Trailer and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A trailer and method of manufacturing a trailer are provided. The trailer has a storage vessel which may include hoppers and which is partially formed from a plurality of top wall segments having peaks. The peaks or other components may be angled relative to one another to provide improved aerodynamics. A jig is provided to facilitate the manufacturing process.

1 . A trailer comprising:
 a trailer frame;   a set of ground-engaging wheels mounted on the trailer frame;   a storage vessel which is secured to the trailer frame, which defines an interior chamber and which includes a first hopper, the storage vessel having front and rear ends defining therebetween a longitudinal direction and left and right sides defining therebetween an axial direction;   a discharge port of the first hopper;   first and second fill port assemblies along a top of the storage vessel, wherein the first fill port assembly includes a first fill port lid movable between a closed position and an open position, and the second fill port assembly includes a second fill port lid movable between a closed position and an open position;   a first lid top surface of the first fill port lid; and   a second lid top surface of the second fill port lid which is lower than the first lid top surface when the first and second fill port lids are in their closed positions.   
     
     
         2 . The trailer of  claim 1  further comprising
 a third fill port assembly along the top of the storage vessel, wherein the third fill port assembly includes a third fill port lid movable between a closed position and an open position; 
 a third lid top surface of the third fill port lid which is lower than the first lid top surface when the first and third fill port lids are in their closed positions. 
 
     
     
         3 . The trailer of  claim 1  wherein when the first and second fill port lids are in their closed positions, the first and second lid top surfaces define therebetween a first obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the first obtuse angle being in a range of 145 to 175 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The trailer of  claim 3  further comprising
 a third fill port assembly along the top of the storage vessel, wherein the third fill port assembly includes a third fill port lid movable between a closed position and an open position; 
 a third lid top surface of the third fill port lid; 
 wherein when the first and third fill port lids are in their closed positions, the first and third lid top surfaces define therebetween a second obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the second obtuse angle being in a range of 155 to 175 degrees. 
 
     
     
         5 . The trailer of  claim 4  wherein when the second and third fill port lids are in their closed positions, the second and third top surfaces define therebetween a third obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the third obtuse angle being in a range of 155 to 175 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The trailer of  claim 1  further comprising
 first and second top wall segments of the storage vessel respectively having first and second longitudinally elongated peaks which define therebetween a first obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the first obtuse angle being in a range of 145 to 175 degrees. 
 
     
     
         7 . The trailer of  claim 6  further comprising
 a third top wall segment of the storage vessel; 
 wherein the first and second top wall segments of the storage vessel are secured to one another by a first weld; 
 the first and third top wall segments of the storage vessel are secured to one another by a second weld; 
 the first and second welds are straight as viewed in the axial direction; 
 the first and second welds define therebetween an acute angle as viewed in the axial direction, the acute angle being in a range of 5 to 20 degrees. 
 
     
     
         8 . The trailer of  claim 6  wherein the first and second fill port assemblies are secured respectively to the first and second top wall segments respectively along the first and second peaks. 
     
     
         9 . The trailer of  claim 8  further comprising
 a third top wall segment of the storage vessel having a third longitudinally elongated peak; 
 wherein the second and third peaks define therebetween a second obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the second obtuse angle being in a range of 145 to 175 degrees. 
 
     
     
         10 . The trailer of  claim 9  further comprising
 a third fill port assembly secured to the third top wall segment along the third peak, wherein the third fill port assembly includes a third fill port lid movable between a closed position and an open position; 
 a third lid top surface of the third fill port lid; 
 wherein when the second and third fill port lids are in their closed positions, the second and third lid top surfaces define therebetween a third obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the third obtuse angle being in a range of 155 to 175 degrees. 
 
     
     
         11 . The trailer of  claim 10  further comprising
 a fourth top wall segment of the storage vessel which is secured to the third top wall segment; 
 a fourth longitudinally elongated peak of the fourth top wall segment; 
 wherein the third and fourth peaks define therebetween a fourth obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the fourth obtuse angle being in a range of 155 to 175 degrees. 
 
     
     
         12 . The trailer of  claim 11  further comprising a plurality of steps secured to the fourth top wall segment along the fourth peak. 
     
     
         13 . The trailer of  claim 11  further comprising
 a fifth top wall segment of the storage vessel which is secured to the first top wall segment; 
 a fifth longitudinally elongated peak of the fifth top wall segment; 
 wherein the fifth and first peaks define therebetween a fifth obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the fifth obtuse angle being in a range of 155 to 175 degrees. 
 
     
     
         14 . The trailer of  claim 13  further comprising
 a first housing secured to the fifth top wall segment and having a first angled outer surface; 
 wherein the fifth peak and first angled outer surface define therebetween a sixth obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the sixth obtuse angle being in a range of 130 to 150 degrees. 
 
     
     
         15 . The trailer of  claim 14  further comprising
 a second housing secured to the fourth top wall segment and having a second angled outer surface; 
 wherein the fourth peak and second angled outer surface define therebetween a seventh obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the seventh obtuse angle being in a range of 130 to 150 degrees. 
 
     
     
         16 . The trailer of  claim 1  further comprising
 a toe rail including first and second longitudinally elongated toe rail segments which are secured to and extend upwardly from a top portion of the storage vessel, wherein the first toe rail segment has a first toe rail top surface and the second toe rail segment has a second toe rail top surface; 
 wherein the first and second toe rail top surfaces define therebetween a first obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the first obtuse angle being in a range of 145 to 175 degrees. 
 
     
     
         17 . The trailer of  claim 16  wherein the toe rail includes a third longitudinally elongated toe rail segment which is secured to and extends upwardly from the top portion of the storage vessel, wherein the third toe rail segment has a third toe rail top surface;
 wherein the first and third toe rail top surfaces define therebetween a second obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the second obtuse angle being in a range of 145 to 175 degrees. 
 
     
     
         18 . The trailer of  claim 16  further comprising
 first and second top wall segments of the storage vessel respectively having first and second longitudinally elongated peaks which define therebetween a second obtuse angle as viewed in the axial direction, the second obtuse angle being in a range of 145 to 175 degrees; 
 the first fill port assembly is secured to the first top wall segment adjacent the first peak; 
 the second fill port assembly is secured to the second top wall segment adjacent the second peak; 
 the first toe rail segment is secured to the first top wall segment; and 
 the second toe rail segment is secured to the second top wall segment. 
 
     
     
         19 . The trailer of  claim 1  further comprising
 a first bottom wall segment secured to the first top wall segment so that the first bottom wall segment and the first top wall segment together form part of the first hopper; and 
 a second bottom wall segment secured to the second top wall segment so that the second bottom wall segment and the second top wall segment together form part of a second hopper of the storage vessel. 
 
     
     
         20 . A trailer comprising:
 a trailer frame;   a storage vessel which is secured to the trailer frame and defines an interior chamber, the storage vessel having front and rear ends defining therebetween a longitudinal direction and left and right sides defining therebetween an axial direction;   a set of ground-engaging wheels mounted on the trailer frame;   first, second and third top wall segments of the storage vessel respectively having first, second and third longitudinally elongated peaks;   a back edge of the first top wall segment secured to a front edge of the second top wall segment; and   a back edge of the second top wall segment secured to a front edge of the third top wall segment;   wherein the second peak angles downwardly and forward relative to the third peak at a first incline; and   the first peak angles downwardly and forward relative to the second peak at a second incline greater than the first incline.