GB2450863A

GB2450863A - Friction roller drive system for trailers

Info

Publication number: GB2450863A
Application number: GB0711263A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Darren Shaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-12
Filing date: 2007-06-12
Publication date: 2009-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-12
Also published as: GB0711263D0; GB2450863B

Abstract

A motorized drive friction roller is provided for maneuvering not-self driven, non-self propelled vehicles, in particular trailers and caravans. The motor is located inside a tube and rotates the outer roller by a use of a gearbox. Incorporated into the motor roller may be a device to engage or disengage the roller onto the tyre. The provision of the motor inside the roller enables the caravan mover to be of reduced size and weight. Also, less supporting material is required. The system may comprise steel, aluminium or plastic composite material. A brake may be provided for stopping the motor when no voltage or current is supplied.

Description

DRIVE FRICTION MOTOR ROLLER

Background

Caravan I Trailer Movers are well known in the caravan industry and comprise of a friction roller, placed against a tyre to manoeuvre the vehicle, held in place by a fabrication to support the roller and separate motor and gearbox, which permanently attaches onto the chassis of the caravan.

Adding additional devices/machinery to a trailer or caravan will affect the extra weight the caravan or trailer can hold. It is important to keep the weight of any additional devices/machinery down to minimum so it does not affect the operational use or performance of the not-self driven vehicle (i.e. trailers, caravans etc.).

Another problem with placing a roller against a tyre to create movement, is that the space required to fit a conventional caravan mover can be restricted and often other obstacles (spare tyre, heating and water pipes, etc) obstruct or minimise the fitting area.

Technical Features The present invention comprises of the motor and gearbox placed inside the roller, reducing the space required externally and hence reducing the size and weight of the caravan mover, by requiring less material to support the motor and gearing externally.

The Drive Friction Roller will have to be mounted onto a fixed plate (Roller Support Plate) to hold the roller and enable mounting onto the not-self driven, nonself propelled vehicle, in particular trailers and caravans. The plate may also incorporate some mechanics and or electrics to enable the roller to move on and off the tyre.

The benefits of the Drive Friction Motor Roller': * Reduced size of the caravan mover.

* Reduced weight of the system.

* Increase performance of the product.

Diagrams A Specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 (Motor Roller Assembly -I): Shows the exploded view of the Drive Friction Motor Roller, with the roller in the forefront of the diagram. The image shows the Motor and Internal Gear fixed into the Motor Housing.

Figure 2 (Motor Roller Assembly -2): Shows the exploded view of the Drive Friction Motor Roller, with the Roller End Cap in the forefront of the diagram. The image shows the internal gear configuration, with one centre gear, three Outer Gears and an internal gear which is fixed into the Motor Housing.

Figure 3 (Cut-Away Motor Roller): Shows the assembled Drive Friction Roller with a cut-away section enabling an internal view of the item.

Figure 4 (Motor Roller Mounted): Shows the assembled Drive Friction Roller with a cut-away section (Figure 3), mounted on the Roller Support Plate.

Claims

Claims I. The Drive Friction Motor Roller' system for manoeuvring a

not-self driven vehicle in any given direction by placing a roller against a tyre and rotating the roller clockwise or anti-clockwise to propel a tyre, where the roller has the motor and gearing placed internally means the mechanics of the gear box and motor of a traditional caravan mover are placed inside the roller and not externally, roller means a cylindrical shape with a friction surface which pushes against the tyre and rotates, hence rotating the tyre, not-self driven vehicle means trailers, in particular caravans, containing a propulsion unit when moving
2. The Drive Friction Motor Roller' as claimed in claim 1, where the motor may or may not have a brake, brake means a mechanical and or electrical method of stopping the motor and or the gear rotating if no voltage/current is applied to the motor.
3. The Drive Friction Motor Roller' as claimed in claim 1 where the roller is moved on and off the tyre by a secondary mechanical / electrical system which is not mentioned in this application.
4. The Drive Friction Motor Roller' as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the invention concerns a drive-aid (mover) for not-self driven vehicles, non-self propelled vehicles in particular trailers and caravans.
5. The Drive Friction Motor Roller' as claimed in any previous claim can be manufactured from any material, steel, aluminium, plastic composite etc, to reduce weight and/or increase strength to support the motor, the gears and the roller.
6. The Drive Friction Motor Roller' system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.