AU2017204836B1 - Multi-purpose trailer - Google Patents

Abstract

A trailer is described having a base (3), side walls (4,5), removable front and rear walls and a drawbar assembly (6) which includes a removable, telescopically adjustable section (7) with a trailer coupler (8) attached. A 5 frame assembly is pivotally and reversibly affixed to the trailer and supports a water craft. The frame assembly includes a spine comprising hollow, tubular telescopically adjustable outer (15), middle (16) and inner (17) members which are adjustable to suit the length of the supported water craft and which can be extended to bring the water craft closer to the sea or waterway for launch or 10 retrieval. Legs (23a,b) and (27a,b) can be reversibly fitted to the trailing and leading ends of the frame assembly which can then be detached from the trailer while still supporting the water craft, leaving the trailer free for other purposes. Alternatively, a wheel and axle assembly (32a,b) can be reversibly fitted to the spine movable from a stowed position to a ground-engaging in-use 15 position. The section (7) of the drawbar with the coupler (8) is attached to the spine and the frame assembly is then detached from the trailer to configure an independent towable boat trailer.

Description

TITLE: MULTI-PURPOSE TRAILER THIS INVENTION relates to a trailer. More particularly, it is directed to a trailer which can have multiple-use functionality and is thus not limited to a designated single purpose.

Throughout this specification, unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, actor item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was, at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of the common general knowledge, or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Trailers that are towed behind a powered vehicle are well known and typically comprise a frame with an axle and wheels and, optionally, suspension attached to the lower side and some form of container or platform attached to the upper side adapted to carry and support various goods and materials, including bicycles, water craft, landscape materials, general household items, etc.

Such known trailers are single purpose - for example, an open-topped box trailer for carrying general household items, garden refuse and the like; a camper trailer with flexible sides and a flexible or rigid roof attached to, and reversibly erected around, the perimeter of a box-type trailer as a means of temporary accommodation; and a boat trailer constructed to carry powered or non-powered water craft.

One common disadvantage of these known trailers is this limitation to a specific single purpose. A person with a camper trailer may only use that trailer periodically but have a more frequent need for a box trailer to cart garden clippings, rubbish and the like to the local refuse centre, that box trailer therefore having to be purchased as a separate item; a person may only periodically enjoy the use of a water craft for recreational purposes and, therefore, the trailer with the water craft supported thereon, remains idle for extended periods; and, of course, fora person who requires a box trailer, boat trailer and camper trailer, ground space has to be allocated for three trailers which is becoming increasingly difficult today with the ever-diminishing housing lot sizes. A further disadvantage of a boat trailer is that they are generally manufactured to accommodate a water craft of specific dimensions, particularly length. When a person elects to purchase a craft of different dimensions, it is almost always necessary to purchase a new trailer.

Yet another disadvantage of a conventional boat trailer is that it usually requires at least partial immersion of the trailer with the water craft supported thereon into the sea or waterway sufficient for the craft to be floated off the trailer. Frequent such immersion can contribute to the eventual corrosion of the metal components of the trailer.

Also, while a boat ramp at a recognised launching location is usually constructed of concrete enabling the towing vehicle and trailer to traverse that ramp easily, when launching direct from the beach or a river embankment the sand or soil is soft increasing the risk that the trailer and/or towing vehicle can become bogged. To minimise this risk, an operator will unload the water craft further away from the sea or waterway and then carry or drag the water craft into the water and reverse the procedure when loading, a cumbersome, onerous and potentially harmful procedure for the operator. This launching/retrieval procedure can be particularly arduous when undertaken repeatedly such as when the operator is on vacation for an extended period and does not wish to leave the launched watercraft unattended and thus more susceptible either to theft or damage from storms.

It is thus a general object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention, there is provided a trailer of the type for towing behind a vehicle having a first frame assembly for supporting wheels on one or more axles thereon, an open-topped box-like container on said frame assembly said container having a base and front, rear and side walls depending from said base, and a drawbar for attaching said trailer to said vehicle wherein: said drawbar comprises a telescopically adjustable section which includes a trailer coupler and is reversibly removable from the remaining sections of said drawbar; at least said front and rear walls are reversibly removable; and said trailer is adapted to reversibly attach thereto components necessary for said trailer to effect a second intended purpose.

Preferably, said trailer includes a first attachment means adapted to reversibly attach said components necessary to support a water craft.

Preferably, said first attachment means is adapted to enable said components to support a water craft to be reversibly pivotally connected thereto.

Preferably, said components to support a water craft is a second frame assembly.

Preferably, said second frame assembly comprises a cradle sufficient to support the hull of a water craft to enable said second frame assembly, with or without said watercraft being supported thereon, to pivot to a launch or loading position for said water craft.

Preferably, said cradle includes a substantially longitudinal central spine to which are attached one or more rollers or similar as required for supporting the bow or keel of said water craft and supports which extend substantially transversely from each side of said spine adapted to connect with and support portions of said hull.

Preferably, said spine is telescopically adjustable to a required position suitable to retain said water craft on said second frame assembly.

Preferably, said spine is telescopically adjustable sufficient for said watercraft to be moved to a position closer to a sea or waterway into which said water craft is to be launched or retrieved therefrom.

In a first embodiment of the present invention which includes said second frame assembly, a front and a rear support assembly are each demountably connected to said spine, each said front and rear assembly including legs being adapted to assist raising said cradle above said trailer after disconnection of said second frame assembly from said first attachment means.

Preferably, said front support assembly is connected to the leading edge of said spine and said rear support assembly is connected to the trailing edge of said spine.

In a second embodiment of the present invention which includes said second assembly, at least one demountable wheel and axle assembly is connected to said spine, said wheel and axle assembly capable of being moved from a stowed position to a ground-engaging in-use position when said second frame assembly is disconnected from said first attachment means.

Preferably, said section of said drawbar which includes said trailer coupler is reversibly telescopically connectible to the leading edge of said spine.

In all embodiments of the present invention, preferably, said trailer includes further attachment means adapted to reversibly attach components necessary to effect temporary accommodation for one or more persons.

Preferably, said further attachment means are adapted to reversibly attach front, rear and side walls and a roof each of suitable material to effect said temporary accommodation.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a representation of an embodiment of the present invention with an attached frame assembly to support a water craft in a partial launch/retrieval position; FIG. 2 is the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the frame assembly in an extended launch/retrieval position; FIG. 3 illustrates the frame assembly of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 &2 disconnected from the trailer and with legs in position to support the frame assembly remote from the trailer; FIG. 4 is the embodiment of FIGS. 1 & 2 with a demountable wheel and axle assembly connected to the frame assembly; and FIG. 5 illustrates the frame assembly with the demountable wheel and axle assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 4 removed from the trailer and in a ground-engaging in-use position.

For clarity purposes, the accompanying drawings are depicted without a water craft supported on the trailer.

With reference to FIGS. 1 & 2, a trailer (1) comprises a first frame assembly (2) around the circumference of a base (3) from which depend side walls (4,5). A drawbar assembly (6) is attached to the front of the frame assembly (2), the assembly including a removable, telescopically adjustable section (7) to which a trailer coupler (8) and a support (33) for an electrical or manual winch (not illustrated) te are attached. The adjustable section (7) can be maintained in a required position by using any suitable means in the art, for example, a pivot pin extended through aligned bores in the section (7) and adjacent section of the drawbar assembly (6), retained by a cotter pin or the like. When required, removable front and rear walls (not illustrated) can be connected to the trailer (1) by any convenient means known in the art, for example, by sliding into channels (9) affixed to the inside leading and trailing edges of the side walls (4,5). A first U-shaped bracket (10) is affixed to the trailing edge (11) of the frame assembly (2) to which is pivotally and removably attached a second U-shaped bracket (12) by any suitable means known in the art, for example, a pivot pin secured with a cotter pin or the like. A second frame assembly is affixed to the bracket (12) comprising a central spine having hollow, tubular telescopically adjustable outer (15), middle (16) and inner (17) members. Attached to the spine are a number of rollers (18) well known in the art to support the bow and/or keel of a water craft. Spaced supports (19a,b) and (20a, b) extend substantially transversely from each side of the spine to connect with and support portions of the hull of a water craft as is well known in the art.

In use, the relative positions of the outer member (15) and/or middle member (16) to the inner member (17) of the spine are adjusted to suit the length of the water craft to be supported on the second frame assembly. The spatial arrangement of the adjusted members (15,16,17) can then be maintained by using any suitable means in the art, for example, a pivot pin extended through aligned bores in the members (15,16,17), retained by a cotter pin or the like. To launch the water craft off the trailer (1), the second frame assembly is pivoted upwards (FIG. 1); the fixture maintaining the spatial arrangement of the middle member (16) and inner member (17) is removed allowing their free telescopic movement; the middle member (16) is extended bringing the water craft closer to the sea or waterway into which the water craft is to be launched (FIG. 2); the outer member (15) is removed; and the water craft is rolled off the second frame assembly assisted by the controlled release of the winch, a practice well known in the art. The retrieval of the water craft from the sea or waterway and its subsequent support on the trailer (1) is the reverse of the abovedescribed launch method.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the second frame assembly as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 &2 can be further modified whereby the end member (21) of the outer member (15) is a hollow tube each end of which can accommodate a complementary spigot (22a,b) of a ground-engaging support leg (23,a,b). The legs (23a,b) can be maintained in position by using any suitable means in the art, for example, a pivot pin extended through aligned bores in the end member (21) and leg spigots (22a,b), retained by a cotter pin or the like. The legs can be height adjustable using a handled screw-type mechanism (24a,b) well known in the art. The hollow leading edge (25) of the inner member (17) can accommodate a ground-engaging support leg assembly which comprises a transverse member (26) at each end of which depend ground-engaging support legs (27a, b). Approximately mid-point of the transverse member (26) extends a spigot (28) which engages the leading edge (25) of the inner member (17). The support leg assembly can be maintained in position by using any suitable means in the art, for example, a pivot pin extended through aligned bores in the spigot (28) and inner member (17), retained by a cotter pin or the like.

In use, once the water craft has been secured onto the second frame assembly, the second frame assembly is detached from the trailer by disconnecting the second U-shaped bracket (12) from the first U-shaped bracket (10); the leg assembly is attached to the inner member (17); the legs (23a,b) are attached to the end member (21); the legs (23a,b) are adjusted as necessary to raise the second frame assembly clear of the trailer; and the trailer is withdrawn from under the second frame assembly. Re-engaging the second frame assembly with the trailer is the reverse of the abovedescribed method. The water craft can thus still be supported on the second frame assembly but allowing the trailer to be used for another purpose.

With reference to FIGS. 4 & 5, the middle member (16) of the central spine can be further modified to have an attached transverse hollow cross member (29) each end of which can accommodate a complementary spigot (31 a,b) (only right hand spigot (31 a) illustrated) of a wheel and axle assembly (32a, b). Each wheel and axle assembly (32a,b) can be moved from a stowed position (FIG.4) to a ground-engaging in-use position (FIG. 5). This transition can be effected by any suitable mechanism known in the art, for example, a pivot pin extended through the appropriate set of aligned bores in the spigots (31 a,b) and cross member (29), retained by a cotter pin or the like.

In use, once the water craft has been secured onto the second frame assembly, the second frame assembly is detached from the trailer by disconnecting the second U-shaped bracket (12) from the first U-shaped bracket (10); each wheel and axle assembly (32a,b) is moved to its ground-engaging in-use position; the removable section (7) of the drawbar assembly (6) with the trailer coupler (8) attached is withdrawn and telescopically connected to the leading edge (25) of the inner member (17) using any suitable means in the art, for example, a pivot pin extended through aligned bores in the section (7) and inner member (17); and the thus-assembled secondary trailer (FIG.5), with or without a water craft loaded onto the second frame assembly, is separated from the remainder of the original trailer and used solely as a boat trailer for towing behind a vehicle.

The present invention thus offers a number of advantages which include: a single trailer can be used for multiple purposes, including box trailer, boat trailer and camping trailer; ground space only has to be allocated equivalent to a single trailer; a single trailer can accommodate a water craft of various lengths; the trailer can position a water craft closer to its launching sea or waterway while still supported on the trailer; the trailer can still support a water craft on an assembly remote from the trailer, that assembly being easily connected to, or disconnected from, that trailer; and creates a secondary boat trailer for towing behind a vehicle once disconnected from the main trailer.

The terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are only exemplification of the various aspects of the present invention and that modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the following claims.

Claims (8)

1. A trailer of the type for towing behind a vehicle having a first frame assembly for supporting wheels on one or more axles thereon, an open-topped box-like container on said first frame assembly said container having a base and front, rear and side walls depending from said base, and a drawbar for attaching said trailer to said vehicle wherein: said drawbar comprises a telescopically adjustable section which includes a trailer coupler and is reversibly removable from the remaining sections of said drawbar; at least said front and rear walls are reversibly removable; and an attachment means connected to said trailer, said attachment means including a second frame assembly reversibly pivotally connected thereto, said second frame assembly comprising: a cradle sufficient to support the hull of a water craft, said cradle including a substantially longitudinal telescopic central spine adjustable to a required position to retain said water craft on said second frame assembly and adjustable to a launch or loading position for said water craft closer to a sea or waterway into which said water craft is to be launched or retrieved therefrom.

2. A trailer as defined in Claim 1 wherein attached to said spine are one or more rollers or similar as required for supporting the bow or keel of said water craft and supports which extend substantially transversely from each side of said spine adapted to connect with and support portions of said hull.

3. A trailer as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein, a front and a rear support assembly are each demountably connected to said spine, each said front and rear assembly including legs being adapted to assist raising said cradle above said trailer after disconnection of said second frame assembly from said attachment means.

4. A trailer as defined in Claim 3 wherein, said front support assembly is connected to the leading edge of said spine and said rear support assembly is connected to the trailing edge of said spine.

5. A trailer as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein, at least one demountable wheel and axle assembly is connected to said spine, said wheel and axle assembly capable of being moved from a stowed position to a ground-engaging in-use position when said second frame assembly is disconnected from said attachment means.

6. A trailer as defined in Claim 5 wherein, said section of said drawbar which includes said trailer coupler is reversibly telescopically connectible to the leading edge of said spine.

7. A trailer as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein, said trailer includes further attachment means adapted to reversibly attach components necessary to effect temporary accommodation for one or more persons.

8. A trailer as defined in Claim 7 wherein, said further attachment means are adapted to reversibly attach front, rear and side walls and a roof each of suitable material to effect said temporary accommodation.