CA2118168C - Bicycle trailer - Google Patents
Bicycle trailerInfo
- Publication number
- CA2118168C CA2118168C CA 2118168 CA2118168A CA2118168C CA 2118168 C CA2118168 C CA 2118168C CA 2118168 CA2118168 CA 2118168 CA 2118168 A CA2118168 A CA 2118168A CA 2118168 C CA2118168 C CA 2118168C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pair
- trailer
- link
- tow bar
- wheels
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K27/00—Sidecars; Forecars; Trailers or the like specially adapted to be attached to cycles
- B62K27/02—Frames
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B7/00—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators
- B62B7/04—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators having more than one wheel axis; Steering devices therefor
- B62B7/12—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators having more than one wheel axis; Steering devices therefor convertible, e.g. into children's furniture or toy
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B7/00—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators
- B62B7/04—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators having more than one wheel axis; Steering devices therefor
- B62B7/12—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators having more than one wheel axis; Steering devices therefor convertible, e.g. into children's furniture or toy
- B62B7/126—Carriages for children; Perambulators, e.g. dolls' perambulators having more than one wheel axis; Steering devices therefor convertible, e.g. into children's furniture or toy into a trailer, e.g. bicycle trailer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K27/00—Sidecars; Forecars; Trailers or the like specially adapted to be attached to cycles
- B62K27/003—Trailers
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Carriages For Children, Sleds, And Other Hand-Operated Vehicles (AREA)
- Handcart (AREA)
Abstract
A convertible trailer for towing behind a bicycle, the trailer being convertible between a trailer and a stroller. The trailer possesses a chassis frame, comprising a generally rectangular outer frame member having a front frame member, a rear frame member, and two side frame members. A tow bar is pivotally mounted to the trailer, pivotal between a towing position extending forwardly ofthe chassis frame, and a stroller position extending upwardly of the chassis frame.
Releasible securement means is further provided for securing the tow bar in the towing position and in the stroller position. A second pair of wheels are pivotably mounted on the chassis frame. Each are pivotable between a retracted position when the tow bar is in the towing position, and an extended position forward of the first pair of wheels for travel on the ground when the tow bar is in the stroller position.
Releasible securement means is further provided for securing the tow bar in the towing position and in the stroller position. A second pair of wheels are pivotably mounted on the chassis frame. Each are pivotable between a retracted position when the tow bar is in the towing position, and an extended position forward of the first pair of wheels for travel on the ground when the tow bar is in the stroller position.
Description
211~168 B~CYCLE TRA~LER
Field of rnvention This invention relates to a trailer for ~tt~rhm.ont-to a bicycle and, more particularly, relates to a bicycle trailer which is collv~ible between a trailer and a stroller, which possesses a pair of retr~ct~hle wheels may together be ~imlllt~npously 5 retracted and PYtPn~1P~l Background of the ~nvention Cycling has become increasingly popular in recent times as a form of exercise and recreation. Cyclists are commonrl~- e on today's roads and many cities have r~finP~l bicycle trails for road bicycles and off-road or mountaill bicycles.
Cycling has also become a common family activity. An infant can accoml)~ly a parent by being placed in an infant seat above the rear tire of the parent's bicycle. ~nfant seats, however, are not of sllffiriPnt size to accomm~ te older children who are not yet old enough to ride their own bicycle. l~is presents a problem for the parent or family who desires to cycle as a family activity.
Bicycle trailers allow these children to accompany the adults while cycling. A bicycle trailer attaches to the bicycle and is generally of sufficient size to allow two small children to be placed therein. Groceries and other items may be carried in the bicycle trailer either with a child or alone. Thus, bicycle trailers 211~168 provide many advantages to the cyclist who is a parent and to any cyclist who desires to transport items by bicycle.
United States Patent No. 5,020,814 to George et al. ~ rlose~ a collapsible bicycle trailer having a tongue or tow bar 75 which is pivotally ~tt~rhP~l to the chassis frame of the trailer for pivoting between a folded position beneath and ~ cpnt the chassis frame and an PYtpn~ position in front of the chassis frame (ref. col. 5, lines 25-30). The tow bar is locked in the PYt~n~erl position by a U-shaped clip and a pin.
Notably, to avoid injury to the children, it is important for a trailer which is collvt:lLible between a bicycle trailer and a stroller that the device be very stable, parhr~ rly in the stroller position where the bicycle is not plesellt and the device is by pushed as a stroller, as opposed to being pulled by a bicycle.
A number of prior art devices for trailers eYist. Of these, one of the most relevant is USP 5,308,096 to Smith which ~1icrlosP~ a bicycle trailer which has a pivotable towing bar which is pivotable from a forwarding and horizontally PYtPnl1ing towing position to an upwardly and rearwardly P~Pn-ling stroller position to collv~lL the trailer to a stroller. Front wheel or wheels 52 pivot downwardly into a ground Png~ging condition when towing bar 28 is pivoted into the stroller position (see Fig. 5 and Col. 4, lines 50-55). Prob]Pm~tic~lly, however, this design disclosed in USP 5,308,096 in the stroller position is essPnh~lly only supported at three points, first point being at the point of cont~ct of the front wheel or wheels 52 at the forward end of the vehicle centrally of the vehicle, the second and third - 211~1~8 points of cont~t with the ground being l~pe-;Liv~ly at the spaced apart two rear wheels 22. As such, the collv~lible trailer in the stroller position is inherently less stable than if it were supported at four spaced-apart, independent locations. Such patent does not disclose any m~nn~or of retracting a spaced-apart second pair of 5 wheels, located on mutually opposite sides of the chassis frame of the bicycle trailer, and clearly does not ~ ose or teach any m~nn~r of retracting a spaced-apart pair of wheels where the towing bar is pivotably coupled to the frame chasis of the bicycle trailer ~l,.,C;...~te to and/or prefelclbly at the axis or axle about which the rear (larger) pair of wheels rotate. Towing bars of prior art devices such as Smith, 10 which are pivotably coupled to the trailer more fol~vardly of the trailer than the rear wheels typically (when rotated upwardly and rearwardly approxim~t~ly 135 from a subst~nti~lly fol~h~dly facing hori7.ont~l position to an inrlin~ , rearwardly facing position as a stroller handle) are of insllffici~nt length to allow proper use as a stroller h~n~lle. Collv~ely, prior art towing bars if simply made longer result in the 15 trailer being towed by the bicycle at a larger distance, m~king manoevering of the bicycle-trailer comhin~t10n more ~limcult.
aearly l~rking in the prior art is a comr~ct bicycle trailer design which provides for two pairs of wheels, the second pair being spaced apart and being ~Yt~ntlihle when in the stroller position to provide a stable stroller device 20 having a towing bar of serviceable length, and when in the trailer position having 21181~8 a pivotable towing bar of a comr~ct length to provide a manoeverable bicycle-trailer comhin~h~
Summary of the ~nvention In order to uv~ollle the disadvantage of the prior art, the ~lesent 5 invention provides for a bicycle hrailer which is COllvt:l ~ible between a hrailer and a stroller and which has two pairs of wheels for stability. The second pair of wheels pivots to a rehracted position avoiding contact with the ground when the h ailer is in the trailer position to thereby increase manoeverability of the bicycle and trailer comhin~hon. When the trailer is in the stroller pocihon, the second pair of wheels 10 extend so as to cont~l~t the ground to Plimin~te any resultant momPnt which would otherwise be applied to the tow bar by the weight of children in the hrailer, thereby alleviating the shain in operating the shroller and il~creasi,lg the stability of the stroller as it is being pushed. An inordinately long tow bar which would otherwise be nPcP~s~..y when the trailer is col.v~Led to the stroller position is avoided by 15 providing that the tow bar be pivotably coupled to the hrailer proxim~te the axis of rotation of the main trailer wheels.
Accoldil.gly, in one broad aspect of the present invention, the invention co."~l.ses a col,v~llible hailer for towing behind a bicycle, which iscollvt:llible between a h~ailer configuration and a shroller position. The hrailer 20 possecsPc a chassis frame, consisting of a generally rectangular outer frame member having a front frame member, a rear frame member, and two side members. A first pair of wheels are mounted on the chassis frame, each jollrn~ll.otl for rotation about an aYle, and ~lign~tl p~ l to the direction of int~n-lP-l travel of such trailer. A
tow bar is pivotably affiYed at one end thereof plo~ te an aYle of one of the first pair of wheels, and is pivotable between a towing position PYt~nrling substantially hori70nt~11y and forwardly of the chassis frame, and a stroller position f-Yt~n-ling upwardly at an in~ lin~l angle to the hnri7ont~1 ~PIe~ible securement means are further provided for releasibly se. ~r;~-g the tow bar in the towing position and in the stroller pocition A second pair of wheels are also provided, each rotatably jollrn~ on a respective linlc-arm member of a pair of first link-arm members.
Each first link-arm member is pivotably mounted to the chassis frame and is coupled to the tow bar. Advantageously, each of the first link-arm m~mh~rs together withco~ ontling second wheels are c;mlllt~nPously pivotable, to allow the second wheels to be moved from a first retracted position when the tow bar is in the towing position, to a second ~Yt~ntle-1 position allowing contact of each of the two second wheels on the ground when the tow bar is in the stroller posit~o~
~n a ~ref~led embo-limPnt of the present invention, each of the first pair of link-arm members:
(i) have at one end thereof a respective one of the second wheels rotatably jollrn~ thereon;
- (ii) are each pivotably coupled proyim~te a mid-point thereof to the chassis frame; and - 21131~8 (iii) are pivotably coupled at an oppo~i~e end to the tow bar, wherein movement of the tow bar from the towing pocih-ln to the stroller pocihon causes the first pair of link-arm mPmhPrs to be pivotably rotated about the point of pivotable coupling to the chassis frame, causing their associated second wheels to 5 move from the retracted position to the P~tPntlPIl pocitiol ~ n yet another aspect of the invention, the tow bar is fixedly coupled to a rotatable shaft, which P~rtPn~lc Ll~lsv~aely from one side of the trailer to the other, along a commf~n axis on which each of the first wheels are mounted.
Pivotable movement of the tow bar and thus rotation of the rotatable shaft to which 10 it is affixed causes pivoting of the first link-arm members, thereby causing retraction or PYtpnciorl of the second pair of wheels. By having the tow bar pivotable about an axis pro~im~te an a~de of the first (rear) wheels of the trailer, an inordi. ately long tow bar is avoided when the co~ ion to the stroller configuration is made.
Accol.lillgly, in a further ~l~fell~d emborlimpnt~ the present invention 15 co~ es:
a chassis frame, cQnC;chng of a generally rectangular outer frame member having a front frame member, a rear frame member, and two side frame members;
a rear pair of wheels mounted on said chassis frame, each jo11rn~llP-l 20 for rotation about an axle and ~ ne-l parallel to the direction of intPn-lP-l travel of said trailer;
a tow bOE pivotably affixed at one end thereof to a rotatable shaft, said shaft located ~ te said a~de and PYt~n/1ing lldllsve:laely across said trailer from one side frame member to said other side frame member, said tow bar pivotaUe between a towing position PYtPn~ling subst~nti~lly h~ri7.ont~lly and fc~ v~dly of said 5 chacsis frame and a stroller position ~YtPn(1ing ~ ;~dly and rearwardly;
rPle~cihle se-llr~llent means for r~ cihly sec... ;~8 said tow bar in said towing position and in said stroller posi~ n; and a front pair of wheels, rotatably jonrn~llP-l on a lt:ape~Live link-arm member of a pair of first link-arm memberc, each first link-arm member, (i) having at one end thereof and rotatably jonrn~llP~1 thereon a respective one of said front pair of wheeLc;
(ii) pivotably coupled pro~im~te a mid-point thereof to said chacsis frame;
(iii) pivotably coupled at an opposite end to a respective member of a second pair of link-arm member; and 15 each member of said second pair of link-arm memberc adapted to force said first link-arm members to rotate to thereby retract said front pair of wheeLc to said retracted position when said tow bar and rotatable shaft are pivotably rotated to said towing position, and further adapted to force said first pair of link-arm members to rotate to thereby extend said front pair of wheels into said PYt~nrlP-l l S 8 poCiho~ when said tow bar and rotatable shaft are pivotably rotated to said stroller po~cihon Brief Desc~ ion of the Drawings Further emboliimpntc will be appar~lt from the following liPt~ilP-l 5 description of the invention, when co~ci~lPred together with the ~CQ~i A--y"l~, drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is an icomPh~ cut-away view of a p.t:f~lc:d embodiment of the bicycle trailer of the pr~sel,t invention, in the h ailer posihon;
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the bicycle h ailer in the trailer posih~n;10Fig. 3 is an icomPh~c cut-away view of the bicycle h ailer of the invention in the shroller pocihon;
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the bicycle h ailer of the invention in the shroller pocihon;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bicycle h-ailer in the shroller position with 15the flP~ihle sheet forming walls about the h~ailer body portion;
Fig. 6 is a cut-away isomPh~c view of the bicycle hailer in the shroller pocihl~n with a wheel miccing; and Fig.7 is a perspective view of the ends of the trailer body portion collapsed upon the chassis frame.
Detailed Des.~ ion of the Plefelled Embodiment Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the bicycle trailer of the present invention is flPpicte-l as 10 and is shown in its towing pocihon Bicycle trailer 10 has a subst~nh~lly rec~ lar tubular chassis frame with rounded cornPrs 12 having longitudinal side mPmhPr.~ 14 and 16 and l~ av~ae members 18 and 20 interCor~npchng the longitudinal side members 14 and 16. Spaced apart ]ongihl-lin~l side frame members 22 and 24 are subst~nh~lly parallel to the longitudinal side members 14 and 16 respectively and are located inwardly within the plane of the chassis frame 12 in pl~ y to the longitudinal side members 14 and 16 to define a space therebetween. The posihoning of longitll-lin~l member 22 creates a spacebetween it and longihudinal side member 14. In the same m~nnPr, the posih-~ning of longitudinal member 24 creates a space between it and lcngihl~1in~l side member 16.
The longitudinal members 22 and 24 are ~tt~-hP~l to the ~ rav~ae members 18 and 20 by bolts 26. Bolts 26 are inserted through apertures (not shown) in Lld.llav~ae members 18 and 20 and threaded into longitudinal mPmhers 22 and 24.
Semicircular ends 30 and 32 are hingeably coupled to opposiLe ends of longihudinal members 22 and 24 by hinges 28. Each are pivotable from a first fully open position as shown in Fig. 1, to a second portable closed position, asshown in Fig. 10, wherein each are folded downward onto the plane of the chassis 2 1 ~ 8 1 ~ 8 frame 12 and longitudinal members 22 and 24 in a subst~ntt~lly mutually uv~ly~lg relationship. The hinges 28 are ûffset to plt:V~llt pivoting of the hinges beyond ninety degrees when in the fully open pOsihOIl-It will be understood that biasing mPrh~ni~m~ may be used to urge the 5 ends into the open or closed positinn Ri~ing means (not shown) may also likewisebe incorporated to bias the ends 30 and 32 into the vertical (open) position or into the folded (coll~pse-l) position.
Strut m~mhers 34 and 36 are removably attached to the ends 30 and 32 and are spaced apart and generally parallel to the lorlgit~l~lin~l members 22 and 10 24.
Rotatable shaft or a~de 38 is disposed between the longitudinal members 22 and 24 and the side members 14 and 16 at ~ tl positions. The shaft 38 is located appro~im~t~ly two-thirds of the ~ t~nre from ~ v~e member 18 to ~ v~e member 20 and is jollrn~lletl for rotation between the longitudinal members 22 and 24 and the side members 14 and 16.
A first pair of wheels 40 and 42 are each indep~n~l~ntly rotatably jollrn~ tl to the longitudinal members 14,22 and 16,24 respectively. Any commPrcially available wheels will suffice as long as they are of a~ l;ate m~t~r to fit between the space between the longitudinal members and the side 20 members. The first pair of wheels 40 and 42 must also allow for the pl~cPm~nt of a second pair of wheels 44 and 46 within the space between the lnllgitll.lin~l members and the side members. The second pair of wheels 44 and 46 are of 21181~
~m~llPr ~ mPt~r than the first pair of wheels 40 and 42 and are shown in their retracted state in Fig. 1 adjacent longitudinal members 22 and 24. When the second pair of wheels 44 and 46 are in their retracted state, they do not have any cc~ with the first pair of wheels 40 and 42 thereby allowing rotation of wheels 40 and 42.
A tubular tow bar 48 is affixed to the rotation shaft 38 between the wheel 42 and the longitudinal member 24. The tow bar 48 projects parallel to andabove longitudinal member 24 beyond ll~vt:l~e member 18 and curves inward.
A generally cylindrical handle 50 is located at the distal end of the tow bar 48.
Further up the tow bar 48 is a pin 52 which is used to co~nPct the bicycle trailer 10 to a bicycle. A hitch (not shown) may be provided to attach the bicycle trailer 10 to a bicycle. Any hitch common in the art may be used.
The tow bar 48 is m~int~inP-l in the tO~ , position by r~ ihle detent member 54. The detent member 54 is shown enlarged in Fig.1. The detent member 54 is affixed to ~ sve:~e mPmhPr 18 in ~lignmPnt with the tow bar 48.
The detent member 54 has a recess 56 for receiving the tow bar 48. A pin 58 is inserted through the recess 56 and through an aperture (not shown) in the tow bar 48 to ...~ ;ll the tow bar 48 in the towing position The pin 58 is lor~hl~ for m~int~ining it within the aperture co.~ P-l in the tow bar 48. A wire 60 locks the pin 56 in place.
Fig. 2 shows another views of the bicycle trailer 10 in the towing pOSition Figs. 3, 4, and 5 show the bicycle trailer 10 in the stroller position The second pair of wheels 44 and 46 have been pivoted from their retracted position as shown in Fig. 1 to their PYtPn~lPtl position. Tow bar 48 ha. been ~licPngAged from the detent member 54 to allow for the pivotal movement of it.
5 The tow bar 48 has been pivoted from the towing position as shown in Fig. 1 to the stroller position of Fig. 4 wherein the tow bar 48 is locked in place by detent member 62. Detent member 62 is affixed to the end 32 and is of the same configuration as detent member 54 except the recess 64 ic deeper than the recess 56 of the detent mPmher 54. The tow bar 48 fits within the recess 64 of the detent member 62 and is held in place by pin 66. A wire 68 acts as further support for the contAinmPnt of the tow bar 48 within the detent member 62. The user of the bicycle trailer 10 may now push the trailer 10 by exerting ples~ure on the handle 50 for use of the trailer 10 as a stroller.
The end 30 and 32 and strut members 34 and 36 cooperate to 15 support a flPYihlP sheet 37 above the frame 12 when the bicycle trailer is in its towing positi-~n, thereby forming a plurality of walls, as shown in Fig. 5. The flPYihle sheet 37 can be C"'1J' ;~e-l of any number of mAtPriAlc but in a ~r~e~.ed embodiment ic of a lightweight nylon mesh or nPtfling. A removable second flexible sheet 39 may be placed over the semi-circular tops 31 and 33 of the ends 30 and 20 32 respectively to provide a cover for a child or items placed within the bicycle - trailer 10. The second flPYihle sheet 39 may cover the tops 31 and 33 of the bicycle trailer 10 and overlap the outer sides of linkages 34 and 36. Seats and safety belts - 211~1~8 (not shown) may be provided within the bicycle trailer 10 for children carried therein. Groceries and other items may also be carried within the bicycle trailer 10.
Fig. 6 shows the conn~ction of the second pair of wheels 44 and 46 to a rotatable shaft 38, which is co-axial to the axis of rotation of rear wheels 40 and 42, on their respective axles (not shown). The wheels 44 and 46 are jollrn~ll~.1 for rotation about pins 70 and 72 respectively. The pins 70 and 72 are ~tt~t h~-l to rods 74 and 76 respectively which depend upwardly from the wheels 44 and 46 when the bicycle trailer 10 is in the stroller positi- n Support members 78 and 80 are located between the longitudinal members 22 and 24 and the side members 14 and 16. The support members 78 and 80 are inserted through apertures in the link-arm members 74 and 76 (not shown). The link-arm members 74 and 76 are pivotally coupled to link-arm members 82 and 84 respectively and pivot about support members 78 and 80 when the bicycle trailer 10 is co.lv~Led between a trailer and a stroller.
The link-arm member 82 is pivotally coupled to stud 86 which is lor~te-l between the wheel 40 and longitudinal member 22, on rotatable shaft 38.A bracket 88 ~luunds the stud 86 and pivotally couples the link-arm member 82 thereto through the use of a pin 90.
The link-arm member 84 is pivotally coupled to the tow bar 48. A pin 92 and a bracket 94 attach the link-arm mPmh~r 84 to the tow bar 48. The bracket94 ~ u~ulds the tow bar 48.
- 211~16~
With l~ferellce to Fig. 7, semicircular ends 30 and 32 may be pivoted onto the plane of the chassis frame 12. Each end 30 and 32 is pivotable towards each other once the removable linkages 34 and 36 have been removed. rn the ylt felled embo-limPnt, when the ends 30 and 32 are coll~pse-l onto the plane of the chassis frame 12, the top sectiorl~ 31 and 33 of the ends 30 and 32 do not extend beyond Lldnav~ae mPmhPrs 18 and 20. This provides the important advantage of easier storage of the bicycle trailer.
~n the ~lef~led embo~im~nt, all components of the bicycle trailer 10 are steel.
Pivoting of Second Pair of Wheels The pivoting of the second pair of wheels 44 and 46 and the tow bar 48 from the trailer position to the stroller position will now be described withreference to Figs. 1, 3 and 6.
The wire 60 and the pin 58 are disengaged from detent member 54.
The tow bar 48 may now be pivoted from the towing po~ition As the tow bar 48 is pivoted upward, the rotatable shaft 38 is rotated. This action pivots the stud 86 at the same time as the tow bar 48 is being pivoted. The pivoting of the tow bar48 pulls the link-arm members 82 and 84 rearward and in the direction toward therear frame member 20. At the same time, the wheels 44 and 46 pivot about support members 78 and 80 respectively, downward from the plane of the chassis frame 12 to engage the ground. In this m~nnPr, the wheels 44 and 46 may provide support for the bicycle trailer 10 p~.Y;...~te the Lldllav~ae mPmher 18 when the bicycle trailer 10 is in the stroller position. The tow bar 48 is rotated appl~ tPly 135 degrees so as to serve as a shroller handle to allow the hrailer to be used as 5 shroller and pushed forwardly (see Fig. 4).
The prese.lt invention provides a number of advantages. Children may :~rCompany a parent on cycling activities through the use of a bicycle trailer. After arriving at the ~lP~tin~hnn, the bicycle trailer is then co.lv~Led to a shroller thereby providing a collv~:llient device for transporting children to a destination by bicycle 10 and transporting the children by foot around the deshn~hon The body portion of the bicycle trailer may be coll~pse~l upon the chassis frame to provide for easy storage of the bicycle trailer.
~ t will be understood that mn-lifit ~hnnc can be made in the embo~imPnt~ of the invention described herein without departing from the scope 15 and purview of the invention as ~i~finP-l by the appended claims.
Field of rnvention This invention relates to a trailer for ~tt~rhm.ont-to a bicycle and, more particularly, relates to a bicycle trailer which is collv~ible between a trailer and a stroller, which possesses a pair of retr~ct~hle wheels may together be ~imlllt~npously 5 retracted and PYtPn~1P~l Background of the ~nvention Cycling has become increasingly popular in recent times as a form of exercise and recreation. Cyclists are commonrl~- e on today's roads and many cities have r~finP~l bicycle trails for road bicycles and off-road or mountaill bicycles.
Cycling has also become a common family activity. An infant can accoml)~ly a parent by being placed in an infant seat above the rear tire of the parent's bicycle. ~nfant seats, however, are not of sllffiriPnt size to accomm~ te older children who are not yet old enough to ride their own bicycle. l~is presents a problem for the parent or family who desires to cycle as a family activity.
Bicycle trailers allow these children to accompany the adults while cycling. A bicycle trailer attaches to the bicycle and is generally of sufficient size to allow two small children to be placed therein. Groceries and other items may be carried in the bicycle trailer either with a child or alone. Thus, bicycle trailers 211~168 provide many advantages to the cyclist who is a parent and to any cyclist who desires to transport items by bicycle.
United States Patent No. 5,020,814 to George et al. ~ rlose~ a collapsible bicycle trailer having a tongue or tow bar 75 which is pivotally ~tt~rhP~l to the chassis frame of the trailer for pivoting between a folded position beneath and ~ cpnt the chassis frame and an PYtpn~ position in front of the chassis frame (ref. col. 5, lines 25-30). The tow bar is locked in the PYt~n~erl position by a U-shaped clip and a pin.
Notably, to avoid injury to the children, it is important for a trailer which is collvt:lLible between a bicycle trailer and a stroller that the device be very stable, parhr~ rly in the stroller position where the bicycle is not plesellt and the device is by pushed as a stroller, as opposed to being pulled by a bicycle.
A number of prior art devices for trailers eYist. Of these, one of the most relevant is USP 5,308,096 to Smith which ~1icrlosP~ a bicycle trailer which has a pivotable towing bar which is pivotable from a forwarding and horizontally PYtPnl1ing towing position to an upwardly and rearwardly P~Pn-ling stroller position to collv~lL the trailer to a stroller. Front wheel or wheels 52 pivot downwardly into a ground Png~ging condition when towing bar 28 is pivoted into the stroller position (see Fig. 5 and Col. 4, lines 50-55). Prob]Pm~tic~lly, however, this design disclosed in USP 5,308,096 in the stroller position is essPnh~lly only supported at three points, first point being at the point of cont~ct of the front wheel or wheels 52 at the forward end of the vehicle centrally of the vehicle, the second and third - 211~1~8 points of cont~t with the ground being l~pe-;Liv~ly at the spaced apart two rear wheels 22. As such, the collv~lible trailer in the stroller position is inherently less stable than if it were supported at four spaced-apart, independent locations. Such patent does not disclose any m~nn~or of retracting a spaced-apart second pair of 5 wheels, located on mutually opposite sides of the chassis frame of the bicycle trailer, and clearly does not ~ ose or teach any m~nn~r of retracting a spaced-apart pair of wheels where the towing bar is pivotably coupled to the frame chasis of the bicycle trailer ~l,.,C;...~te to and/or prefelclbly at the axis or axle about which the rear (larger) pair of wheels rotate. Towing bars of prior art devices such as Smith, 10 which are pivotably coupled to the trailer more fol~vardly of the trailer than the rear wheels typically (when rotated upwardly and rearwardly approxim~t~ly 135 from a subst~nti~lly fol~h~dly facing hori7.ont~l position to an inrlin~ , rearwardly facing position as a stroller handle) are of insllffici~nt length to allow proper use as a stroller h~n~lle. Collv~ely, prior art towing bars if simply made longer result in the 15 trailer being towed by the bicycle at a larger distance, m~king manoevering of the bicycle-trailer comhin~t10n more ~limcult.
aearly l~rking in the prior art is a comr~ct bicycle trailer design which provides for two pairs of wheels, the second pair being spaced apart and being ~Yt~ntlihle when in the stroller position to provide a stable stroller device 20 having a towing bar of serviceable length, and when in the trailer position having 21181~8 a pivotable towing bar of a comr~ct length to provide a manoeverable bicycle-trailer comhin~h~
Summary of the ~nvention In order to uv~ollle the disadvantage of the prior art, the ~lesent 5 invention provides for a bicycle hrailer which is COllvt:l ~ible between a hrailer and a stroller and which has two pairs of wheels for stability. The second pair of wheels pivots to a rehracted position avoiding contact with the ground when the h ailer is in the trailer position to thereby increase manoeverability of the bicycle and trailer comhin~hon. When the trailer is in the stroller pocihon, the second pair of wheels 10 extend so as to cont~l~t the ground to Plimin~te any resultant momPnt which would otherwise be applied to the tow bar by the weight of children in the hrailer, thereby alleviating the shain in operating the shroller and il~creasi,lg the stability of the stroller as it is being pushed. An inordinately long tow bar which would otherwise be nPcP~s~..y when the trailer is col.v~Led to the stroller position is avoided by 15 providing that the tow bar be pivotably coupled to the hrailer proxim~te the axis of rotation of the main trailer wheels.
Accoldil.gly, in one broad aspect of the present invention, the invention co."~l.ses a col,v~llible hailer for towing behind a bicycle, which iscollvt:llible between a h~ailer configuration and a shroller position. The hrailer 20 possecsPc a chassis frame, consisting of a generally rectangular outer frame member having a front frame member, a rear frame member, and two side members. A first pair of wheels are mounted on the chassis frame, each jollrn~ll.otl for rotation about an aYle, and ~lign~tl p~ l to the direction of int~n-lP-l travel of such trailer. A
tow bar is pivotably affiYed at one end thereof plo~ te an aYle of one of the first pair of wheels, and is pivotable between a towing position PYt~nrling substantially hori70nt~11y and forwardly of the chassis frame, and a stroller position f-Yt~n-ling upwardly at an in~ lin~l angle to the hnri7ont~1 ~PIe~ible securement means are further provided for releasibly se. ~r;~-g the tow bar in the towing position and in the stroller pocition A second pair of wheels are also provided, each rotatably jollrn~ on a respective linlc-arm member of a pair of first link-arm members.
Each first link-arm member is pivotably mounted to the chassis frame and is coupled to the tow bar. Advantageously, each of the first link-arm m~mh~rs together withco~ ontling second wheels are c;mlllt~nPously pivotable, to allow the second wheels to be moved from a first retracted position when the tow bar is in the towing position, to a second ~Yt~ntle-1 position allowing contact of each of the two second wheels on the ground when the tow bar is in the stroller posit~o~
~n a ~ref~led embo-limPnt of the present invention, each of the first pair of link-arm members:
(i) have at one end thereof a respective one of the second wheels rotatably jollrn~ thereon;
- (ii) are each pivotably coupled proyim~te a mid-point thereof to the chassis frame; and - 21131~8 (iii) are pivotably coupled at an oppo~i~e end to the tow bar, wherein movement of the tow bar from the towing pocih-ln to the stroller pocihon causes the first pair of link-arm mPmhPrs to be pivotably rotated about the point of pivotable coupling to the chassis frame, causing their associated second wheels to 5 move from the retracted position to the P~tPntlPIl pocitiol ~ n yet another aspect of the invention, the tow bar is fixedly coupled to a rotatable shaft, which P~rtPn~lc Ll~lsv~aely from one side of the trailer to the other, along a commf~n axis on which each of the first wheels are mounted.
Pivotable movement of the tow bar and thus rotation of the rotatable shaft to which 10 it is affixed causes pivoting of the first link-arm members, thereby causing retraction or PYtpnciorl of the second pair of wheels. By having the tow bar pivotable about an axis pro~im~te an a~de of the first (rear) wheels of the trailer, an inordi. ately long tow bar is avoided when the co~ ion to the stroller configuration is made.
Accol.lillgly, in a further ~l~fell~d emborlimpnt~ the present invention 15 co~ es:
a chassis frame, cQnC;chng of a generally rectangular outer frame member having a front frame member, a rear frame member, and two side frame members;
a rear pair of wheels mounted on said chassis frame, each jo11rn~llP-l 20 for rotation about an axle and ~ ne-l parallel to the direction of intPn-lP-l travel of said trailer;
a tow bOE pivotably affixed at one end thereof to a rotatable shaft, said shaft located ~ te said a~de and PYt~n/1ing lldllsve:laely across said trailer from one side frame member to said other side frame member, said tow bar pivotaUe between a towing position PYtPn~ling subst~nti~lly h~ri7.ont~lly and fc~ v~dly of said 5 chacsis frame and a stroller position ~YtPn(1ing ~ ;~dly and rearwardly;
rPle~cihle se-llr~llent means for r~ cihly sec... ;~8 said tow bar in said towing position and in said stroller posi~ n; and a front pair of wheels, rotatably jonrn~llP-l on a lt:ape~Live link-arm member of a pair of first link-arm memberc, each first link-arm member, (i) having at one end thereof and rotatably jonrn~llP~1 thereon a respective one of said front pair of wheeLc;
(ii) pivotably coupled pro~im~te a mid-point thereof to said chacsis frame;
(iii) pivotably coupled at an opposite end to a respective member of a second pair of link-arm member; and 15 each member of said second pair of link-arm memberc adapted to force said first link-arm members to rotate to thereby retract said front pair of wheeLc to said retracted position when said tow bar and rotatable shaft are pivotably rotated to said towing position, and further adapted to force said first pair of link-arm members to rotate to thereby extend said front pair of wheels into said PYt~nrlP-l l S 8 poCiho~ when said tow bar and rotatable shaft are pivotably rotated to said stroller po~cihon Brief Desc~ ion of the Drawings Further emboliimpntc will be appar~lt from the following liPt~ilP-l 5 description of the invention, when co~ci~lPred together with the ~CQ~i A--y"l~, drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is an icomPh~ cut-away view of a p.t:f~lc:d embodiment of the bicycle trailer of the pr~sel,t invention, in the h ailer posihon;
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the bicycle h ailer in the trailer posih~n;10Fig. 3 is an icomPh~c cut-away view of the bicycle h ailer of the invention in the shroller pocihon;
Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the bicycle h ailer of the invention in the shroller pocihon;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bicycle h-ailer in the shroller position with 15the flP~ihle sheet forming walls about the h~ailer body portion;
Fig. 6 is a cut-away isomPh~c view of the bicycle hailer in the shroller pocihl~n with a wheel miccing; and Fig.7 is a perspective view of the ends of the trailer body portion collapsed upon the chassis frame.
Detailed Des.~ ion of the Plefelled Embodiment Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the bicycle trailer of the present invention is flPpicte-l as 10 and is shown in its towing pocihon Bicycle trailer 10 has a subst~nh~lly rec~ lar tubular chassis frame with rounded cornPrs 12 having longitudinal side mPmhPr.~ 14 and 16 and l~ av~ae members 18 and 20 interCor~npchng the longitudinal side members 14 and 16. Spaced apart ]ongihl-lin~l side frame members 22 and 24 are subst~nh~lly parallel to the longitudinal side members 14 and 16 respectively and are located inwardly within the plane of the chassis frame 12 in pl~ y to the longitudinal side members 14 and 16 to define a space therebetween. The posihoning of longitll-lin~l member 22 creates a spacebetween it and longihudinal side member 14. In the same m~nnPr, the posih-~ning of longitudinal member 24 creates a space between it and lcngihl~1in~l side member 16.
The longitudinal members 22 and 24 are ~tt~-hP~l to the ~ rav~ae members 18 and 20 by bolts 26. Bolts 26 are inserted through apertures (not shown) in Lld.llav~ae members 18 and 20 and threaded into longitudinal mPmhers 22 and 24.
Semicircular ends 30 and 32 are hingeably coupled to opposiLe ends of longihudinal members 22 and 24 by hinges 28. Each are pivotable from a first fully open position as shown in Fig. 1, to a second portable closed position, asshown in Fig. 10, wherein each are folded downward onto the plane of the chassis 2 1 ~ 8 1 ~ 8 frame 12 and longitudinal members 22 and 24 in a subst~ntt~lly mutually uv~ly~lg relationship. The hinges 28 are ûffset to plt:V~llt pivoting of the hinges beyond ninety degrees when in the fully open pOsihOIl-It will be understood that biasing mPrh~ni~m~ may be used to urge the 5 ends into the open or closed positinn Ri~ing means (not shown) may also likewisebe incorporated to bias the ends 30 and 32 into the vertical (open) position or into the folded (coll~pse-l) position.
Strut m~mhers 34 and 36 are removably attached to the ends 30 and 32 and are spaced apart and generally parallel to the lorlgit~l~lin~l members 22 and 10 24.
Rotatable shaft or a~de 38 is disposed between the longitudinal members 22 and 24 and the side members 14 and 16 at ~ tl positions. The shaft 38 is located appro~im~t~ly two-thirds of the ~ t~nre from ~ v~e member 18 to ~ v~e member 20 and is jollrn~lletl for rotation between the longitudinal members 22 and 24 and the side members 14 and 16.
A first pair of wheels 40 and 42 are each indep~n~l~ntly rotatably jollrn~ tl to the longitudinal members 14,22 and 16,24 respectively. Any commPrcially available wheels will suffice as long as they are of a~ l;ate m~t~r to fit between the space between the longitudinal members and the side 20 members. The first pair of wheels 40 and 42 must also allow for the pl~cPm~nt of a second pair of wheels 44 and 46 within the space between the lnllgitll.lin~l members and the side members. The second pair of wheels 44 and 46 are of 21181~
~m~llPr ~ mPt~r than the first pair of wheels 40 and 42 and are shown in their retracted state in Fig. 1 adjacent longitudinal members 22 and 24. When the second pair of wheels 44 and 46 are in their retracted state, they do not have any cc~ with the first pair of wheels 40 and 42 thereby allowing rotation of wheels 40 and 42.
A tubular tow bar 48 is affixed to the rotation shaft 38 between the wheel 42 and the longitudinal member 24. The tow bar 48 projects parallel to andabove longitudinal member 24 beyond ll~vt:l~e member 18 and curves inward.
A generally cylindrical handle 50 is located at the distal end of the tow bar 48.
Further up the tow bar 48 is a pin 52 which is used to co~nPct the bicycle trailer 10 to a bicycle. A hitch (not shown) may be provided to attach the bicycle trailer 10 to a bicycle. Any hitch common in the art may be used.
The tow bar 48 is m~int~inP-l in the tO~ , position by r~ ihle detent member 54. The detent member 54 is shown enlarged in Fig.1. The detent member 54 is affixed to ~ sve:~e mPmhPr 18 in ~lignmPnt with the tow bar 48.
The detent member 54 has a recess 56 for receiving the tow bar 48. A pin 58 is inserted through the recess 56 and through an aperture (not shown) in the tow bar 48 to ...~ ;ll the tow bar 48 in the towing position The pin 58 is lor~hl~ for m~int~ining it within the aperture co.~ P-l in the tow bar 48. A wire 60 locks the pin 56 in place.
Fig. 2 shows another views of the bicycle trailer 10 in the towing pOSition Figs. 3, 4, and 5 show the bicycle trailer 10 in the stroller position The second pair of wheels 44 and 46 have been pivoted from their retracted position as shown in Fig. 1 to their PYtPn~lPtl position. Tow bar 48 ha. been ~licPngAged from the detent member 54 to allow for the pivotal movement of it.
5 The tow bar 48 has been pivoted from the towing position as shown in Fig. 1 to the stroller position of Fig. 4 wherein the tow bar 48 is locked in place by detent member 62. Detent member 62 is affixed to the end 32 and is of the same configuration as detent member 54 except the recess 64 ic deeper than the recess 56 of the detent mPmher 54. The tow bar 48 fits within the recess 64 of the detent member 62 and is held in place by pin 66. A wire 68 acts as further support for the contAinmPnt of the tow bar 48 within the detent member 62. The user of the bicycle trailer 10 may now push the trailer 10 by exerting ples~ure on the handle 50 for use of the trailer 10 as a stroller.
The end 30 and 32 and strut members 34 and 36 cooperate to 15 support a flPYihlP sheet 37 above the frame 12 when the bicycle trailer is in its towing positi-~n, thereby forming a plurality of walls, as shown in Fig. 5. The flPYihle sheet 37 can be C"'1J' ;~e-l of any number of mAtPriAlc but in a ~r~e~.ed embodiment ic of a lightweight nylon mesh or nPtfling. A removable second flexible sheet 39 may be placed over the semi-circular tops 31 and 33 of the ends 30 and 20 32 respectively to provide a cover for a child or items placed within the bicycle - trailer 10. The second flPYihle sheet 39 may cover the tops 31 and 33 of the bicycle trailer 10 and overlap the outer sides of linkages 34 and 36. Seats and safety belts - 211~1~8 (not shown) may be provided within the bicycle trailer 10 for children carried therein. Groceries and other items may also be carried within the bicycle trailer 10.
Fig. 6 shows the conn~ction of the second pair of wheels 44 and 46 to a rotatable shaft 38, which is co-axial to the axis of rotation of rear wheels 40 and 42, on their respective axles (not shown). The wheels 44 and 46 are jollrn~ll~.1 for rotation about pins 70 and 72 respectively. The pins 70 and 72 are ~tt~t h~-l to rods 74 and 76 respectively which depend upwardly from the wheels 44 and 46 when the bicycle trailer 10 is in the stroller positi- n Support members 78 and 80 are located between the longitudinal members 22 and 24 and the side members 14 and 16. The support members 78 and 80 are inserted through apertures in the link-arm members 74 and 76 (not shown). The link-arm members 74 and 76 are pivotally coupled to link-arm members 82 and 84 respectively and pivot about support members 78 and 80 when the bicycle trailer 10 is co.lv~Led between a trailer and a stroller.
The link-arm member 82 is pivotally coupled to stud 86 which is lor~te-l between the wheel 40 and longitudinal member 22, on rotatable shaft 38.A bracket 88 ~luunds the stud 86 and pivotally couples the link-arm member 82 thereto through the use of a pin 90.
The link-arm member 84 is pivotally coupled to the tow bar 48. A pin 92 and a bracket 94 attach the link-arm mPmh~r 84 to the tow bar 48. The bracket94 ~ u~ulds the tow bar 48.
- 211~16~
With l~ferellce to Fig. 7, semicircular ends 30 and 32 may be pivoted onto the plane of the chassis frame 12. Each end 30 and 32 is pivotable towards each other once the removable linkages 34 and 36 have been removed. rn the ylt felled embo-limPnt, when the ends 30 and 32 are coll~pse-l onto the plane of the chassis frame 12, the top sectiorl~ 31 and 33 of the ends 30 and 32 do not extend beyond Lldnav~ae mPmhPrs 18 and 20. This provides the important advantage of easier storage of the bicycle trailer.
~n the ~lef~led embo~im~nt, all components of the bicycle trailer 10 are steel.
Pivoting of Second Pair of Wheels The pivoting of the second pair of wheels 44 and 46 and the tow bar 48 from the trailer position to the stroller position will now be described withreference to Figs. 1, 3 and 6.
The wire 60 and the pin 58 are disengaged from detent member 54.
The tow bar 48 may now be pivoted from the towing po~ition As the tow bar 48 is pivoted upward, the rotatable shaft 38 is rotated. This action pivots the stud 86 at the same time as the tow bar 48 is being pivoted. The pivoting of the tow bar48 pulls the link-arm members 82 and 84 rearward and in the direction toward therear frame member 20. At the same time, the wheels 44 and 46 pivot about support members 78 and 80 respectively, downward from the plane of the chassis frame 12 to engage the ground. In this m~nnPr, the wheels 44 and 46 may provide support for the bicycle trailer 10 p~.Y;...~te the Lldllav~ae mPmher 18 when the bicycle trailer 10 is in the stroller position. The tow bar 48 is rotated appl~ tPly 135 degrees so as to serve as a shroller handle to allow the hrailer to be used as 5 shroller and pushed forwardly (see Fig. 4).
The prese.lt invention provides a number of advantages. Children may :~rCompany a parent on cycling activities through the use of a bicycle trailer. After arriving at the ~lP~tin~hnn, the bicycle trailer is then co.lv~Led to a shroller thereby providing a collv~:llient device for transporting children to a destination by bicycle 10 and transporting the children by foot around the deshn~hon The body portion of the bicycle trailer may be coll~pse~l upon the chassis frame to provide for easy storage of the bicycle trailer.
~ t will be understood that mn-lifit ~hnnc can be made in the embo~imPnt~ of the invention described herein without departing from the scope 15 and purview of the invention as ~i~finP-l by the appended claims.
Claims (10)
1. A convertible trailer for towing behind a bicycle, said convertible trailer convertible between a trailer configuration and a child stroller configuration comprising:
a chassis frame, consisting of a generally rectangular outer frame member having a front frame member, a rear frame member, and two side frame members;
a first pair of wheels mounted on said chassis frame, each jonrnalled for rotation about an axle and aligned parallel to the direction of intended travel of said trailer;
a tow bar pivotably affixed at one end thereof to said chassis frame proximate an axle of one of said first pair of wheels, pivotable between a towing position extending substantially horizontal forwardly of said chassis frame, and a stroller position extending upwardly at an inclined angle to the horizontal;
releasible securement means for releasably securing said tow bar in said towing position and in said stroller position;
a second pair of wheels, rotatably journalled on a respective link-arm member of a pair of first link-arm members, each first link-arm member pivotably mounted to said chassis frame and coupled to said tow bar;
each of said second pair of wheels and first link-arm members being simultaneously pivotable from a first retracted position when said tow bar is in said towing position, to a second extended position to allow contact of each of said second pair of wheels on the ground when said tow bar is in said stroller position.
a chassis frame, consisting of a generally rectangular outer frame member having a front frame member, a rear frame member, and two side frame members;
a first pair of wheels mounted on said chassis frame, each jonrnalled for rotation about an axle and aligned parallel to the direction of intended travel of said trailer;
a tow bar pivotably affixed at one end thereof to said chassis frame proximate an axle of one of said first pair of wheels, pivotable between a towing position extending substantially horizontal forwardly of said chassis frame, and a stroller position extending upwardly at an inclined angle to the horizontal;
releasible securement means for releasably securing said tow bar in said towing position and in said stroller position;
a second pair of wheels, rotatably journalled on a respective link-arm member of a pair of first link-arm members, each first link-arm member pivotably mounted to said chassis frame and coupled to said tow bar;
each of said second pair of wheels and first link-arm members being simultaneously pivotable from a first retracted position when said tow bar is in said towing position, to a second extended position to allow contact of each of said second pair of wheels on the ground when said tow bar is in said stroller position.
2. The convertible trailer as claimed in claim 1, said first pair of link-arm members:
(i) having at one end thereof and rotatably journalled thereon a respective one of said second pair of wheels;
(ii) pivotably coupled proximate a mid-point thereof to said chassis frame;
(iii) pivotably coupled at an opposite end to said tow bar;
wherein movement of said tow bar from said towing position to said stroller position causes said first pair of link-arm members to be each simultaneously pivotably rotated about their respective points of pivotable coupling to said chassis frame, thereby causing their respective second wheels to move from said retracted position to said extended position.
(i) having at one end thereof and rotatably journalled thereon a respective one of said second pair of wheels;
(ii) pivotably coupled proximate a mid-point thereof to said chassis frame;
(iii) pivotably coupled at an opposite end to said tow bar;
wherein movement of said tow bar from said towing position to said stroller position causes said first pair of link-arm members to be each simultaneously pivotably rotated about their respective points of pivotable coupling to said chassis frame, thereby causing their respective second wheels to move from said retracted position to said extended position.
3. The convertible trailer as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:
a second pair of link-arm members interposed respectively between said first link-arm members and said tow bar, each at one end thereof pivotably coupled to a respective member of said first pair of link arm members and at theother end to said tow bar.
a second pair of link-arm members interposed respectively between said first link-arm members and said tow bar, each at one end thereof pivotably coupled to a respective member of said first pair of link arm members and at theother end to said tow bar.
4. A convertible trailer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
front and rear canopy-support members, extending perpendicularly upwardly from said front and rear frame members respectively, aligned parallel to each other and disposed transversely to said direction of travel when said trailer is in an assembled position, each hingeably coupled at their respective ends to said chassis frame so as to be pivotable about an axis perpendicular to said direction of travel so as to allow pivotable fold of said canopy-support members onto a substantially horizontal plane when in a collapsed position;
a pair of strut support members, located on mutually opposite sides of said trailer when in said assembled position and aligned parallel to each other, each releasibly coupled at one thereof to said front canopy member, and at an opposite end to said rear canopy member, each releasibly detachable at their ends from said front and rear canopy-support members to allow collapsible folding thereof;
each of said canopy-support members and said strut members adapted to support flexible sheet means to thereby form a plurality of walls to thereby form an enclosure for the trailer.
front and rear canopy-support members, extending perpendicularly upwardly from said front and rear frame members respectively, aligned parallel to each other and disposed transversely to said direction of travel when said trailer is in an assembled position, each hingeably coupled at their respective ends to said chassis frame so as to be pivotable about an axis perpendicular to said direction of travel so as to allow pivotable fold of said canopy-support members onto a substantially horizontal plane when in a collapsed position;
a pair of strut support members, located on mutually opposite sides of said trailer when in said assembled position and aligned parallel to each other, each releasibly coupled at one thereof to said front canopy member, and at an opposite end to said rear canopy member, each releasibly detachable at their ends from said front and rear canopy-support members to allow collapsible folding thereof;
each of said canopy-support members and said strut members adapted to support flexible sheet means to thereby form a plurality of walls to thereby form an enclosure for the trailer.
5. A convertible trailer for towing behind a bicycle, said convertible trailer convertible between a trailer configuration and a child stroller configuration, comprising:
a chassis frame, consisting of a generally rectangular outer frame member having a front frame member, a rear frame member, and two side frame members;
a rear pair of wheels mounted on said chassis frame, each journalled for rotation about an axle and aligned parallel to the direction of intended travel of said trailer;
a tow bar pivotably affixed at one end thereof to a rotatable shaft, said shaft located proximate one of said axles and extending transversely across saidtrailer from one side frame member to said other side frame member, said tow barpivotable between a towing position extending substantially horizontally and forwardly of said chassis frame and a stroller position extending upwardly and rearwardly;
releasible securement means for releasably securing said tow bar in said towing position and in said stroller position; and a front pair of wheels, rotatably journalled on a respective link-arm member of a pair of first link-arm members, each first link-arm member;
(i) having at one end thereof and rotatably journalled thereon a respective one of said front pair of wheels;
(ii) pivotably coupled proximate a mid-point thereof to said chassis frame;
(iii) pivotably coupled at an opposite end to a respective member of a second pair of link-arm member; and each member of said second pair of link-arm members adapted to force said first link-arm members to rotate to thereby retract said front pair of wheels to said retracted position when said tow bar and rotatable shaft are pivotably rotated to said towing position and further adapted to force said first pair of link-arm members to rotate to thereby extend said front pair of wheels into said extendedposition when said tow bar and rotatable shaft are pivotably rotated to said stroller position.
a chassis frame, consisting of a generally rectangular outer frame member having a front frame member, a rear frame member, and two side frame members;
a rear pair of wheels mounted on said chassis frame, each journalled for rotation about an axle and aligned parallel to the direction of intended travel of said trailer;
a tow bar pivotably affixed at one end thereof to a rotatable shaft, said shaft located proximate one of said axles and extending transversely across saidtrailer from one side frame member to said other side frame member, said tow barpivotable between a towing position extending substantially horizontally and forwardly of said chassis frame and a stroller position extending upwardly and rearwardly;
releasible securement means for releasably securing said tow bar in said towing position and in said stroller position; and a front pair of wheels, rotatably journalled on a respective link-arm member of a pair of first link-arm members, each first link-arm member;
(i) having at one end thereof and rotatably journalled thereon a respective one of said front pair of wheels;
(ii) pivotably coupled proximate a mid-point thereof to said chassis frame;
(iii) pivotably coupled at an opposite end to a respective member of a second pair of link-arm member; and each member of said second pair of link-arm members adapted to force said first link-arm members to rotate to thereby retract said front pair of wheels to said retracted position when said tow bar and rotatable shaft are pivotably rotated to said towing position and further adapted to force said first pair of link-arm members to rotate to thereby extend said front pair of wheels into said extendedposition when said tow bar and rotatable shaft are pivotably rotated to said stroller position.
6. The convertible trailer as claimed in claim 5, each of said rear pair of wheels journalled for rotation about a common axis, said common axis being co-axial with said rotatable shaft extending transversely across said trailer.
7. A convertible trailer for towing behind a bicycle, said convertible trailer convertible between a trailer configuration and a child stroller configuration, comrpising:
a chassis frame, consisting of a generally rectangular outer frame member having a front frame member, a rear frame member, and two side frame members;
a first pair of wheels mounted on said chassis frame, each journalled for rotation about a commnn axis extending therebetween and each aligned parallel to the direction of intended travel of said trailer;
a tow bar pivotably affixed at one end thereof to a rotatable shaft located co-axial with said common axis, said tow bar pivotable between a towing position extending substantially horizontally and forwardly of said chassis frame, and a stroller position extending upwardly at an inclined angle to the horizontal;
releasible securement means for releasibly securing said tow bar in said towing position and in said stroller position; and a second pair of wheels, rotatably journalled on a respective link-arm member of a pair of first link-arm members, each first link-arm member pivotably mounted to said chassis frame and coupled to said tow bar.
a chassis frame, consisting of a generally rectangular outer frame member having a front frame member, a rear frame member, and two side frame members;
a first pair of wheels mounted on said chassis frame, each journalled for rotation about a commnn axis extending therebetween and each aligned parallel to the direction of intended travel of said trailer;
a tow bar pivotably affixed at one end thereof to a rotatable shaft located co-axial with said common axis, said tow bar pivotable between a towing position extending substantially horizontally and forwardly of said chassis frame, and a stroller position extending upwardly at an inclined angle to the horizontal;
releasible securement means for releasibly securing said tow bar in said towing position and in said stroller position; and a second pair of wheels, rotatably journalled on a respective link-arm member of a pair of first link-arm members, each first link-arm member pivotably mounted to said chassis frame and coupled to said tow bar.
8. The convertible trailer as claimed in claim 7, said first pair of link-arm members:
(i) having at one end thereof and rotatably journalled thereon a respective one of said second pair of wheels;
(ii) pivotably coupled proximate a mid-point thereof to said chassis frame;
(iii) pivotably coupled at an opposite end to said tow bar;
wherein movement of said tow bar from said towing position to said stroller position causes said first pair of link-arm members to be each simultaneously pivotably rotated about their respective points of pivotable coupling to said chassis frame, thereby causing their respective second wheels to move from said retracted position to said extended position.
(i) having at one end thereof and rotatably journalled thereon a respective one of said second pair of wheels;
(ii) pivotably coupled proximate a mid-point thereof to said chassis frame;
(iii) pivotably coupled at an opposite end to said tow bar;
wherein movement of said tow bar from said towing position to said stroller position causes said first pair of link-arm members to be each simultaneously pivotably rotated about their respective points of pivotable coupling to said chassis frame, thereby causing their respective second wheels to move from said retracted position to said extended position.
9. The convertible trailer as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:
a second pair of link-arm members, interposed respectively between said first link-arm members and said tow bar, each at one end thereof pivotably coupled to a respective member of said first pair of link arm members and at theother end to said tow bar.
a second pair of link-arm members, interposed respectively between said first link-arm members and said tow bar, each at one end thereof pivotably coupled to a respective member of said first pair of link arm members and at theother end to said tow bar.
10. A convertible trailer as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:
front and rear canopy-support members, extending perpendicularly upwardly from said front and rear frame members respectively, aligned parallel to each other and disposed transversely to said direction of travel when said trailer is in an assembled position, each hingeably coupled at their respective ends to said chassis frame so as to be pivotable about an axis perpendicular to said direction of travel so as to allow pivotable fold of said canopy-support members onto a substantially horizontal plane when in a collapsed position;
a pair of strut support members, located on mutually opposite sides of said trailer when in said assembled position and aligned parallel to each other, each releasably coupled at one thereof to said front canopy member, and at an opposite end to said rear canopy member, each releasably detachable at their ends from said front and rear canopy-support members to allow collapsible folding thereof;
each of said canopy-support members and said strut members adapted to support flexible sheet means to thcreby form a plurality of walls to thereby form an enclosure for the trailer.
front and rear canopy-support members, extending perpendicularly upwardly from said front and rear frame members respectively, aligned parallel to each other and disposed transversely to said direction of travel when said trailer is in an assembled position, each hingeably coupled at their respective ends to said chassis frame so as to be pivotable about an axis perpendicular to said direction of travel so as to allow pivotable fold of said canopy-support members onto a substantially horizontal plane when in a collapsed position;
a pair of strut support members, located on mutually opposite sides of said trailer when in said assembled position and aligned parallel to each other, each releasably coupled at one thereof to said front canopy member, and at an opposite end to said rear canopy member, each releasably detachable at their ends from said front and rear canopy-support members to allow collapsible folding thereof;
each of said canopy-support members and said strut members adapted to support flexible sheet means to thcreby form a plurality of walls to thereby form an enclosure for the trailer.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2118168 CA2118168C (en) | 1994-10-14 | 1994-10-14 | Bicycle trailer |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2118168 CA2118168C (en) | 1994-10-14 | 1994-10-14 | Bicycle trailer |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2118168A1 CA2118168A1 (en) | 1996-04-15 |
| CA2118168C true CA2118168C (en) | 1999-09-21 |
Family
ID=4153114
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2118168 Expired - Lifetime CA2118168C (en) | 1994-10-14 | 1994-10-14 | Bicycle trailer |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2118168C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN112046656A (en) * | 2020-09-01 | 2020-12-08 | 河南卫特机器人有限公司 | Emergent portable intelligent car of fire control |
-
1994
- 1994-10-14 CA CA 2118168 patent/CA2118168C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2118168A1 (en) | 1996-04-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20141014 |