GB1593586A - Trailer vehicles - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TRAILER VEHICLES (71) 1, PHILLIP CHARLES CASS, British Nationality of 15, Crawford Avenue, Mossley Hill, Liverpool 18, Merseyside, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to trailer vehicles and more particularly, but not exclusively, trailer vehicles of the kind intended to be towed behind a private vehicle to enhance its load carrying capacity, e.g. to hold camping equipment.

Such trailer vehicles, although relatively small, being for example four to five feet in length by three to four feet wide, are inconvenient to store when not in use, particularly when garage facilities are not available, and the present invention has for its object to provide such a trailer vehicle which, when not in use, may readily be folded or collapsed so that at least its width is considerably reduced. Preferably, such folding or collapsing permits of the trailer to be moved on its wheels wereby handling is facilitated.

According to the invention there is provided a trailer vehicle comprising a chassis having transverse chassis members and longitudinal chassis members, towing means, bracing pivotally secured to the towing means and detachably connected to a front vehicle part, and at least one pair of wheels mounted on stub axles on the chassis, wherein the transverse chassis members are articulated so as to be pivotable upwards whereby the longitudinal chassis members can be or are moved inwardly together with the wheels and their said mountings. Means may be provided for locking the trailer in its collapsed state.

According to one embodiment, the longitudinal chassis members carrying fixed corner posts whereto are secured side panels for the trailer body, and said corner posts removably support end panels for said body and transverse frame members. The bottom of the trailer may be constituted by a split or hinged panel.

The invention is further described with the aid of the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification which illustrate, by way of example only, one embodiment.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is an isometric view of a trailer according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a similar view but showing the trailer in collapsed or folded state.

Referring to said drawings, the trailer is constructed mainly from square or rectangular section steel tubing, and comprises main longitudinal chassis members 10, 10 from each end of which spaced pairs of bracket members 11 extend rigidly inwards. Pivotally connected on an axis 12 between each pair of brackets 11 is a transverse chassis member 13, and the proximal ends of respective pairs of said members 13 are pivoted on axes 14 between spaced parallel members 15 welded to the underside of horizontal plate members 16. At the front of the trailer, spacedly arranged towing bars 17 are welded to an extension 16a of the respective plate 16, said bars 17 being connected at their fore ends by apertures towins plates 18.

Rigidly welded to each end of each chassis member 10 is a corner post 20 of angle section, and respective pairs of said posts carry subsidiary frame members 21 disposed parallel to the respective main chassis member 10 and connected medially thereto by a bracing member 22. Rigidly connected to each chassis member 10 below the brace 22 is a plate 23 whereto is secured a resilient mounting for a stub axle suspension unit 24 carrying a road wheel 25. Mud guards 26 for each wheel 25 are secured to the adjacent chassis members 10 and frame members 21.

The corner posts 20 at each end of the trailer are connectable at their upper ends by transverse frame members 27, the corner posts 20 and members 27 being formed with registering apertures to receive quick release securing means 28. A bracing member 29 is pivotally secured at 30 between the two bars 17 and is detachably connectable by a bolt 31 (or any other suitable device) to a securing plate 32 wleded medially to the front transverse member 27.

In-fill body panels 33 are fixedly connected to the corner posts 20 at each side, and removable body panels 34 with side stiffeners 34a are provided at each end being located by flanges of the corner posts 20 and by bolts passed through apertures of the plate 32 of front frame member 27 and a plate 32a welded to the rear frame member 27.

The floor of the trailer (not shown) may be constituted by a single panel, or a series of disconnected or hinged panels. To aid in supporting the floor, a medial longitudinal frame member 34 is provided attached at each end to the proximal members 15. Bearing plates, generally disignated 35, are provided on the main chassis members 10 and on frame members 34 on which the floor panel or panels is or are located. The stiffeners 34a of the end panels 34 may have dowells for being located in apertures of the floor panel or panels.

To fold or collapse the trailer to the position shown in Figure 2, it merely is necessary to remove the end panels 34, end from members 27, the floor panel or panels, and unbolt the tow bar brace 29 from plate 32.

The members 13 at each end can then be pivoted upwards about their axes 12 to bring the trailer sides into proximity with the suspension units 24, and members 11 in substantial abutment. As will be seen, the medial longitudinal frame member 34 and tow bars 17 assume an elevated position.

Further, the tow bar brace 29 is located in a stowed position between the bars 17.

The open ends of the tubular frame and chassis members preferably are fitted with resilient closure pieces, e.g. of a plastics material.

It will be seen that the invention can provide a trailer construction capable in a simple but effective manner of being folded from an extended position of use to a readily manpeuvrable collapsed state which will occupy a minimum of space for storage pur poseN.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A trailer vehicle comprising a chassis having transverse members and longitudinal chassis members, towing means, bracing pivotally secured to the towing means and detachably connected to a front vehicle part, and at least one pair of wheels mounted on stub axles on the chassis, wherein the transverse chassis members are articulated so as to be pivotable upwards whereby the longitudinal chassis members can be or are moved inwardly together with the wheels and their mountings.

2. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal chassis members carry fixed corner posts whereto are secured side panels for the body of the trailer and said corner posts removably support end panels for said body.

3. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bottom of the trailer is constituted by a split or hinged panel.

4. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein spaced pairs of brackets extend inwards from each end of the main longitudinal chassis members, and pivotally connected between each pair of brackets is a transverse chassis member the proximal ends of respective pairs of said transverse chassis members being pivotally attached to spaced parallel members secured to horizontal plate members, the horizontal plate member at the front of said trailer carrying a tow bar assembly.

5. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of claims 2-4, wherein the corner posts at each end of the trailer are connected at their upper ends by releasable transverse frame members.

6. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bracing comprises a member pivotally secured to the two bar and is detachably connected to the front releasable transverse frame member.

7. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of claims 4-6, wherein medial longitudinal frame members are provided to aid in supporting the bottom panel or panels of said trailer.

8. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of the preceding claims 2-7, wherein said stub axles are connected to the main longitudinal chassis members by resilient mounting means, and bracing means are provided between said main longitudinal chassis members and subsidiary frame members disposed between respective corner posts parallel with said main longitudinal frame member.

9. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, constructed mainly from square or rectangular section tubular metal, open ends of said tubular metal being fitted with resilient end closure pieces.

10. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided for locking the trailer in its collapsed state.

11. A trailer vehicle, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. In-fill body panels 33 are fixedly connected to the corner posts 20 at each side, and removable body panels 34 with side stiffeners 34a are provided at each end being located by flanges of the corner posts 20 and by bolts passed through apertures of the plate 32 of front frame member 27 and a plate 32a welded to the rear frame member 27. The floor of the trailer (not shown) may be constituted by a single panel, or a series of disconnected or hinged panels. To aid in supporting the floor, a medial longitudinal frame member 34 is provided attached at each end to the proximal members 15. Bearing plates, generally disignated 35, are provided on the main chassis members 10 and on frame members 34 on which the floor panel or panels is or are located. The stiffeners 34a of the end panels 34 may have dowells for being located in apertures of the floor panel or panels. To fold or collapse the trailer to the position shown in Figure 2, it merely is necessary to remove the end panels 34, end from members 27, the floor panel or panels, and unbolt the tow bar brace 29 from plate 32. The members 13 at each end can then be pivoted upwards about their axes 12 to bring the trailer sides into proximity with the suspension units 24, and members 11 in substantial abutment. As will be seen, the medial longitudinal frame member 34 and tow bars 17 assume an elevated position. Further, the tow bar brace 29 is located in a stowed position between the bars 17. The open ends of the tubular frame and chassis members preferably are fitted with resilient closure pieces, e.g. of a plastics material. It will be seen that the invention can provide a trailer construction capable in a simple but effective manner of being folded from an extended position of use to a readily manpeuvrable collapsed state which will occupy a minimum of space for storage pur poseN. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A trailer vehicle comprising a chassis having transverse members and longitudinal chassis members, towing means, bracing pivotally secured to the towing means and detachably connected to a front vehicle part, and at least one pair of wheels mounted on stub axles on the chassis, wherein the transverse chassis members are articulated so as to be pivotable upwards whereby the longitudinal chassis members can be or are moved inwardly together with the wheels and their mountings.

2. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the longitudinal chassis members carry fixed corner posts whereto are secured side panels for the body of the trailer and said corner posts removably support end panels for said body.

3. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bottom of the trailer is constituted by a split or hinged panel.

4. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein spaced pairs of brackets extend inwards from each end of the main longitudinal chassis members, and pivotally connected between each pair of brackets is a transverse chassis member the proximal ends of respective pairs of said transverse chassis members being pivotally attached to spaced parallel members secured to horizontal plate members, the horizontal plate member at the front of said trailer carrying a tow bar assembly.

5. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of claims 2-4, wherein the corner posts at each end of the trailer are connected at their upper ends by releasable transverse frame members.

6. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bracing comprises a member pivotally secured to the two bar and is detachably connected to the front releasable transverse frame member.

7. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of claims 4-6, wherein medial longitudinal frame members are provided to aid in supporting the bottom panel or panels of said trailer.

8. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of the preceding claims 2-7, wherein said stub axles are connected to the main longitudinal chassis members by resilient mounting means, and bracing means are provided between said main longitudinal chassis members and subsidiary frame members disposed between respective corner posts parallel with said main longitudinal frame member.

9. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, constructed mainly from square or rectangular section tubular metal, open ends of said tubular metal being fitted with resilient end closure pieces.

10. A trailer vehicle, as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided for locking the trailer in its collapsed state.

11. A trailer vehicle, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.