AU2015101572B4 - Auto lift trailer - Google Patents

Auto lift trailer Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2015101572B4
AU2015101572B4 AU2015101572A AU2015101572A AU2015101572B4 AU 2015101572 B4 AU2015101572 B4 AU 2015101572B4 AU 2015101572 A AU2015101572 A AU 2015101572A AU 2015101572 A AU2015101572 A AU 2015101572A AU 2015101572 B4 AU2015101572 B4 AU 2015101572B4
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Australia
Prior art keywords
trailer
air
spring means
fluid spring
inflatable fluid
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Expired
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AU2015101572A
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AU2015101572A4 (en
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Thanh Son Nguyen
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Individual
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Individual
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Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to an improved device for trailers, particularly for adjusting trailer height by an automated system.

Description

Title of the Invention Auto lift trailer Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to an improved device for trailers, particularly for adjusting trailer height. Background of the Invention Trailers for the carrying of goods which are towed behind vehicles are well known. In .o most of these cases, the trailers ride on at least a pair of ground engaging wheels which are connected beneath the trailer by an axle. In the case of prior art trailers, when the trailer is connected to a vehicle, the floor is substantially raised and the loading and unloading of goods onto or from the platform or floor of the trailer can be difficult. 15 The problem is particularly aggravated if the goods carried by the trailer are heavy or large which can result in injury. This problem has led to attempts by some manufacturers designing and supplying trailers which have a lowered floor or platform in relation to the wheel axle height. AU2009100804 discloses a trailer to be towed by a vehicle which has a dual purpose 20 suspension which allows the floor of the trailer to be lowered to the ground as well as functioning as the suspension of the trailer when the trailer is towed. 1 However, this trailer and others in the art require the user to manually lift or adjust the trailer. It is the object of the present invention to seek to ameliorate or overcome some of the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a novel and innovative trailer 5 wherein a load can be wheeled and rolled straight onto the floor or platform of the trailer at ground level by automated means. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a trailer capable of being lowered to ground level for .o loading, unloading and tipping purposes, comprising: a load carrying floor or tray; at least one pair of opposed ground engaging wheels; each wheel actuated by a substantially angular force; and inflatable fluid spring means, said inflatable fluid spring means in association with one another are adapted to reversibly move said load carrying floor or tray through a number of tipping positions from a towing .s position as well as permit lowering of said load carrying floor or tray such that its entire length is at ground level and wherein the inflatable fluid spring means is actuated by means of an automated system. Preferably, the automated system comprises an air cylinder, a bump stopper, an automatic lift lower suspension member, a towing arm locking cylinder, an electronic 20 level sensor, an electronic locking sensor, a remote control device, a safety pin and a slide locking pin. Preferably, the inflatable fluid spring means is an air or pneumatic spring which can be inflated or deflated. 2 Preferably, the trailer further comprises a safety mechanism that prevents the trailer from hitting ground level when said inflatable fluid spring means fails. Preferably, the automated system fitted to the trailer regulates air pressure in said inflatable fluid spring means to maintain a platform of the trailer at a predetermined 5 height such that in order to lower whole the trailer from normal ride height, a user removes the safety locking pin manually, activates the remote control by pressing down to inflate towing arm locking cylinder which pushes the slide locking pin out to unlock the towing arm from the locking plate and then air inflate rear cylinders to enable the bumper stopper to fold inward. .0 Brief Description of the drawings Figure 1 shows a plan view of a preferred trailer according to the invention Figure 2 shows an elevation of the trailer of Figure 1 in the lowered position Figure 3 shows the trailer of Figure 2 in the raised or towed position 15 Figure 4 shows a preferred remote control system Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the towing arm locking system at normal height on plan view and side view of the air spring Figure 6 shows the air cylinder as Option 1 (Automatic lift low mount suspension system) 20 Figure 7 shows the air cylinder as Option 2 (Automatic lift bolt on suspension system) 3 Detailed Description of the invention The present invention relates to an automated lift trailer. This invention is an improvement on the patent issued to the present inventor, AU2009100804. 5 The improvement relates primarily to providing an automated mechanism to engage the trailer. The new automated system 10 comprises at least a towing arm locking cylinder 76, an automatic locking system 29, an electronic level sensor 60, a safety pin 62 and a slide locking pin 64 fitted to the trailer assembly. The air cylinder 52 and bump .o stopper 54 form part of the drawbar locking mechanism. The remote control 30a or wireless device 78 interacts with the sensors located in the trailer. The device activates the electronic system controller 72, the electronic locking sensor 74 and electronic level sensor 60, for example. Particularly, upon activation of the sensors, the trailer may be lowered or lifted to a desired height. i5 Figure 1 shows a plan view of the trailer 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this example, the trailer has a pair of ground engaging wheels 42 (12, 14) on either side of the trailer. The ground engaging wheels are connected to the trailer by means of an air spring assembly (20, 22) which functions to raise or lower the platform of the trailer. 20 Actuating the trailer system is a pair of pneumatic air springs 20, 22. In this example, telescopic shock absorbers 24, 26 attached to the axis 41 of the wheel 42, are associated with the trailer assembly as part of the suspension. 4 The trailer has a height adjustable draw bar or towing arm 28 which can have an automatic locking system 29 to lock the towing arm at a certain height and is also operated by means of an air spring 30. Additional components include air valves 66 and an air compressor 32. 5 In this example, the air springs 20, 22, 30 are inflated by means of activation of a series of sensors 60, 74 which are controlled by a wireless 78 or a wired remote control 30a system as shown in Figure 4. Sensor 60 controls the rear air springs 20, 22 and sensor 74 controls the front air spring 30. Sensor 74 is located on the automatic locking system 29. .0 Figure 2 shows the trailer 10 of Figure 1 wherein the platform or floor 36 is at ground level 38. There can be a ramp attached to the trailer which can function as a tailgate. In this view, the air springs 20, 22, 30 of the trailer are deflated wherein the automated system is activated such that the floor of the trailer can be lowered. .5 The trailer in this example utilises the remote control system 30a or the wireless device 78 to inflate or deflate the bellows of the air springs. This allows the front of the trailer to be raised or lowered with respect to the rear of the trailer wherein the floor or platform of the trailer can be sloped to facilitate the unloading of goods. This can also provide the trailer with a tipping function where 20 gravel or other loose goods are carried and can be tipped out of the trailer as the towing arm is operated by means of the air spring 30. 5 Figure 3 shows the trailer 10 in the tow or operational position wherein the floor 36 or platform of the trailer is raised to its operating height by inflating the air springs 20, 22 of the suspension system and air spring 30 of towing arm. Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the towing arm locking system at normal height 5 on plan view (top figure) and side view of the air spring (bottom figure). The trailer has a height adjustable draw bar or towing arm 28 which can have an automatic locking system 29 to lock the towing arm at a certain height and is also operated by means of an air spring 30. The top figure 5 shows the automatic locking system 29 comprising the towing arm .0 locking cylinder 76. In order to lower the whole trailer from normal height, the user must remove the safety locking pin 62 manually, activation of the remote control by pressing down button will inflate towing arm locking cylinder 76 which pushes the slide locking pin 64 out to unlock the towing arm 28 from the locking plate 40. Figure 6 shows option 1 as an arrangement for the air cylinder 52 and the bump .s stopper 54 at normal (bump stop) height, and when the trailer is lowered to ground, for example, by actuating the automatic lift lower suspension member 70. In option 1 Figure 6 the bump stopper 54 folds in when the trailer is lowered or is positioned in its collapsed state. The suspension member 70 is mounted low to the trailer frame to allow a car door to open and close without obstruction of suspension on trailer 20 height. In Figure 7, Option 2, the bump stopper 54 is pulled back down and is not "folded in" compared to Option 1. 6 The earlier patent requires manual operation to lift or to lower the trailer. This action requires linkage member (16), lever arrangement (28a), the manual ratchet system 29 and hand brake mechanism 50 and related members, 52 and 56. Each of these members are redundant in the present invention because of modifications enabling 5 automatic activation. User had to pull lever 50 manually to engage the trailer. The present invention substantially improves the ability of the trailer to be adjusted to a preferred height by providing an automated system. Consequently, the user can lower or raise the trailer easily to a desire position or location, without use of manual force. The trailer and system according to the present invention is convenient, .o reliable, affordable and safe. Lower whole trailer from normal ride height In order to lower the trailer from normal height, remove the safety locking pin 62 manually, activate the remote control by pressing down (button) to inflate towing arm .s locking cylinder 76 which pushes the slide locking pin 64 out to unlock the towing arm 28 from the locking plate 40. Then air inflate rear cylinders 52 to enable the bumper stopper 54 to fold inward, according to Option 1 as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the bump stopper pulls back according to Option 2, then deflate air springs 20, 22 and 30 according to Option 2 as shown in 20 Figure 7. Raise the whole trailer from a lower height 7 Press the up button on the remote control to allow to inflate air springs 20, 22 and 30 to a predetermined height of the trailer (the slide locking pin and the bump stopper return to normal position automatically). Replace safety pin when trailer returns to normal position. 5 Lower the rear trailer only In order to lower the rear trailer, activation of the remote control by pressing the rear down button will inflate the rear cylinders 52 such that the bump stopper folds inward according to Option 1; or the bump stopper 54 pulls back according to Option 2, then deflate air springs 20, 22 to lower rear trailer platform to ground level. .0 Raise the rear trailer only In order to raise the rear trailer, activation of the remote control by pressing the rear up button will inflate air springs 20, 22 to a predetermined height of the trailer (the bump stopper returns to normal position automatically). While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific features of the .5 preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing 20 descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. 8

Claims (5)

1. A trailer capable of being lowered to ground level for loading, unloading and tipping purposes, comprising: a load carrying floor or tray; at least one pair of 5 opposed ground engaging wheels; each wheel actuated by a substantially angular force; and inflatable fluid spring means, said inflatable fluid spring means in association with one another are adapted to reversibly move said load carrying floor or tray through a number of tipping positions from a towing position as well as permit lowering of said load carrying floor or tray such that .0 its entire length is at ground level; the inflatable fluid spring means is actuated by means of an automated system comprising an air cylinder, a bump stopper, an automatic lift lower suspension member, a towing arm locking cylinder, an electronic level sensor, an electronic locking sensor, a remote control device, a safety pin and a slide locking pin and wherein the automated .s system fitted to the trailer regulates air pressure in said inflatable fluid spring means to maintain a platform of the trailer at a predetermined height such that in order to lower the whole trailer from normal ride height, a user removes the safety locking pin manually, activates the remote control by pressing down to inflate the towing arm locking cylinder which pushes the slide locking pin out 20 to unlock the towing arm from a locking plate member and then air inflate rear cylinders to enable the bumper stopper to fold inward.
2. The trailer as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the inflatable fluid spring means is an air or pneumatic spring which can be inflated or deflated. 9
3. The trailer, as recited in any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising a safety mechanism that prevents the trailer from hitting ground level when said inflatable fluid spring means fails.
4. The trailer according to claim 1 wherein in order to lower the rear trailer only, 5 the bump stopper pulls back, then deflate air springs to lower rear trailer platform to ground level.
5. The trailer according to claim 1 wherein in order to raise the rear trailer, activation of the remote control will inflate air springs to a predetermined height of the trailer and the bump stopper returns to its normal position o0 automatically. Applicant: Thanh Son Nguyen By Jogias Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 10
AU2015101572A 2015-10-23 2015-10-23 Auto lift trailer Expired AU2015101572B4 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2015101572A AU2015101572B4 (en) 2015-10-23 2015-10-23 Auto lift trailer

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2015101572A AU2015101572B4 (en) 2015-10-23 2015-10-23 Auto lift trailer

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AU2015101572A4 AU2015101572A4 (en) 2015-12-03
AU2015101572B4 true AU2015101572B4 (en) 2016-03-10

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Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109484121A (en) * 2018-11-16 2019-03-19 江苏科技大学 Air bag driving translation lifting trailer
CN110949083B (en) * 2019-11-01 2021-07-09 江苏科技大学 Translation lifting control system and control method of air bag driven trailer
CN115139721B (en) * 2022-09-06 2022-12-06 万向钱潮股份公司 Loading vehicle carriage height adjusting method and device, electronic equipment and loading vehicle
WO2024082021A1 (en) * 2022-10-21 2024-04-25 Peter Collorafi Height-adjustable air suspension trailer

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