GB2334487A

GB2334487A - Trailer system

Info

Publication number: GB2334487A
Application number: GB9727191A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Edward Peter Atwell; Timothy Richard Atwell; Kay Atwell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-12-24
Filing date: 1997-12-24
Publication date: 1999-08-25
Also published as: GB9727191D0

Abstract

A trailer 1, particularly for transporting a light wheeled powered vehicle comprising a supporting structure, formed from a chassis 16 and a wheel assembly 7, and a deck 4 mounted on the supporting structure. In order to facilitate loading of the trailer 1 the deck 4 may be rotatable about a vertical axis to the position shown in figure 3, and may be tiltable about a horizontal axis as shown in figure 2. When not in use the deck 4 may be folded for storage as shown in figure 4. The wheel assembly 7 may comprise a single wheel 6.

Description

TRAILER SYSTEM The present invention relates to a trailer system and, in particular, although not exclusively, to a trailer suitable for transporting light wheeled powered vehicles or the like.

Trailers to be towed behind vehicles are well established, and in common use. However, as far as is known, no trailer exists for conveniently carrying light wheeled powered vehicles (hereinafter referred to as LWPV). Furthermore, conventional trailers have at least two wheels.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of the present methods of transporting a wide range of LWPV by providing a convenient and cost effective means of carrying them.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a trailer comprising support means adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle and a deck mounted on said support means so . as to be pivotable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support means.

Preferably, the deck is mounted on said support means so as to be tiltable between a first position in which the deck is substantially parallel to the plane of said support means and a second position in which the deck is at an angle to the plane of said support means.

Preferably, the support means comprises a chassis.

Preferably, the pivot axis is located substantially centrally of the deck. Preferably, the pivot axis is adjacent an end of the support means remote from a towing connection end of the support means. Preferably, the deck pivots through substantially 1800.

Preferably, the deck tilts about an axis located substantially centrally through the deck. Preferably, the deck is tiltable about an end of the support means remote from the towing connection end of the support means.

Preferably, means is provided to lock the deck in the first or second position.

Preferably, the deck is mounted on the support means by a single joint mechanism which provides both said pivoting and said tilting action.

Preferably, the trailer is supported by a single wheel assembly. Preferably, the single wheel assembly is mounted below the central region of the deck. Preferably, the single wheel assembly is mounted on an end of said support means remote from a towing connection end.

Preferably, said single wheel assembly is mounted so that the wheel thereof can swivel about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support means.

Preferably, said wheel can swivel through substantially 3600 about said axis.

Preferably, the deck is provided with means which allow the deck to be folded, for example hinge means.

Preferably, such means are provided substantially centrally of the longitudinal axis of the deck.

Preferably, the deck is provided with a ramp which can be pivoted between an upright position and a lowered position for access to the deck. Preferably, the ramp is connected to the deck by a ramp hinge. Preferably, spring means are provided between the deck and the ramp.

Preferably, the spring means are located relative to the ramp hinge such that when the ramp is in the upright or lowered position the spring acts to retain the ramp in the said position.

Preferably, the deck is mounted on the support means such that the deck is automatically tilted from the second position to the first position when a predetermined weight is loaded on the deck. Preferably, the deck automatically locks into the first position.

Preferably, the trailer comprises a motor which may be operated to cause the deck to fold.

Preferably, the trailer comprises means to secure a vehicle or the like on the deck. Such securing means may comprise a rod extending transversely across the trailer and held in position at either side of the trailer.

Preferably, handles are provided on the trailer to facilitate manual pivoting and/or tilting of the deck and/or to facilitate folding of the deck. Preferably, handles are provided on the ramp to facilitate raising or lowering thereof.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a trailer comprising support means adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle and a deck mounted on said support means so as to be tiltable between a first position in which the deck is substantially parallel to the plane of said support means and a second position in which the deck is at an angle to the plane of said support means.

Preferably, the deck is mounted on the support means such that the deck is automatically tilted from the second to the first position when a predetermined weight is loaded on the deck. Preferably, the trailer comprises one or more of the above described features.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a trailer comprising support means adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle, a deck mounted on said support means and a single wheel assembly mounted below said deck. Preferably, the trailer comprises one or more of the above described features.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a trailer comprising support means adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle and a deck mounted on said support means wherein said deck can be folded to reduce the effective dimensions thereof. Preferably, said deck comprises two parts connected by a hinge such that the deck can be folded so that one part overlies the other part. Preferably, the trailer comprises one or more of the above described features.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a single-wheeled trailer, designed to be towed by standard road vehicles having means for conveniently loading a LWPV onto its deck and for locking the LWPV in place, once it is correctly located on the trailer. Preferably, the trailer has a fully suspended single wheel capable of swivelling through 3600 which operates in a trailing orientation. The trailer deck is preferably capable of rotating through 1800 from the nearside through to offside position, thus enabling the LWPV to be loaded/unloaded from a number of locations to suit the particular conditions at the time.

Preferably, the single wheeled trailer comprises a fully suspended and swivel able single wheel mechanism, a chassis, a body in the form of a deck, a swivel/tilt deck mechanism, a frame plate for securing the body to said deck, a pivot connector, a tow jaw, and a quick release pin for connecting the said pivot connector on the trailer chassis to the said tow jaw on the towing vehicle tow bar, a deck tilt locking mechanism mounted to the said chassis and held in position on the said trailer deck, a ramp for loading/unloading a LWPV to and from the trailer, a ramp hinge mechanism, means for securing the LWPV to the said trailer deck, an electric motor mounted to the underside of the trailer main frame, adjustably driven jockey wheels which act as stabilisers via the use of the said electric motor, means to rotate the trailer into a vertical position via the use of the said electric motor.

Preferably, the single wheel has connected to it trailing arms, the said trailing arms being connected to a swivel fork via the use of a spindle. Preferably, the said swivel fork enables the complete wheel structure to rotate through the full 3600 circular range in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions around the said swivel fork centre. Preferably, to the said swivel fork are fixed damper supports and to the said damper supports and said trailing arms, the shock absorbers are fitted.

With the use of the trailing arms rotating around the said swivel fork spindle and the use of a said shock absorber connected to said trailing arms, the wheel structure is complete providing the trailer with the ability to absorb inconsistencies in road surface. The single wheels orientation at any one time is determined by the directional movement of the towing vehicle.

Preferably, the swivel fork has connected to it a frame plate. The said frame plate preferably connects the swivel fork, the trailer deck and the trailer main frame.

Preferably, main frame means are provided to affix the pivot point connector.

Preferably, the pivot point connector is joined to the tow jaw via a quick release pin. The quick release pin preferably acts in two ways: firstly, it connects the said tow jaw which is fixed to the towing vehicle to the said pivot point connector, which is fitted to the front end of the said main frame of the trailer; and secondly, the up and down movement of the trailer with changes in road surface is controlled by both the suspended wheel and also by the ability of the trailer to move about the said quick release pin. The said tow jaw is affixed in place of the tow ball on a standard vehicle tow bar.

Preferably, catchment means is provided on the main frame for arresting the fixture of an electric motor.

Preferably, the electric motor controls and/or operates with the jockey wheels in order to arrest the rotational clockwise and anti-clockwise movement of said jockey wheels. Preferably, the electric motor, once a trailer deck storage procedure has been followed, enables the complete trailer to rotate about the said pivot point into a vertical position for transportation without the wheelchair device.

Preferably, a standard trailer board is attached to the underside of the trailer ramp to give clear lighting and registration details to following road vehicles.

Preferably, a clamping device is provided enabling the wheelchair device to be securely held to the trailer deck for transportation purposes.

Preferably, a release mechanism enables the trailer deck to tilt about the swivel/tilt mechanism to enable the loading/unloading procedure of the wheelchair device to take place. The mechanism preferably also operates in reverse by holding the trailer deck in its horizontal position for transportation purposes.

Preferably, the swivel/tilt mechanism enables the trailer deck to tilt into a predetermined position to allow a wheelchair device to be loaded/unloaded. This procedure works in conjunction with the said trailer ramp.

Preferably, the swivel/tilt mechanism also allows the trailer deck to swivel through 1800 from nearside through to offside locations for ease of loading/unloading of a wheelchair device.

Preferably, catchment means is provided on the trailer deck for the connection of a trailer ramp via the use of a hinge mechanism for loading/unloading a wheelchair device to and from the trailer. The said hinge mechanism allows the ramp load/unload angle to vary, enabling the loading/unloading of the wheelchair device from varying floor levels.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of a trailer of the invention in the towing position behind a towing vehicle with an LWPV located on the trailer; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the trailer of Figure 1 attached to a towing vehicle with an LWPV shown in four different positions to simulate the loading procedure onto the trailer; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the trailer of Figure 1 attached to a towing vehicle with the trailer deck rotated about the swivel tilt mechanism through 90 in a clockwise direction; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the trailer of Figure 1 attached to a towing vehicle in the collapsed transport position; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the trailer of Figure 1 with jockey wheels down and no LWPV on the trailer deck; and Figure 6 is a side elevation of a swivel/tilt deck mechanism for use in a trailer of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a trailer 1 of the invention is shown connected to a towing vehicle 2, by means of a tow jaw 27 which is releasably secured to a conventional towbar mechanism 3 of the towing vehicle. The trailer comprises a tow jaw connector 26 which when used with the tow jaw pin and quick release clamp 28, 29 releasably secures the trailer to the tow jaw. The tow jaw pin allows the trailer to move freely about its centre. In order to remove the trailer from the towing vehicle, the jockey wheels 17 are lowered to the ground as shown in Figure 3 and the tow jaw pin 28 is removed allowing the trailer to be disconnected.

The chassis 16 is secured to the tow jaw connector 26 at the front end of the chassis and to the chassis plate 15 at the rear end of the chassis. The chassis plate allows for the connection of the wheel assembly to the underside of the chassis plate and also for the swivel/tilt mechanism (not shown) to the top of the chassis plate. The swivel/tilt mechanism allows the trailer deck 4 to be swivelled about the chassis plate through 1800 and tilted to a fixed gradient by engaging the tilt locking mechanism 31, 32. Thus, allowing the LWPV to be loaded/unloaded from a number of positions. An example can be seen in Figure 3 whereby the deck has been rotated through 900 in a clockwise direction, in order that loading/unloading of the LWPV can take place from the near side position.

An example of how the trailer can be loaded can be seen in Figure 2, whereby the tilt lock mechanism is released allowing the trailer deck to tilt to a predetermined gradient. The deck handles 33 positioned at the front part of the deck and at either side allow the deck to be swivelled to a position which is most convenient for the loading of the LWPV. The trailer ramp 37 is lowered to ground level, using the ramp handles 38 positioned at either side of the ramp. The LWPV can at this point be loaded up the ramp and on to the deck. Once the greater of the LWPV weight has passed the centre of the trailer deck, the deck will tilt back into a horizontal plane. The tilt locking mechanism will automatically engage if the LWPV has been loaded whilst the deck is in its transport position as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, for example if the LWPV has been loaded from either side of the transport position, the deck may be manually pulled into the transport position by the use of the deck handles 33. In order to lock the deck in position, the tilt locking mechanism is manually operated, once the deck has been swivelled to the transport position.

The trailers single wheel 6 is connected 14 to trailing arms 9 at either side of the single wheel. The trailing arms are connected to a swivel fork 7 via a spindle 12. The spindle allows for the trailing arms and thus the wheel to move up and down with changes in road surface. The swivel fork 7 is rotatably connected 7 to the underside of the chassis plate 15 to allow the complete wheel assembly to rotate through 3600. To the swivel fork 7 are fixed damper supports 10, again one at either side of the single wheel 6. The damper supports 10 and the trailing arms 9 allow for the connection of the shock absorbers 8 at either side of the single wheel 6.

One end of each shock absorber 8 is pivotally connected 11 adjacent a free end of each damper support 10 while the other end of each shock absorber 8 is pivotally connected 13 adjacent respective free ends of the trailing arms 9.

The wheel assembly is connected via the swivel fork 7 to the frame plate 15 which in turn is connected to the trailer frame 16 and the swivel tilt mechanism (not shown).

To finish the loading sequence, it can be seen in Figure 1, a horizontal locking bar 35 is placed across the foot well of the LWPV (5) and locked at both ends into the vertical locking posts 34 to hold the LWPV in position whilst transporting.

With reference to Figure 2b, it can be seen that the ramp 37 is in its load/unload position. Once the LWPV (5) is secure on the trailer deck in its horizontal transportation position, the ramp can be pulled using the deck handles 38 into its vertical transport position which can be seen in Figures 1 and 2d.

The ramp 37 is connected to the trailer deck 4 via the ramp hinge 40. The ramp hinge incorporates a spring 41 which serves two purposes. Firstly to act in pulling the ramp into its vertical position for transportation mode and secondly to act in pulling the ramp into its load/unload position. This is achievable as a result of the location of the spring about the ramp hinge. When the spring is above the ramp hinge as can be seen in Figure 1, the springs pulling action keeps the ramp in its transport position. On the other hand when the spring is below the ramp hinge as can be seen in Figure 2b the springs pulling action keeps the ramp in its load/unload position.

In Figure 1, it can be seen that a standard trailer board 39 is fitted to the underside of the ramp, so that when the trailer is in transportation mode the lighting and number plate are visible from the rear. Power comes from the towing vehicle via the standard tow bar electrics.

When the trailer is not in use and the LWPV (5) is not loaded, one of two things can be done when wanting to use the towing vehicle without the trailer. Firstly, there is the option to disconnect the trailer 1 from the towing vehicle 2. Figure 5 is a side elevation of the trailer 1 with the jockey wheels 17 in the down position and the trailer 1 disconnected from the towing vehicle 2 by means of removing the quick release clamp and tow jaw pin 28 & 29 from the tow jaw 27. With the jockey wheels 17 in their down position the trailer 1 becomes much more manoeuvrable. Preferably, the motor 24, typically powered via the towing vehicle, is used to move the jockey wheels between their raised and lowered positions.

With reference to Figure 3, the trailer deck 4 is shown swivelled clockwise through 900 about the swivel/tilt mechanism to allow a LWPV to be loaded from the side. The deck can also be swivelled through 900 in an anti-clockwise direction which enables a LWPV to be loaded onto the trailer from any angle around a 1800 range.

With reference to Figure 4, the trailer 1 is collapsed into its storage position, connected to the towing vehicle 2 via the standard towbar 3. The second option available when not using the trailer is to keep the trailer attached to the towing vehicle, but to collapse the trailer into a storage form. The trailer board 39 is disconnected from the underside of the ramp 37 and located to the underside of the electric motor 24 at a later stage. The ramp is folded down (not shown) and fixed to the trailer deck 4. The trailer deck 4 comprises two portions 4a and 4b connected by a hinge 36 and is folded by releasing the deck hinge 36 and fixed in a folded position using a deck catch. The whole trailer 1 is rotated about the quick release pin into a vertical position preferably via the motor 24 using power from the towing vehicle 2. The trailer board is then re-attached to the underside of the electric motor 24 as previously described, to enable the lights and registration plate to be visible to any following vehicle.

Referring to Figure 6, an example of one type of swivel/tilt mechanism which may be used on a trailer of the invention, comprises a bolt 50 extending through an aperture in the chassis or frame plate 15. The head of the bolt 50 is secured to one arm or bottom hinge plate 60 of a hinge mechanism and held in position beneath the frame plate 15 by a washer 52 and nut 54 secured by a split pin 56. The bolt 50 acts as a pivot pin and rotates in the frame plate aperture as the arm 60 is swivelled about the central axis of the bolt.

The trailer deck 4 is mounted on a second or top hinge plate arm 62 of a hinge mechanism, the arms 60, 62 being connected adjacent one end by a hinge 64. The hinge mechanism includes a damper 66 connecting the other ends of the arms 60, 62. The damper is secured to the free ends of the arms 60, 62 by nuts and bolts 68. In use, the arm 62 can be tilted about hinge 64 relative to the arm 60. Thus, the mechanism of Figure 6 allows a deck to be swivelled and tilted relative to the chassis plate 15. A tilting stop 70 is optionally provided on the arm 62 to allow the two arms 60, 62 to lie substantially parallel when in the non-tilted position depending on the size or extent of the hinge 64.

In use, once the tilt locking mechanism 31, 32 has been released the trailer deck 4a, 4b tilts to a predetermined gradient. This is made possible by the top plate 62 being fixed to the underside of the trailer deck 4 and to the bottom hinge plate 60 via the hinge 64. The gradient of the tilt when in the load\unload position is predetermined via the top hinge plate 62 which may have a tilt stop as part of its design. Once the back edge has tilted so far it sits against the bottom hinge plate 60.

The rate at which the deck tilts into its horizontal or tilt positions is determined by the damper 66. A nut and bolt 68 at either end of the damper 66 prevents the deck tilting too violently when the LWPV is being loaded or unloaded.

The swivel action is enabled by a nut 54, bolt 50, washer 52 and split pin 56 arrangement. The bolt 50 is fixed to the bottom hinge plate and protrudes downwards through a hole in the frame plate 15. A washer 52 and nut 54 are then placed on the bolt. The nut is then tightened to a predetermined position to enable the top and bottom hinge plate 62, 60 to rotate about the frame plate 15.

Once the correct tension has been applied, a split pin 56 is applied to the nut 54 to maintain the required tension.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

The invention ncli.des any combination of the above described features and aspects.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A trailer comprising support means adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle and a deck mounted on said support means so as to be pivotable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support means.
2. A trailer according to claim 1, wherein the deck is mounted on said support means so as to be tiltable between a first position in which the deck is substantially parallel to the plane of said support means and a second position in which the deck is at an angle to the plane of said support means.
3. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the support means comprises a chassis.
4. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the pivot axis is located substantially centrally of the deck.
5. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the pivot axis is adjacent an end of the support means remote from a towing connection end of the support means.
6. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the deck pivots through substantially 1800.
7. A trailer according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the deck tilts about an axis located substantially centrally through the deck.
8. A trailer according to claim 7, wherein the deck is tiltable about an end of the support means remote from the towing connection end of the support means.
9. A trailer according to claim 7 or 8, wherein means is provided to lock the deck in the first or second position.
10. A trailer according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the deck is mounted on the support means by a single joint mechanism which provides both said pivoting and said tilting action.
11. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the trailer is supported by a single wheel assembly.
12. A trailer according to claim 11, wherein the single wheel assembly is mounted below the central region of the deck.
13. A trailer according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the single wheel assembly is mounted on an end of said support means remote from a towing connection end.
14. A trailer according to claim 11 or any succeeding claim, wherein said single wheel assembly is mounted so that the wheel thereof can swivel about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support means.
15. A trailer according to claim 14, wherein said wheel can swivel through substantially 3600 about said axis.
16. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the deck is provided with means which allow the deck to be folded.
17. A trailer according to claim 16, wherein such means are provided substantially centrally of the longitudinal axis of the deck.
18. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the deck is provided with a ramp which can be pivoted between an upright position and a lowered position for access to the deck.
19. A trailer according to claim 18, wherein the ramp is connected to the deck by a ramp hinge.
20. A trailer according to claim 18 or 19, wherein spring means are provided between the deck and the ramp.
21. A trailer according to claim 20, wherein the spring means are located relative to the ramp hinge such that when the ramp is in the upright or lowered position the spring acts to retain the ramp in the said position.
22. A trailer according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the deck is mounted on the support means such that the deck is automatically tilted from the second position to the first position when a predetermined weight is loaded on the deck.
23. A trailer according to claim 22, wherein the deck automatically locks into the first position.
24. A trailer according to any preceding claim, wherein the trailer comprises a motor which may be operated to cause the deck to fold.
25. A trailer comprising support means adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle and a deck mounted on said support means so as to be tiltable between a first position in which the deck is substantially parallel to the plane of said support means and a second position in which the deck is at an angle to the plane of said support means.
26. A trailer according to claim 25, wherein the deck is mounted on the support means such that the deck is automatically tilted from the second to the first position when a predetermined weight is loaded on the deck.
27. A trailer comprising support means adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle, a deck mounted on said support means and a single wheel assembly mounted below said deck.
28. A trailer comprising support means adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle and a deck mounted on said support means wherein said deck can be folded to reduce the effective dimensions thereof.
29. A trailer according to claim 28, wherein said deck comprises two parts connected by a hinge such that the deck can be folded so that one part overlies the other part.
30. A trailer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.