GB2191738A

GB2191738A - Convertible, foldable, trailers

Info

Publication number: GB2191738A
Application number: GB08615217A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert James Stevenson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-06-21
Filing date: 1986-06-21
Publication date: 1987-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2006-06-21
Also published as: GB2191738B; GB8615217D0

Abstract

A trailer comprising several parts 2 which may be pivoted about axes 3 from a folded position for transport to an opened out position for use e.g. as a trailer tent, or for agricultural or industrial applications has a wheel axle 1 which is divided to permit unfolding but is locked for transport. Adjustable legs 6 stabilise the opened out segments, and jockey wheels (not shown) facilitate movement of the segments. Pole sockets 8 permit erection of a tarpaulin. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dividing axle folding trailer This invention relates to a dividing axle folding trailer.

Trailers are well known vehicles which comprise a fixed wheeled chassis upon which an assortment of body types are mounted. Atrailer used as a mobile market stall, demonstration display, mobile workshop, container, agricultural trailer, or caravan, sometimes have side flaps which may open out, but the trailer remains a fixed and stationary unit. The selling or demonstration area is limited to the size of the trailer. Tarpaulins or similar are difficult to erect over the trailer area. Trailertent designs are limited and restricted by the size of the trailer.

According to the present invention there is provided a dividing axle folding trailer comprising of a two or more part axle, which is releasably secured and lockable together, the two trailer halfs pivoted either at the front or back of the trailer or both front and back giving three trailer parts and being ableto rotate around their pivot or pivots to any position with the help of one or more jockey wheels, both trailer halfs finally being secured and stablised by adjustable legs provided on the body.

Aspecific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows in perspective, the trailer in the folded and transporting position.

Figure2 illustrates the opening of the dividing axle folding trailer into (1) a 90" position and (2) a 1800 position.

Figure 3 illustrates two pivot points both front and back of trailer and one half of trailer divided into two rotating parts.

Referring to the drawings, the trailer comprises a dividing singie or multiple axle 1, a dividing and folding trailer body 2 pivoted in Figure 1 and Figure 2 at the rear of the trailer 3 but the pivot may also be at thefrontofthetraileroras illustrated in Figure3two pivot points 3 may be present to allow one half of trailerto be divided into two rotating segments, and releasablysecured by for example a bolt, catch or similar means4atthe opposite end ofthetrailerto the pivot. Adjustable legs 6 maintain stability while one or more jockey wheels 5 are used to rotatethe trailer segments to the desired position.Where as in Figure 3 onetrailer half is split into two segments, the part axle containing the wheel or wheels may either be located on the front folding section or the rear folding section.

lnordertoopenthefoldingtrailerthelockable catch 4 is reieased, adjustable legs 6 are lowered on one half ofthe trailer while the jockey wheel 5 is lowered on the other which is then rotated around to its desired position. When in the closed and locked position, the two halfs of the axle 1 interlock so maintaining strength, rigidity and wheel alignment when being transported. The remaining adjustable legs 6 are then lowered to stabilise all trailer segments. Both trailer ha Ifs 2 may have folding sides 9 and an assortment of drawers our storage compartments contained which are ail secured when both the trailer halfs 2 are closed. A series of pole sockets 8 permit the erection of a tarpaulin or similar over and around the trailer.For example if both halfs 2 are positioned at right angles to each other, the open area in between may be easily roofed. Similarly on trailertents a much larger area is easily roofed.

On industrial trailers, agricultural trailers containers or similar, goods may be loaded and offloadedwith greater care and speed, as all parts of the containerised trailer can be reached with conventional ground, fork lift trucks.

To refold the trailer together, the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence.

When the two trailer halfs 2 are pivoted 8 at the front of the trailer, the draw bar 7 is sufficiently long enough to allow the second trailer half 2 to rotate a full 90". Inthis instancethe draw bar7 ailowsthe second trailer half or segment 2 to rest on it, so providing additional stability. With the tow hitch being mounted iower than the top of the draw bar 7, the second rotating trailer half or segment may be rotated to its full 1800.

Side flap 9 may be attached on all sides to increase the work area, orto act as wind breakers or back drops or similar.

1. Adividing axle folding trailer comprising a dividing axle and pivot hinge or linkeage which allowstwo or more segments of a trailerto open and rotate to a full 1800, means for releasably securing all trailer ha If s or seg ments, means where onetrailer half is split into two or more segments, the part axle or axles containing wheel or wheels may either be located on the front folding section orthe rear folding section, meansfor locking the one ormore part axle when the trailer is in the folded up position and in motion, jockey wheels orsimilarto rotate the two or more trailer segments round, and adjustable legs orsimilarto stablise all trailer halfs or segments when in the static mode.

2. A dividing axlefolding trailer as claimed in claim 1 wherein both axle ha Ifs are interlocked when thetrailerisinthefolded up position.

3. Adividing axle folding trailer as claimed in claim 1 and 2 wherein means is provided to pivot both trailer halfs,the pivot or hinge or similar being in any position but principally either at the front end or back end or both ends of the trailer.

4. Adividing axle folding trailer as claimed in claims 1 - 3 wherein one or more means is provided for releasably securing the two trailer halfs and/or segments.

5. A dividing axle folding trailer as claimed in claims 1 -4whereinthe part axle or axles containing the wheel or wheels may be positioned on eitherthe frontfolding part or segment or the rear folding part or segment.

6. Adividing axlefoldingtrailerasclaimedin claims 1 5wherein one or moreJockeywheelsor similar are provided.

7. A dividing axle folding trailer are claimed in claims 1-6 wherein multiple adjustable legs are

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Dividing axle folding trailer This invention relates to a dividing axle folding trailer. Trailers are well known vehicles which comprise a fixed wheeled chassis upon which an assortment of body types are mounted. Atrailer used as a mobile market stall, demonstration display, mobile workshop, container, agricultural trailer, or caravan, sometimes have side flaps which may open out, but the trailer remains a fixed and stationary unit. The selling or demonstration area is limited to the size of the trailer. Tarpaulins or similar are difficult to erect over the trailer area. Trailertent designs are limited and restricted by the size of the trailer. According to the present invention there is provided a dividing axle folding trailer comprising of a two or more part axle, which is releasably secured and lockable together, the two trailer halfs pivoted either at the front or back of the trailer or both front and back giving three trailer parts and being ableto rotate around their pivot or pivots to any position with the help of one or more jockey wheels, both trailer halfs finally being secured and stablised by adjustable legs provided on the body. Aspecific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows in perspective, the trailer in the folded and transporting position. Figure2 illustrates the opening of the dividing axle folding trailer into (1) a 90" position and (2) a 1800 position. Figure 3 illustrates two pivot points both front and back of trailer and one half of trailer divided into two rotating parts. Referring to the drawings, the trailer comprises a dividing singie or multiple axle 1, a dividing and folding trailer body 2 pivoted in Figure 1 and Figure 2 at the rear of the trailer 3 but the pivot may also be at thefrontofthetraileroras illustrated in Figure3two pivot points 3 may be present to allow one half of trailerto be divided into two rotating segments, and releasablysecured by for example a bolt, catch or similar means4atthe opposite end ofthetrailerto the pivot. Adjustable legs 6 maintain stability while one or more jockey wheels 5 are used to rotatethe trailer segments to the desired position.Where as in Figure 3 onetrailer half is split into two segments, the part axle containing the wheel or wheels may either be located on the front folding section or the rear folding section. lnordertoopenthefoldingtrailerthelockable catch 4 is reieased, adjustable legs 6 are lowered on one half ofthe trailer while the jockey wheel 5 is lowered on the other which is then rotated around to its desired position. When in the closed and locked position, the two halfs of the axle 1 interlock so maintaining strength, rigidity and wheel alignment when being transported. The remaining adjustable legs 6 are then lowered to stabilise all trailer segments. Both trailer ha Ifs 2 may have folding sides 9 and an assortment of drawers our storage compartments contained which are ail secured when both the trailer halfs 2 are closed. A series of pole sockets 8 permit the erection of a tarpaulin or similar over and around the trailer.For example if both halfs 2 are positioned at right angles to each other, the open area in between may be easily roofed. Similarly on trailertents a much larger area is easily roofed. On industrial trailers, agricultural trailers containers or similar, goods may be loaded and offloadedwith greater care and speed, as all parts of the containerised trailer can be reached with conventional ground, fork lift trucks. To refold the trailer together, the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence. When the two trailer halfs 2 are pivoted 8 at the front of the trailer, the draw bar 7 is sufficiently long enough to allow the second trailer half 2 to rotate a full 90". Inthis instancethe draw bar7 ailowsthe second trailer half or segment 2 to rest on it, so providing additional stability. With the tow hitch being mounted iower than the top of the draw bar 7, the second rotating trailer half or segment may be rotated to its full 1800. Side flap 9 may be attached on all sides to increase the work area, orto act as wind breakers or back drops or similar. CLAIMS

7. A dividing axle folding trailer are claimed in claims 1-6 wherein multiple adjustable legs are provided for stablisation.

8. Adividing axlefoldingtrailerwherein pole sockets for a canopy, tent, tarpaulin or similarto be erected, may be provided.

9. Adividing axlefoldingtrailerwhereinstorage cabinets,drawers or sim ilar are self locking bythe action offolding the trailer.

10. A dividing axle folding trailer substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1,2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.