GB2459465A

GB2459465A - Lightweight trailer for receiving a flexible container

Info

Publication number: GB2459465A
Application number: GB0807368A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jason Privett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-23
Filing date: 2008-04-23
Publication date: 2009-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-23
Also published as: GB0807368D0; GB2459465B

Abstract

A trailer includes a frame 1 which receives a flexible container 2 having an open top such as an FIBC (flexible intermediate bulk container) bag. The frame 1 includes crank-shaped top frame members 6 and 7 and crank-shaped base frame members 4 and 5 which extend rearwardly from a socket cluster 3 incorporating a forwardly-projecting towing bar 8. The base frame members carry respective running wheels 19 and 20, and the top frame members engage lifting slings 21-24 on opposite sides of the bag to hold the top of the bag in an open configuration. The trailer can be reduced in size for ease of storage by removing the frame members 4-7 from the socket cluster 3.

Description

LIGHTWEIGHT TRAILER

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to lightweight trailers which are suitable for occasional light domestic use.

BACKGROUND

Small trailers are widely used for transporting various items or materials from one place to another, towed behind a motor vehicle. Very often, although such trailers are quite costly to purchase they are only used very infrequently, and the remainder of the time is spent standing outdoors exposed to the weather, where they take up garden space and deteriorate quickly due to exposure to the weather.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of trailer which is lightweight, inexpensive, and occupies a relatively small storage space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a trailer which includes a frame and a flexible container having an open top, in which the frame defines a load cavity within the frame for receiving the container and includes spaced top and base portions, the base portion is provided with at least two running wheels mounted on opposite sides thereof, a towing bar projects from the frame in a forward direction, and the top portion engages opposite sides of the container holding the top of the container in an open configuration.

The container may be suspended, or supported, within the load cavity ri_.. * WItfl tue top ui Li IC I..UI ILdil iei I ueiu OJi I. I I I II auii 10 LI IlIju JI Oil I lightweight construction, with a non-rigid container which is easy to store.

The top and base portions of the frame may each be formed from cranked elements and are preferably non-rotatably received in a socket cluster which incorporates the towing bar. Thus, the frame too can be reduced in size for storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general view of a basic lightweight trailer in accordance with the invention, which incorporates an FIBC bag; and Figure 2 is an exploded view of the trailer with the FIBC bag removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The basic form of trailer described below is intended as a lightweight item which is suitable for carrying relatively light loads and which can be towed behind a small vehicle such as a car, van or garden tractor. A significant feature of the trailer is that it can easily be dismantled and packed into a small space when not in use.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the trailer incorporates a frame I and an FIBC bag or similar flexible container 2.

The frame I is formed of steel tube, or similar strong lightweight material, and comprises five main components, namely a welded socket cluster 3, base frame members 4 and 5, and top frame members 6 and 7. The socket cluster 3 is formed from a single straight central tube 8 and four shorter tubes 9-12 which are welded to the tube 8, two on each side, in a parallel arrangement. The central tube 8 projects forwards beyond the four tubes 9-12 and, in one possible configuration, the tube 8 can serve as a towing bar, e.g. for connection to the towing hitch of a garden tractor.

In another possible configuration a conventional towing hitch can be connected to the projecting tube 8 for engagement with the tow ball of a motor vehicle such as a car.

Referring to Fig. 2, the four frame members 4-7 are all of cranked shape, each having parallel end sections 14 and 15 joined by an angular mid-section 16, with smoothly-curved bends for maximum strength. One of the end sections 14 is shorter than the other end section 15. The four tubes 9-12 of the cluster 3 form sockets for receiving the short end sections 14 of the frame members 4-7, and the end sections 14 can be non-rotatably fixed in the tubes 9-12, e.g. by means of four locking pins 18 which can be inserted diametrica!ly through aligned holes in the tubes 9- 12 and frame members 4-7.

Returning to Fig. 1, in the positions fixed by the pins 18 the two lower tubes 10 and 12 are located on a common horizontal plane with the two base frame members 4 and 5, and a pair of running wheels 19 and 20 are rotatably mounted adjacent to the free ends of the parallel end sections fi r'fte about a comm Tho top frame br 6 iii 7, when fixed by the pins 18, project upwards from the two upper tubes 9 and 11, with their mid-sections 16 being angularly divergent, terminating in the two mutually parallel end sections 15. The upper end sections 15 thus form parallel rearwardly-projecting arms which lie on a common horizontal plane above the base frame members 4 and 5, with the upper end sections 15 being slightly closer together than the lower end sections 15. The four sections 15 thus define a load space between them in which the FIBC bag 2 is located, clear of the running wheels 19 and 20.

FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container) bags are widely used for holding and carrying bulk materials such as sand, gravel, ballast etc. A similar form of custom-made bag could of course be used if desired.

FIBC bags are generally formed of a flexible but tough woven plastic material such as polyester, and comprise a bottom wall surrounded by four side walls with an open top. Four lifting slings 21, 22 and 23, 24 are provided at the four top corners of the bag, and two of the slings are slid over each of the rearwardly-projecting arms 15, as shown, so that the bag is suspended from the top frame members 6 and 7 inside the two lower side members 15.

In use, the bag 1 can be filled with domestic or garden waste so that the trailer can, for example, be used to transport the refuse to a local refuse collection point. The bag would normally be loaded and unloaded in situ on the upper frame members 6 and 7, but if light loads are being carried the bag can be filled prior to loading onto the frame. Similarly, the bag may be removed from the arms 15 prior to emptying if convenient.

When not in use the FIBC bag 2 can be folded flat and the pins 18 can be removed to allow the four frame members 4-7 to be removed from the nrkf c!i'ster 3 for ease of trar pcttcr d stcragQ. The traer W also take up a relatively small space to reduce transportation costs and minimise display space prior to sale.

Though not described herein in detail it will be appreciated that additional features can be added to the trailer as required. For example, the upper rearwardly-projecting arms 15 could be provided with locating projections or sling clasps to ensure that the bag is positively secured to the frame 1.

The base frame can also be provided with removable base boards which span the lower arms 15 to provide support for the bag 2 if desired.

Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

* * * * * * * *

Claims

CLAIMS1. A trailer which includes a frame and a flexible container having an open top, in which the frame defines a load cavity within the frame for receiving the container and includes spaced top and base portions, the base portion is provided with at least two running wheels mounted on opposite sides thereof, a towing bar projects from the frame in a forward direction, and the top portion engages opposite sides of th nntinr holding the top of the container in an open configuration.
2. A trailer according to Claim 1 in which the top portion of the frame includes a pair of parallel arms which are engaged with the flexible container.
3. A trailer according to Claim 2 in which the arms extend in a rearward direction opposite to the towing bar.
4. A trailer according to Claim 2 or 3 in which each of the arms forms part of a respective top frame member.
5. A trailer according to Claim 4 in which each top frame member includes a downwardly-extending portion.
6. A trailer according to Claim 5 in which each top frame member is non-rotatably held in a socket.
7. A trailer according to Claim 6 in which the sockets extend rearwardly.
8. A trailer according to any of Claims 4 to 7 in which the top frame members are both of cranked shape.
9. A trailer according to any of Claims 2 to 8 in which the container incorporates lifting slings which are engaged with the arms of the top frame members.
10. A trailer according to any preceding claim in which the base portion of the frame is substantially planar.
11. A trafler according to Claim 10 in which the base portion of the frame includes a pair of base frame members which each carry a respective running wheel.
12. A trailer according to Claim 11 in which each base frame member is non-rotatably held in a socket.
13. A trailer according to Claim 12 in which the sockets for the base frame members extend rearwardly.
14. A trailer according to Claim 11, 12 or 13 in which each of the base frame members is of cranked shape.
15. A trailer according to Claims 6 and 12, or any of the preceding claims which are appended thereto, in which all of the sockets are rigidly joined to the towing bar.
16. A trailer according to Claim 15 in which the sockets are disposed in a parallel relationship with the towing bar.
17. A trailer according to Claim 16 in which the sockets are clustered about the towing bar.
18. A trailer substantially as described with reference to the drawings.* * * * * * * *