CN217554066U - Bracket for coupling a guide wheel to a towing assembly of a trailer - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a support for being connected leading wheel to the subassembly that pulls of trailer, the leading wheel has the back shaft, and the support includes main part, retainer, switching lock and leads the chuck, and the main part can be fixed to a part of pulling the subassembly, and the main part has first end, the intermediate part adjacent with first end and the second end adjacent with the intermediate part, and first end and second end can be fixed to a part of pulling the subassembly, and the retainer can for the main part pivot, the retainer has first end, the intermediate part adjacent with first end and the second end adjacent with the intermediate part, and the intermediate part of main part and retainer is suitable for the back shaft that the joint and the centre gripping leading wheel, switches the lock and fixes to the second end of retainer, leads the chuck setting in the second end of main part, switches the tool to lock and has ring or hasp, when the support is in closed configuration, ring or hasp joint lead the chuck.

Description

Bracket for coupling a guide wheel to a towing assembly of a trailer

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a support for being connected leading wheel or trailer support frame to trailer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bracket for coupling or clamping a guide wheel to a tractor assembly of a canopy trailer or other trailer.

Background

Trailers, including canopy trailers, marine trailers, and single and multi-axle trailers, are commonly towed behind motor vehicles. Typically, the trailer has the form of a hitch assembly at the front of the trailer, which hitch assembly may be coupled to hitch balls that are fixedly secured to the towing vehicle. The tow assembly generally includes an a-frame having a coupling device attached thereto.

When the trailer is not connected to the towing vehicle, the tow assembly is typically supported by guide wheels supported to the ground, with support shafts for the guide wheels being secured (welded or otherwise fixedly secured) to the tow assembly in a clamped arrangement. In this specification the term "steerable wheels" should be understood to mean a telescopic height adjustable wheel arrangement for use at the front of a trailer having a single axle (two running wheels) or more closely coupled axles at or near the centre of gravity so that the trailer will not remain "level" without additional support. On many awning trailers, the clip-on device is welded to the centre of the cross rail of the a-frame, although it can be welded to the arms of the a-frame. The steerable wheels may be used to raise the front of the trailer and the rear of the towing vehicle during the process of hitching or unthreading the trailer from the towing vehicle.

The clamping device typically includes a main body for mounting the bracket to the tow assembly by welding or bolting and a retaining body for engaging with the main body and retaining the guide wheel. Both the main body and the holding body usually comprise a curved, or even semicircular, portion which fits tightly around the support shaft of the guide wheel when the stand is closed. Typically, the two curved portions of the main body and the retaining body are each provided with a socket to engage at least one flange extending from the support shaft of the guide wheel so as to limit vertical movement of the support shaft and assist in securely gripping the guide wheel. The main body and the retention body are pivotally connected at a first end of each of the main body and the retention body by a pin that passes through an articulation slot provided in the first end of each of the main body and the retention body. The second end of the retention body is provided with a bore to receive a bolt engageable with a threaded bore provided in the second end of the main body. Preferably, the bolt has an offset handle to assist in screwing the bolt into the threaded bore.

Engagement and clamping of the guide wheels can be a cumbersome process that includes: positioning a support shaft of a guide wheel against a body, rotating the retainer and engaging one or more flanges on the support shaft of the guide wheel, inserting a bolt through a hole in the retainer, positioning threads of the bolt in a threaded hole of the body, and rotating the bolt to clamp the retainer and the body on the support shaft of the guide wheel. This process does require two people to act together to be effectively accomplished. Cross-threading of the bolts and threaded holes is highly likely and does occur in many situations, causing problems when loosening and re-clamping the leading wheel, particularly after towing the trailer for a period of time with the leading wheel clamped. To minimize this risk, preferably two people are required to perform the process.

It would be desirable to provide a stent that overcomes or ameliorates at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

It is to be understood that any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any of these matters form part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in australia or any other country as at or before the priority date of the claims in this specification. The term "trailer" in the rest of the description and claims is understood to include a canopy trailer.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bracket for coupling a guide wheel having a support shaft to a towing assembly of a trailer, the bracket including: a body securable to a portion of a tow assembly, the body having a first end, a middle portion adjacent the first end, and a second end adjacent the middle portion, the first end and the second end securable to a portion of a tow assembly; a retention body pivotable relative to the main body, the retention body having a first end, a middle portion adjacent the first end, and a second end adjacent the middle portion, the middle portion of the main body and the middle portion of the retention body adapted to engage and retain the support shaft of the guide wheel; a toggle latch fixed to the second end of the retention body; and a catch plate disposed in the second end of the body, the switching latch having a ring or catch that can engage the catch plate when the stand is in the closed configuration.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bracket for coupling a guide wheel to a traction assembly of a trailer, the bracket comprising: a body securable to a portion of the tow assembly; and a retention body, a first end of the retention body being pivotable relative to a first end of the main body, the main body and the retention body being adapted to engage and grip a support shaft of a guide wheel; a switch lock having a base plate fixed to the second end of the retainer; and a guide chuck for engaging a catch or ring of the switch lock, the catch or ring being formed in the second end of the body.

The support shaft of the guide wheel is engageable with suitably contoured portions of the main body and the holding body between the first and second ends thereof. In operation, clamping of the support shaft by the main body and the retaining body is achieved when the catch or ring of the switch lock engages the guide chuck and the switch lock is moved from the open position to the closed position.

According to another aspect of the utility model, the switching lock is adjustable switching lock.

Detailed description of the invention

The body of the bracket includes a first end, a middle portion, and a second end. The first and second ends, preferably in the form of coplanar plates, may be secured to a portion of the tow assembly of the trailer, preferably by welding, although the first and second ends may be secured to a portion of the tow assembly by bolts and nuts. To this end, holes may be provided at the first and second ends. The first end of the body is sized to allow it to pass through a slot disposed adjacent an outer end of the first end of the retainer and the second end of the body is provided with a guide chuck. The cross-section of the intermediate portion of the body is in the form of a "hill" and a "valley" between the "hills", which extend outwardly when viewed relative to the portion of the fixed body of the traction assembly. The inner side of the "valley" may abut against the outside of the portion of the fixed body of the pulling assembly and may be welded to that portion of the pulling assembly, although it need not abut against that portion of the pulling assembly. The outer surface of the "valley" substantially conforms to the profile of the gripped portion of the support shaft of the guide wheel, i.e. it has an arc shape substantially corresponding to the arc shape of the support shaft with which it is in contact. Preferably, the "valley" is provided with at least one horizontal slot capable of engaging a flange provided on the outside of the support shaft of the guide wheel to limit the vertical movement of the support shaft when clamped. The "hill" adjacent to the first end provides a space between the first end and the surface of the part of the fixed body of the pulling assembly in which the first end of the retaining body is accommodated and in which the first end can pivot without contacting the surface of this part of the pulling assembly. The "hill" adjacent the second end side of the body terminates at the plate forming the second end. The second end is provided with a guide chuck extending outwardly relative to a portion of the fixed body of the draft assembly.

The retention body includes a first end, a middle portion, and a second end. The first and second end portions are preferably flat, while the cross-sectional profile of the intermediate portion is arcuate, the inner surface of the intermediate portion substantially conforming to the profile of the support shaft of the guide wheel to be clamped, i.e. the intermediate portion takes the form of an arc substantially corresponding to the arc of the support shaft with which it is in contact. Preferably, the intermediate portion is provided with at least one horizontal slot capable of engaging a flange provided on the outer side of the support shaft of the guide wheel to limit the vertical movement of the support shaft when clamped. The first end is provided with a vertical slot large enough to pass over the first end of the main body and a "hill" adjacent the first end of the main body, wherein a portion of the first end of the retention body transverse to the slot is housed in a space defined by an inner surface of the "hill" adjacent the first end of the main body and a surface of a portion of the traction assembly to which the main body is fixed. Preferably, the free end of the second end of the retaining body does not contact any part of the main body whether the stand is in the open, closed or clamped configuration. This allows the holder to be able to preferably hold a support shaft having a diameter or shape different from that of a support shaft generally commercially available. A switch lock, preferably an adjustable switch lock, having a base plate, a lever, a ring or a catch at the end of a shaft pivotably mounted on the lever, and an eccentric locking point, is fixed via the base plate to a second end of the holding body, at which the guide chuck is arranged. When the stand is closed before clamping is achieved, a ring or catch of a switch lock, preferably a triangular eye ring at the end of the threaded shaft, may engage a guide chuck on the second end of the body. The clamping is then achieved by the lever moving to and beyond the off-center locking point of the switch lock. Once the lever passes the eccentric locking point, the switch lock is locked in place. The lever cannot be moved or unlocked unless a certain force is used to pull it back past the eccentric locking point.

In the case of an adjustable shift lock, the shift lock length may be adjusted by rotating a threaded shaft, with a ring or catch located at the end of the threaded shaft prior to engaging the swivel pawl. This can adjust the locking force and allow clamping of support shafts with a diameter or profile that varies over the range of commonly available support shafts.

Preferably, the switch lock is provided with means to prevent unintentional release of the grip; this may take the form of a shaft of a padlock, an R-clip, or a long pin, or a bolt, which passes through a hole provided in a portion of the base plate (extending outwardly from the remainder of the base plate).

In use, with the switch lock secured to the second end of the retaining body, the outer portion of the first end of the retaining body passes over the first end of the main body and into the hollow of the "hill" adjacent the first end. The body is then secured to a portion of the tow assembly of the trailer. The retention body is pivoted away from the main body to allow access to the main body, and a support shaft of the guide wheel is placed against the main body, a portion of the one or more flanges on the support shaft being received within one or more of the at least one slots in the main body. The retaining body is then pivoted towards the main body, optionally using the lever of the switch lock as a lever. One or more of the at least one slots in the retaining body receive a portion of one or more flanges on the support shaft when the intermediate portion of the retaining body is engaged with the support shaft of the guide wheel. The ring or shackle of the switch lock is then engaged to the guide plate on the second end of the body. The lever of the switch lock is then pulled back so that it crosses the eccentric locking point. Optionally, the lever is prevented from being accidentally released by passing an R-clip or a long pin or bolt through a hole provided in a portion of the base plate extending outwardly from the main portion of the base plate.

If the support shaft is not flanged, the bracket may still be satisfactorily clamped to the support shaft due to the force exerted by the bracket on the support shaft, particularly when using an adjustable switching lock. With the adjustable switch lock, the force exerted by the bracket on the support shaft can be changed by changing the length of the operating portion of the threaded shaft by rotating the threaded shaft relative to a threaded pivot mounted on the lever of the adjustable switch lock.

Preferably, the main body and the holding body of the stent are made of steel and formed by laser cutting and punching, and then galvanization. A switch lock, which is available from the market, is then preferably fixed to the retaining body by welding.

Drawings

For a clearer understanding of the present invention, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the bracket of the present invention clamping a guide wheel to a portion of a trailer tow assembly in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the guide wheel showing the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an undamped configuration and in a position for clamping prior to clamping the guide wheel;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 secured to a portion of a trailer tow assembly in an undamped configuration prior to positioning the guide wheels;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 secured to a portion of a trailer tow assembly in a clamped configuration and without guide wheels;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 secured to a portion of a trailer tow assembly in a clamped configuration and without guide wheels;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 clamping the guide wheels to a portion of the trailer tow assembly;

FIG. 7 is a plan view from above of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing a portion of the clamping of the guide wheels to the trailer tow assembly;

FIG. 8 is a plan view from above showing the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an undamped configuration and the guide wheel in position for clamping prior to clamping the guide wheel;

FIG. 9 is a side view from the right side of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing a portion of the clamping of the guide wheels to the trailer tow assembly;

fig. 10 is a side view of the embodiment of fig. 1 showing clamping of the guide wheels to a portion of the trailer tow assembly.

It should be understood that the following description should not be considered limiting on the statements made in the preceding portions of the specification.

Detailed Description

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, while reference numeral 12 generally designates a typical guide wheel. Reference numeral 14 denotes a part of the trailer tow assembly.

The stent 10 includes a main body 16 and a retention body 18. In this embodiment, the assembled bracket is welded to a portion of the trailer hitch assembly 14 as shown. The guide wheel 12 is a typical commercially available guide wheel.

The body 16, which is made from a single piece of steel, has a first end 20 in the form of a generally flat plate 48, a second end 22 in the form of a flat plate 50, and a middle portion 24 having a cross-sectional profile in the form of a "valley" 26 flanked by two "hills" 28 and 30, the bottom of which is oriented towards a portion of the trailer assembly when the body is secured thereto. The "hills" 28 and 30 define outwardly directed ridges in the body 16. The two ends 20 and 22 are provided with a plurality of holes 32 to accommodate bolts for bolting the bracket 10 to a portion of the trailer hitch assembly 14, or to provide additional welds when the bracket 10 is welded to a portion of the trailer hitch assembly 14, as the case requires. The height H '(see fig. 5 and 6) and thickness T' (see fig. 5 and 6) of the second end 22 are such that the second end 22 can pass through the slot 32 (see fig. 1) in the second end of the retention body 18. The ridge 36 (see fig. 5) adjacent the second portion 22 of the main body 16 (which is the same height as the second end 22) and the portion of the trailer tow assembly 14 to which the second end 22 is subsequently secured define a space 66, the space 66 may receive the portion 38 of the retention body 18 transverse to the slot 32 and allow the retention body 18 to pivot relative to the main body 16 from an open (non-gripping) configuration to a closed (gripping) configuration and from the closed (gripping) configuration to the open (non-gripping) configuration. See fig. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8. The cross-sectional profile of the central region 40 of the "valley" substantially corresponds to a portion of the profile of the support shaft 42 of the guide wheel 12. The central region 40 is also provided with a plurality of slots 44, one or more of which may receive a portion of one or more flanges 46 on the support shaft 42. This helps to limit the vertical movement of the support axle 42 of the guide wheel 12 in use, particularly during towing of the trailer and when the wheels 48 of the guide wheel 12 are lowered to the ground to support the trailer. The first end 20 includes a guide plate 52 extending outwardly from a generally flat plate (relative to the portion of the trailer tow assembly to which the first end is to be secured). The substantially flat plate 48 and the flat plate 50 are coplanar.

The retaining body 18 has a first end 54 in the form of a plate 56, a second end 34 in the form of a plate 60, and an intermediate portion 62, the adjustable switch lock 58 being fixed to the plate 56, the second end 34 being provided with the slot 32, the intermediate portion 62 having a cross-sectional profile substantially corresponding to a portion of the profile of the support shaft 42 of the guide wheel 12. The intermediate portion 62 is also provided with a plurality of slots 64, one or more of the plurality of slots 64 may receive a portion of one or more of the flanges 46 on the support shaft 42. This helps to limit the vertical movement of the support axle 42 of the guide wheel 12 in use, particularly during towing of the trailer and when the wheels 48 of the guide wheel 12 are lowered to the ground to support the trailer. The height and width of the slot 32 in the second end 34 is dimensioned so as to be able to pass over the second end 22 of the body, thereby allowing a portion 38 (having a width W', see fig. 3, 4 and 8) of the second end 34 of the retention body 18 transverse to the slot 32 to be received in the space behind the ridge 36. As described in the preceding paragraph, the space 66 allows the retention body 18 to pivot relative to the main body 16 in moving from an open (non-gripping) configuration to a closed (gripping) configuration, and in moving from a closed (gripping) configuration to an open (non-gripping) configuration. The width W "(see fig. 1, 3 and 4) of the first end 54 of the retention body 18 is limited to the extent that the first end 54 will not contact the substantially flat plate 48 of the first end 20 of the main body 16 from which the guide clamp protrudes, or the first end 54 will not contact the" hill "28 adjacent the first end 20 of the main body 16 when the stand 10 is moved to and in the closed (clamped) configuration. This allows the flange 46 to be preferably received in the slots 44 and 64 and preferably clamp the support shaft 42.

As best seen in fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the adjustable switch lock 68 is secured to the outside of the panel, preferably by welding. The adjustable switching lock includes: a substrate 70; a lever 72 pivotally mounted on a pivot point 74, the pivot point 74 being disposed in a flange 86 extending outwardly from the base plate 70; a ring or catch 76 at one end of a threaded shaft 78, the threaded shaft 78 engaged in a mounting shaft 80 pivotally secured to the rod 72; and an additional flange 82 also extending outwardly from the base plate 70, the additional flange 82 being provided with an aperture 84, the aperture 84 being for receiving a latch pin or shaft of a padlock (not shown) to restrict movement of the lever 72 from the locked position (when the lever is pulled past the over-center locking point). The ring or catch 76 is sized to engage the hook 52 on the body 16.

In use, with the adjustable switch lock 68 secured to the second end 34 of the retention body 18, the outer end 38 on the first end 54 of the retention body 18 passes over the first end 20 of the main body 16 and into the hollow of the "hill" 28 adjacent the first end 20. The body 16 is then secured to a portion of the tow assembly 14 of the trailer. The retaining body 18 is pivoted away from the main body 16 to allow access to the "valley" 26 of the main body 16, and the support shaft 42 of the guide wheel 12 is placed in the "valley" 26 with a portion of one or more flanges 46 on the support shaft 42 being received in one or more of the at least one horizontal slots 44 in the "valley" 26. The retention body 18 is then pivoted toward the main body 16, optionally using the rod 72 of the adjustable switch lock 68 as a lever. One or more slots 64 of the at least one slot in the retention body 18 receive a portion of the one or more flanges 46 on the support shaft 42 when the intermediate portion 62 of the retention body 18 is engaged with the support shaft 42 of the guide wheel 12. The ring or shackle 76 of the adjustable switch lock is then engaged to the guide chuck 52 on the second end 22 of the body 16, and the rod 72 of the adjustable switch lock 68 is then pulled back through the over-center locking point. Optionally, the lever is prevented from being inadvertently loosened by passing an R-clip, long pin, bolt or shaft of a padlock (not shown) through the hole 84 (the hole 84 is provided in the flange 82 extending outwardly from the main portion of the base plate 70). This restrains the lever from moving from the locked position.

It will be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many different forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the above-described preferred embodiments should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, which may include various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be appreciated that the invention may also be applied to adjustable supports for trailers, including adjustable supports for stabilizing trailers or plant equipment in a fixed position, wherein the wheels of the guide wheels are replaced by plates attached to the axle.

Claims (5)

1. A bracket for coupling a guide wheel to a tractor assembly of a trailer, the guide wheel having a support shaft,

the bracket comprises a main body, a holding body, a switching lock and a guide chuck,

the body securable to a portion of the tow assembly, the body having a first end, a middle portion adjacent the first end, and a second end adjacent the middle portion, the first end and the second end securable to a portion of the tow assembly,

the retention body being pivotable relative to the main body, the retention body having a first end, an intermediate portion adjacent the first end, and a second end adjacent the intermediate portion,

the intermediate portion of the main body and the intermediate portion of the retaining body are adapted to engage and retain a support shaft of the guide wheel,

the switch lock is fixed to a second end of the holding body, and

the guide chuck is disposed in the second end of the body, and the switching lock has a ring or catch that engages the guide chuck when the holder is in the closed configuration.

2. A bracket for coupling a steerable wheel to a hitch assembly of a trailer, the bracket comprising:

a body securable to a portion of the tow assembly,

a retention body having a first end pivotable relative to a first end of the main body, the main body and the retention body adapted to engage and retain a support shaft of the guide wheel,

a switch lock having a base plate fixed to a second end of the holding body, an

A guide chuck for engaging a catch or ring of the switch lock, the catch or ring formed in the second end of the body.

3. A stand according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the switch lock is an adjustable switch lock.

4. The bracket of claim 2, comprising:

means in the form of a padlock shaft, R-clamp, long pin, or bolt that passes through a hole in a flange extending outwardly from the base plate to prevent accidental release of the stem of the switch lock from the locked configuration.

5. The stent of claim 1 or 2, wherein the free end of the first end of the retention body does not contact the main body whether the stent is in the open configuration or the closed configuration.

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