GB2443405A

GB2443405A - A foldable trailer for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2443405A
Application number: GB0621681A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gareth Atkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-31
Filing date: 2006-10-31
Publication date: 2008-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-31
Also published as: GB2443405B; GB0621681D0

Abstract

A trailer comprises a chassis 7, 8, wheels 3 and a tow hitch 4, in which the trailer is provided with vehicle mounting means (22 figure 3) adapted to mount the trailer off its wheels to a vehicle 6 with which it is used. The chassis comprises first 7 and second 8 frame sections which can be folded through 180{ by means of a hinge 9 so as to lie against each other when in a collapsed configuration. The tow hitch 4 also includes foldable first and second sections 35, 36, and the trailer is provided with collapsible end and side walls 26-31. Mounting means 23 may also be provided on the vehicle, and a latch 42 may secure the folded trailer in place. The invention allows the trailer to be transported in a non-road-engaging manner when not required.

Description

TRAILER WITH VEHICLE MOUN11NG MEANS This invention relates to a trailer

with means to mount it off its wheels to a vehicle with which it is used, for use particularly, but not exclusively as a collapsing box trailer.

It is common to tow trailers behind vehicles and many types and sizes are known. One particular variety is the so-called box trailer, which is a small, usually two-wheeled trailer for towing behind cars, which is useful for carrying luggage and other small items.

However, there are a number of drawbacks with using trailers. Firstly, a trailer must be articulated to the towing vehicle, and skill is required to manoeuvre such a combination at slow speeds, and in particular in reverse. Secondly, a car and trailer combination is of greater length than a car on its own, which causes problems when finding space to park the vehicle. Thirdly, when a trailer is towed friction is generated by the turning of the wheels on their bearings, and between the tyres and the road surface. This friction reduces the performance of the towing vehicle, and reduces fuel efficiency. When a load is being transported this drawback is alleviated by the benefit of being able to transport that load. However, when the trailer is empty, for example when being transported to a load or from a load delivery, then this reduction in performance and fuel efficiency is an issue.

Another problem with known box trailers is manoeuvring and storing them when they are not being towed. Box trailers can be manually manoeuvred by lifting and pushing the tow hook, however this can be awkward and requires some strength.

In addition, box trailers are of a certain size and it is often not possible to fit them inside a regular single car garage along with a car. It is known to provide collapsible box trailers to address this issue, however they are not particularly Slick in their operation as they usualiy need to be taken to pieces.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of tile above problems.

Therefore, according to tile present invention a trailer comprises a chassis, wheels and a tow hitch, in which the trailer Is provided with vehicle mounting means adapted to mount the trailer off its wheels to a vehicle with which it is used.

Thus, the trailer of the present invention can be towed behind a vehicle in the conventional manner, but it can also be carried by the vehicle. This alleviates many of the drawbacks associated with using a towed trailer.

It will be appreciated that for a trailer to be of any practical use, it must be of a certain size. However, the larger the trailer the harder it is to mount it off its wheels to a vehicle, in particular a standard car. Therefore, in a preferred construction the chassis of the trailer can be collapsible.

The chassis can comprise a first frame section and a second frame section connected together by first hinge means. In an unfurled arrangement the first frame section and the second frame section can be arranged at substantially 180 degrees to one another about the first hinge means, and in a collapsed arrangement the first frame section and the second frame section can be arranged at substantially 0 degrees to one another about the first hinge means. Thus, the trailer can essentially fold in half, and preferably the trailer can be mountable to the vehicle in this collapsed arrangement.

The first hinge means can be arranged normal to the direction of travel of the trailer. Further, the first frame section and the second frame section can have upper sides, arid the first hinge means can be arranged such that the upper sides face one another in the collapsed arrangement. With this construction a load placed on the trailer in use will urge the chassis into the unfurled arrangement.

In addition the tow hitch can be provided at a front side of the first frame section, and the vehicle mounting means can be provided at a rear side of the first frame section. As such the vehicle mounting means can be inaccessible when the chassis is in the unfurled arrangement, as the second frame section abuts the rear side of the first frame section; and the vehicle mounting means can be exposed for use when the chassis is folded in half in the collapsed arrangement, as the second frame section is folded away from the rear side of the first frame section.

The vehicle mounting means can comprise a first part of a mounting, which is adapted to connect to a second part of said mounting which is provided on said vehicle. Thus, the trailer can be folded in half, thereby exposing the first part of said mounting, and the folded trailer can then be lifted onto the second part of said mounting. The second part of said mounting can be provided at the rear of a vehicle, and with such an arrangement the trailer can be carried at the rear of the vehicle.

Preferably the wheels can be supported by the first frame section, and when the trailer is in the collapsed arrangement and the first part of said mounting is connected to said second part of said mounting, the trailer can be arranged with the second frame section disposed between the first frame section and the vehicle, and the wheels facing rearwards.

In one embodiment of the invention the upper sides of the first frame section and the second frame section can comprise a bed in the unfurled arrangement.

Further, the chassis can be provided with folding side walls which can be arranged at substantially 90 degrees to the bed in the unfurled arrangement thereby to form a toad bay, and which can be arranged at substantially 0 degrees to the first frame section and the second frame section in the collapsed arrangement. Thus, the trailer can be unfurled to form a box trailer of a conventional shape.

The folding side walls can comprise two front side wall sections, a first right side wall section and a first left side wall section mounted on the first frame section, and a rear side wall section, a second right side wall section and a second left side wall section mounted on the second frame section.

The two front side wafl sections can be moveable through substantially 270 degrees from an unfolded position substantially 90 degrees to the upper side of the first frame section and a folded position substantially 0 degrees to an under side of the first frame section. The first right side wall section and the first left side wall section can be moveable through substantially 90 degrees between an unfolded position substantially 90 degrees to the upper side of the first frame section and a folded position substantially 0 degrees to the upper side of the first frame section.

likewise, the rear side wall section can be moveable through substantially 270 degrees from an unfolded position substantially 90 degrees to the upper side of the second frame section and a folded position substantially 0 degrees to an under side of the second frame section, and the second right side wall section and the second left side wall section can be moveable through substantially 90 degrees between an unfolded position substantially 90 degrees to the upper side of the second frame section and a folded position substantially 0 degrees to the upper side of the second frame section.

In order to facilitate the structural integrity of the trailer in the unfurled and collapsed arrangement, the first hinge means can be provided with locking means adapted to releasably lock the first frame section and the second frame section in both the unfurled and the collapsed arrangement.

It will be appreciated that there are many known types of hinge which can lock in one or more positions. However, it has been found that a hinge comprising an annular base with slots, an annular rotating element with slots which is axially aligned with the annular base, and a spring loaded spigot member adapted to be biased against the base and the element such that at least one spigot passes through aligned slots in two or more rotational positions of the hinge, works well. The spigot member can be pulled away from engagement with the base and the element to allow them to rotate in relation to one another, and when the slots line up in the desired position the spring loading can push a spigot therethrough to lock the hinge in that position.

The R96 hinge from German company Rauschenberger is an example of this type of hinge, and is used in a preferred embodiment. German Patent DE 4330150 in the name of Rauschenberger Metaliwaren 6MB, relates to the generic invention behind the R96 hinge.

In a preferred construction of the invention the tow hitch can be provided at the end of an arm which extends from a front side of the first frame section. The arm can comprise a first arm section extending from the first frame section and a second arm section carrying the tow hitch at an outer end thereof. A second hinge means can be provided between said first arm section and said second arm section, and In the unfurled arrangement the first arm section and the second arm section can be arranged at substantially 180 degrees to one another about the second hinge means, and in the collapsed arrangement the first arm section and the second arm section can be arranged at substantially 0 degrees to one another about the second hinge means.

Thus, the trailer can fold up at two points along its length, so the collapsed trailer can be a compact and manageable unit.

The first arm section and the second arm section can have under sides, and the second hinge means can be arranged such that the under sides face one another in the collapsed arrangement With this construction a load placed on the arm by the trailer, and any load thereon, urges tile arm to remain in the unfurled arrangement.

The second hinge means can be provided with locking means adapted to releasably lock the first arm section and the second arm section in both the folded and the unfolded positions. Again, Rauschenberger R96 hinges can be used.

In one version of the invention the second frame section can be provided with castor wheels at a front side thereof. As with the first part of the mounting means, the castor wheels are not usable when the chassis is in the unfurled arrangement, as the second frame section abuts the rear side of the first frame section. However, the castor wheels can be exposed for use when the chassis is folded in half in the collapsed arrangement, as the second frame section is folded away from the rear side of the first frame section. Thus, when the trailer is in the collapsed arrangement it can be placed upright on the castor wheels for easy transport.

It will be appreciated that if the trailer is mounted to the rear of a car, as described above, it may obscure the vehicle's rear lights. The Road VehIcle Lighting Regulations of 1989 stipulate that if a vehicle has two sets of rear lights, then they must be a minimum of 500mm apart. However, in practice most vehicles have the rear lights much further apart than this, and the gap is usually in the region of a metre. Therefore, the trailer can be up to substantially one metre in width, such that when it is mounted to the rear of most vehicles the rear lights thereof are not obscured. In a preferred construction the trailer is substantially 85 cm in width.

The trailer can be adapted to carry a lighting board when collapsed and mounted to the rear of a vehicle, so if the rear lights are obscured they can be replaced with the lighting board. Such lighting boards are well known. Such an arrangement also allows the trailer to be of a greater width than 1 metre.

In any event, the trailer can be adapted to carry a number plate with collapsed and mounted to the rear of a vehicle.

In the above description the vehicle mounting means comprises only the first part of a mounting, which is adapted to connect to a second part provided on a vehicle, which second part does not form part of that version of the invention.

However, it is anticipated that most vehicles are not provided with such second parts of mountings. Therefore, in an alternative arrangement to that described above, the vehicle mounting means can comprise a two part vehicle mounting comprising a first part fixed to the trailer and a second part releasably connectable to the first part, and mountable to a vehicle with which the trailer Is used.

The second part of this vehicle mounting can be mountable to a tow bar, and can comprise one or more substantially upright sockets. The first part can comprise a corresponding one or more spigots adapted to fit into said sockets.

Such fitments are known, and are sometimes used to mount bicycle racks and the like to the rear of vehicles.

The second part of the vehicle mounting can further comprises a substantially upright support post provided with a trailer engagement latch at an upper end thereof, which can be adapted to engage a part of the trailer when the first part of the mounting is connected to the second part. Such a support post is optional, and may be required with heavier constructions.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trailer according to the present invention in a first arrangement; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the trailer shown in Figure 1 in a second arrangement; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the trailer shown In Figure 1 in a third arrangement; Figure 4 is a side view of the trailer shown in Figure 1 in a fourth arrangement and in use; and, Figure 5 is a side view of a part of the trailer shown in Figure 1 in two arrangements.

(The perspective views shown in the Figures are not accurate perspective views in terms of dimensions and scale. They are simple drawings Intended to be merely illustrative of the principals involved in the invention.) As shown in the Figures a trailer I comprises a chassis 2, wheels 3 and a tow hitch 4, in which the trailer 1 is provided with vehicle mounting means 5 (visible in Figures 3 and 4) adapted to mount the trailer I off its wheels 3 to a vehicle 6 with which it is used, as shown in Figure 4.

The chassis 2 comprises a first frame section 7 and a second frame section 8 connected together by first hinge means 9. The first hinge means 9 comprise a pair of R96 Rauschenberger hinges, one mounted at each side of the chassis 2 between the first frame section 7 and the second frame section 8.

As is clear from Figure 1, in an unfurled arrangement the first frame section 7 and the second frame section 8 can be arranged at substantially 180 degrees to one another about the R96 hinges 9. As is clear from Figure 3, in a collapsed arrangement the first frame section 7 and the second frame section 8 can be arranged at substantially 0 degrees to one another about the R96 hinges 9.

As is also clear from the Figures, the axis of the R96 hinges 9 is normal to the direction of travel of the trailer 1, such that in the unfurled arrangement the first frame section 7 and the second frame section 8 are arranged one behind the other such that a load bed 10 Is formed, and in the collapsed arrangement the second frame section 8 is arranged on top of the first frame section 7.

The first frame section 7 and the second frame section 8 are constructed from pieces of stock aluminium tube measuring 50mm by 30mm, which are welded together into generally rectangular box sections, which are 850 mm in width.

Referring to Figure 5, which shows one of the R96 hinges 9 in more detail in both the unfurled and collapsed arrangement, the first frame section 7 and the second frame section 8 have upper sides 11 and 12, which support bed boarding 13.

(The first frame section 7 is shown in cross-section in its unfurled position in Figure 5, and the boarding is not shown at that part for ease of explanation.) Therefore, in the unfurled arrangement the pieces of bed boarding 13 are arranged next to one another to form the load bed 10, and in the collapsed arrangement also shown in Figure 5, the pieces of bed boarding 13 face one another.

As is also shown in Figure 5, the R96 hinges 9 comprise a central annular hinge body 14 provided with arms 15 and 16. The arms 15 and 16 are slotted into open ends of side pieces 17 and 18 of the first frame section 7 and the second frame section 8. Side piece 17 is shown in cross section in Figure 5 in the unfurled position. (The arms 15 and 16 of a standard R96 Rauschenberger hinge are too broad to fit into said open ends, so sections are removed therefrom. The original outline is shown by hashed line A in Figure 5.) The arms 15 and 16 fit securely into the side pieces 17 and 18, as is clear from the cross-section shown, and in the unfurled arrangement the side pieces 17 and 18 abut against one another. The same arrangement as shown in Figure 5 is provided on the opposite side of the trailer 1.

As described above, the R96 Rauschenberger hinge can lock in two rotational positions, and in this particular case 0 degrees and 180 degrees. The R96 hinge basically comprises an annular base with 6 slots, an annular rotating element with 6 slots which is axially aligned with the annular base, and a spring loaded spigot member biased against the base and the rotating element such that spigots pass through slots which are aligned at 0 and 180 degrees. The base and the rotating element are not visible in Figure 5, however arm 15 extends from the base, and arm 16 extends from the rotating element. The spigot member is provided with an annular trigger 9a, which is laterally soaced from the base and rotating element. and overlies the side pieces 17 and 18. To operate the hinge 9 the trigger 9a is pulled laterally away from the base and rotating element, thereby releasing the spigots from the slots, and the base and rotating element can then be rotated in relation to one another. When the spigots and slots are aligned again, in either of the lockable positions, the spring loading pushes the spigots into the slots, and the trigger 9a snaps back into its original position. The spigot member is provided with a basic ratchet system such that the trigger 9a can be pulled out to unlock the hinge 9 and the ratchet will hold the spigot member in that position until the hinge 9 has been moved through a small number of degrees. This allows a user to release one of the hInges 9 and move to the other side of the trailer 1 to release the other, without the first returning to the locked position.

Therefore, the R96 hinges provide the trailer I with structural integrity in both the unfurled and the collapsed arrangements.

Referring back to Figures 1 to 4, the tow hitch 4 is provided at a front side 20 of the first frame section7, and the vehicle mounting means 5 is provided at a rear side 21 of the first frame section 7 (only visible in Figure 3). The vehicle mounting means 5 comprises a pair of spaced apart spigots 22, which are adapted to fit into a corresponding pair of spaced apart sockets 23 (only one of which is visible in Figure 4), provided on said vehicle 6. The front side 24 of the second frame section 8 is provided with cut away portion 25 to accommodate the spigots 22 when the chassis 2 is in the unfurled position.

Thus, the spigots 22 are inaccessible when the chassis 2 is in the unfurled arrangement, as the second frame section 8 abuts the rear side 21 of the first frame section 7; and the spigots 22 are exposed for use when the chassis 2 is folded in half In the collapsed arrangement, as shown in Figure 3, as the second frame section 8 is folded away from the rear side 21 of the first frame section 7.

The spigots 22 are adapted to fit into the sockets 23 such that the trailer 1 is arranged with the second frame section 8 disposed between the first frame section 7 and the vehicle 6, and with the wheels 3, which are carried by the first frame section 7, facing rearwards, as is clear from Figure 4.

The first frame section 7 and the second frame section 8 are provided with folding side walls.

Two front side wall sections 26, a first iignt side wall section 27 and a first left side wall section 28 are mounted on the first frame section 7, and a rear side wall section 29, a second right side wall section 30 and a second left side wall section 31 are mounted on the second frame section 8.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, It is clear that the two front side wall sections 26 are moveable through 270 degrees from an unfolded position 90 degrees to the load bed 10 and a folded position 0 degrees to an under side 32 of the first frame section 7. Further, the first and second right and left side wall sections 27, 28, 30 and 31 are movable through 90 degrees from an unfolded position 90 degrees to the load bed 10 and a folded position 0 degrees to the load bed 10.

In order to facilitate these movements the wall sections 26 -31 are all mounted on hinges 33, which are provided with means to releasably lock the wail sections 26 -31 in the positions described. Such arrangements are known and are not further described here. Hinges 33a which support the two front side wall sections 26 are adapted to allow the side wall sections 26 to slide laterally outwards prior to folding away under the chassis 2. This is to allow the two front side wall sections 26 to avoid tow hitch arm 34.

The tow hitch 4 is provided at the end of arm 34, which comprises a first arm section 35 extending from the first frame section 7 and a second arm section 36 carrying the tow hitch 4 at an outer end thereof. A pair of R96 Rauschenberger hinges 37 are mounted back to back between the first arm section 35 and the second arm section 36. The first arm section 35 and the second arm section 36 are constructed from pieces of stock aluminium tube measuring 63.5mm by 63.5mm, and the arms of the R96 hinges (not visible) are slotted into open ends of the tubing.

In the unfurled arrangement the first arm section 35 and the second arm section 36 are arranged at substantially 180 degrees to one another about the R96 hinges 37. In the fully collapsed arrangement shown in Figure 4, the first arm section and the second arm section 36 are arranged at substantially 0 degrees to one another after being folded about the R96 hinges 37.

It will be apprecIated that It Is possible to mount the trailer ion the vehicle 6 and transport it, without folding up the tow hitch arm 34. If it is not folded up it will simply stick up, as shown by hashed outline B. However, the trailer I assumes a more ergonomic shape if the tow hitch arm 34 is folded as shown.

The second frame section 8 is provided with castor wheels 38 at its front side 24. The rear side 21 of the first frame section 7 is provided with cut away sections (not vIsIble) which accommodate the castor wheels 38 when the first frame section 7 and the second frame section 8 are in the unfurled arrangement as shown in Figures I and 2.

Therefore, the castor wheels 38 are not usable when the chassis 2 is in the unfurled arrangement, but they are exposed for use when the chassis 2 is collapsed as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Thus, when the trailer I is in the collapsed arrangement it can be placed upright on the castor wheels 38 for easy transport.

The sockets 23 provided on the vehicle 6 extend from a body 39 which is mounted to the tow bar 40 at the rear of the vehicle 6. Such arrangements are known and are not further described here.

However, an upright support post 41 is also mounted to the tow bar 40, and a trailer engagement latch 42 is provided at an upper end thereof. As is clear from Figure 4, the trailer engagement latch 42 can engage the trailer I in the vicinity of the front side 20 and the rear side 43 of the first frame section 7 and the second frame section 8 respectively, in order to hold that side of the collapsed trailer I in use.

Therefore, In use the trailer 1 is used as follows. The trailer I is arranged as shown in Figure 1, in the fully unfurled arrangement with the first frame section 7 and the second frame section 8 arranged at 180 degrees to one another, such that the pieces of bed boarding 13 form the load bed 10. The R96 hinges 9 are automatically locked such that the chassis 2 is secured in the position shown. The side wall sections 26 -31 are all arranged and locked on their hinges 33 at 90 degrees to the load bed 10, such that a load bay 44 is formed. The first arm section and the second arm section 36 are arranged at 180 degrees to one another such that the tow hitch arm 34 is unfolded, and the R96 hinges 37 are automatically locked such that the tow hitch arm 34 is secured in the position shown.

Thus, the trailer 1 is arranged much like a known box trailer, and can be used in the known way by attaching the tow hitch 4 to a tow bar of a vehicle and towing it.

Any suitable load can be placed in the load bay 44, where it is supported by the load bed 10 and contained by the side waIls 26 -31. A fabric cover (not shown) can be placed over the toad bay 44 in the known way if desired.

It will be appreciated that when a load is placed in the trailer 1, its weight urges the first frame sectIon 7 and the second frame section 8 into the unfurled arrangement shown in Figure 1. In particular, the first frame section 7 is supported by the tow hitch 4 and the wheels 3, and any downward force exerted thereon by a load is simply supported by these points. Whereas, the second frame sectionS is only supported at its front side 24 by the hinges 9 and engagement with the rear side 21 of the first frame section 7, and as sucfl any downward force exerted thereon by a load urges the second frame section 8 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in the Figures) about its front side 24. In other words, the second frame section 8 is urged into the unfurled position, and the trailer I will not collapse in use. The R96 hinges 9 are locked in any case.

The R96 hinges 37 mounted between the first arm section 35 and the second arm section 36 on the tow hitch arm 34 are mounted the opposite way up to R96 hinges 9, however in most practical situations they are also urged into the unfolded position shown. The R96 hinges 37 are supported between the tow hitch 4 and the wheels 3, and any downward force exerted between those points by a load urges the R96 hinges 37 in a downward rotational direction about both these points, which forces the R96 hinges 37 into the unfolded position.

However, if a heavy load were placed in the back of the trailer 1, rearwards of the wheels 3, then the R96 hinges 37 may be urged into the folded position because the load would rotate the load bed 10 about the wheels 3 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in the Figures), and that would urge the first arm section 35 to rotate about the R96 hinges 37 in the same direction. However, this can be easily avoided by loading the trailer I evenly or towards the front, and in any case the R96 hinges 37 are locked and can easily withstand any forces urging them into the folded position which might be applied in use.

When t is no longer required to convey a load in the trailer 1, but the trailer 1 must still be transported, then it can be folded up and carried off its wheels by the vehicle 6.

Firstly the side walls sections 26 -31 are moved from the positions shown in Figure 1 to those shown in Figure 2. The two front side wall sections 26 are moved laterally and rotated through 270 degrees on their hinges 33a, which then lock them in the folded position. The rear side wall section 29 is also rotated through 270 degrees and locked in position. At the same time the first and second right and left side wall sections 27, 28, 30 and 31 are rotated through 90 degrees and locked in the position shown.

(It will be appreciated that the trailer I is flexible and could be used to convey a load in the position shown in Figure 2, although if the load were unstable it would have to be secured.) Once in this position, the second frame section 8 can be rotated through 180 degrees to the position shown in Figure 3. The R96 hinges 9 are first unlocked by pulling the triggers 9a and then the second frame section 8 can be manuallyrotated about them. As soon as the second frame section 8 is arranged at 0 degrees to the first frame section 7, the R96 hinges lock in that position and hold the trailer 1 in the collapsed arrangement. In this position the spigots 22 and the castor wheels 38 are exposed for use.

(Again, it will be appreciated that it would be possible to use the trailer to convey a load in the position shown in Figure 3, although the load carrying capacity is obviously relatively small, and again if a load were unstable it would have to be secured.) When the trailer is arranged as shown in Figure 3 it can be manoeuvreci in a number of ways. The tow hitch arm 34 can be lifted and the trailer 1 can be moved on its wheels, or the trailer 1 can be stood on end and moved on the wheels 3 and castor wheels 38. Alternatively the trailer 1 can be leant over further and moved On its castor wheels 38 alone.

However the trailer I is moved, it is positioned behind the vehicle 6, and lifted over the tow bar 40 until the spigots 22 are aligned with the sockets 23. The trailer 1 is then lowered until the spigots 22 are fully contained in the sockets 23. The latch 42 is engaged, and the trailer 1 is held fast The tow hitch arm 34 is then folded up as shown in Figure 4. The triggers of the R96 hinges 37 are released, and the second arm section 36 is moved through degrees until it is level with the first arm section 35. When the second arm section 36 reaches this position the R96 hinges 37 lock it in that position.

The trailer I is now mounted securely on the vehicle 6 with its wheels off the ground, and the vehicle 6 can be driven to its destination. A number plate can be secured to the underside of the chassis 2 if required. As described above most road vehicles have rear lights which must not be obscured, and they are generally about a metre apart. As the trailer is 85cm in width it does not obscure the rear lights of the vehicle 6.

If the trader 1 is no longer required once the vehicle 6 has reached its destination it can be readily removed therefrom by releasing the latch 42 and lifting it from the sockets 23. The trailer 1 is most conveniently stored in the fully collapsed arrangement, but it can of course be stored in any of its other configurations as desired.

If the trailer is to be transported to another load it can be remounted to the vehicle as described above. Alternatively, if the trailer is to be used to transport a load it can be unfurled for use. The triggers of the R96 hInges 37 are released, and the second arm section 36 is moved back through 180 degrees, to the position shown in Figure 3, and the R96 hinges 37 lock it in that position.

The trader 1 is then placed back on its wheels 3 in the position shown in Figure 3, and the triggers 9a of the R96 hinges 9 are released allowing the second frame section 8 to be moved back through 180 degrees until it is arranged at 180 degrees to the first frame section 7, as shown in Figure 2. The R96 hinges 9 lock the chassis 2 in this position.

The side walls sections 26 -31 are then moved from the positions shown in Figure 2 to those shown in Figure 1. The two front side wall sections 26 are rotated through 270 degrees on their hinges 33a, then moved laterally and locked In position. The rear side wall section 29 is also rotated through 270 degrees and locked in position. At the same time the first and second right and left side wall sections 27, 28, 30 and 31 are rotated through 90 degrees and locked in the positions shown.

The tow hItch 4 is then attached to the tow bar of a vehicle and the trailer 1 can be used in the conventional manner again.

It is of course also possible to transport the trailer by towing it in the unfurled arrangement, although that somewhat defeats the point of the invention.

Claims 7 to 19 of the present Invention relate to a trailer provided with the first part of vehicle mounting means, and such a trailer is clearly supported by trailer 1. However, Claims 20 to 23 of the present invention relate to a trailer provided with both the first and the second part of a vehicle mounting, and such a combination of parts is supported by trailer 1 in combination with body 39 and its sockets 23, along with support post 41, which is optional.

The trailer I shown in the Figures can be altered without departing from the scope of Claim 1 For example, in alternative embodiments (not shown) the chassis are larger in size, and obscure the rear lights of a vehicle when mounted thereon. As such the alternative trailers are adapted to support lighting boards.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown) the first frame section is provided with two or more pairs of wheels.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown) no side walls are provided, and the trailer is adapted to allow a load to be secured thereon.

Thus a box trailer is provided which can be used in the conventional manner, but which can also be transported off its wheels. This allows the trailer to be transported without the need to tow it, and without all the drawbacks associated with towing including the difficulties with driving and parking a lengthened and articulated vehicle, and the drag caused in use. In addition, a box trailer is provided with a particularly neat and convenient collapsIng means which allows it to be very readily stored.

Claims

Claims 1. A trailer comprising a chassis, wheels and a tow hitch, in

which the trailer is provided with vehicle mounting means adapted to mount the trailer off its wheels to a vehicle with which it is used.
2. A trailer as claimed in Claim I in which the chassis is collapsible.
3. A trailer as claimed in Claim 2 in which the chassis comprises a first frame section and a second frame section which are connected together by first hinge means, in which in an unfurled arrangement the first frame section and the second frame section are arranged at substantially 180 degrees to one another about the first hinge means, and in which in a collapsed arrangement the first frame section and the second frame section are arranged at substantially 0 degrees to one another about the first hinge means.
4. A trailer as claimed in ClaIm 3 in which the trailer is mountable to said vehicle in the collapsed arrangement.
5. A trailer as claimed in Claim 4 in which the first hinge means is arranged normal to the direction of travel of the trailer.
6. A trailer as claimed in Claim 5 in which the first frame section and the second frame section have upper sides, and in which the first hinge means is arranged such that the upper sides face one another in the collapsed arrangement.
7, A trailer as claimed in Claim 6 in which the tow hitch is provided at a front side of the first frame section, and in which the vehicle mounting means is provided at a rear side of the first frame section.
8. A trailer as claimed in Claim 7 in which the vehicle mounting means comprises a first part of a mounting, which Is adapted to connect to a second part of said mounting which is provided on said vehicle.
9. A trailer as claimed in Claim 8 in which the wheels are supported by the first frame section, and in which when the trailer is in the collapsed arrangement and the first part of said mounting is connected to said second part of said mounting, the trailer is arranged with the second frame section disposed between the first frame section and the vehicle, and the wheels facing rearwards.
10. A trailer as claimed in Claim 9 in which in the unfurled arrangement the upper sides of the first frame section and the second frame section comprises a bed, in which the chassis is provided with folding side walls which are arranged at substantially 90 degrees to the bed in the unfurled arrangement thereby to form a load bay, and in which the folding side walls are arranged at substantially 0 degrees to the first frame section and the second frame section in the collapsed arrangement.
11. A trailer as claImed in Claim 10 In which the folding side walls comprise two front side wall sections, a first right side wall section and a first left side wall section mounted on the first frame section, and a rear side wall section, a second right side wall section and a second left side wall section mounted on the second frame section.
12. A trailer as claimed in Claim 11 in which the two front side wall sections are moveable through substantially 270 degrees from an unfolded position substantially degrees to the upper side of the first frame section and a folded position substantially 0 degrees to an under side of the first frame section; in which the first nght side wall section and the first left side wall section are moveable through substantially 90 degrees between an unfolded position substantially 90 degrees to the upper side of the first frame section and a folded position substantiallY 0 degreeS to the upper side of the first frame section.
13. A trailer as claimed in Claim 12 in which the rear side wall section is moveable through substantially 270 degrees from an unfolded position substantiallY 90 degrees to the upper side of the second frame section and a folded position substantially 0 degrees to an under side of the second frame section; In whIch the second right side wall section and the second left side wall section are moveable through substantially 90 degrees between an unfolded position substantially 90 degrees to the upper side of the second frame section and a folded position substantially 0 degrees to the upper side of the second frame section.
14. A trailer as claimed in Claim 13 in which the first hinge means is provided with locking means adapted to releasably lock the first frame section and the second frame section in both the unfurled and the collapsed arrangement.
15. A trailer as claimed in Claim 14 in which the tow hitch is provided at the end of an arm which extends from a front side of the first frame section, in which the arm comprises a first arm section extending from the first frame section and a second arm section carrying the tow hitch at an outer end thereof. in which a second hinge means is provided between said first arm section and said second arm section, in which in the unfurled arrangement the first arm section and the second arm section are arranged at substantially 180 degrees to one another about the second hinge means, and in which in the collapsed arrangement the first arm section and the second arm section are arranged at substantially 0 degrees to one another about the second hinge means.
16. A trailer as claimed in Claim 15 in which the first arm section and the second arm section have under sides, and in which the second hinge means is arranged such that the under sides face one another in the collapsed arrangement.
17. A trailer as claimed in Claim 16 in which the second hinge means is provided with locking means adapted to releasably lock the first arm section and the second arm section in both the folded and the unfolded positions.
18. A trailer as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 17 in which the second frame section is provided with castor wheels at a front side thereof.
19. A trailer as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the trailer is substantially 85cm in width.
20. A trailer as claimed in Claim 6 in which the vehicle mounting means comprises a two part vehicle mounting comprising a first part provided on the trailer and a second part releasably connectable to the first part, and mountable to a vehicle with which the trailer is used.
21. A trailer as claimed in aaim 20 in which the second part is mountable to a tow bar and comprises one or more substantially upright sockets, and in which the first part comprises a corresponding one or more spigots adapted to fit into said sockets.
22. A trailer as claimed in aaim 21 in which the second part further comprises a substantially upright support post provided with a trailer engagement latch at an upper end thereof, in which the trailer engagement latch is adapted to engage a part of the trailer when the first part of the mounting is connected to the second part.
23. A trailer substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.