1 Description Title of Invention Easy Loading Trailer Chassis Background [0001]In the traditional trailer design, the chassis is of fish-bone style with supporting axle(s) across it, and the trailer body is fixed on the chassis to provide a platform for loads. As there is certain distance between the trailer platform and the ground, loading is sometimes hard to perform. Some trailers come with a ramp, which will facilitate the loading. However the ramp adds weight to the trailer body and it's not convenient to operate. With this invention, there is a loading platform that can be lowered to the ground, which makes it more convenient for loading or unloading. Plus there is no additional weight since the loading platform is part of the trailer chassis. Also the trailer chassis has an automatic locking system which provides more security and efficiency. Technical Field [0002]The idea is to build a separate platform, which is also part of the trailer chassis, in the middle of the trailer. The trailer contains a drawbar made of steel hollow. The drawbar has two extension legs under the main body of the trailer. The two legs are pivotally connected to the bottom of the outer frame of the trailer. The main body of the trailer contains two parts: the outer frame and the loading platform in the middle. The platform is pivotally connected to the out frame at the end of the trailer. There is a winch installed on the drawbar. The winch is used to control the level of the loading platform via a system of steel wires and pulley. The pulley is installed on the front of the outer frame of the trailer. The end of the wire is tied on the front of the loading platform. And there is a remote control to operate the winch. The winch can be manually operated when the power is off.
2 [0003]lnstead of a whole across axle, this trailer has one stub axle on each side of the trailer. The outer end of the axle is connected with the wheel. And attached with the axle there is an independent suspension system. The system contains a set of springs and a suspension frame. The lower end of the frame is pivotally mounted with the axle. The upper end of the frame is pivotally mounted to the bottom of the side trailer frame using a high strength plastic bush. The design greatly enhances the suspension for such a trailer with stub axles. [0004]The loading platform has three positions: up position, down position and middle position. In up position, the platform stays the same level as the outer frame and the drawbar. This is the position when the trailer is being towed or stored. In down position, the platform is lowered to the ground by means of winch. This is the position when the trailer is being loaded. In middle position, the platform is being lowered or raised to down or up position. [0005]There is an automatic locking system to support and lock the platform in a stable status. The system is installed on the front part of the out frame and connected to the winch via a switch. The automatic locking system contains an operating handle, a switch and two touching points. The operating handle is connected to the switch, which is placed inside the steel tube of the drawbar to control the power of the winch. When the platform is in up position, the handle is fastened. And the switch is in OFF status, that is, the winch is not charged. When the handle is loosened, it will trigger the switch to ON status, the winch is charged. Then remote control can be used to operate the winch to lower the loading platform. [0006]When the winch is operated to lower the platform, the wire looses and the front of the loading platform lowers to the ground. When the front of the platform touches ground, the barycentre of the platform shifts to the rear. Hence the rear of the platform starts to lower to ground. Gradually the platform lies horizontally on the ground in down position and is ready for loading. As the outer frame and loading platform is pivotally connected, when the rear of the platform lowers, the rear of the outer frame also lowers to the ground. Thus the front of the outer frame rises. Since there is another pivot point connects the drawbar legs to the bottom of the outer frame, the barycentre of the outer frame stays at rear to maintain the balance of the trailer when the platform is in down position and being loaded.
3 [0007]When the platform is loaded, the winch is operated to raise the platform. The wire tightened and force applies on the front of outer frame. The outer frame works as a lever with wheels as the fulcrum. Hence the front of outer frame lowers and the rear of the outer frame rises. Gradually the outer frame fully lies on the legs of the drawbar. At that time main force applies on the front of the platform hence it is pulled upwards. There are two touching points on both sides of the inner of outer frame. When the loading platform rises to touch both points, the handle is automatically triggered to lock the platform while turns the switch to OFF status. This ensures the platform is stable and balanced in up position as the platform is locked only when it touches both point. And the automatic locking system also turns off the winch when the rising process is completed in case the winch is overheated. Summary of Invention [0006]The purpose for this invention is to build a platform/chassis, which enables easy and safe loading. To achieve this purpose, the platform/chassis should be able to move down close enough to the ground. The mechanism of the invention is to build a loading platform/chassis which can be fully lowered to the ground and stay balanced during loading process. The designs of two pivot connections maintain the balance of the trailer and loading platform during the rising, lowering and loading process. The automatic locking system applies to make the safety locking and loading process more facilitated and convenient. [0007]Figure 1 shows the trailer in up position. The loading platform (2) is pivotally connected to the outer frame (3) at the rear pivot point (6). The legs of drawbar (1) are pivotally connected to the bottom of outer frame (3) at two pivot points. The winch (4) is installed on the draw bar (1) of the trailer. And the winch (4) is used to control the level of loading platform (2) via a system of steel wire and a pulley (5). The automatic locking system comprises an operating handle (7), a switch and two touching points (8 and 9). [0008]Figure 2 shows the trailer in down position. The loading platform lies horizontally on the ground. It shows clearly in the figure that the legs (3 and 4) of drawbar (1) are pivotally connected to the bottom of outer frame (2) at two pivot points (5 and 6).
4 Description of Embodiments [0009]With this invention, it could help solve some problems we have in the real life. People will not have to load/unload heavy stuffs by bending over, lifting heavy stuffs every high, or unloading with limited access. Once loading platform is sitting on the ground, it reduces back, shoulder and neck injuries. And the loading/unloading process is more effective because the effort of lifting is greatly reduced. [0010]This invention can be applied on bike/car transportation. For example, it can be used to transport racing bikes/cars. Racing bikes are heavy and bulky hence they are hard to lift. Racing cars have low chassis. When the cars are loaded using a traditional ramp, there is always a chance to damage the front portion of the cars. By applying this invention, the bikes and cars can be easily driven or winched onto the platform.