Overview
Filed in February 2018 and granted in November 2021, this patent describes a robust body prop assembly designed to support and control tilting portions of trailer assemblies commonly used on vacuum trucks and other tilting vehicles. Inventors based in Navasota, TX and applicant Global Vacuum Systems developed a hinged upper prop that works in concert with paired sidetracks and sliding lower guides to create a reliable, one‑way locking and release mechanism. The design integrates welded L‑brackets, dual‑level track assemblies, and pivoting flaps that trap the lower guides under load, allowing the prop to hold the vessel at a safe incline and to reset or release as the trailer tilts.
The disclosure emphasizes practical manufacturing details and geometry—framed metal construction, hinge-eye fasteners defining an upper axis, and a track geometry that permits controlled forward/backward sliding into a trap. The assembly forms a predictable triangle of forces between the tilting hinge, the prop hinge, and the lower guide sliding path, delivering repeatable support and simplified operation for field use.
Key Features
- Filed Feb 2018; granted Nov 2021
- Dual sidetracks with upper/lower levels and one‑way trap
- Hinge assembly with hinge‑eye fasteners defining the upper axis
- Framed metal prop—manufacturable and load‑rated
This mechanically simple yet carefully detailed solution improves safety and serviceability for tilting trailers, with clear applicability across vacuum trucks, dump trucks, and related heavy‑equipment platforms.
Granted: 2021-11-09
