Trailer structures

Abstract

Trailer structure having a tilt limiting loading ramp and an improved structural side member forming an adjustable axle mount and having a load tie down track is described. The trailer has a load supporting bed and utilizes a load tie down system having tie down tracks at each side and one or more additional tie down tracks at selected locations on the load supporting bed. One or more tie down devices are selectively positionable in each tie down track and are used to restrain various loads including various wheel supported loads. To accommodate a low trailer profile an improved tongue adaptor is provided. A fender mount structure to cooperate with the improved structural side member is also described. Improved loading ramp structures, including a tilt-bed loading ramp a tilt limiting structure for limiting the angle of bed tilt for use on a tilt-bed trailer are shown. A rack structure to mount to the load tie down tracks in the structural side members is shown.

I claim:  
     
         1 . For use as a structural member for a bed supporting frame for a trailer, a side structural member comprising: 
 an elongated body having a predetermined length, and first and second ends;    said elongated body along its predetermined length having    an upper portion extending upwardly from said load supporting surface, an outer surface and an inner surface, said upper portion including an upper channel;    a face portion coupled at its upper extremity to said upper portion, and having a first lower extremity;    an elongated retention channel coupled at said inner surface substantially at the level of a trailer bed, said elongated retention channel having a first predetermined channel shape, with a retention channel opening upwardly; and    an inner member having its upper extremity coupled to said elongated retention channel and having a second lower extremity.    
     
     
         2 . A side structural member as in  claim 1 , and further including 
 a lower channel structure coupled to said first lower extremity and to said second lower extremity, said lower channel structure having a second predetermined shape including a mounting structure with a mounting channel opening downwardly, said lower channel structure including oppositely disposed ridged mounting surfaces.    
     
     
         3 . A side structural member as in  claim 2 , and further including 
 a slidable axle support member having a predetermined length, a thickness dimension, one or more threaded holes through said thickness dimension, and oppositely disposed engaging structures having predetermined shapes to mate with and slidably engage said oppositely disposed ridged mounting surfaces.    
     
     
         4 . A side structural member as in  claim 3 , wherein said side structural member is integrally formed from non-corrosive metal.  
     
     
         5 . A side structural member as in  claim 3 , and further including 
 a fender mounting bracket adapted to be mounted to said side structural member in a predetermined relationship with an associated wheel, said fender mounting bracket including an upper extension having an upper edge engaged and retained by said upper channel, a middle portion in contact with an associated said face portion, and a lower portion at a predetermined angle to said middle portion capable of being arranged below an associated slidable axle support member and adapted to be affixed thereto.    
     
     
         6 . A structural member as in  claim 5 , and further including 
 a pair of fender supports mounted to said fender mounting bracket, each of said fender supports having a predetermined length and a captive nut retaining channel extending along said predetermined length to slidably engage one or more captive nuts along said length to cooperate with one or more fender mounting bolts to mount an associated fender.    
     
     
         7 . A structural member comprising: 
 tie-down means for providing releasable holding and slidable adjustment of restraints utilized for retaining a load;    gripping means for gripping an associated structure; and    axle mounting means for providing adjustable positioning and mounting of an associated axle structure.    
     
     
         8 . A structural member as in  claim 7 , wherein said structural member is integrally formed from a non-corrosive material.  
     
     
         9 . A structural member as in  claim 7 , and further including: 
 fender mounting means in cooperation with said gripping means and said axle mounting means for providing adjustable positioning and mounting of an associated fender.    
     
     
         10 . A structural member as in  claim 9 , wherein said fender mounting means includes: 
 supporting means in cooperative relationship with said gripping means and said axle mounting means for providing adjustable positioning of the associated fender; and    fender coupling means affixed to said supporting means and arranged to support the associated fender.    
     
     
         11 . A structural member as in  claim 10 , wherein said fender coupling means includes captive nut retaining means for use in affixing the associated fender thereto.  
     
     
         12 . A structural member as in  claim 7 , and further including: 
 rack mounting means in cooperation with said gripping means and said tie-down means for mounting a rack structure.    
     
     
         13 . A structural member comprising: 
 a beam structure having a predetermined cross-section, first and second ends, and a predetermined length;    a tie-down channel along a first portion of said beam structure;    an axle mounting channel along a second portion of said beam structure; and    a gripping channel along a third portion of said beam structure.    
     
     
         14 . A structural member as in  claim 14 , wherein said tie-down channel, said axle mounting channel and said gripping channel are spaced apart and are substantially parallel.  
     
     
         15 . A structural member as in  claim 13 , and further including in combination: 
 a fender mounting structure having a first support member having a first edge retained by said gripping channel and a second edge, and further having a first mounting member in proximity to said second edge and positioned to cooperate with said axle mounting channel, whereby said fender mounting structure can be slidably positioned along said beam structure; and    second and third support members for engaging and supporting an associated fender, said second and third support members each having a first end affixed to said first support member, and each further having a fender mounting structure.    
     
     
         16 . A structural member and combination as in  claim 15 , wherein each said fender mounting structure includes a channel along the length of the associated one of said second and third support members, wherein each said channel is adapted to function as a captive nut retaining capacity.  
     
     
         17 . A structural member as in  claim 13  and further including in combination: 
 a rack mounting structure having a first structure in cooperative relationship with said gripping channel, a second structure for supporting an associated rack structure, and a third structure in cooperative relationship with said tie-down channel.  
 
     
     
         18 . A combination as in  claim 7 , wherein 
 said first structure includes a channel adapted for slidable engagement of at least a portion of said gripping channel;    said second structure includes a first surface for supporting an associated rack structure and a second surface at an angle to said first surface for bracing the associated rack structure; and    said third structure includes one or more affixing member, each having a first portion for engaging said first structure and a second portion for removably coupling to said tie-down channel.    
     
     
         19 . A combination as in  claim 18 , wherein each said affixing member includes a removable engaging member in cooperation with said tie-down channel, whereby each said affixing member can be positioned along said tie-down channel.  
     
     
         20 . A combination as in  claim 18 , wherein said first structure and said second structure are integrally formed.