GB2239430A - Multi-purpose trailer having an arrangement to facilitate loading - Google Patents

Abstract

The trailer has a U-shaped chassis which is supported by tyred wheels 12 mounted on stub axles. The chassis has a removable floor 16 and is open at the roar to define a load-receiving recess such that, with the floor removed, the trailer can be reversed about the load. A lifting device 29 is upstanding from the chassis and has a lifting point 33 disposed vertically above the load-receiving recess. The floor 16 can then be replaced and the load lowered onto the floor. A towing bar 18 at the front of the trailer is pivotally coupled to the chassis so that the trailer can be tipped without uncoupling the trailer from a towing vehicle. A U-shaped frame 23 is supported above the chassis with intervening side panels. The tyred wheels 12 can be removed to support the chassis on castors 28, and a worktop can be fitted to the frame so that the trailer can be used as a workbench. The lifting point 33 can also be repositioned forwardly of the chassis and stabilising bars fitted. <IMAGE>

Description

MULTI-PURPOSE TRAILER TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to trailers for towing behind a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND The loading of small lightweight trailers with very heavy items such as engines, concrete mixers, bags of cement or palleted bricks to name but a few, always presents something of a problem. There is rarely any lifting gear available close at hand, and it is virtually impossible for one man to load the trailer without the assistance of several other people.

It is of course well known to provide larger trucks with their own permanent lifting cranes which can lift and swing a load aboard from beside the vehicle, but in the case of a lightweight trailer such an addition would certainly require cumbersome stabilisers to minimise the risk of overturning. One aim of this invention is to provide a form of trailer which can easily be loaded and unloaded without risk of overturning the trailer.

It is also a fact that many trailers stand idle for much of the time, and it is therefore a second aim of this invention to provide a form of trailer which has additional uses apart from as a straightforward trailer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a trailer having a chassis for supporting a removable floor, a pair of tyred wheels supporting the chassis, and a towing point at the front end of the chassis, the chassis being generally U-shaped in plan view and being open at the rear to define a load-receiving recess such that, with the floor removed, the trailer can be reversed about the load such that the load enters the recess, the trailer including a lifting device which is upstanding from the chassis and has a lifting point disposed vertically above the load-receiving recess for lifting the load, whereupon the floor can be replaced and the load lowered onto the floor of the trailer.

The tyred wheels are preferably connected to the chassis by respective stub axles rather than a common axle which might reduce the useable size of the loadreceiving recess. Although the trailer may have several pairs of tyred wheels it will normally have only a single pair.

It is preferred for the towing point to be provided by a tow bar which is pivotally coupled to the chassis for movement about an axis which is substantially parallel to the axes of the tyred wheels. Such an arrangement enables the trailer to be tipped for unloading whilst still secured to a motor vehicle.

The trailer preferably includes a rearwardly open Ushaped frame of substantially the same size and shape as the chassis and which is supported above the chassis by a number of uprights arranged along the front and sides of the chassis. The spaces between the frame and the chassis extending around the front and sides of the chassis may be filled in by panelling. The frame may further be utilised to support a worktop enabling the trailer to be used as a workbench.

The tyred wheels are preferably removable, conveniently by uncoupling the stub axles from the chassis, and the chassis is preferably provided with smaller wheels, e.g. castors, to support the chassis when the tyred wheels are removed.

The lifting device may be arranged such that the lifting point may alternatively be disposed forwardly of the chassis enabling the trailer to be used as an engine hoist for example. The trailer may be provided with one or more ground-engaging stabilising bars which can be coupled to the chassis to extend from the front of the chassis beneath the lifting point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a trailer of the invention, shown in a loading configuration, Figures 2 and 3 are plan and end views respectively of the trailer shown in the same configuration as Fig. 1, Figure 4 is a side view of.the trailer in a tipping configuration, Figures 5 and 6 are side and end views of the trailer in the configuration of Fig. 1 but provided with a different form of lifting device, Figure 7 is a side view of the trailer adapted for use as an engine hoist, and Figure 8 is a side view of the trailer adapted for use as a workbench.

- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring firstly to Fig.s 1 to 3, and initially to Fig. 2 in particular, the trailer has a chassis 1 which includes a pair of parallel side members 2, 3. These are joined at their front ends by a front member 4, and further rearward by a cross member 5 lying parallel to the front member. A pair of bracings 6 and 7 join spaced positions on the cross member 5 to positions on the respective side members 2 and 3 rearwards of the cross member. The chassis is thus generally U-shaped in plan view to define a rearwardly directed opening 8.

Immediately rearward of the the bracings 6, 7, short inwardly directed mutually aligned axle support brackets 9 and 10 are secured to the respective side members 2 and 3. A pair of pneumatic-tyred road wheels 11 and 12 are each rotatably mounted on a respective stub axle 13, 14 (Fig.3), which are in turn removably connected by bolts 15 to their respective support brackets 8 and 9.

A rectangular floor 16 (Fig. 1) can be supported on the chassis, but this has been removed in Fig.s 2 and 3 for clarity.

Spaced pivot plates 17 (Fig. 3) depend from the centre of the cross member 5, to which a tow bar 18 is pivotally secured by a removable pivot pin for rotation about an axis which is substantially parallel to the axes of rotation of the road wheels 11 and 12. The tow bar 18 extends forwardly from the pivot plates 17 beyond the front of the chassis and is releasably secured to a bracket 19 coupled the the underside of the front member 4. The front end of the towbar 18 is provided with a towing hitch 20 of known form and with a depending jockey wheel 21.

Six posts 22 of equal length are upstanding from the side members 2 and 3, two 22a, 22b at opposite ends of each side member and one in the approximate centre of each side member. These posts are secured at their upper ends to a U-shaped frame 23 which is of substantially the same shape and size as the side members 2, 3 and front member 4. The spaces between the frame 23 and the members 2-4 of the chassis may be filled in by side and front panels. In addition, a removable tailgate 24 (see Fig. 4) may be pivotally secured to the rear of the frame 23. A pair of vertically adjustable stabilising legs 25 are secured to the two rearmost posts 22b. In Fig. 1 it will also be noted that towards the rear of the trailer a block 26 including a pair of spaced vertical holes 27 is secured to one side of the frame 23.Furthermore, four swivellable castor wheels 28 are secured to the underside of the chassis 1, one at each corner. The purpose of the castors 28 and of the block 26 will be explained below.

At the front end of the chassis 1 an upstanding column 29 is secured to the centre of the front member 4, and the column is also secured by a tie 30 to the frame 23.

The column projects above the frame 23 and one end of a rearwardly extending jib 31 is coupled by a pivot 32 to the top of the column. The opposite end of the jib 31 carries a depending lifting hook 33 which is disposed above the approximate centre of the chassis 1 and vertically above the recess 8. An hydraulic ram 34 is pivotally coupled between an anchorage 35a on the rear of the column 29 and a pivot 36 part-way along the jib.

(The ram 34 may alternatively be pivotally secured directly to the column 29 if desired.) In operation, the trailer can be loaded by reversing it manually or by a towing vehicle towards the load to be carried. Provided the floor 16 has first been removed the trailer can be manoevred so that the load lies within the recess 8 below the hook 33. Ropes or chains can now be used to couple the load to the hook, and the ram extended to lift the load above the level of the chassis 1. The floor can now be refitted beneath the suspended load, which can then be lowered onto the floor. Often, no stabilisers need be used, although for added safety the legs 25 can be lowered when lifting particularly heavy or unstable loads.

A floor 16 which is transversely divided into sections, e.g. two equal halves, could be provided to facilitate loading multiple loads, e.g. drums etc.

The column 29 and/or the jib 31 can be removed when the trailer is towed, or they can be left in position.

When carrying a tippable load such as sand the tow bar can be uncoupled from the bracket 19 enabling the trailer to be tipped as shown in Fig. 4. It will be noted that the tow bar 18 rotates about the pivot at the plates 17 so that the trailer need not be unhitched from the towing vehicle for tipping.

Hooks can be provided on the posts 22 to permit the attachment of a canvas or similar weatherproof cover to protect loads carried on the floor 16. The lifting jib 31 may also be made telescopically adjustable by incorporating a retractable extension portion, if desired.

Instead of the column 29 and jib 31 a simple winch can be used for lifting the load, as shown in Fig.s 5 and 6. A lifting frame 38 formed of two uprights 39 and 40 joined at their upper ends by a crosspiece 41 can be inserted into open upper ends of the posts 22c.

Triangular strengthening fillets 42 and 43 are secured in the corners of the frame between the uprights 39, 40 and the crosspiece 41. A manual or electrically operated winch 44 is secured to the centre of the crosspiece 41, and a lifting hook 45 is suspended from the winch, directly above the recess 8, by a cable 46.

The trailer can again be loaded in the manner described except that it is now lifted by the winch 44.

The trailer can also be used as an engine hoist or floor-standing crane, as shown in Fig. 7. The road wheels 11 and 12 are removed by unbolting the axles 13, 14 from the brackets 9 and 10, so that the chassis now rests upon the castors 28. The towing bar 18 is also uncoupled by removing the respective pivot pin from plates 17. The jib 31 is removed from the column and re-assembled facing in a forward direction with the ram 34 pivotally coupled to an alternative anchorage 35b secured to the front of the column 29, or directly to the column. Finally a pair of stabiliser bars 48 are inserted an adjustable distance into open front ends of the side members 2 and 3, the front ends of the bars being provided with further support castors 49. An engine can thus be lifted out of a vehicle by the hook 33, with the stabiliser bars 48 extending beneath the vehicle.The stabiliser bars may be retracted into the side members 2 and 3 for the majority of their length for stowage purposes. They must however be removed completely when the road wheels 11 and 12 are fitted to the chassis.

If, instead of fitting the stabiliser bars 48, a worktop 50 is mounted on the frame 23 as shown in Fig.

8 the trailer can be converted into a workbench.

Worktop 50 and floor 16 may convenientlky be one and the same, the floor being interchangeable with the chassis members 2, 3 and 4 and the upper frame 23. The column 29 and jib 31 may be removed altogether to provide a clear workspace around the work surface. A vice may be bolted to the block 26. A similar block 26 may be provided at the opposite side of the frame 23 towards the front of the trailer, or in any other convenient position, to offer an alternative vice attachment point.

It will thus be appreciated that the trailer is an extremely versatile and useful piece of equipment.

Claims (13)

1. A trailer having a chassis for supporting a removable floor, a pair of tyred wheels supporting the chassis, and a towing point at the front end of the chassis, the chassis being generally U-shaped in plan view and being open at the rear to define a loadreceiving recess such that, with the floor removed, the trailer can be reversed about the load such that the load enters the recess, and in which the trailer includes a lifting device which is upstanding from the chassis and has a lifting point disposed vertically above the load-receiving recess for lifting the load, whereupon the floor can be replaced and the load lowered onto the floor of the trailer.

2. A trailer according to Claim 1, in which the tyred wheels are connected to the chassis by respective stub axles.

3. A trailer according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the towing point is provided by a tow bar which is pivotally coupled to the chassis for movement about an axis which is substantially parallel to the axes of the tyred wheels.

4. A trailer according to any preceding claim, including a rearwardly open U-shaped frame of substantially the same size and shape as the chassis and which is supported above the chassis by uprights arranged along the front and sides of the chassis.

5. A trailer according to Claim 4, in which a worktop is provided to be supported by the frame.

6. A trailer according to Claim 4 or 5, in which the frame is provided with means for attachment of a vice.

7. A trailer according to any preceding claim, in which the tyred wheels are removable, and the chassis is provided with smaller wheels to support the chassis when the tyred wheels are removed.

8. A trailer according to Claim 6 as appended to Claim 2, in which the tyred wheels are removable by uncoupling the stub axles from the chassis.

9. A trailer according to any preceding claim, in which the lifting device is arranged such that the lifting point may alternatively be disposed forwardly of the chassis.

10. A trailer according to Claim 8, which includes one or more ground-engaging stabilising bars which can be coupled to the chassis to extend from the front of the chassis beneath the lifting point.

11. A trailer according to any preceding claim, including a lifting frame for attachment intermediate the front and rear ends of the chassis for supporting a lifting device.

12. A trailer according to Claim 10, in which the lifting frame comprises a pair of upright side members which are joined at their upper ends by a cross member.

13. A trailer substantially as described with reference to the drawings.