AU2005244585A1 - An apparatus and method for positioning a trailer relative to a parking space - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S):: Greg Chandler ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2000 INVENTION TITLE: An apparatus and method for positioning a trailer relative to a parking space The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5102 P:\wpdoslwt\work\patentsraftingchandler\AN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complee speification.doc-16/I 2/05 S-1- AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER

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RELATIVE TO A PARKING SPACE oo Technical Field The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for parking a trailer, and In in particular, for parking a trailer in a congested area.

Background of the Invention In order to park a trailer in to a parking space adjacent to a curb, a towing vehicle to which the trailer is attached is generally required to firstly reverse a rear end of the trailer in to position within the parking space. Thereafter, the towing vehicle is required to swing about at a sharper angle relative to the curb in order to manoeuvre a front end of the trailer in to position within the parking space thereby aligning the trailer with the curb.

This procedure can be rather tedious particularly where the parking space is tightly bounded at either end by other parked vehicles and/or other objects. The problem may be further exacerbated in circumstances where the roadway is relatively narrow and/or congested with other vehicles and/or objects parked on the opposite side of the roadway to the parking space such that it is difficult for the towing vehicle to swing about at a sharp angle without hitting vehicles and/or objects on the opposite side of the roadway.

The prior art reveals various attempts to overcome the above problem. For instance, it has been envisaged that a crane may be fitted to the rear of a towing vehicle and that whilst keeping the towing vehicle stationary, the crane may be used to hoist the front end of the trailer in to position within the parking space after the rear end of the trailer has been pre-positioned within the parking space. One problem with this approach is that as the crane generally bears the weight of a P:\wpdcmsrwt\wr krpat mls rafinghandleN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete specificaion.doc-16/12/05 -2trailer when hoisting the trailer in to position within the parking space, the weight of N the trailer tends to be transferred to the towing vehicle which increases its susceptibility to damage. A further disadvantage with this approach is that the n crane dimensions may often need to be undesirably large in order to 00oo accommodate the weight of larger, bulkier trailers.

Summary of the Invention The present invention seeks to alleviate at least one of the problems described above in relation to the prior art.

In a first broad form, the present invention provides an apparatus for positioning a trailer relative to a parking space, said apparatus being adapted for mounting to a towing vehicle, and including: a means of releasably attaching the apparatus to a first end of the trailer; a positioning means adapted for manouvering the first end of the trailer laterally relative to the parking space between at least a parked position wherein the first end of the trailer is substantially positioned within a boundary of the parking space, and, an unparked position wherein the first end of the trailer is positioned outside of the boundary of the parking space; and a ground engagement means having a first region movably coupled to the positioning means, and, a second region which is adapted to movably engage with a ground surface over which the first end of the trailer is moved; wherein as the positioning means manoeuvres the first end of the trailer between said parked and unparked positions, the ground engagement means substantially follows the lateral movement of the first end of the trailer, and substantially supports the weight of the first end of the trailer thereby substantially alleviating the weight of the first end of the trailer being placed on the positioning means, whilst the towing vehicle is able to remain substantially stationary relative P:\wpdocsklwt\workpat ts\rafting\chandle N APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER- complete speeification.doc-16/12/05 -3to the parking space.

Typically, the parking space may be located adjacent to a curb, and, when the t trailer is arranged in to the parked position, the trailer may be substantially aligned 00 with the curb. Also typically, before the first end of the trailer is manoeuvred in to the parking space so as to park the trailer, a second end of the trailer may be prepositioned within the parking space.

Preferably, the positioning means includes a boom having a first end and a second end. Also preferably, the present invention includes a turret which may be rigidly mounted to the towing vehicle and rotatable relative to the towing vehicle in a horizontal plane. A first end of the boom may be movably coupled to the turret.

Preferably, the boom may be rotatably coupled to the turret so as to allow for vertical rotation of the boom relative to the turret. It would therefore be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the boom may be able to rotate through both the vertical and horizontal planes. The range of rotation in each plane may be approximately 180 degrees in the horizontal plane and approximately 90 degrees in the vertical plane.

Typically the boom may be telescopically extendable and/or retractable.

Preferably, the ground engagement means includes a wheel frame. Also preferably, a first end of the wheel frame may be movably attached to the second end of the boom. More preferably, the first end of the wheel frame may be hingedly coupled to the second end of the boom.

A second end of the wheel frame may be coupled to a wheel. Typically, a pair of wheels may be coupled to the second end of the wheel frame. Preferably, the wheels may be able to swivel relative to the second end of the wheel frame. It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the ability of the wheel to swivel relative to the wheel frame may allow the ground engagement means to P:\wpdocswlwt\work\p at nts~raflinghchmdul r APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete specification.doc-16/12/05 -4-

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more easily follow the direction of travel of the first end of the trailer as the first end N of the trailer is being manoeuvred laterally between the parked and unparked positions by the positioning means. The wheel frame may include a material n suitable for bearing the weight of the trailer, such as a metal alloy or the like.

00oo Preferably, the wheel frame includes an inner portion which may be telescopically retractable in to, and extendable out of, an outer portion of the wheel frame. The Sadjustability of the boom and the wheel frame may conveniently assist in adapting the present invention for engagement with a range of trailers having varying dimensions. Moreover, the adjustability of the wheel frame may also assist in jacking up the first end of the trailer above the ground when attaching the apparatus to the first end of the trailer.

Preferably, the present invention includes a means of releasably attaching the apparatus to the first end of the trailer. Preferably, this may include the use of a connector means disposed on the wheel frame which may be releasably engageable with a corresponding connector disposed on the first end of the trailer.

Also preferably, the connector means may be engageable with the corresponding connector by sliding the connector means underneath the corresponding connector and then raising the connector means into a recess of the corresponding connector. Typically, the connection may be effected as follows: the connector means disposed on the wheel frame may first be prepared by telescopically retracting the wheel frame; (ii) the retracted wheel frame may then be slid in to position beneath the corresponding connector disposed on the first end of the trailer. This may be effected by rotating the boom in the vertical and/or horizontal, and/or extending or retracting the boom as required so as to move the connector means into proximity with the corresponding connector; P:\wpdocs\lwt\workpatns'drafing\handlerAN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete specificaio.doc-16/12/05 IC (iii) the connector means may thereafter be raised into engagement with the corresponding connector by telescopically extending the wheel uq frame. The wheel frame may be telescopically extended until the 0 5 first end of the trailer is lifted off the ground surface, and its weight is substantially borne by the wheel frame and wheel.

Preferably, when the connector means is engaged with the corresponding connector, the wheel frame may be rigidly coupled to the trailer whereby relative movement between the wheel frame and the first end of the trailer may be substantially alleviated. The weight of the first end of the trailer bearing down upon the corresponding connector may securely hold the corresponding connector in engagement with the connector means.

Thus, it would appreciated by a person skilled in the art, that when the connector means is releasably engaged with the corresponding connector disposed on the first end of the trailer, and the boom is laterally rotated relative to the turret, the boom may forcibly rotate the first end of the trailer relative to a substantially stationary second end of the trailer which is predisposed within the boundary of the parking space, whilst the weight of the trailer may be substantially supported by the ground engagement means. Advantageously, this may also alleviate at least one problem associated with the prior art in that the vertical load of the first end of the trailer is borne by the ground engagement means instead of the boom.

Also, as the ground engagement means is able to substantially bear the weight of the first end of the trailer, it is envisaged that a boom having relatively reduced bulk and weight compared to prior art cranes may be employed. Moreover, the present invention may be compactly stowed on the towing vehicle by retracting the boom and folding the wheel frame inwardly relative to the boom when not in use.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the means of releasably engaging the P:\wapdocslwt\workpatts\draftingkch dlr APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete speIficio.doc-16/12/05 -6apparatus to the first end of the trailer may include a screw-down lock, a cam- N operated lock or the like.

n Preferably, the present invention includes a motor. Preferably, the motor includes oO a hydraulic motor which may be operatively connected to at least the ground engagement means and the positioning means so as to facilitate at least one of the following functions: the movement of the ground engagement means; movement of the positioning means.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that a plurality of hydraulic motors may be used, each of which may independently drive, amongst other things, the ground engagement means and the positioning means.

Typically the hydraulic motor may be disposed adjacent to the turret. Preferably, the hydraulic motor may be selectively disengaged from the boom thereby allowing the boom to rotate freely relative to the turret in the vertical plane.

Typically the hydraulic motor may be adapted for automatic disengagement from the boom. This may be achieved for instance by calibrating the interconnection between the hydraulic motor and the boom such that as the ground engagement means is extended to the point where it begins to bear the weight of the first end of the trailer, the boom disconnects from the hydraulic motor.

Advantageously, when the hydraulic motor is disengaged from the boom, and as the trailer is being manoeuvred between the parked and unparked positions, the boom may freely rotate in the vertical plane relative to the turret as it follows a varying lateral contour of the ground surface being traversed by the moving trailer.

Thus, the ability of the hydraulic motor to disengage from the boom may assist in at least partially alleviating damage being caused to the boom, the turret and/or the towing vehicle resulting from rapid horizontal rotational movements of the boom as the terrain varies for instance, this may occur where the wheel passes P:\wpdocsUwt\wor kpatmts\drafingchadlrAN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete speificatin.do-16/12/05 S-7over a pothole during manouvering of the trailer between the parked and unparked N positions.

SIt would be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that in alternative 00oo embodiments of the present invention, the motor may include an electric motor, a pneumatic motor and/or any other suitable drive means.

0Also, when disposed in the parked position, the wheel frame may be conveniently extended so as to allow a pair of support legs to be braced between the first end of the trailer and the ground, whereby the support legs maintain the elevated position of the first end of the trailer whilst the trailer remains parked.

In a second broad form, the present invention provides a towing vehicle for positioning a trailer relative to a parking space, said a towing vehicle including: a means of releasably attaching the towing vehicle to a first end of the trailer; a positioning means adapted for manouvering the first end of the trailer laterally relative to the parking space between at least a parked position wherein the first end of the trailer is substantially positioned within a boundary of the parking space, and, an unparked position wherein the first end of the trailer is positioned outside of the boundary of the parking space; and a ground engagement means having a first region movably coupled to the positioning means, and, a second region which is adapted to movably engage with a ground surface over which the first end of the trailer is moved; wherein as the positioning means manoeuvres the first end of the trailer between said parked and unparked positions, the ground engagement means substantially follows the lateral movement of the first end of the trailer, and substantially supports the weight of the first end of the trailer so as to alleviate a vertical load placed on the positioning means, whilst the towing vehicle is able to remain substantially stationary relative to the parking space.

P:\wpdocslwt\wor kpat tsdrafting\ch dle N APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete spcification.do-16/12/05 -8- N Typically, the parking space may be located adjacent to a curb, and, when the trailer is arranged in to the parked position, the trailer may be substantially aligned In with the curb. Also typically, before the first end of the trailer is manoeuvred in to 00oo n 5 the parking space so as to park the trailer, a second end of the trailer may be prepositioned within the parking space.

In a third broad form, the present invention provides a method of manouvering a trailer relative to a parking space, said method including the steps of: providing a positioning means to laterally position a first end of the trailer relative to the parking space between at least a parked position wherein the first end of the trailer is substantially positioned within a boundary of the parking space, and, an unparked position wherein the first end of the trailer is positioned outside of the boundary of the parking space; (ii) providing a ground engagement means to support the weight of the first end of the trailer as the boom manoeuvres the first end of the trailer between said parked and unparked positions, so as to substantially prevent the weight of the first end of the trailer being placed on the positioning means, whilst the towing vehicle is able to remain substantially stationary relative to the parking space.

Preferably, the ground engagement means substantially supports the weight of the first end of the trailer.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment thereof, described P:\wpdocs\lwt\work\pattsdrafting\chandler\AN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete specification.doc-16/1205 -9o in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 depicts a side-view of a first embodiment of the present invention whereby a boom is arranged in an extended position.

oO Figure 2 depicts the first embodiment of the present invention compactly stowed on board the towing vehicle wherein the boom is retracted and the Swheel frame is pivoted inwardly toward the boom; Figure 3 depicts a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention with the boom arranged in the relatively extended position; Figures 4A-4C depict a series of elevated rear views of the first embodiment of the present invention wherein the boom and wheel frame are shown in varying positions as would arise during manouvering of a trailer from the unparked position in to the parked position.

Figures 5A-5C depict a series of top views of the first embodiment of the present invention wherein the boom is shown in varying positions as would arise during manouvering of a trailer from the unparked position in to the parked position.

Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention A first embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings including a turret mounted on a rear platform of a towing vehicle, a telescopically extendable and retractable boom rotatably coupled to, and extending outwardly from, the turret and a wheel frame having an attached wheel A first end (4a) of the wheel frame is rotatably coupled to a second end (3b) of P:\wpdocslwt\wor ktpatetsNdrafingchandlaAN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete speificatlio.doc- 16/I12/05 the boom and the wheel is attached to a second end (4b) of the wheel N frame The wheel is adapted for movable engagement along a ground surface. A hydraulic motor is operatively connected to each of the turret I the boom and the wheel frame 00oO kn Figure 1 shows the boom disposed in a relatively extended position, whilst I Fig.2 shows the boom disposed in a relatively retracted position when the boom and wheel frame are compactly stored on the rear surface of the towing vehicle.

By way of example only, when the boom is extended, it is approximately 4 metres in length. When the boom is retracted, it is approximately 2 metres in length.

A base (la) of the turret is welded and/or otherwise rigidly mounted to the rear surface of the towing vehicle. A rotatable column (11) is coaxially-coupled to, and extends vertically from the turret base The rotatable column (11) is rotatable relative to the base (la) in the horizontal plane around an angle of at least 180 degrees.

A first end (3a) of the boom is hingedly coupled to the rotatable column (11) so as to allow pivoting motion of the boom in a vertical plane relative to the rotatable column Thus, it would be understood by persons skilled in the art that the boom is able to be pivoted in both vertical and horizontal planes by virtue of the hinged-connection with the rotatable column and, the rotational coupling of the rotatable column (11) and the turret base (1 a).

The wheel frame is telescopically extendable and retractable. The wheel frame provides a movable support between the second end (3b) of the boom and the ground and, in use, substantially bears the weight of the first end (7a) of the trailer. The wheel frame is rotatable relative to the second end (3b) of the boom to a maximum angle of approximately 90 degrees.

P:\wpdcslwt\work\patwts'drafing\chaondlerAN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete specification.doc-16/12/05 -11- The wheel frame includes a connector means (8a) which is adapted for _C releasable attachment to a corresponding connector (8b) disposed on the first end (7a) of the trailer. The connector means (8a) includes a rectangular-shaped metal I bar which is welded transversely to the wheel frame The corresponding o00 connector (8b) includes a metal bracket which is welded to the first end (7a) of the trailer.

0The hydraulic motor is positioned adjacent to the turret and is operatively connected to the turret the boom and the wheel frame so as to facilitate at least the following functions: the telescopic extension and/or retraction of the wheel frame; the telescopic extension and/or retraction of the boom; the vertical and/or horizontal movement of the boom relative to the turret.

By reference to Figs. 4A-4C and 5A-5C, the operation of the first embodiment will now be described in further detail. In describing the operation of the first embodiment, the trailer which is to be parked is of a type having wheels disposed at it rear end (7b) whilst no wheel are disposed on the front end (7a).

When parking a trailer, the towing vehicle will firstly reverse a rear end (7b) of the trailer in to the parking space as shown in Fig. 5A. At this point, the towing vehicle is attached to the trailer via a conventional tow bar assembly and the boom/wheel frame assembly are compactly stored on the rear surface of the towing vehicle. The towing vehicle remains substantially stationary and parallel to the roadway (12) and so as not to obstruct on-coming traffic along the roadway (12).

Thereafter, to commence parking of the first end (7a) of the trailer in to the parking space using the first embodiment, the embodiment is expanded from its compacted arrangement by extending the boom and outwardly rotating the wheel frame from the boom until it is substantially perpendicular to the ground. The wheel is lowered in to contact with the ground by, for instance, P:\wopdwsl\wok\:pat mts\dralingchandleN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete speification.doc-16/12/05 -12vertically rotating the boom Thereafter, the connector means (8a) of the first embodiment is engaged with the n corresponding connector (8b) disposed on the first end (7a) of the trailer. This is 00 05 effected in accordance with the following steps: C the wheel frame is first retracted before being lowered into In position by rotating the boom in the vertical and/or horizontal, c and/or extending or retracting the boom as required. Retraction of the wheel frame is driven by the hydraulic motor (ii) the connector means (8a) is thereafter raised into engagement with the corresponding connector (8b) by telescopically extending the wheel frame The wheel frame continues to telescopically extend until the first end of the trailer is lifted off the ground surface, and its weight is substantially borne by the wheel frame and wheel When the wheel frame begins to bear the weight of the first end of the trailer (7a) the boom disengages from the hydraulic motor The weight of the trailer holds the connector means (8a) and corresponding connector (8b) firmly together such that the connector means (8a) is unable to be slid under and out of locking engagement with the corresponding connector (8b) without once more lowering the wheel frame Thereby, releasable engagement between the wheel frame and the trailer is effected. During engagement, the relative lateral movement of the wheel frame (4) and the trailer is substantially alleviated.

The boom is thereafter pivoted laterally around the turret by rotating the rotatable column (11) relative to the turret base In doing so, the first end (7a) of the trailer is forcibly pivoted by the boom around the substantially stationary rear P:\wpdocs\liwt\work\patts\dr afting\handl\AN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER- complete specification.doc-16/12/05 -13end (7b) of the trailer. Figures 4B and 5B shows the position of the boom and N wheel frame after the first end (7a) of the trailer has been partly rotated towards the parked position. Figure 4C and 5C shows the position of the boom (3) t and wheel frame after the first end (7a) of the trailer has been fully rotated in to o00 the parked position.

t The boom ceases rotating when the trailer is substantially in alignment with the curb (10) and/or the first end (7a) of the trailer is no longer jutting out of the parking space and in to the roadway (12) so as to obstruct traffic that is, the trailer is disposed in the parked position. Again, this is depicted in Figs. 4C and As the first end (7a) of the trailer is being rotated laterally in to the parked position, the wheel frame and wheel follows and supports the weight of the first end (7a) of the trailer. The wheels are able to pivot at the second end (4a) of the wheel frame so as to enable relatively smooth movement of the wheel frame as it travels across the ground surface.

When the trailer is disposed in the parked position, the connector means (8a) and corresponding connector (8b) are disengaged to allow for the boom and wheel frame to be once more compactly stored on to the rear surface of the towing vehicle. Before this occurs, a pair of support stands are able to be positioned beneath the first end (7a) of the trailer in order to hold the first end (7a) of the trailer in an elevated position during parking.

The connector means (8a) and the corresponding connector (8b) are thereafter disengaged by substantially following the reverse steps to those described above when engaging the connector means (8a) and corresponding connector (8b).

It would be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the trailer is able to be maneuvered from the parked position in to the unparked position by substantially reversing the steps described above when parking the trailer.

P:\wpdcs\lwt\work\patts\draflingchandler\AN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete specificaion.doc-16/12/05 14- N0 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described without departing from the scope of the invention. All such variations and 00 0 5 modification which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly ("l I hereinbefore described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such

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0variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps and features, referred or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of said steps or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims (21)

1. An apparatus for positioning a trailer relative to a parking space, the I apparatus being adapted for mounting to a towing vehicle, and including: oo S 5 a means of releasably attaching the apparatus to a first end of the trailer; a positioning means adapted for manouvering the first end of the trailer I laterally relative to the parking space between at least a parked position wherein the first end of the trailer is substantially positioned within a boundary of the parking space, and, an unparked position wherein the first end of the trailer is positioned outside of the boundary of the parking space; and a ground engagement means having a first region movably coupled to the positioning means, and, a second region which is adapted to movably engage with a ground surface over which the first end of the trailer is moved; wherein as the positioning means manoeuvres the first end of the trailer between said parked and unparked positions, the ground engagement means substantially follows the lateral movement of the first end of the trailer, and substantially supports the weight of the first end of the trailer thereby substantially alleviating the weight of the first end of the trailer being placed on the positioning means, whilst the towing vehicle is able to remain substantially stationary relative to the parking space.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the positioning means includes a boom that is rotatable relative to the towing vehicle around at least one of a vertical and/or horizontal axis.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the boom is rotatable relative to the towing vehicle around a horizontal plane in a range of at least approximately 180 degrees. P:\wpdoslwt\work\patenlslrafting\chadlr\AN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete specification.doc-16/12/05 o -16-

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3 wherein the boom is IN rotatable relative to the towing vehicle around a vertical plane in a range of at least approximately 90 degrees. In

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the positioning means further includes a turret which is mountable to the towing vehicle, whereby the turret is rotatable around a horizontal axis relative to the towing vehicle, and a Sfirst end of the boom is rotatably coupled to the turret so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis relative to the turret.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the boom is telescopically extendable and/or retractable.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the ground engagement means includes a wheel frame.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein a first end of the wheel frame is movably attached to a second end of the boom.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first end of the wheel frame is hingedly coupled to the second end of the boom.

An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein a second end of the wheel frame is coupled to a wheel.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the wheel is able to swivel relative to the second end of the wheel frame.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the wheel frame is telescopically extendable and/or retractable. P:\wpdocs\lwt\work\patitsNdraaingchandler\AN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complete speification.doc-16/12/05 -17-

13. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a Smeans of releasably attaching the apparatus to the first end of the trailer.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the means of releasably 00 attaching the apparatus to the first end of the trailer includes a connector disposed Sconnector disposed on the first end of the trailer.

An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 or 14 wherein the means of releasably attaching the apparatus to the first end of the trailer includes a means of sliding the connector means underneath the corresponding connector and then raising the connector means into a recess of the corresponding connector, whereby when the connector means is engaged with the corresponding connector, the wheel frame is rigidly coupled to the trailer so as to alleviate movement between the wheel frame and the first end of the trailer.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 or 15 wherein the connector includes at least one of: a screw-down lock; and/or a cam-operated lock.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a motor for driving at least one of: the ground engagement means; and/or the positioning means.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the motor includes a hydraulic motor. P:\wpdos\lwt\work\patlatsdraftingchandler\AN APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TRAILER complee specification.doc-16/12/05 o -18- (U

19. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 17 or 18 wherein the motor is Sable to be selectively disengaged from the positioning means so as to enable the boom to rotate freely relative to the turret in the vertical plane. n00 oo

20. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 17 or 18 wherein the motor is able to be automatically disengaged from the positioning means so as to enable the boom to rotate freely relative to the turret in the vertical plane.

21. A method of manouvering a trailer relative to a parking space, said method including the steps of: providing a positioning means to laterally position a first end of the trailer relative to the parking space between at least a parked position wherein the first end of the trailer is substantially positioned within a boundary of the parking space, and, an unparked position wherein the first end of the trailer is positioned outside of the boundary of the parking space; (ii) providing a ground engagement means to support the weight of the first end of the trailer as the boom manoeuvres the first end of the trailer between said parked and unparked positions, so as to substantially alleviate the weight of the first end of the trailer being placed on the positioning means, whilst the towing vehicle is able to remain substantially stationary relative to the parking space. DATED this 16th day of December 2005 Greg Chandler By his Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE