GB2490345A - Passenger transport trailer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a multi-wheeled double decker personnel transport semi-trailer 1 with coupling means for a tractor vehicle 20. Ideally this tractor vehicle 20 is or is similar to a large goods vehicle cab unit. The trailer 1 provides seating, an aisle, and preferably a toilet, a bar for drinks, an elevator or escalator, trailer steering and support legs for when the trailer is parked. The trailer 1 typically has three sets of doubled wheels 11 per side, a luggage hatch 13 and an exit door 12. To meet increasing public or group transport needs and addressing environmental and costs issues, the invention provides cost effective means of increasing the rolling stock available for public transport.

Description

A TRAILER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a trailer, more parUcularly a passenger carrying trailer.

Backqroujid Increasingly public transport is seen as a vital element of transportation with increasing numbers wanting to use public or group transport, for environmental and costs reasons.

There are difficulties with both public and group transport that range from the regimentation to the practical. Many issues that arise are a consequence of lack of vehicles or rolling stock. This impacts on travellers and potential travellers by constraining the number of services available, routes taken, frequency of availability, amongst else.

Problems with providing more transportation vehicles typically revolve around the cost of providing more vehicles, but may include storage space for these vehicles when they are not in use. In addition failure of drive engines for transport vehicles typically do not allow simple replacement due to the lack of available vehicles.

Typically goods vehicles are formed by a cab and drive train or tractor vehicle, and a trailer. The two together form a typical articulated lorry or truck, which pivots between the tractor and semi-trailer. This reduces the turning circle and allows for unhitching of the trailer for replacement, storage, maintenance or other purpose.

The cab is an enclosed space where the driver is seated and is typically combined with the engine and drive train, in total forming the tractor and being as a consequence the most expensive and important part of an articulated lorry.

The tractor-trailer or semi-trailer is normally equipped with landing gear (legs which can be lowered) to support it when it is uncoupled from the tractor vehicle or cab.

Prior Art

Caravans and trailers are known that enable vehicles to intermittently or occasionally transport extra animals or items by simple attachment to the vehicle via a tow bar.

Articulated trucks, large or heavy goods vehicles (LGV5) are provided with tow hitches that enable the attachment or coupling of large goods or freight trailers.

These hitches have electrical throughput in order to dispense the electrical current provided by the engine.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a passenger transport trailer including a plurality of fixed seats either side of an aisle and having coupling means for a tractor vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention this trailer provides rigid covered and enclosed passenger seating.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a multi-wheeled double decker passenger transport semi-trailer with coupling means for a tractor vehicle.

This allows for the provision of articulated passenger transport vehicles, thereby permitting the carriage of larger numbers of passengers as use of a higher powered drive train or tractor vehicle is possible, with the vehicle being more manoeuvrable.

The concept of an articulated cab and double decker trailer replacement for a typical haulier or cargo trailer additionally ideally allows more passengers to be transported than currently standard coaches or buses, in particular because the articulated nature of the steering allows more manoeuvrability.

Further embodiments may provide the possibility of daisy chain or sequential attachment of a plurality of trailers to a single tractor vehicle, if said vehicle is appropriately equipped with attachment points at both ends in use.

Although it is envisaged that correctly equipped cabs or tractor vehicles may need to be higher powered than current tractor vehicles in order to carry significant extra numbers of passengers, the cost of a trailer is envisaged to be significantly lower than a full vehicle such as a coach, bus or omnibus.

In addition, or in the alternative, compared with a rigid group transport vehicle such as a bus or coach, a trailer pivoting like an LGV has a turning circle smaller than its overall length.

In the event of a breakdown, a drive or tractor vehicle or unit may be exchanged quickly and the trailer delivered to its destination without undue delay. In addition it may also be possible to use a dolly to tow a trailer behind a rigid truck, or behind another trailer.

In some embodiments of the trailer a multi passenger transport trailer may be provided that may be attached to a general purpose LGV, truck or lorry cab or tractor vehicle. Ideally the trailer and cab may be close coupled.

This then allows extra trailers to be kept in-storage to be used for transport for large parties, such as travelling to holiday destinations, or events.

The number of LGVs in traditional use on the roads is liable to fluctuation according to the economic situation of a country. Accordingly LGV drivers are unemployed or available in a similar ratio as are tractor vehicles or cabs. It is envisaged that LGV drivers would be appropriately skilled to operate a trailer and tractor vehicle according to the present invention.

By providing a solution that makes it easier for parties to have group transport facilities as and when required, a side effect is the availability of increased stock for public transport if needed at peak periods.

This can potentially decrease the amount of fuel consumption, as less vehicles will be required to provide transport for large parties and less congestion on roadways at peak times as increased provision of group transport lowers costs and prevents people travelling in their own vehicles.

In any event the trailer being detachable allows more convenient parking and storage space in bus and coach stations.

In preferred embodiments the trailer is provided with a stand that may be folded out from the trailer in order to provide support for the part of the trailer not supported by the wheels.

Preferably the trailer incorporates rear wheel steering, providing more accurate turns and preventing accidents whilst on the road.

Ideally the trailer is provided with a toilet or WC and stairwell to the rear of upper deck. Further embodiments may include toilets on both floors, and escalators or elevators. Yet further embodiments may include other facilities such as a drinks bar.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

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Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an overhead isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the trailer in use on a preferred embodiment of an adapted tractor vehicle; And Figure 2 shows a side view of the trailer in use on the tractor vehicle.

Detailed Description of Figures

The trailer 1 is shown in use attached to a cab (20) over axle (21) tractor vehicle 2.

The preferred and pictured embodiment of the trailer has three sets of doubled wheels (11) per side to provide sufficient support for its weight.

To the rear of the pictured embodiment there is shown an entrance and exit door 12.

Said door may be provided with steps or stairs, or other means to ensure a user's ease in entering or exiting the trailer 1.

A luggage hatch 13 is provided to the door side of the trailer 1. To the reverse side (not pictured) an emergency exit may be provided.

In preferred embodiments a panoramic top view is provided by a curved windscreen 14 supported by structural metal frame.

The top level 15 of the trailer ideally includes a toilet cubicle (not shown) and all the features of a typical bus or coach, such as emergency stop buttons, emergency exits, adjustable seating, openable windows, air conditioning, sound or vision units, alarms and tinted windows.

Internally a stairwell (not shown) provides access to the second level 15 from the bottom level 16.

Ideally the trailer is equal in height to current double decker buses, approximately 4.5 metres and can carry around 125 passengers. Ideally the dimensions are 12 to 13 metres with 17 rows on the upper deck and 15 rows to the lower deck, with the trailer weighing 16 metric tonnes unloaded. Further embodiments may include lightweight materials such as carbon fibre. The internal width is likely to be 2 to 3 metres with an aisle of around 0.5 metres.

The preferred embodiment of the tractor vehicle 2 is a higher powered cab vehicle than is typically in use for LGVs. Accordingly the mechanics, including suspension, axle, drive train and/or wheels sizing of the tractor vehicle 2 are envisaged as required.

Means of communication is provided between the tractor vehicle 2 and trailer 1.

Further embodiments may include embodiments that do not extend over the tractor vehicle except for the coupling means.

Claims (9)

1. Claims 1. A passenger transport trailer including a plurality of fixed seats either side of an aisle and having coupling means for a tractor vehicle.
2. 2. A trailer according to claim I wherein the trailer provides rigidly covered and enclosed passenger seating.
3. 3. A multi-wheeled double decker passenger transport semi-trailer with coupling means for a tractor vehicle.
4. 4. A trailer according to claims 1, 2 or 3 including a separate room having toilet facilities.
5. 5. A trailer according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 for coupling to a large goods vehicle.
6. 6. A trailer according to any preceding claim equipped with legs which can be lowered to support the trailer when it is not coupled.
7. 7. A trailer according to any preceding claim wherein a steering mechanism may be incorporated in the trailer.
8. 8. A tractor vehicle for pulling a trailer according to any of the preceding claims.
9. 9. A vehicle combining a tractor vehicle and trailer according to any of the preceding claims.