GB2325895A - Folding trailer - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding trailer comprises substantially planar base and top frames 1 and 2 pivotally connected at their rear ends. A substantially planar towing frame 3 is pivotally connected to the front of the base frame to extend upwardly and forwardly, and the top frame is releasably connected part-way along the towing frame. The base and top frames each have spaced side members between which a pair of wheels 5 are mounted on respective stub axles. A towing bar 25 is connected to the top of the towing frame for pivotal connection with a bicycle or the like. The trailer can be folded flat by removing the wheels and the towing bar 25, and disconnecting the top frame 2 from the towing frame 3.

Description

FOLDING TRAILER TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to folding trailers particularly (but not exclusively) for towing behind bicycles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a folding trailer comprising: - a base frame of substantially planar configuration, having front and rear ends; - a substantially planar top frame having front and rear ends, the rear ends of the top and base frames being pivotally connected together at or adjacent to their rear ends such that the frames are angularly disposed relative to other; - a substantially planar towing frame which is pivotally connected at pr/' adjacent to the front end of the base frame to extend forwardly and upwardly therefrom, the forward end of the top frame being connected with th'e-t6wing frame via a releasable connection; and X w - a pair of wheels rotatable on respective stub axles which are releasably connected with the top and/or the base frame; the arrangement being such that, upon removing the wheels and releasing said releasable connection the three frames can be pivoted to lie one on another in a substantially planar configuration.

In a preferred arrangement the top and base frames include spaced, substantially parallel side members, the side members of the top frame being spaced from the side members of the base frame, with the wheels mounted in the gaps formed therebetween. The wheels are preferably mounted on respective stub axles.

The front frame is preferably of a generally triangular configuration. A towing bar may be releasably secured at or adjacent to the upper end of the front frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a folding bicycle trailer in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of the trailer, Figure 3 is a side view of the tailer in a folded configuration, and Figure 4 is a plan view of the trailer when folded as in Fig. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring firstly to Fig.s 1 and 2 which show the trailer assembled ready for towing, the trailer comprises a base frame 1, a top frame 2, a front frame 3, and a pair of spoked wheels 4 and 5. In the present example the frames are formed of lightweight tubular metal members, e.g. steel or alloy, although the members could be of other cross-sectional shapes, e.g. rectangular, U or H sections, or solid. The frames 1-3 are all of a substantially planar configuration.

As best seen in Fig. 2, the base frame 1 comprises a pair of parallel side members 8 and 9 secured between a pair of parallel front and rear members 10 and 11 respectively. As will become clear below, the front and rear members 10 and 11 act as pivot tubes, the rear member 11 extending beyond the side members 8 and 9. A generally V-shaped support 12 extends forwardly from mid region of the front member 8 to act as a ground rest when the front of the trailer is unsupported.

The top frame 2 comprises a single tubular member which is formed into a U-shape, although the frame could comprise several tubular members if desired. More specifically, the frame comprises a straight front section 14 and two short divergent sections 15 and 16 which lead into parallel side sections 17 and 18. The side sections 17, 18 are spaced outside the side members 8 and 9 and their rear ends are pivotally connected to the ends of the rear pivot tube 11.

The front frame 3 comprises a pair of members 21 and 22 which are pivotally coupled to the ends of the front pivot tube 10 and converge inwardly to join each other at 23. It will be noted in Fig. 1 that when the base frame 1 is substantially horizontal the front frame 3 extends at a fairly steep upward inclination. The top frame 2 also extends upwardly from the rear of the base frame 1 but is less steeply inclined so that the front section 14 meets the side members 21 and 22 part way along their length. This front section is releasably connected to the said side members in any secure manner, e.g.

using bolts, preferably captive bolts. The three frames thus form a strong triangular shape when viewed from the side as in Fig. 2.

The wheels 4 and 5 are provided with pneumatic tyres 26 (Fig. 1) and are carried on stub axles 28. The wheels are mounted in the gaps between the side members of the base and top frames 1, 2. The side members 8 and 9 of the base frame have upwardly extending mounting lugs 30 (Fig. 3) whilst the side sections 1 7 and 18 of the top frame 2 have downwardly extending lugs 31, the axles being secured to the lugs via known quick-release couplings.

Returning to the front frame 3, the common upper ends of the members 21 and 22 are releasably connected with a towing bar 25 which extends forwards to a universal coupling 34 permitting horizontal and vertical pivoting of the trailer when towed behind a bicycle.

Normally, a box container will be engaged with the base frame for holding items to be towed. The container may be secured by any convenient means such as lengths of shock cord which are engaged with the frames using hooks.

When it is desired to reduce the size of the trailer, e.g. for storage or transportation in a motor vehicle, the wheels are removed and the towing bar 25 is removed. The top frame 2 is disconnected from the front frame 3 so that the front frame can be rotated through the top frame (direction A, Fig. 1) to rest on the base frame 1. The top frame is then lowered to rest on the support 12, as shown in Fig.s 3 and 4. The wheels can now be stored on the frames as shown in Fig. s 3 and 4, together with the towing bar 25, so that the whole trailer now takes up very little space. The support 12 could be adapted to serve as a carrying handle and/or for use in hanging the folded trailer on a wall during storage.

The container which is provided for use with the trailer may also be collapsible for ease of transportation and storage.

Although one of the main uses of the trailer is for towing behind a bicycle on touring holidays etc., the trailer could also be pulled manually, e.g. by hikers, pulled behind a tricycle or other light vehicle, or pulled by an animal. The trailer could also be towed behind a wheelchair or a vehicle for use by the disabled.

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present ,ura.nY feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphas on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

Claims (11)

1. A folding trailer comprising: - a base frame of substantially planar configuration, having front and rear ends; - a substantially planar top frame having front and rear ends, the top and base frames being pivotally connected together at or adjacent to their rear ends such that the frames are angularly disposed relative to each other; - a substantially planar towing frame which is pivotally connected at or adjacent to the front end of the base frame to extend forwardly and upwardly therefrom, the forward end of the top frame being connected with the towing frame via a releasable connection; and - a pair of wheels rotatable on respective stub axles which are releasably connected with the top and/or the base frame; the arrangement being such that, upon removing the wheels and releasing said releasable connection the three frames can be pivoted to lie one on another in a substantially planar configuration.

2. A trailer according to Claim 1, in which the top and base frames include spaced, substantially parallel side members, the side members of the top frame being spaced from the side members of the base frame with the wheels mounted in the gaps formed therebetween.

3. A trailer according to Claim 2, in which the wheels are mounted on respective stub axles.

4. A trailer according to Claim 3, in which the stub axles are releasably connected with mounting lugs carried by said spaced side members.

5. A trailer according to any of Claims 2 to 4, in which the base frame comprises a rear member which extends beyond the side members thereof and, at opposite ends, is pivotally coupled with the side members of the top frame.

6. A trailer according to any of Claims 2 to 5, in which the base frame includes a front member which extends between the side members thereof.

7. A trailer according to Claim 6, in which the front member is pivotally coupled with the towing frame.

8. A trailer according to any preceding claim, in which the top frame comprises a single tubular member formed into a U-shape.

9. A trailer according to any preceding claim, in which the towing frame is of a generally triangular configuration.

10. A trailer according to any preceding claim, in which a towing bar is releasably secured at or adjacent to the upper end of the towing frame.

11. A folding trailer substantially as described with reference to the drawings.