WO2013033767A1

WO2013033767A1 - Adjustable stand assembly for a towed vehicle and a towed vehicle with the adjustable stand assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2013033767A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/001052
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Smith; Paul FRATTA; Paul Warren
Original assignee: Triflex Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-09-05
Filing date: 2012-09-05
Publication date: 2013-03-14

Abstract

An adjustable stand assembly (20) for a towed vehicle, the adjustable stand assembly (20) comprising a vehicle attachment means (40) and a stand (60) releasably and adjustably mounted to the vehicle attachment means (40). Preferably, the vehicle attachment means (40) comprises a mount bracket (42) for attachment to the vehicle and a support bracket (50) releasably mounted to the mount bracket (42).

Description

ADJUSTABLE STAND ASSEMBLY FOR A TOWED VEHICLE AND A TOWED VEHICLE WITH THE ADJUSTABLE STAND ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to towed vehicles, towed vehicle accessories and in particular to an adjustable stand assembly towed vehicle and to a towed vehicle having the adjustable stand assembly.

The invention has been developed primarily for use with trailers (e.g. for boats) and caravans and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention

Various adjustable stands for trailers and caravans are known. Such stands are also often referred to as jockey wheels and generally comprise a bracket for mounting to the front of the trailer or caravan (by welding or bolts) and an adjustable height wheel so that the angle of the trailer or caravan can be adjusted when not being towed.

The present invention seeks to provide an adjustable stand assembly and a towed vehicle having the adjustable stand assembly which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an adjustable stand assembly for a towed vehicle, the adjustable stand assembly comprising:

a vehicle attachment means; and a stand releasably and adjustably mounted to the vehicle attachment means.

Advantageously, the stand is releasably mounted to the vehicle via the vehicle attachment means.

Advantageously, different stand bodies can be readily mounted to the vehicle.

Preferably, the vehicle attachment means comprises a mount bracket for attachment to the vehicle and a support bracket mounted to the mount bracket.

Advantageously, this provides a firm support for the stand. Preferably, the support bracket is releasably mounted to the mount bracket.

Advantageously, this allows the support bracket to be removed and stored if desired.

Preferably, the mount bracket is adapted to be attached to a downwardly facing surface of the vehicle. Advantageously, this positions the mount bracket in the optimal manner and substantially hidden from sight.

Preferably, the mount bracket comprises a space for receiving at least a portion of the support bracket.

Advantageously, this provides secure attachment therebetween. Preferably, the portion of the support bracket and the space of the mount bracket are dimensioned such that the portion of the support bracket can be readily received and removed from the space of the mount bracket but the play therebetween is minimized.

Advantageously, this provides secure attachment and ensures good function.

Preferably, the mount bracket and the portion of the support bracket comprise complementary attachment means for attachment of the portion of the support bracket to the mount bracket.

Advantageously, this provides quick attachment of the support bracket to the mount bracket.

Preferably, the complementary attachment means comprises at least one aperture in each of the mount bracket and the portion of the support bracket, the apertures of the mount bracket and the portion of the support bracket being adapted for alignment with each other to receive a lock pin therethrough.

Advantageously, the support bracket can be secured to the mount bracket by a readily releasable or quick release pin lock arrangement.

Preferably, the at least one aperture is at least a pair of spaced apertures in each of the mount bracket and the portion of the support bracket, wherein the aligned pair of apertures are dimensioned to receive the arms of a U-shaped lock pin therethrough.

Advantageously, the arms of the U-shaped pin stop the support bracket rotating in relation to the mount bracket and the intermediate section of the U-shaped pins between the arms provides an easy grip for removal of the U-shaped pin.

Preferably, an end of the lock pin comprises an aperture adapted to receive a split pin. Advantageously, this prevents removal of the lock pin. Preferably, the support bracket comprises a stand mount portion for releasably and adjustably mounting the stand thereto.

Advantageously, different stand bodies can be readily mounted to the vehicle.

Preferably, the stand mount portion extends substantially vertically in use.

Advantageously, the stand can be disposed in its optimal orientation.

Preferably, the stand mount portion comprises a space for receiving and mounting at least a portion of the stand therein. Advantageously, this provides secure attachment therebetween.

Preferably, the stand comprises a complementary bracket adapted to be received in the stand mount portion of the support bracket.

Advantageously, this simplifies attachment therebetween.

Preferably, the complementary bracket and the stand mount portion are dimensioned such that the complementary bracket can be readily received and removed from the stand mount portion but the play therebetween is minimized.

Advantageously, this provides secure attachment and ensures good function.

Preferably, the complementary bracket and the stand mount portion comprise complementary attachment means for attachment of complementary bracket to the stand mount portion. Advantageously, this provides quick attachment of the complementary bracket to the stand mount portion.

Preferably, the complementary attachment means comprises at least one aperture in each of the complementary bracket and the stand mount portion, the apertures of the complementary bracket and the stand mount portion being adapted for alignment with each other to receive a lock pin therethrough.

Advantageously, the complementary bracket can be secured to the stand mount portion by a readily releasable or quick release pin lock arrangement.

Preferably, an end of the lock pin comprises an aperture adapted to receive a split pin. Advantageously, this prevents removal of the lock pin. Preferably, the complementary bracket comprises a plurality of spaced apertures such that the at least one aperture of the stand mount portion can be aligned with a selected at least one aperture of the complementary bracket to provide adjustable mounting of the complementary bracket to the stand mount portion. Advantageously, this allows simple adjustment of the stand relative to the support bracket.

Preferably, The adjustable stand assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one aperture is at least a pair of spaced apertures in the stand mount portion and more than two spaced apertures of the complementary bracket, wherein the aligned pair of apertures are dimensioned to receive the arms of a U-shaped lock pin therethrough. Advantageously, the arms of the U-shaped pin stop the complementary bracket rotating in relation to the stand mount portion and the intermediate section of the U-shaped pins between the arms provides an easy grip for removal of the U-shaped pin.

Preferably, the stand comprises a stand body to which the complementary bracket is attached. Advantageously, this provides a secure body for the stand.

Preferably, the stand comprises a ground support arrangement extending from the stand body.

Advantageously, this provides the means for the stand to support the vehicle.

Preferably, the ground support arrangement comprises a ground engaging means connected to an elongate shaft. Advantageously, the shaft can be received in the stand body,

Preferably, the ground engaging means comprises a base plate or a caster wheel.

Advantageously, this provides a choice of ground engaging means.

Preferably, the stand body comprises a receiving tube which receives the elongate shaft therein. Advantageously, this provides a compact arrangement.

Preferably, the receiving tube comprises an adjustment means which allows the position of the elongate shaft relative to the receiving tube to be selectively adjusted.

Advantageously, the elongate shaft can be incrementally adjusted in relation to the receiving tube. Preferably, the adjustment means is operable via a rotatable handle disposed in the receiving tube.

Advantageously, this provides a simple operation of the adjustment means.

Preferably, the stand is a jack or jockey wheel. Advantageously, this provides a an adjustable stand which is easy to operate.

The present invention also provides a towed vehicle comprising an adjustable stand assembly as above.

According to a another aspect of the present invention, an adjustable stand mount is provided for a towed vehicle comprising: - vehicle attachment means; and a stand body releasably and adjustably mounted to the vehicle attachment means.

Advantageously, the stand body is releasably mounted to the vehicle via the vehicle attachment means.

Advantageously, different stand bodies can be readily mounted to the vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle attachment means is a bracket comprising a vehicle mount portion and a stand body mount portion.

Preferably, the stand body comprises a ground support receiving means and a complementary bracket, the complementary bracket being adapted to engage with the stand body mount portion of the bracket in an adjustable manner. Preferably, the ground support receiving means comprises an elongate sheath being adapted to engage with a ground support means.

Preferably, the stand body mount portion of the bracket comprises two spaced-apart portions and the complementary bracket is adapted to fit between the two spaced-apart portions in use.

Advantageously, the location of the stand body mount portion is restrained by the two spaced- apart portions.

Preferably, each of the two spaced-apart portions comprises one or more apertures and the complementary bracket comprises one or more corresponding complementary apertures.

Preferably, the adjustable stand mount further comprises one or more pins corresponding to the apertures of the two spaced-apart portions. Advantageously, the stand body can be secured to the bracket by a readily releasable or quick release pin lock arrangement.

Preferably, the one or more apertures of each of the two spaced-apart portions are two apertures and the one or more complementary apertures are two or more complementary apertures and the one or more pins are one U-shaped pin, the ends of the U-shaped pin being adapted to slide through the two apertures and into a respective two complementary apertures to releasably lock the stand body to the bracket.

Advantageously, the ends of the U-shaped pin stop the stand body rotating in relation to the bracket and the intermediate section of the U-shaped pins between the ends provides an easy grip for removal of the U-shaped pin.

Preferably, the complementary bracket is a U-shaped section and each of the complementary apertures passes through both sides of the U-shaped section.

Preferably, the U-shaped pin is sized such that its ends pass through respective complementary apertures and both of the two spaced-apart portions and at least one end of the U-shaped pin comprises an aperture adapted to receive a split pin.

Preferably, the vehicle mount portion comprises 2 or more mounting apertures adapted for receiving fixation means for mounting the vehicle attachment means to the vehicle.

Preferably, the vehicle mount means comprises 4 pairs of mounting apertures such that the vehicle attachment means can be mounted to a variety of vehicles having at least 2 corresponding pairs of mounting apertures.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an adjustable stand is provided comprising an adjustable stand mount as described above and a ground support means mounted to the ground support receiving means and adapted to contact the ground to support the towed vehicle. Preferably, the ground support means is adjustably mounted to the ground support receiving means.

Preferably, the ground support means comprises a threaded elongate shaft and the ground support receiving means comprises a complementary, threaded elongate sheath adapted to engage with the threaded elongate shaft. Advantageously the elongate shaft can be incrementally adjusted in relation to the complementary elongate sheath. Preferably, the ground support means comprises a caster wheel at a lower end for standing on the ground.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a towed vehicle is provided comprising the adjustable stand as described in any of the above paragraphs.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable stand assembly comprising an adjustable stand mount and adjustable stand in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper portion of the adjustable stand assembly of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a vehicle attachment bracket of the stand mount of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side view of a U-shaped lock pin of the adjustable stand assembly of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of a support bracket of the stand mount of Fig.l;

Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the support bracket of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the support bracket of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a top view of the support bracket of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a front view of the adjustable stand of Fig.l;

Fig. 10 is a top view of the adjustable stand of Fig. 1;

Figs. 11A is a side view and 11B is an end view of a complementary bracket for the adjustable stand of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a side view of an adjustable stand mount for a towed vehicle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 13 is side view of a U-shaped pin of the adjustable stand mount of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14A, 14B & 14C are a top view, side view and end view of a vehicle attachment bracket of the adjustable stand mount of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 15A & 15B are a side view and end view of a complimentary bracket of a stand body of the adjustable stand mount of Fig. 12 Fig. 16 is a side view of a stand body of the adjustable stand mount of Fig. 12;

Fig. 17 is a front view of the adjustable stand mount of Fig. 12; and

Figs. 18 A, 18B & 18C are a top view, side view and end view of a vehicle attachment bracket view of an adjustable stand mount for a towed vehicle in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

Figures 1 and 2 show an adjustable stand assembly 20 for a towed vehicle (e.g. a trailer, caravan or boat) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The adjustable stand assembly 20 comprises an adjustable stand 60 and a vehicle attachment means in the form of a stand mount 40. The stand mount 40 comprises a mount bracket 42 for attachment to the towed vehicle and a support bracket 50 releasably mounted to the mount bracket 42. The adjustable stand 60 is releasably and adjustably mounted to the support bracket 50. Figure 3 shows the mount bracket 42, which is essentially a U-section bracket having an elongate rectangular base 43 and first and second webs 44 extending from respective lateral edges of the base 43. The first and second webs 44 are spaced and substantially parallel to each other, and are substantially perpendicular to the base 43. The first and second webs 44 each include a pair of apertures 45 and 46, with the apertures 45 and the apertures 46 of the first and second webs 44 being respectively aligned. In the embodiment, the distance between the pair of apertures 45 and 46 in each of the first and second webs 44 is 100 mm.

The base 43 defines a vehicle mount portion of the mount bracket 42 for attachment to the vehicle, typically by welding or other suitable means. Alternatively, the base 43 can comprise apertures for attachment to the vehicle via bolts. The base 43 in use is preferably mounted to a downwardly facing (bottom) surface of the vehicle, and thus the first and second webs 44 will extend generally downwardly in use. The first and second webs 44 define a space therebetween in the form of a channel 48, which faces generally downwardly in use, which functions as a mount portion for receiving and mounting at least a portion of the support bracket 50 thereto. Figure 4 shows a U-shaped lock pin 70 for the adjustable stand assembly 20. The lock pin 70 comprises an intermediate section 72 and first and second arms 75 extending from respective ends of the intermediate section 72, and perpendicularly to the intermediate section 72. The first and second arms 75 are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart by the same distance as the apertures 45 and 46 of the mount bracket 42, which in the embodiment is 100 mm. The first arm 75 comprises an aperture 76 at an end portion thereof distal from the intermediate section 72. The aperture 76 is adapted to receive a split pin therethrough in use. Figures 5 to 8 show the support bracket 50 of the stand mount 40. The support bracket 50 comprises a first section 51 adapted for releasable attachment to the mount bracket 42 and a second section 52 having a stand mount portion 53.

The first section 51 comprises a bar 54 which in the embodiment is a rectangular cross-section tube. The bar 54 will extend generally horizontally in use and comprises a top wall 55, side walls 56 and a bottom wall 57. The side walls 56 each comprise a pair of spaced apertures 58 and 59, with the apertures 58 and the apertures 59 of the respective side walls 56 being aligned. The apertures 58 and 59 are spaced apart by the same distance as the apertures 45 and 46 of the mount bracket 42, which in the embodiment is 100 mm. Two generally right triangular flanges 80 extend from the bottom wall 57 of the bar 54. A vertical side edge 81 of the flanges 80 is aligned with an end edge 82 of the bar 54, with the side edges 81 and the end edge 82 defining at attachment edge 83 for the second section 52. A cutout slot 84 is formed in the bar 54 adjacent the attachment edge 83. The cutout slot 84 extends from the top wall 55 of the bar 54 and downwardly to about halfway down the side walls 56.

The bar 54 is dimensioned to be received within the channel 48 of the mount bracket 42, with the cutout slot 84 left uncovered by the mount bracket 42. The bar 54 and the channel 48 are dimensioned such that the bar 54 can be readily received and removed from the channel 48 but the play therebetween is minimised.

The second section 52 is substantially similar to the mount bracket 42 and comprises a U- shaped bracket having an elongate rectangular base 85 and first and second webs 86 extending from respective lateral edges of the base 85. The base 85 is attached to the attachment edge 83 of the first section 51, with the first and second webs 86 extending in a direction away from the first section 51. The base 85 thus extends generally perpendicular to the bar 54, and thus extends generally vertically in use. The first and second webs 86 are spaced and substantially parallel to each other, and are substantially perpendicular to the base 85. The first and second webs 44 each include a pair of apertures 87 and 88, with the apertures 87 and the apertures 88 of the first and second webs 86 being respectively aligned. The apertures 87 and 88 in each of the first and second webs 86 are spaced apart by the same distance as first and second arms 75 of the lock pin 70, which in the embodiment is 100 mm.

The first and second webs 86 define a space therebetween in the form of a channel 53, which is generally vertical in use, which functions as the stand mount portion 53 for the adjustable stand 60.

Figures 9 and 10 show the adjustable stand 60 which comprises a stand body 61 having a complementary bracket 62 and a ground support arrangement 63.

The stand body 61 comprises an elongate receiving tube 64. The ground support arrangement 63 comprises a ground engaging means in the form of a base plate 65 connected to an internally threaded elongate shaft 95 (shown in Fig. 1) which is received in the receiving tube 64. The receiving tube 64 comprises an adjustment means therewithin, similar to that provided for a jack or jockey wheel, which allows the position of the threaded elongate shaft 95 relative to the receiving tube 64 to be selectively adjusted via a rotatable handle 66 disposed at an upper end of the receiving tube 64. Thus, the distance between the receiving tube 64 and the base plate 65 is incrementally adjustable. For example, receiving tube 64 can comprise a threaded elongate sheath (not shown) adapted to engage and move the threaded elongate shaft 95 relative thereto upon rotation of the handle 66. Alternatively, the adjustment means can be provided via a hydraulic means therebetween.

In other embodiments, the ground support arrangement 63 and receiving tube 30 may take a different form that provides height adjustment for the ground engaging means 65. The height adjustment may be incremental or continuous, manual or automatically controlled. In yet other embodiments, the base plate 65 can be replaced by a rolling ground engaging means, such as a caster wheel.

Figures 9 to 11 show the complementary bracket 62 which in this embodiment is an elongate generally U-section member 90 having an elongate rectangular base 91 and first and second webs 92 extending from respective lateral edges of the base 91. The first and second webs 92 are spaced and substantially parallel to each other, and are substantially perpendicular to the base 91. The first and second webs 92 each include a series of seven spaced apertures 93, with the apertures 93 of the first and second webs 92 being respectively aligned. In the embodiment, the distance between the adjacent apertures 93 in each of the first and second webs 92 is 50 mm. The webs 92 each include a longitudinal edge 94 which is distal to the base 91. The longitudinal edges 94 are welded to the receiving tube 64 such that the member 90 is generally parallel to the receiving tube 64. The member 90 is dimensioned to be received within the stand mount portion 53 of the support bracket 50. The member 90 and the stand mount portion 53 of the support bracket 50 are dimensioned such that the member 90 can be readily received and removed from the stand mount portion 53 but the play therebetween is minimised. In other embodiments, the complementary bracket 62 can be solid or take any suitable shape.

Mounting and use of the adjustable stand assembly 20 will now be described generally referring back to Figures 1 and 2.

In the preferred embodiment, the mount bracket 42 is attached to a bottom surface of the vehicle, with the channel 48 facing generally downwardly. The bar 54 of the support bracket 50 is then inserted within the channel 48 of the mount bracket 42, with the cutout slot 84 engaging a lifting web (not shown) of the vehicle as typically provided thereto. The apertures 45 and 46 of the mount bracket 42 are aligned with the apertures 58 and 59 of the bar 50, and the arms 75 of a first lock pin 70 are inserted through the aligned apertures 45, 58 and 46, 69 to lock the support bracket 50 to the mount bracket 42. A split pin (not shown) is inserted in the aperture 76 of the first lock pin 70 to secure the lock pin 70 to the mount bracket 42. As described above, the bar 54 and channel 48 are dimensioned to minimize play therebetween.

Securing the support bracket 50 in this manner to the mount bracket 42 positions the stand mount portion 53 of the support bracket 50 in a substantially vertical orientation. The complementary bracket 62 of the adjustable stand 60 is then inserted within the stand mount portion 53 of the support bracket 50. The apertures 87 and 88 of the stand mount portion 53 are aligned with any desired two apertures 93 of the complementary bracket 62, and the arms 75 of a second lock pin 70 are inserted through the aligned apertures 87, 93 and 88, 93 to lock the complementary bracket 62 to the stand mount portion 53 of the support bracket 50. A split pin (not shown) is also inserted in the aperture 76 of the second lock pin 70 to secure the lock pin 70 to the stand mount portion 53. As described above, the complementary bracket 62 and the stand mount portion 53 are dimensioned to minimize play therebetween. The adjustable stand 60 in the preferred embodiment is a jack assembly, which can be adjusted and operated mechanically or hydraulically. The adjustable stand assembly 60 can however be alternatively used with a jockey wheel adjustable stand.

It can be seen that the present invention provides an adjustable stand assembly which provides a number of options and advantages. Since the adjustable stand 60 is releasably mounted to the stand mount 40, the adjustable stand 60 can be released from the stand mount 40 and stored if desired. Also, different adjustable stands 60 can be readily mounted to the vehicle without having to remove the stand mount 40. The position of the adjustable stand 60 relative to the stand mount 40, and thus the distance between the adjustable stand 60 and the ground surface, can also be adjusted. Also, the support bracket 50 can be released from the mount bracket 42 and stored if desired. The intermediate section 72 between the arms of the lock pin 70 provides an easy grip for removal of the U-shaped lock pin 70 from the apertures if desired.

Modifications can also be made to the adjustable stand assembly 20. For example, the mount bracket can alternatively be a hollow tube and the bar can be dimensioned to be received within the hollow tube. A similar structure can be provided for the stand mount portion and the complementary bracket.

All parts of the adjustable stand may be manufactured from any suitable engineering materials such as aluminium, steel or heavy duty plastic. Another embodiment of the present invention is a towed vehicle comprising the adjustable stand 20 as described above, such as a trailer, caravan or boat.

Referring to Figs. 12 - 18 an adjustable stand mount 5a is provided for a towed vehicle comprising vehicle attachment means in the form of a bracket 15a and a stand body 20a releasably and adjustably mounted to the bracket 15a. An adjustable stand 10a is provided with the addition of a ground support arrangement 25a which is adjustably mounted to the stand body 20a and adapted to contact the ground to support the towed vehicle. Since the stand body 20a is releasably mounted to the bracket 15a, different stand bodies can be readily mounted to the vehicle without having to remove the bracket 15a.

The bracket 15a comprises a vehicle mount portion 40a and a stand body mount portion 45a. In this embodiment, the vehicle mount portion 40a is provided by a flat plate and the stand body mount portion is provided by a U-section welded to the flat plate. The vehicle mount portion 40a comprises four apertures 41a for attachment to the vehicle (e.g. a trailer, caravan or boat). In other embodiments, the vehicle mount portion 40a is welded or fixed by other means to the vehicle. The vehicle mount portion 40a may take any suitable form for mounting the rest of the bracket 15a to the vehicle.

The stand body 20a comprises a ground support receiving tube 30a and a complementary bracket 35a, the complementary bracket 35a being adapted to engage with a stand body mount portion 45a of the bracket 15a in an adjustable manner. In other embodiments the ground support receiving tube 30a may be replaced by any mechanical equivalent that connects the complementary bracket 35a to the ground support arrangement 25a.

The ground support arrangement 25a comprises a threaded elongate shaft 50a and the ground support receiving tube 30a is threaded adapted to receive the elongate shaft 50a in threaded engagement in a height adjustable manner. Preferably, the ground support receiving means comprises an elongate sheath being adapted to engage with a ground support means. Advantageously the elongate shaft 50 can be incrementally height adjusted in relation to the ground support receiving tube 30a. The threaded elongate shaft 50a comprises a caster wheel 51a at a lower end for standing on the ground and a rotatable handle 52a at an upper end for adjusting the height of the shaft 50a with respect to the tube 30a.

In other embodiments, the ground support arrangement 25a and ground support receiving tube 30a may take a different form, that preferably, provides height adjustment. The height adjustment may be incremental or continuous and manual or automatically controlled. In yet other embodiments, the caster wheel 51a may be substituted for a non-rolling type stand, such as a skid.

The stand body mount portion 45a of the bracket 15a comprises two spaced-apart plates 55a and the complementary bracket 35a is adapted to fit closely between the two spaced-apart plates 55a in use. Advantageously, the location of the stand body mount portion 45a is restrained by the two spaced-apart plates 55a. Each of the two spaced-apart plates 55a comprises two spaced-apart apertures 60a and the complementary bracket 35a comprises a plurality of complementary apertures 65a spaced-apart by the same distance. In this embodiment the complementary bracket 35a is provided by a U-section with ends welded to the ground support receiving tube 30a. In other embodiments, the complementary bracket 35a may be solid or take any suitable shape.

The adjustable stand mount 10a further comprises a U-shaped pin 70a with ends spaced apart by the same distance as the apertures 60a of the two spaced-apart portions 55a and the complementary apertures 65a. The ends 75a of the U-shaped pin 70a are adapted to slide through the two apertures 60a of one portion 55a, into two of the plurality of complementary apertures 65a and then through the other portion 55a to releasably lock the stand body 20a to the bracket 15a. One end 75a of the U-shaped pin 70a protruding out of the other portion 55a comprises an aperture 76a adapted to receive a split pin 77a to lock the U-shaped pin 70a in position.

The ends 75a of the U-shaped pin 70a stop the stand body 20a rotating in relation to the bracket 15a and an intermediate section 80a of the U-shaped pin 70a between the ends 75a provides an easy grip for removal of the U-shaped pin 70a from the apertures 60a and complementary apertures 65a. Advantageously, the stand body 20a is secured to the bracket 15a by what is essentially a quick-release pin lock arrangement.

In this embodiment, the plurality of complementary apertures 65 a is seven apertures although it should be appreciated that in other embodiments more or less apertures may be used. In other embodiments, the two spaced-apart apertures 60a may be replaced by one or more apertures. If just one aperture is provided then a single securing pin could be used. If two or more apertures are provided, multiple securing pins may be used.

All parts of the adjustable stand may be manufactured from any suitable engineering materials such as aluminium, steel or heavy duty plastic.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a towed vehicle comprising the adjustable stand 10 as described above, such as a trailer, caravan or boat.

Referring to Figs. 7 A, B & C an alternative bracket 15A comprising an alternative vehicle mount portion 40A is shown. The vehicle mount portion 40A is provided by a flat plate comprising 4 pairs of mounting apertures 41 A such that the bracket 15A can be mounted to a variety of vehicles having at least two corresponding pairs of mounting apertures. This arrangement of apertures allows the bracket 15A to be retro fitted to suit 4, 5 and 6 inch chassis. The 4 pairs of mounting apertures 41A comprise 2 pairs of additional apertures 42A, the pairs being spaced from each other (centre-to-centre) by 25mm. The apertures 41 A are adapted for receiving fixation means, for example screws or bolts, for mounting the bracket 15A to the vehicle. In this embodiment, the stand body mount portion 45 A is also provided by a U-section welded to the flat plate. Interpretation

Embodiments:

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Specific Details

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Industrial Applicability

It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the trailer, boat and caravan industries.

Claims

Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An adjustable stand assembly for a towed vehicle, the adjustable stand assembly comprising:

a vehicle attachment means; and

a stand releasably and adjustably mounted to the vehicle attachment means.

2. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle attachment means comprises a mount bracket for attachment to the vehicle and a support bracket mounted to the mount bracket.

3. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 2, wherein the support bracket is releasably mounted to the mount bracket.

4. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 2, wherein the mount bracket is adapted to be attached to a downwardly facing surface of the vehicle.

5. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 3, wherein the mount bracket comprises a space for receiving at least a portion of the support bracket.

6. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 5, wherein the portion of the support bracket and the space of the mount bracket are dimensioned such that the portion of the support bracket can be readily received and removed from the space of the mount bracket but the play therebetween is minimized.

7. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 5, wherein the mount bracket and the portion of the support bracket comprise complementary attachment means for attachment of the portion of the support bracket to the mount bracket.

8. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 7, wherein the complementary attachment means comprises at least one aperture in each of the mount bracket and the portion of the support bracket, the apertures of the mount bracket and the portion of the support bracket being adapted for alignment with each other to receive a lock pin therethrough.

9. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 8, wherein the at least one aperture is at least a pair of spaced apertures in each of the mount bracket and the portion of the support bracket, wherein the aligned pair of apertures are dimensioned to receive the arms of a U- shaped lock pin therethrough.

10. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 8, wherein an end of the lock pin comprises an aperture adapted to receive a split pin.

11. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 2, wherein the support bracket comprises a stand mount portion for releasably and adjustably mounting the stand thereto.

12. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 11, wherein the stand mount portion extends substantially vertically in use.

13. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 11, wherein the stand mount portion comprises a space for receiving and mounting at least a portion of the stand therein.

14. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 11, wherein the stand comprises a complementary bracket adapted to be received in the stand mount portion of the support bracket.

15. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 14, wherein the complementary bracket and the stand mount portion are dimensioned such that the complementary bracket can be readily received and removed from the stand mount portion but the play therebetween is minimized.

16. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 14, wherein the complementary bracket and the stand mount portion comprise complementary attachment means for attachment of complementary bracket to the stand mount portion.

17. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 16, wherein the complementary attachment means comprises at least one aperture in each of the complementary bracket and the stand mount portion, the apertures of the complementary bracket and the stand mount portion being adapted for alignment with each other to receive a lock pin therethrough.

18. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 17, wherein an end of the lock pin comprises an aperture adapted to receive a split pin.

19. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 17, wherein the complementary bracket comprises a plurality of spaced apertures such that the at least one aperture of the stand mount portion can be aligned with a selected at least one aperture of the complementary bracket to provide adjustable mounting of the complementary bracket to the stand mount portion.

20. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one aperture is at least a pair of spaced apertures in the stand mount portion and more than two spaced apertures of the complementary bracket, wherein the aligned pair of apertures are dimensioned to receive the arms of a U-shaped lock pin therethrough.

21. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 14, wherein the stand comprises a stand body to which the complementary bracket is attached.

22. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 21, wherein the stand comprises a ground support arrangement extending from the stand body.

23. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 22, wherein the ground support arrangement comprises a ground engaging means connected to an elongate shaft.

24. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 23 wherein the ground engaging means comprises a base plate or a caster wheel.

25. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 23, wherein the stand body comprises a receiving tube which receives the elongate shaft therein.

26. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 25, wherein the receiving tube comprises an adjustment means which allows the position of the elongate shaft relative to the receiving tube to be selectively adjusted.

27. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 26, wherein the adjustment means is operable via a rotatable handle disposed in the receiving tube.

28. The adjustable stand assembly of claim 1, wherein the stand is a jack or jockey wheel.

29. A towed vehicle comprising an adjustable stand assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27.

30. An adjustable stand mount for a towed vehicle comprising: vehicle attachment means; and

a stand body releasably and adjustably mounted to the vehicle attachment means.

31. An adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 30, wherein the vehicle attachment means is a bracket comprising a vehicle mount portion and a stand body mount portion.

32. An adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 31, wherein the stand body comprises a ground support receiving means and a complementary bracket, the complementary bracket being adapted to engage with the stand body mount portion of the bracket in an adjustable manner.

33. An adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 32, wherein the ground support receiving means comprises an elongate sheath being adapted to engage with a ground support means.

34. An adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 32, wherein the stand body mount portion of the bracket comprises two spaced-apart portions and the complementary bracket is adapted to fit between the two spaced-apart portions in use.

35. An adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 34, wherein each of the two spaced- apart portions comprises one or more apertures and the complementary bracket comprises one or more corresponding complementary apertures.

36. An adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 35, further comprises one or more pins corresponding to the apertures of the two spaced-apart portions.

37. An adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 36, wherein the one or more apertures of each of the two spaced-apart portions are two apertures and the one or more complementary apertures are two or more complementary apertures and the one or more pins are one U-shaped pin, the ends of the U-shaped pin being adapted to slide through the two apertures and into a respective two complementary apertures to releasably lock the stand body to the bracket.

38. An adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 37, wherein the complementary bracket is a U-shaped section and each of the complementary apertures passes through both sides of the U-shaped section.

39. An adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 38, wherein the U-shaped pin is sized such that its ends pass through respective complementary apertures and both of the two spaced-apart portions and at least one end of the U-shaped pin comprises an aperture adapted to receive a split pin.

40. An adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 31, wherein the vehicle mount portion comprises 2 or more mounting apertures adapted for receiving fixation means for mounting the vehicle attachment means to the vehicle.

41. An adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 40, wherein the vehicle mount means comprises 4 pairs of mounting apertures such that the vehicle attachment means can be mounted to a variety of vehicles having at least 2 corresponding pairs of mounting apertures.

42. An adjustable stand comprising an adjustable stand mount as claimed in claim 32 and a ground support means mounted to the ground support receiving means and adapted to contact the ground to support the towed vehicle.

43. An adjustable stand as claimed in claim 40, wherein the ground support means is adjustably mounted to the ground support receiving means.

44. An adjustable stand as claimed in claim 42, wherein the ground support means comprises a threaded elongate shaft and the ground support receiving means comprises a complementary, threaded elongate sheath adapted to engage with the threaded elongate shaft.

45. An adjustable stand as claimed in claim 40, wherein the ground support means comprises a caster wheel at a lower end for standing on the ground.

46. A towed vehicle comprising an adjustable stand as claimed in any one of claims 40 to 45.