The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 23, 2002
Filed:
May. 08, 2000
J. Thomas Bortell, Adrian, MI (US);
Veridian ERIM International, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Abstract
An expandable trailer is designed for transportation and use of satellite communication related electronic equipment. The trailer has a generally horizontal support frame with an upper surface defining a floor of the trailer. A pair of spaced apart generally vertical side walls extend upwardly from the support and define an interior transport area between the walls. An expansion module is supported in an opening in one of the side walls. The expansion module has a vertical front panel and rear panel with inboard edges and outboard edges. The panels are spaced apart to define the front and rear of the expansion module. A generally vertical side panel extends between the outboard edges of the front and rear panels and has an upper edge and a lower edge. The expansion module has a closed position where the side panel is generally aligned with the side wall and the outboard edges of the front and rear panels are adjacent the side wall. The expansion also has an expanded position wherein the side panel is spaced from the side wall and the inboard edges of the front and rear panels are adjacent the side wall. A movable floor panel has a storage position where it is generally parallel with the side panel. The floor panel is placed in the storage position when the expansion module is in the closed position. The floor panel also has a use position wherein the floor is generally perpendicular to the side panel. The floor panel is placed in the use position when the expansion module is in the expanded position, such that the floor extends between the floor of the trailer and the lower edge of the side panel. A movable roof panel has one edge hinged to the side wall above the opening. The roof panel pivots upwardly when the expansion module is in the closed position. The roof panel pivots upwardly when the expansion is moved to the expanded position, such that the roof panel extends outwardly from the side wall and rests atop the upper edge of the side panel.