semi-
trailer 5 with the characteristics general described above in the preferred
embodiment,
except that the semi-trailer 5 is pulled as one oftwo trailers in a train. In
other words, the
truck-tractor 4 pulls the semi-trailer 5 and a second-trailer (not shocvnj all
pivotally and
releasably connected in a train. l~hen the box-container 16 is in its tractor-
positron, the
length of the tractor and two-trailer-train is within the legal length
permitted by road
transport regulations, and preferably substantially close to the maximum
allowable. When
the extendable-chassis 24 of the semi-trailer is put into its extended-
position and the box-
container moved to its trailer-position, then the length of the tractor and
two-trailer-train

CA 02438225 2003-07-25
surpasses the maximazm regulated length aiio~ai3le. o~vevr r, the semitrailer
5, with the
extendable-chassis 24 in the extended-position and! with tbf; box cflntainer
in its trailer-
positiori is, if puiled alc»e witht~ut the second trailer, within the
allowable lerigtb for over
the road transport. The second-trailer is also within allowable length if
pulled alflrle by a
tractor. This embodiment permits that the truck-tractt~r 4 to transport the
box-container,
the semi-trailer ~, arid the second-trailer to a ~esti~atio~. Tloe box-
cortairier 1(~ n,arg there
be transferred or~tc~ the semi-trailer 5. The exte~eled se~ai-trailer 5 aid
the seconded
container can from there be transported to their destination:>, beir$g polled
by
c~rlverttional over the road tractors, that dQ got require the special
characteristics of the
truck-tractor 5 described in this irtvet~tio~ description.