AU2006100755A4 - Modular trailers - Google Patents

Description

0f6,qCLr .1 MODULAR TRAILERS For many years a trailer chassis has been built by a method in which the chassis has been of a one piece construction being welded at all joins and intersections, where as this has been an effective means of construction providing a strong rigid chassis in which to fit accessories to form a complete trailer. For all kinds of purposes such as boat trailers, car trailers, box trailers, bike trailers etc.

Firstly the fundamental drawbacks from this method of construction is that of logistics associated with freight from manufacture to customer of a single peace trailer chassis, which is of a bulky, nonconforming shape, this is a particular drawback with freighting to remote areas. In view of ever increasing freight costs, a more efficient means of freighting is desirable.

Secondly trailers that have contact with salt water such as boat and Jet Ski trailers, often have corrosion and rust to the portion of the trailer that has contact with the water at a much greater rate than the remainder of the trailer, which in turn is costly and difficult to repair and replace.

With innovative steps a traditional, single piece trailer chassis has now become a modular trailer chassis which comprises of a number of varying components that have the ability to be packed with an appropriate fastening system along with all accessories into conforming packaging for ease of efficient freighting.

Once a modular trailer chassis and accessories has been freighted to the customer's destination, the components may be assembled by means of an appropriate fasting system to form a single piece trailer chassis ready to be fitted with accessories to form a complete functional trailer.

The innovation of a modular trailer chassis that is constructed of components is the effective savings of resources in materials and cost with regard to assembly, freight and the ability to replace components that have become unserviceable.

REF DRAWINGS 1-6 la- 7a f/AL 2 MODULAR BOAT TRAILER ASSEMBLY A modular boat trailer as shown in drawing 2, has thirteen components which once assembled form a single piece boat trailer chassis.

The components as shown in drawing 2 have individual identification numbers to assist assembly as well as identifying replacement components if needed. The components identification numbers are set out below starting with the drawbar 3-1 being the front of the modular boat trailer chassis and moving through to the rear.

IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4R 3-4L 3-6R 3-6L 3-7R 3-7L 3-5 With the assistance of the component's identification numbers shown previously one of the numerous assembly procedures is described below.

STEP 1. Fix 3-2 to 3-4R and 3-4L STEP 2. Fix 3-3 between 3-4R and 3-4L STEP 3. Fix 3-1 to 3-2 and 3-3 STEP 4. Fix 3-4R to 3-6R with fastening system STEP 5. Fix 3-4L to 3-6L with fastening system STEP 6. Fix 3-5 between 3-6R and 3-6L STEP 7. Fix 3-6R to 3-7R with fastening system STEP 8. Fix 3-6L to 3-7L with fastening system STEP 9. Fix 3-5 between 3-7R and 3-7L STEP 10. Fix 3-5 between 3-7R and 3-7L STEP 11. Fix 3-5 between 3-7R and 3-7L The components of a modular boat trailer are all assembled to form a single piece boat trailer chassis, to which all accessories are fitted, forming a complete boat trailer.

All accessories to be fitted to a modular boat trailer chassis will be of a standard type and size that is readily available from trailer parts and accessories retailers, boat accessories retailers and alike.

Pl4'- 3 MODULAR BOX/UTILITY TRAILER ASSEMBLY A modular box/utility trailer as shown in drawing 2a has ten components, which once assembled form a single piece box/utility trailer chassis.

The component as shown in drawing 2a have individual identification numbers to assist assembly as well as identifying replacement components if needed.

The components identification numbers are set out below starting at the plate A-i being the front of the modular box/utility trailer chassis and moving through to the rear.

IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS A-i A-1L A-1R A-3 A-4 A-2L A-2B A-4 A-4 With the assistance of the components identification numbers shown previously, one of the numerous assembly procedures is described below.

STEP 1. Fix A-i to A-1R and A-1L STEP 2. Fix A-3 between A-1R and A-1L STEP 3. Fix A-4 between A-1R and A-1L STEP 4. Fix A-2R to A-1R STEP 5. Fix A-2L to A-1L STEP 6. Fix A-4 between A-2R and A-2L STEP 7. Fix A-4 between A-2R and A-2L STEP 8. Fix A-5 between A-2R and A-2L The components of a modular box/utility trailer are all assembled to form a single piece trailer chassis to which all accessories are fitted, forming a complete box/utility trailer. All accessories to be fitted to a modular box/utility trailer will be of a standard typed and size that is readily available from trailer parts and accessories retailers.

Claims (6)

1. A trailer comprising of a chassis in modular form which is constructed in a manner that once assembled will form a single piece trailer chassis.

2. A trailer as claimed in claim 1, constructed in a modular form consisting of a varying number of individual components which correspond with other individual components that once assembled by means of an appropriate fastening system, form a single piece trailer chassis.

3. A trailer according to any claims in 1 and 2 where as the components and fastening systems forming a modular trailer chassis which is traditionally manufactured of galvanised steel, however other varying materials and material profiles can also be used, such as aluminium, steel, plastic etc, to form a single piece trailer chassis.

4. A modular trailer chassis according to any one claim 1 to 3, where as components and fastening systems may vary in size and shape to accommodate varying designs of modular trailer chassis.

A modular trailer component according to any one claim 1 to 4 being replaceable.

6. A modular trailer chassis substantially as here described with reference to drawings 1 to 6 and la to 7a, of the accompanying drawing.