AU2003203647A1

AU2003203647A1 - Trailer

Info

Publication number: AU2003203647A1
Application number: AU2003203647A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Arthur Romaine Brakespear
Original assignee: ARTHUR BRAKESPEARE
Current assignee: Brakespeare Arthur Romaine
Priority date: 2002-03-27
Filing date: 2003-03-27
Publication date: 2003-10-23

Description

27-MAR-2003 16:09 21. MR. 203 1:09RAY AND ASSOCIATES N.56 P NO. 536 P. P/00/01l 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Address for service is: Arthur Romaine Brakespears Arthur Romaine Brakespeare WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: 'Trailer" Details of Amsoiated Provisional Application No(s): PS14I 1 filed 27 March 2002 The following statement is a full desciription of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 1 COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27 27-MAR2003 16:09 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES N0.536- 6-- -2- "Trailer" Field of the Invention This invention relates to a trailer and in particular a collapsible trailer which can be collapsed when not in use for the purpose of stowage.

Background Trailers which are used for carrying general loads, boats and the like can present a significant storage problem when the trailer is not in use. With the increase in tendency towards medium density housing there is a reduced availability for storage space where boat trailers, box trailers and the like can be housed.

In addition when parties travel for vacations or the like It is not uncommon for them to wish to take a caravan or a like trailer vehicle and a dinghy. It is not possible to trail a dinghy on its own trailer under such circumstances therefore it is usually carried on top of the car or caravan. On arrival at the destination however there is no trailer to carry the dinghy which can be extremely inconvenient Disclosure of the Invention Accordingly the invention resides in a trailer vehicle which is intended to be towed behind a motor vehicle, said trailer vehicle comprising a drawbar and an axle assembly, the drawbar having a tow hitch at one end, the drawbar being capable of being reduced in length, the axle assembly adapted to be removably mounted to the drawbar at an intermediate position along the length of the drawbar to extend transversely to each side of the drawbar, the axle assembly supporting a wheel at each end, the axle assembly and drawbar being adapted to jointly receive a load.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27 27. MAR. 2003 16:09 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 536-'- P. 7- -3- According to a preferred feature of the Invention each end of the axle assembly includes a mudguard associated with each wheel.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the drawbar comprises a set of elongate members which are telescopically interconnected to enable the drawbar to be varied in length. According to an alternative preferred feature of the invention the drawbar comprises a set of elongate members which are foldably interconnected to enable the drawbar to be varied in length. According to an alternative preferred feature of the invention the drawbar comprises a set of elongate members which are adapted to be mounted in an end relationship and which can be disconnected from each other to enable the drawbar to be varied in length. According to an alternative preferred feature of the invention the drawbar comprises a set of elongate members which can be telescopically and/or foldably and/or separably interconnected to enable the drawbar to be varied in length.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the drawbar comprises a recess located at the Intermediate position which is adapted to receive the axle assembly. A According to a preferred feature of the invention wherein the recess comprises a transversely extending channel member. According to a preferred feature of the invention the recess has an open face which is directed downwardly According to a preferred feature of the invention the axle assembly comprises a crossbar which is adapted to be removably fixed to the drawbar at the intermediate position, each end of the crossbar supporting a leg member, wherein the wheels are removably mounted to the respective leg members.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the crossbar is received in the recess. According to a preferred feature of the invention the wheels are supported from a first bracket member and said first bracket member is removably mounted to the leg member. According to a preferred feature of the invention the mudguard is removably mounted to the leg member from which the associated wheel is supported. According to one embodiment the mudguard is COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27 27. MAR. 2003 16:10 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO0.536 P. 8- -4supported from the first bracket member. According to another embodiment the mudguard is mounted to the leg member through a second bracket member which is slidably receivable on the leg member.

According a preferred feature of the invention the first bracket member is formed at least In part of a hollow section of substantially complementary cross-section to the leg member to be slidably receivable on the leg member, a locking means being provided to fix the first bracket member In position on the leg member.

According a preferred feature of the invention the second bracket member is formed of a hollow section of substantially complementary cross-section to the leg member to be slidably receivable on the leg member, a locking means being provided to fix the second bracket member in position on the leg member.

According a preferred feature of the invention the leg member depends downwardly from the crossbar.

According a preferred feature of the invention wherein the leg members are interconnected by a strut extending between the leg members. According a preferred feature of the invention the strut member is located below the crossbar.

According a preferred feature of the invention the strut is parallel to the crossbar.

According a preferred feature of the invention wherein the load comprises a boat.

The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of several specific embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings The description Is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which; Figure 1 is a partial rear Isometric view of a trailer according to the embodiment; Figure 2 is a front sometric view of a trailer according to the first embodiment; Figure 2 is a front isometric view of a trailer according to the first embodiment; COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27 27. MAR, 2003 16:10 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 536 P. 9 Figure 3 is an Isometric view of the components which comprise the drawbar; Figure 4 a rear isometric view of the axle assembly; Figure 5 is a partial isometric view of the axle assembly showing the mounting of a wheel to the leg member; and Figure 6 Is an Isometric view of the disassembled trailer in a transport mode.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments The embodiment is directed to a collapsible road trailer which can be utilised for the purposes of carrying a boat when in the assembled condition and which is capable of being collapsed to enable its storage and/or transportation in the rear of a vehicle, in a caravan or trailer or the like.

The trailer according to the first embodiment comprises a drawbar 11. The drawbar itself comprises three separate components. The forward component 1 la of the drawbar comprises the forward end of the drawbar and is provided at Its front end with a tow hitch 13 which enables the drawbar to be connected to the tow ball of a towing vehicle. In addition the first portion 11 a supports a forward brace 15 which is intended to receive the bow of the boat which is to be carried by the vehicle and the brace supports a winch 17. The brace 15 is pivotally supported on the forward portion in order that it can be moved between an erect position and a storage position. When the brace is in the erect position as shown at Figure 1 the winch is positioned In spaced relation above the draw bar and when In the storage position as shown at Figure 3 and 6 the brace extends rearwardly at an acute angle on the draw bar. The brace is intended to support the bow of the boat to be carried by the trailer. A suitable locking means retains the brace in its erect position.

in addition the drawbar comprises a rear portion 11b which supports a series of rollers 19 along its upper surface which are intended to receive and support the COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27 27-MAR2003 16:10 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 536 -6keel of the boat. The inner end of the rear portion 11 b is pivotally mounted to one end of an intermediate portion 11 c through a pivotal connection 21 whereby the rear portion 11b and intermediate portion 1Ic are movable between a substantially collinear configuration as shown at Figures 1 and 2 and a folded configuration as shown at Figures 3 and 6. The free end 23 of the Intermediate portion 11c and the Inner end 25 of the forward portion 11 a are intended to be interconnected through an insert member 27 which Is receivable in each of the respective ends 23 and 25 to support the forward portion 11a of the drawbar from the Intermediate portion I tc of the drawbar.

The trailer according to the embodiment also comprises an axle assembly 31 which is intended to be removably fixed to the drawbar through a mounting 33 and which supports a wheel 35 and a mudguard 37 at each end. The axle assembly 31 comprises a crossbar 39. The mounting 33 comprises a transversely extending channel member 43 which is fixed to the rear portion 11 b of the drawbar where the channel portion faces downwardly and is dimensioned to snugly receive the crossbar 39. The crossbar 39 is fixed to the channel 43 through a set of fixing pins 45 which can be disengaged to enable the crossbar 39 to be disengaged from the channel member 43.

Each end of the cross bar 39 is provided with a downwardly extending leg member 41 and are also interconnected by a strut member 47 which extends between the leg members 41. Each leg member is of a generally square section and each end of the strut member 47 is provided with a hollow member 49 which is complimentary to the leg member 41 In order that it can be slidably received over the leg members 41. A suitable locking mearis is utilised to fix the ends of the strut member 47 on the leg members. The strut member includes a set of supports 48 at spaced intervals along Its length which provide support between the cross bar 39 and the strut member when installed.

The wheels 35 are supported from the lower end of the respective leg member through a bracket member 51 which has a socket which is of complementary COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27 27, MAR, 2003 16:10 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 536 P. 11- -7configuration to the leg member 41 such that the lower end of the leg member is receivable within the socket of the first bracket member 61. A suitable locking means 53 Is provided to enable the first bracket member to be retained in position on the leg member. Each first bracket member 51 supports a stub axle which in turn rotatably supports the wheel 35. In addition each mudguard 37 is supported from the bracket member 51 to overlie the respective wheel.

When the trailer according to the first embodiment Is in the assembled condition it takes the configuration as shown at Figures 1 and 2. When it is desired to disassemble the trailer the axle assembly 31 can be disconnected from the drawbar 11 by disengaging the fixing pins 45 from between the cross member 39 of the axle assembly and the mounting 33. Once the drawbar has been disconnected from the axle assembly the forward portion 11 a of the drawbar can be disconnected from the intermediate portion 11 c by disengaging both portions from the insert 27. In addition the rear portion 11b can be folded onto the intermediate portion 11 c such that they occupy substantially parallel side-by-side relationship as illustrated at Figure 3. In addition, the brace 15 on the forward portion 11 a can be folded on the forward portion to occupy the storage position adjacent the forward portion 11 a.

With the axle assembly disengaged from the drawbar each of the wheels 35 and the respective mudguards 37 can be removed as a unit from the leg members 41 by disengaging the locking members 53 and sliding the bracket member 51 from the leg member. On removable of the wheels 35 and mudguards 37 from the axle assembly the strut member 47 can be disengaged from the leg members.

Once disassembled the trailer is readily stored.

If desired the removed wheels and mudguards can be reinstalled onto the respective leg members but such that their major plane Is parallel to the axis of the crossbar 39 as illustrated at Figure 6 which facilitates transportation of the cross member. In addition as is further Indicated in Figure 6 the components of the drawbar can be mounted and fixed to the axle assembly such that they are COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27 27. MAR. 2003 16:11 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO.536 12 -8substantially parallel to the main axis of the axle assembly to facilitate transportation of the disassembled trailer.' To this end the trailer is provided with a stand 57which can be engaged substantially centrally with the strut member to hold the disassembled trailer upright The stand has a height greater than the normal height of the strut member from the ground in order that one of the wheels is in engagement with the ground and the other is out of engagement with the ground. This enables a wheel to be removed from its stub axle if servicing is required. In addition the packaged disassembled trailer can be readily transported by the user grasping one end of the assembly, raising the stand from engagement with the ground and pushing or pulling the assembly The trailer according to the embodiment is one which can be readily disassembled Into its component parts to facilitate storage of the trailer and/or transportation of the trailer and which can be readily assembled for use of the trailer in a conventional form.

According to an alternative embodiment the trailer Is associated with a tray in order that the trailer can be used as a box trailer.

In accordance with further embodiment of the invention the elements of the drawbar are telescopically interconnected to enable the length of the drawbar to be varied.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention each of the elements of the drawbar are pivotally interconnected in order that the drawbar can be folded into a collapsed position and can be opened out into a substantially collinear position.

According to a further embodiment the mudguards are each supported from their respective leg members by a second bracket member which is separate from the bracket member which supports the respective wheel from the leg member.

COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27 27.MAR. 2003 16:11 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 536 P. 13 -9- Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiments described above, along its upper surface It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiments described above.

I

COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27

Claims

27-MAR2003 16:11 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 536 P. 14 Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A trailer vehicle which is intended to be towed behind a motor vehicle, said trailer vehicle comprising a drawbar and an axle assembly, the drawbar having a tow hitch at one end, the drawbar being capable of being reduced in length, the axle assembly adapted to be removably mounted to the drawbar at an intermediate position along the length of the drawbar to extend transversely to each side of the drawbar, the axle assembly supporting a wheel at each end, the axle assembly and drawbar being adapted to jointly receive a load. 2. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim I wherein each end of the axle assembly includes a mudguard associated with each wheel. 3. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 1 or 2 or 3 wherein the drawbar comprises a set of elongate members which are telescopically interconnected to enable the drawbar to be varied in length. 4. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 1 or 2 or 3 wherein the drawbar comprises a set of elongate members which are foldably interconnected to enable the drawbar to be varied in length. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim I or 2 or 3 wherein the drawbar comprises a set of elongate members which are adapted to be mounted in an end relationship and which can be disconnected from each other to enable the drawbar to be varied in length. 6. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 1 or 2 or 3 wherein the drawbar comprises a set of elongate members which can be telescopically and/or COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27 27LMAR. 2003 16:11*RYADASCAENO53 P.1 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 536 P. foldably andlor separably interconnected to enable the drawbar to be varied in length. 7. A trailer vehicle as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the drawbar comprises a recess located at the Intermediate position which is to receive the axle assembly. B. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 7 wherein the recess comprises a transversely extending channel member. 9. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 7 or 8 wherein the recess has an open face which is directed downwardly 10. A trailer vehicle as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the axle assembly comprises a crossbar which is adapted to be removably fixed to the drawbar at the intermediate position, each end of the crossbar supporting a leg member, wherein the wheels are removably mounted to the respective leg members. 11. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim S as dependant from any one of claims 7 or 8cor 9 or 10 wherein the crossbar is received In the recess. 12. A trailer vehicle as claimed at preceding claim 10 or 11 wherein the wheels are supported from a first bracket member and said first bracket member is removably mounted to the leg member. 13. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 12 as dependent from claim 2 wherein the mudguard is removably mounted to the leg member from which the associated wheel is supported. 14. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 13 wherein the mudguard is supported from the first bracket member. COMS ID No: SMBI-0198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27 27-MAR2003 16:12 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 536 P. 16 -12- A trailer vehicle as claimed at any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the first bracket member is formed at least in part of a hollow section of substantially complementary cross-section to the leg member to be slidably receivable on the leg member, a locking means being provided to fix the first bracket member In position on the leg member, 16. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 15 wherein the leg member depends downwardly from the crossbar. 17. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 13 wherein the mudguard is mounted to the leg member through a second bracket member which is slidably receivable on the leg member. 18. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 17 wherein the first and second bracket member are each formed at least in part of a hollow section of substantially complementary cross-section to the leg member to be slidably receivable on the leg member, a locking means being provided to fix the first and second bracket member in position on the leg member. 19. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 18 wherein the leg member depends downwardly from the crossbar. A trailer vehicle as claimed at any one of claims 10 to 19 wherein the leg members are interconnected by a strut extending between the leg members. 21, A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 20 wherein the strut member is located below the crossbar. 22. A trailer vehicle as claimed at claim 20 or 21 wherein the strut is parallel to the crossbar. COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27 27, MAR. 2003 16:12 WRAY AND ASSOCIATES NO. 536 P. 17 -13- 23. A trailer vehicle as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the load comprises a boat. 24. A trailer vehicle substantially as herein described. Dated this Twenty Seventh day of March 2003. Arthur Romaine BrakesPeare Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant(s) COMS ID No: SMBI-00198488 Received by IP Australia: Time 19:08 Date 2003-03-27