GB2374049A

GB2374049A - Lightweight trailer for a wheeled article

Info

Publication number: GB2374049A
Application number: GB0107191A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Horn Bell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-22
Filing date: 2001-03-22
Publication date: 2002-10-09
Also published as: GB0107191D0

Abstract

A lightweight trailer for towing behind a vehicle is intended to receive and secure a wheeled load such as a golf trolley (figure 2). A drop down ramp 3 is provided for loading the trailer, and in conjunction with hinged collars 4 locks the wheels of the trolley to the trailer. The wheels 1 may be removed so as to allow the trailer to be stored beneath the towing vehicle, and a hinge may be provided between the tow bar and load so that the trailer may be hinged vertically upwards to lie adjacent the rear of the towing vehicle.

Description

SPECIALISED TRAILER/FRAME This invention relates to a trailer designed for the transformation of a specific range of wheeled or rollered equipment WIth a roll-on roll-off facility relieving the user of any need to lift.

There is available a wide range of trailers for transporting a multitude of different payloads, normally carried on a flat base with raised front back and sides for containment.

According to the present invention no back sides or box is provided but a skeleton frame or chassis designed to receive its load easily, secure it in transport, and release it back to the ground again without lifting. It incorporates a hinged ramp which, when raised becomes part of the securing device and an illuminated car number plate.. The frame is hinged between the load and towbar so that the wheels can be raised against the rear of a towing car thus causing no obstruction in say a car park while the payload is in use. Alternatively it may be unhooked and slid under the vehicle. It is particularly helpful to weak, elderly or disabled users.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to accompanying drawings in which the load being transported is a motorised golf trolley loaded with clubs (Clubs not shown).

The device is a simple wheeled frame incorporating a ramp up which the payload rolls, the wheels dropping between two parallel cross members of the frame and being locked In that position for safe transport. When the wheel is in position a hinged collar straddles the wheel prohibiting any lateral movement. The ramp is then hinged up so that it engages with the collar completing the entrapment of the wheel.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A trailer/frame designed to receive and secure a wheeled load.
2. A trailer as in claim 1 incorporatin- : : a locking device which prohibits movement of the wheel in transit.
3. A trailer as in claims 1 & 2 which has a low profile and a hinged ramp which eliminates lifting of the payload
4 A trailer as in claims 1,2 & 3 which is lightweight, easily handled and when not in use may be slid under the towing car.
5 A trailer as in the above claims which is hinged between the payload housing and the towbar so that the wheels may be raised against the towing car.
6. A trailer as above which will not obscure the rear lights and indicators but will provide an illuminated number plate when the ramp is raised.
7 A trailer as above constructed of lightweight alloy and rubber which is water-resistant and with wheels removed can be stored flat in a confined place.
8. A trailer/frame substantially as described herein with ref. to Figs. 1,2 and 3 in the accompanying drawings where Fig 1 is a plan view of the host trailer/frame positioned to receive the payload shown in Fig. 2 The ramp is down and the collar disengaged Fig. 3,"A"and"B"are longitudinal sections through the frame exposing the faraway trailer wheel 1 with the smaller wheel of the payload 2 having travelled up the ramp 3 to its resting place ; whereas in"B"the collar 4 straddles the payload wheel and its point has emerged through the raised ramp 3 to be secured by the pin at 5.