Apparatus and method for transporting chassis

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the hauling of chassis. The chassis hauler presents a front support system which supports multiple chassis. The chassis are stacked on top of one another in such a manner that their wheels face the same direction.

1 . A hauler comprising: 
 a main body having a length measured in a longitudinal direction and a width measured in a transverse direction, said main body defining a longitudinally-extending centerline, said main body presenting longitudinally-spaced front and rear portions; and    a front support system coupled to the main body proximate the front portion,    said front support system comprising a first upright support member extending upwardly from the main body and a first lateral support member shiftably coupled to the first upright support member,    said first lateral support member being shiftable between an extended position where the first lateral support member extends over the centerline and a retracted position where the first lateral support member does not extend over the centerline.    
   
   
       2 . The hauler of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is operable to be positioned on a rail car.  
   
   
       3 . The hauler of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is operable to be coupled with a truck.  
   
   
       4 . The hauler of  claim 1 , 
 said first lateral support member extending transversely at least two feet further in the extended position than in the retracted position.    
   
   
       5 . The hauler of  claim 1 , 
 said first lateral support member being hingedly coupled to the first upright support so that the first lateral support member swings substantially horizontally between the extended and retracted positions.    
   
   
       6 . The hauler of  claim 1 , 
 said first lateral support member extending at least about four feet from the first upright support member in both the extend and retracted positions.    
   
   
       7 . The hauler of  claim 1 , 
 said first lateral support member presenting an upwardly facing support surface spaced above the main body when the first lateral support member is in the extended position,    said front support system comprising a second lateral support member shiftably coupled to the first upright support member,    said second lateral support member being shiftable between a second extended position where the second lateral support member extends over the centerline and a second retracted position where the second lateral support member does not extend over the centerline,    said second lateral support member presenting an upwardly facing support surface spaced at least about one foot above the first lateral support surface when the first and second lateral support members are in the extended positions.    
   
   
       8 . The hauler of  claim 1 , 
 said front support system comprising a second upright support member extending upwardly from the main body,    said first and second upright support members being disposed on opposite sides of the centerline,    said first lateral support member extending from the first upright support member toward the second upright support member in the extended position such that a gap exists between the first lateral support member and the second upright support member.    
   
   
       9 . The hauler of  claim 1 , and 
 a rear support structure coupled to the main body proximate the rear portion,    said rear support structure comprising first and second rear support members extending upwardly from the main body,    said first and second rear support members being disposed on generally opposite sides of the centerline,    said first and second upright support members being transversely-spaced from one another by at least about four feet.    
   
   
       10 . The hauler of  claim 1 , 
 said main body including a pickup bracket,    said pickup bracket including at least one pickup lateral support coupled to the main body and extending in a transverse direction,    said pickup bracket including at least one rail support coupled to the pickup lateral support and extending in a longitudinal direction.    
   
   
       11 . A hauler comprising: 
 a main body having a length measured in a longitudinal direction and a width measured in a transverse direction, said main body defining a longitudinally-extending centerline, said main body presenting longitudinally-spaced front and rear portions;    a front support system coupled to the main body proximate the front portion,    said front support system comprising first and second upright support members extending upwardly from the main body and disposed on opposite sides of the centerline,    said front support system comprising first and second lateral support members shiftably coupled to the first and second upright support members, respectively,    said first and second lateral support members being shiftable between extended and retracted positions,    each of said first and second lateral support members extending at least six inches further towards the centerline when in the extended position than when in the retracted position.    
   
   
       12 . The hauler of  claim 11 , wherein the main body is operable to be positioned on a rail car.  
   
   
       13 . The hauler of  claim 11 , wherein the main body is operable to be coupled with a truck.  
   
   
       14 . The hauler of  claim 13 , 
 each of said first and second lateral support members being hingedly coupled to the first and second upright supports, respectively, so that the first and second lateral support members swing substantially horizontally between the extended and retracted positions.    
   
   
       15 . The hauler of  claim 14 , 
 each of said first and second lateral support members presenting a first and second upwardly facing support surface, respectively, spaced above the main body when the first and second lateral support members are in the extended position.    
   
   
       16 . The hauler of  claim 15 , 
 said front support system comprising third and fourth lateral support members shiftably coupled to the first and second upright support members, respectively,    said third and fourth lateral support members being shiftable between extended and retracted positions,    each of said third and fourth lateral support members extending at least six inches further towards the centerline when in the extended position than when in the retracted position,    each of said third and fourth lateral support members being hingedly coupled to the first and second upright supports, respectively, so that the third and fourth lateral support members swing substantially horizontally between the extended and retracted positions,    each of said third and fourth lateral support members presenting a third and fourth upwardly facing support surface, respectively, spaced at least one foot above the first and second lateral support members when the first and second lateral support members are in the extended position.    
   
   
       17 . The hauler of  claim 11 , 
 said main body including a pickup bracket,    said pickup bracket including at least one pickup lateral support coupled to the main body and extending in a transverse direction,    said pickup bracket including at least one rail support coupled to the pickup lateral support and extending in a longitudinal direction.