Combination trailer

Abstract

A combination trailer is provided that includes a rear self-discharge trailer having a bottom surface, a front portion, a back portion, and two opposing side panels. The side panels of the combination trailer have a height that is less than the height of the front portion. An enclosure system is also included in the combination trailer and selectively covers an open top of the rear self-discharge trailer. One or more one locking pin assemblies are also included in the combination trailer and are attached to at least one of the side panels of the rear self-discharge trailer such that the locking pin assemblies can be used to secure the enclosure system in a desired position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combination trailer, comprising:
 a rear self-discharge trailer having a bottom surface, a front portion, a back portion, and two opposing side panels, the side panels having a height that is less than the height of the front portion;   an enclosure system adapted to selectively cover an open top of the rear self-discharge trailer; and   at least one locking pin assembly attached to one of the side panels of the rear self-discharge trailer, the locking pin assembly for securing the enclosure system in a desired position.   
     
     
         2 . The combination trailer of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure system comprises:
 a pair of longitudinal guide tracks secured to the opposing side panels of the rear self-discharge trailer;   a plurality of inverted U-shaped members, each U-shaped member having a horizontal portion that is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the rear self-discharge trailer and a pair of vertical leg portions extending downwardly from the horizontal portion and terminating adjacent to the guide tracks;   a means for connecting the vertical leg portions to the longitudinal guide tracks; and   a flexible tarp extending over the plurality of inverted U-shaped members.   
     
     
         3 . The combination trailer of  claim 2 , wherein the means for connecting the vertical leg portions of the U-shaped members to the longitudinal guide tracks is adapted for sliding movement relative to the guide tracks such that the U-shaped members are capable of being displaced between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition. 
     
     
         4 . The combination trailer of  claim 1 , wherein the height of the opposing side panels is about one-half of the height of the front portion of the rear self-discharge trailer. 
     
     
         5 . The combination trailer of  claim 1 , wherein the back portion of the rear self-discharge trailer includes a tailgate extending to a height that is substantially equal to the height of the opposing side panels of the rear self-discharge trailer, and wherein the tailgate is pivotally connected to at least one of the side panels. 
     
     
         6 . The combination trailer of  claim 5 , wherein a rear section of the enclosure system includes a rear door cover adapted for attachment to the tailgate. 
     
     
         7 . The combination trailer of  claim 1 , including a plurality of locking pin assemblies along the length of at least one side panel. 
     
     
         8 . The combination trailer of  claim 7 , including a pair of locking pin assemblies at a front end of each side panel, a pair of locking pin assemblies at a back end of each side panel, and one or more locking pin assemblies along the length of at least one side panel. 
     
     
         9 . The combination trailer of  claim 1 , wherein the locking pin assembly comprises:
 a locking pin;   a first bearing block and a second bearing block for securing the locking pin to the side panel; and   a spring surrounding the locking pin and positioned between the first bearing block and a handle so as to bias the locking pin into engagement with the enclosure system, the handle being attached to the locking pin and positioned between the spring and the second bearing block such that downward movement of the handle compresses the spring and moves the locking pin in a downward direction to disengage the locking pin from the enclosure system.   
     
     
         10 . The combination trailer of  claim 1 , including a pair of latch assemblies attached to the front portion of the rear self-discharge trailer, each latch assembly comprising:
 a means for securing the latch assembly to the front portion of the rear self-discharge trailer;   a rod having a lower portion extending through the bottom surface of the rear self-discharge trailer and an upper portion received by the means for securing the latch assembly;   a hooked arm defining a central eyelet;   a pin positioned in the front portion of the rear self-discharge trailer, the pin pivotally connecting to the central eyelet of the hooked arm;   a strap connected to the upper portion of the rod and the hooked arm; and   a ratchet connected to the lower portion of the rod, wherein operation of the ratchet rotates the rod such that the strap winds around the rod and the hooked arm engages an attachment pin in a front section of the enclosure system to thereby secure the enclosure system to the front portion of the rear self-discharge trailer.   
     
     
         11 . The combination trailer of  claim 10 , wherein the ratchet further includes a pawl for preventing movement by the enclosure system away from the front portion of the rear self-discharge trailer. 
     
     
         12 . The combination trailer of  claim 10 , wherein each latch assembly further comprises a sliding rod-like member having a first end attached to the hooked arm and a second end adapted for sliding movement along a top surface of the side panel of the rear self-discharge trailer; and a stop block positioned on the top surface of the side panels of the rear self-discharge trailer such that the sliding rod-like member biases the hooked arm in an upward direction and disengages the hooked arm from the front section of the enclosure system upon contact with the stop block. 
     
     
         13 . The combination trailer of  claim 10 , wherein the hooked arm further defines a front eyelet receiving the strap, and thus connecting the hooked arm to the strap. 
     
     
         14 . The combination trailer of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for securing a rear section of the enclosure system to the back portion of the rear self-discharge trailer. 
     
     
         15 . The combination trailer of  claim 14 , wherein the means for securing the rear section of the enclosure system to the back portion of the rear self-discharge trailer comprises:
 a lower drive sprocket;   an upper driven pinion;   a chain extending around the lower drive sprocket and the upper driven pinion; and   a rack secured to the rear section of the enclosure system, wherein, upon placement of the rack adjacent to the pinion, rotational movement of the lower drive sprocket rotates the upper drive pinion and moves the rack laterally to thereby close and secure the rear section of the enclosure system to the back portion of the rear self-discharge trailer.   
     
     
         16 . The combination trailer of  claim 14 , wherein the lower drive sprocket includes a ratchet for rotating the lower drive sprocket. 
     
     
         17 . The combination trailer of clan  16 , wherein the lower drive sprocket further comprises a pawl for preventing movement by the enclosure system away from the back portion of the rear self-discharge trailer. 
     
     
         18 . The combination trailer of  claim 1 , and further comprising a pair of internal rails positioned on the bottom surface of the rear self-discharge trailer and connected to the opposing side panels of the rear self-discharge trailer by a plurality of posts, each of the posts spaced at a predetermined distance from each adjacent post. 
     
     
         19 . The combination trailer of  claim 18 , and further comprising an adjustable bulkhead for securing a load in the rear self-discharge trailer, the adjustable bulkhead including a center panel secured between two opposing side members, the side members having a hooked bottom portion adapted to be slidably disposed over the posts such that the adjustable bulkhead can be positioned at a desired location in the rear self-discharge trailer. 
     
     
         20 . A combination trailer, comprising:
 a rear self-discharge trailer having a bottom surface, a front portion, a back portion, and two opposing side panels, the side panels having a height that is about one-half of the height of the front portion of the rear self-discharge trailer; and   an enclosure system adapted to cover an open top of the rear self-discharge trailer.