GB2419568A

GB2419568A - A modular road trailer

Info

Publication number: GB2419568A
Application number: GB0503743A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Will Chappel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-28
Filing date: 2005-02-16
Publication date: 2006-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-16
Also published as: GB0423916D0; GB0503743D0; GB2419568B

Abstract

The Systematic Sectional Trailer has been specifically designed to fulfil the need for one multipurpose trailer. Each section is of an equal size and slides together, where it is fastened by a safety catch and latch system. It also has a snap together braking and lighting system, which simply links through any combination of base units. The system is built from multiples of a basic 2' 6'' section. The road trailer can of numerous combinations of this 2'6'' section: e.g. a 5' trailer comprise running on a single axle, a 5' trailer running on a double axle or combination of 2'6'' sections running either on a single axle or multiple axles to suit the individual's requirements. It can be used as a flat bed trailer or box trailer and can carry virtually anything i.e. vehicles, garden machinery, canoes, building and construction materials etc. Another huge advantage is that because it is sectional it can be acquired in stages by the section. Anyone wishing to acquire a 5'trailer initially and then finding that they need a larger trailer can then obtain the extra sections as and when they are required and they will simply slide and fasten together. This gives you the versatility and capability to fulfil all your requirements from the initial running of just one small single axle trailer. For ease of storage the trailer can be stored away in its individual sections and then assembled again in a very short space of time, with no awkward nuts and bolts to be tightened. It is the ease of assembly and the huge versatility that makes this trailer unique.

Description

The Description

Systematic Sectional Road Trailer This invention relates to trailers and more specifically to a Systematic Sectional Road Trailer.

There exist a number of commercially available trailers in which certain parts of those trailers can be altered or changed (such as sides being added or removed), However there is a clearly felt need for a modular trailer in which the whole trailer can be reconfigured for different uses.

This design fulfils this need. The purpose of the invention of a systematic sectional trailer is to create a trailer that can be easily increased or decreased in size by sliding the sections apart and together to configure the trailer to suit your needs. It offers a highly versatile system, which can be quickly adapted to carry a wide variety of loads. This design also allows the user to meet the legal towing requirements relaling to the engine size of most cars.

This invention provides a modular trailer that includes four types of sections. An A' frame section, which includes the ball and hitch mount and jockey wheel, Ref No 1, and axle section that includes one axle and two wheels together with the braking system for that axle alone, Ref No 2. A tail section includes lights, indicators and a number plate, Ref No 3, and a basic section or sections that can be used to configure the trailer to the required length, Ref No 4. These above named sections are all constructed to the same design in which two main chassis rails are used which are made out of C' section but in the case of the axle section this piece is made out of box section. Ninety degrees to these chassis rails two cross members are attached to support the deck. On the end of these cross members C' a section is again attached so that it is parallel to the chassis rails. On the end of these chassis rails a smaller size of C' section is attached so that it extends half its length again out from the chassis rails. This allows the sections to be slid together. The sections are then secured together by the means of an over-centred safety catch.

The catch on either side locks each section together. The electrical system is again systematic in which a socket is fitted onto the cross members at the rear of each section and a plug fitted onto the cross members at the front of each section. This electrical systematic system means that when the trailer sections are pushed together the electrical components automatically connect;, allowing total versatility of the order of connecting the trailer sections. The braking system is also designed in a similar way in which the main braking rod is split along the joints of each section and fitted with a snap together connector so that when any combination of the sections are pushed together the brakes rod automatically connect.

Descriplion of Drawings Figure 1: shows one of the main spars that make up each section with the small inner C' section bolted in.

Figure 2: shows again one of the main spars but this time there is also another main spar from an adjoining section that shows how the modules slide together.

Figure 3: shows the previous two main spars joined together.

Figure 4: shows the make up of the main spars of a trailer that contains five sections.

Figure 5: shows the make up of a standard section without the deck.

Figure 6: shows the make up of a standard section with the deck.

Figure 7: shows how two modules are secured together by the means of an over-centre catch.

Illustration 1: shows the trailer broken down into its five sections.

illustrations 2-7: shows some of the possible combinations made up using the five sections.

illustration 8-10: shows how two sections are connected together.

Claims

Claims.

Modular Trailer 1. A method of forming a systematic trailer comprising the steps of: Providing a first and second main spar connected at right angles by two said length of cross members which are attached on to the top of the said main spars each end.
2. A method of forming a systematic trailer of claim 1 further comprising the step of one said inner spar being bolted halfway into one side of each of the said main spars.
3. A method of forming a systematic trailer of claim 2 further comprising the steps of a C' section attached on to the ends of the said cross members parallel to the said main spars.
4. A method of forming a systematic trailer of claim 3 further comprising the steps of a steel box section being attached vertically to the ends of each of the said C' section attached to the said cross members.
5. A modular trailer system of claim 4, comprises of separate sections which slide together and lock with a mechanism attached to the outer side of each longitudinal spine (illustration 8-10)
6. A modular trailer system of claim 5, which comprises of separate sections which are constructed of two main longitudinal spines with two welded cross members onto which a deck (figure 6) is attached at the end of each cross section there is a welded vertical slot or box section in to which can be located a variety of attachments for securing or holding a range of loads (Figure 5)
7. A modular trailer system of claim 6, which can comprise of a minimum of two sections: A) An A frame towing section B) A single axle section C) Together with the rear brake/light attachment
8. A modular trailer system of claim 7, which is shown in figures 1-7 and illustrations 1-10 demonstrated the use of C section mild steel, the said trailer system could also be constructed out of aluminium stainless steel and also alloys, it could also be constructed from box section or tubular section metal.

5. A method of forming a systematic trailer of claim 4 further comprising the steps of an over centred latch being attached onto the outer side of the said main spar on the opposite end of the said inner spar.

6. A method of forming a systematic trailer of claim 5 further comprising the steps of a catch, which forms the other side of the latch, is attached to the outer edge of the said main spar on the same end of the said inner spar.

7. A method of fonning a systematic trailer of claim 6 further comprising the steps of a trailer electrical socket and plug being attached to the front and back of the said module, thus providing power to the indicators and lights.

8. A method of forming a systematic trailer of claim 7 further comprising the steps of a female and male end of a snap together connector being joined by a said steel rod with two said bearings to support it being positioned in the centre of each said module thus providing a braking system which still allows the trailer to be systematic. (4

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: Claims Modular Trailer What is claimed is 1. A modular trailer system comprising of multiple sections which can be joined by sliding together and locking individual sections in a variety of configurations where each section has 2 common longitudinal spines with a common "A" (front - male) spur connecting to a conimon "B" (rear - female) spur, where sections can be added or removed in a variety of different orders producing this modularity which enables the assembly of various wheel base lengths and trailer lengths specific to the load requirements.

2. A modular trailer system of claim I, comprising: One A frame towing section (illustration 1) (Refer to ref no 1) One or more axle sections (ifiustration 1) (Refer to ref no 2) One tail light section that is attached to the female (rear spar) on any of the sections (illustration 1) (Refer to ref no 3) In addition: One or more basic bed units (illustration 1) (Refer to ref no 4) 3. A modular trailer system of claim 2, which comprises of a common electrical socket system, which connects through each section of the trailer, each section, has an electrical male to female socket enabling connection of any one section to another section in the system.

4. A modular trailer system of claim 3, which comprises of a snap together braking system with male to female connecting rods, which are common to each section and can be connected from any one section to any other section.