Modular caddy load-handling trailer docking system

Abstract

A modular caddy load-handling trailer docking system including (a) a ground-traveling trailer having an elongate, upright, longitudinal and generally planar rack-beam including upper, elongate hook-rail structure, and (b) a selectively dockable/undockable, modular load-carrying caddy adapted to receive a transportable load, and having both (1) a free-standing, separated-from-trailer, ground-support configuration, and (2) hook structure adapted for enabling hook-docking of the caddy, via the hook structure, on the rack-beam's hook-rail structure for transport by and with the trailer.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric frontal view of a trailer made in accordance with the present invention, disconnected from any towing tractor, and illustrated in relation to a pair of load-handling caddies. All of this structure is built in accordance with a preferred and best mode embodiment of the present invention, with one of the caddies in this figure being shown in a trailer-disconnected status, free-standing on the ground, and without any load being illustrated in this caddy in order better to see the structure of the caddy, and the other caddy being shown in a condition carrying a load (shown in phantom lines) in a condition side-saddle gravity-hooked onto the illustrated trailer for transport with the trailer.

FIG. 2 is a high-level, fragmentary, schematic view generally illustrating all of the features of the invention in a manner somewhat simplified in order to emphasize the working relationships between components in the invention.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross section taken generally orthogonally relative to the long axis of trailer and caddy structure illustrating, in somewhat greater detail, the hooked and securely anchored condition of a caddy on the trailer of the invention, such as the condition illustrated for the “near” caddy in FIG. 1 in the drawings.

Claims

1. A modular caddy load-handling trailer docking system comprising a ground-traveling trailer having an elongate, upright, longitudinal and generally planar rack-beam including upper elongate hook-rail structure, anda selectively dockable/undockable, modular load-carrying caddy adapted to receive a transportable load, and having both a free-standing, separated-from-trailer, ground-support configuration, and hook structure adapted for enabling hook-docking of the caddy, via the hook structure, on the rack-beam's hook-rail structure for transport by and with the trailer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said rack-beam is disposed generally laterally centrally in said trailer, and said hook-rail structure is constructed to receive the respective hook structures in at least a pair of caddies, with such caddies disposed side-saddle on the laterally opposite sides of said rack-beam.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said caddy includes a deck possessing accommodation structure adapted for lift-fork picking-up, raising and lowering, and moving, of the caddy, and a riser frame joined to the deck including elevated pick structure employable also for picking-up, raising and lowering, and moving, of the caddy.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said deck is elongate, and includes opposite longitudinal ends and a lateral outer side, and said accommodation structure includes lift-fork receiving passages disposed at least adjacent both of said opposite ends and said lateral outer side.

5. A modular trailer/caddy load-handling system comprising an elongate trailer having (a) a ground-traveling frame with a laterally central long axis, and (b) an elongate, upright, generally planar, load-supporting rack-beam structure joined to, and extending upwardly from, said frame, said rack-beam structure having a top portion, and lying substantially in a vertical plane which contains said long axis, anda load-carrying caddy, removably dockable with said trailer via said top portion in said rack-beam structure on one lateral side of said plane, whereby any load carried by the caddy is delivered essentially laterally centrally and vertically to said trailer frame substantially entirely through said plane.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said caddy includes gravity-operating hook structure, and removable caddy docking with said trailer via said top portion is accommodated by gravity-operated interaction between said hook structure and said top portion.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said caddy is structured with a free-standing, separated-from-trailer, ground-support configuration whereby, when the caddy is removed from said trailer, it exhibits and implements a free, ground-standing capability.