Chassis shipping unit

Abstract

A chassis shipping unit for over-the-road trailer chassis. The shipping unit includes a base platform for supporting first and second trailer chassis; first tandem leg structure mounted to the base platform for extending upward between the leading and trailing wheels of the first trailer chassis; and second tandem leg structure mounted to the base platform for extending upward between the leading and trailing wheels of a second trailer chassis with the second trailer chassis supported above the first trailer chassis.

1 . A chassis shipping unit for accommodating over-the-road first and second trailer chassis, each of the trailer chassis including a tandem support wheel assembly having a leading wheel and a trailing wheel spaced from the leading wheel; said chassis shipping unit comprising: 
 (a) base platform means for supporting the first and second trailer chassis with the second trailer chassis supported above the first trailer chassis;    (b) first tandem leg means mounted to said base platform means for extending upward between the leading and trailing wheels of the first trailer chassis when the first trailer chassis is supported on said base platform means; and    (c) second tandem leg means mounted to said base platform means for extending upward between the leading and trailing wheels of the second trailer chassis when the second trailer chassis is supported on said base platform means.    
   
   
       2 . The chassis shipping unit of  claim 1  in which said chassis shipping unit is for use with a lift device, and in which included spaced apart first and second lift leg means mounted to said base platform means for allowing said chassis shipping unit to be lifted by the lift device.  
   
   
       3 . The chassis shipping unit of  claim 1  in which said base platform includes a bottom surface having a front end, a rear end, and a midportion between said front and rear ends; and in which said midportion of said bottom surface of said base platform is bowed upward.  
   
   
       4 . The chassis shipping unit of  claim 1  in which in which said first and second tandem leg means are pivotally mounted to said base platform means for movement between an in-use position and a stored position.  
   
   
       5 . The chassis shipping unit of  claim 2  in which said first and second lift leg means are pivotally mounted to said base platform means for movement between an in-use position and a stored position  
   
   
       6 . The chassis shipping unit of  claim 1  in which is included strap means for strapping the trailer chassis to said base platform means.  
   
   
       7 . A chassis shipping unit for use with a lift device and for accommodating over-the-road first, second, third and fourth trailer chassis, each of the trailer chassis including a tandem support wheel assembly having a right side leading wheel and a right side trailing wheel spaced from the right side leading wheel, and having a left side leading wheel and a left side trailing wheel spaced from the left side leading wheel; said chassis shipping unit comprising: 
 (a) base platform means for supporting the first, second, third and fourth trailer chassis with the second trailer chassis supported above the first trailer chassis, with the third trailer chassis supported above the second trailer chassis, and with the fourth trailer chassis supported above the third trailer chassis; said base platform means having a front, a rear, a right side, and a left side;    (b) first tandem leg means mounted to said base platform means adjacent said front thereof for extending upward between the leading and trailing wheels of the first and third trailer chassis when the first and third trailer chassis are supported on said base platform means; said first tandem leg means including a right side first tandem leg for extending upward between the right side leading and trailing wheels of the first and third trailer chassis when the first and third trailer chassis are supported on said base platform means; said first tandem leg means including a left side first tandem leg for extending upward between the left side leading and trailing wheels of the first and third trailer chassis when the first and third trailer chassis are supported on said base platform means;    (c) second tandem leg means mounted to said base platform means adjacent said rear thereof for extending upward between the leading and trailing wheels of the second and fourth trailer chassis when the second and fourth trailer chassis are supported on said base platform means; said second tandem leg means including a right side second tandem leg for extending upward between the right side leading and trailing wheels of the second and fourth trailer chassis when the second and fourth trailer chassis are supported on said base platform means; said second tandem leg means including a left side second tandem leg for extending upward between the left side leading and trailing wheels of the second and fourth trailer chassis when the second and fourth trailer chassis are supported on said base platform means;    (d) first lift leg means mounted to said base platform means adjacent said front thereof; said first lift leg means including a right side first lift leg mounted adjacent said right side of said base platform and a left side first lift leg mounted adjacent said left side of said base platform; and    (e) second lift leg means mounted to said base platform means adjacent said rear thereof and spaced from said first lift leg means for coacting with said first lift leg means to allow said chassis shipping unit to be lifted by the lift device; said second lift leg means including a right side second lift leg mounted adjacent said right side of said base platform and a left side second lift leg mounted adjacent said left side of said base platform.    
   
   
       8 . The chassis shipping unit of  claim 7  in which said base platform includes a bottom surface having a front end, a rear end, and a midportion between said front and rear ends; and in which said midportion of said bottom surface of said base platform is bowed upward.  
   
   
       9 . The chassis shipping unit of  claim 7  in which said first and second tandem legs are pivotally mounted to said base platform means for movement between an in-use position and a stored position; and in which said first and second lift legs are pivotally mounted to said base platform means for movement between an in-use position and a stored position.  
   
   
       10 . The chassis shipping unit of  claim 7  in which is included strap means for strapping the trailer chassis to said base platform means.  
   
   
       11 . In combination, a chassis shipping unit, an over-the-road first trailer chassis, an over-the-road second trailer chassis, an over-the-road third trailer chassis, and an over-the-road fourth trailer chassis; said chassis shipping unit comprising: 
 (a) base platform means supporting the first, second, third and fourth trailer chassis with the second trailer chassis supported above the first trailer chassis, with the third trailer chassis supported above the second trailer chassis, and with the fourth trailer chassis supported above the third trailer chassis; said base platform means having a front, a rear, a right side, and a left side;    (b) first tandem leg means mounted to said base platform means adjacent said front thereof and extending upward between the leading and trailing wheels of the first and third trailer chassis; said first tandem leg means including a right side first tandem leg extending upward between the right side leading and trailing wheels of the first and third trailer chassis; said first tandem leg means including a left side first tandem leg extending upward between the left side leading and trailing wheels of the first and third trailer chassis;    (c) second tandem leg means mounted to said base platform means adjacent said rear thereof and extending upward between the leading and trailing wheels of the second and fourth trailer chassis; said second tandem leg means including a right side second tandem leg extending upward between the right side leading and trailing wheels of the second and fourth trailer chassis; said second tandem leg means including a left side second tandem leg extending upward between the left side leading and trailing wheels of the second and fourth trailer chassis;    (d) first lift leg means mounted to said base platform means adjacent said front thereof; said first lift leg means including a right side first lift leg mounted adjacent said right side of said base platform and a left side first lift leg mounted adjacent said left side of said base platform; and    (e) second lift leg means mounted to said base platform means adjacent said rear thereof and spaced from said first lift leg means for coacting with said first lift leg means to allow said chassis shipping unit to be lifted by the lift device; said second lift leg means including a right side second lift leg mounted adjacent said right side of said base platform and a left side second lift leg mounted adjacent said left side of said base platform.    
   
   
       12 . The chassis shipping unit of  claim 11  in which is included strap means strapping the trailer chassis to said base platform means.