U.S. patent application number 09/821262 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-04 for folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle.
Invention is credited to Cross, Gary.
Application Number | 20010026060 09/821262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24163669 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010026060 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cross, Gary |
October 4, 2001 |
Folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle
Abstract
A folding trailer is described including a wheeled first frame
portion having a tongue secured thereto which extends forwardly
therefrom for connection to a hitch adapter which is mounted on the
hitch of the an all-terrain vehicle. A second frame portion is
pivotally secured to the rearward end of the wheeled frame portion
and a rear frame portion is pivotally secured to the rearward end
of the second frame portion in such a manner that it may be
pivotally moved upwardly from a horizontally disposed position on
the rearward end of the second frame portion to an upwardly
extending position. The rear frame portion may be folded onto the
second frame portion with those frame portions being folded upon
the wheeled frame portion. The trailer may then be pivotally moved
upwardly and secured to the rack of the all-terrain vehicle.
Inventors: |
Cross, Gary; (Estherville,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ZARLEY MCKEE THOMTE VOORHEES & SEASE PLC
SUITE 3200
801 GRAND AVENUE
DES MOINES
IA
50309-2721
US
|
Family ID: |
24163669 |
Appl. No.: |
09/821262 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09821262 |
Mar 29, 2001 |
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09542400 |
Apr 4, 2000 |
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6254117 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/456.1 ;
280/504 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60D 1/155 20130101;
B62D 63/062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/456.1 ;
280/504 |
International
Class: |
B60D 001/01; B60D
001/14 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A hitch adapter for pivotally securing the forward end of a
tongue member to the hitch of an all-terrain vehicle, said hitch
including a rearwardly extending bar having a rearward end with an
opening formed therein, comprising: a first vertically disposed
L-shaped side plate including a vertically extending rear plate
portion and a horizontally extending front plate portion; a second
vertically disposed L-shaped side plate spaced from said first side
plate and including a vertically extending rear plate portion and a
horizontally extending front plate portion; said rear plate
portions each having upper and lower ends; said front plate
portions each having upper and lower ends; a first plate extending
between the upper ends of said front plate portions; said first
plate having an opening formed therein; a second plate extending
between said rear plate portions; said second plate having an
opening formed therein; each of said rear plate portions having an
opening formed therein below the upper ends thereof to enable a
bolt or pin to be extended therethrough and through the forward end
of the tongue member; said first plate normally being positioned
beneath the bar of the vehicle hitch; an eye bolt having an eye
portion and a rearwardly extending threaded shank portion; said eye
portion being normally positioned on the bar of the vehicle hitch
with the threaded shank of said eye bolt extending through said
opening in said second plate and being secured therein by a nut; a
hitch bolt normally extending downwardly through said eye portion,
the opening in the bar of the hitch, and through said opening in
said first plate and being secured therein by a nut.
2. The hitch adapter of claim 1 wherein said opening in said first
plate comprises an elongated slot.
3. The hitch adapter of claim 1 wherein said opening in said second
plate comprises an elongated slot.
4. The hitch adapter of claim 2 wherein said opening in said second
plate comprises an elongated slot.
5. The hitch adapter of claim 1 wherein the hitch adapter may be
rotated 180.degree. with respect to the bar of the hitch and
secured thereto so that said rear plate portions extend downwardly
from the bar to position the bolt openings in said rear plate
portions to be positioned below the bar.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a divisional application of Petitioner's earlier
application Ser. No. 09/542,400 filed Apr. 4, 2000, entitled "A
FOLDING TRAILER FOR AN ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a folding trailer and more
particularly to a folding trailer which may be attached to an
all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] ATVs are gaining in popularity and are used extensively by
farmers, gardeners, ranchers, sportsmen, etc. Most ATVs have a
hitch secured to the rear end of the vehicle so that the vehicle
may pull a trailer or the like. Many types of trailers have been
provided for use with the ATVs. In fact, the assignee of the
instant invention is the owner of design patent number Des. 417,172
issued Nov. 30, 1999, which illustrates a folding trailer. A
collapsible portable trailer for all-terrain vehicles is also
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,090. Although the folding trailers
disclosed in the above-identified patents apparently perform
satisfactorily to some degree, neither of the folding trailers are
as convenient to use as desirable and do not provide the necessary
hitch connection for the trailer which enables the trailer to not
only be conveniently folded for storage on the ATV itself, but
which also provides the necessary flexibility between the trailer
and the vehicle so that the trailer will not be damaged when the
vehicle is traversing rough terrain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A folding trailer is provided for use with an all-terrain
vehicle (ATV). The trailer includes a first frame portion which has
ground-engaging wheels secured thereto which extend downwardly
therefrom. A second frame portion is pivotally secured to the
rearward end of the first frame portion and is pivotally movable
between an operative position wherein it is parallel to the first
frame portion to a second position where it is folded on top of the
first frame portion. A rear frame portion is pivotally secured at
its lower end to the rearward end of the second frame portion and
is pivotally movable from an upstanding position to a folded
position adjacent the upper surface of the second frame portion. A
first elongated tongue is pivotally secured to the forward end of
the first frame portion and is selectively prevented from pivotal
movement with respect to the first frame portion during the times
that the trailer is being used in its transport position. A second
tongue member is pivotally secured, about a vertical axis, to the
forward end of the first tongue member, and extends forwardly for
connection to a unique hitch member which is secured to the hitch
of the ATV. The forward end of the second tongue member is
pivotally secured to a hitch adapter by means of a horizontally
disposed removable pin. The hitch adapter is secured to the hitch
of the ATV.
[0007] When it is desired to fold the trailer from its transport
position to its folded position, the rear frame portion is folded
onto the top of the second frame portion with the rear and second
frame portions then being folded on top of the first frame portion.
The pin which extends through the rearward end of the first tongue
member, to prevent pivotal movement of the first tongue member with
respect to the first frame portion, is removed. The folded frame
portions are then pivotally moved upwardly to a substantially
vertically disposed position and are supported upon a trailer
support which is secured to the rack of the ATV. Preferably, straps
are then used to maintain the trailer on the rack in the vertically
disposed position. The hitch adapter is unique in that it
compensates for different types of ATV hitches and for different
heights of ATV hitches.
[0008] It is therefore a principal object of the invention to
provide an improved folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle.
[0009] Still another object of the invention is to provide a
folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle wherein the trailer may
be folded to a substantially vertically disposed position and
supported on the rack of the ATV.
[0010] Still another object of the invention is to provide a
folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle which provides the
necessary flexibility between the vehicle and the trailer to
prevent damage to the trailer when the vehicle is traversing rough
ground.
[0011] Still another object of the invention is to provide a
folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle including a unique hitch
adapter which is adjustable and reversible to accommodate hitches
of different configurations.
[0012] Still another object of the invention is to provide a
folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle which is convenient to
use and which is economical of manufacture.
[0013] These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the trailer of this
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of the trailer of this invention
secured to an all-terrain vehicle;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the forward end of the
trailer, the hitch adapter and the hitch of the ATV;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a partial exploded perspective view of the hitch
adapter;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the hitch adapter
secured to the hitch of the ATV;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the trailer in its folded
and stowed condition;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the trailer in its
folded position;
[0021] FIG. 8 is front perspective view of the rack of the ATV with
the trailer supports mounted thereon; and
[0022] FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating the pivotal movement of
the trailer with respect to the ATV.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] The folding trailer of this invention is referred to
generally by the reference numeral 10 while the reference numeral
12 refers to a conventional all-terrain vehicle (ATV) having a
forward end 14 and a rearward end 16. For purposes of description,
vehicle 12 will be described as including a body 18 mounted on a
frame 20. Vehicle 12 also includes a conventional rear suspension
system which normally consists of a pair of shock absorbers or the
like which extend between the body 18 and the frame 20 to permit
the rearward end of the body 18 to move upwardly and downwardly
with respect to the frame 20 and vice versa. The vehicle 12 also
includes a conventional suspension system at the forward end
thereof.
[0024] The rear wheels of the vehicle 12 are mounted on the
opposite ends of axles which are normally enclosed within an axle
housing 22 having a rearwardly extending hitch 24 secured thereto
which includes an opening 26 formed therein to accommodate a hitch
pin, bolt or the like.
[0025] For purposes of description, trailer 10 will be described as
including a tongue assembly 28, first frame portion 30, second
frame portion 32, and rear frame portion 34. Although it is
preferred that first and second frame portions be utilized, the
second frame portion could be omitted if desired with the rear
frame portion 34 then being mounted on the rear end of the first
frame portion 30. Further, in some cases, the owner of the trailer
may not wish to utilize a rear frame portion. The numeral 36 refers
to a wheel assembly which is secured to front frame portion 30 for
engagement with the ground to support the trailer in its transport
or operative position.
[0026] Front frame portion 30 includes side frame members 38 and 40
having a plurality of cross members 42 welded to the undersides
thereof which extend therebetween. Braces 44 and 46 are welded to
the undersides of cross members 42 and extend therebetween, as
illustrated in the drawings. Further, an upstanding bar 48 is
welded to the forward end of the forwardmost cross member 42 and
extends between the forward ends of side frame members 38 and 40. A
pair of flat bar members 50 and 52 are welded to the undersides of
the forwardmost cross members 42, as seen in FIG. 1, and have their
forward ends disposed forwardly of the forwardmost cross member
42.
[0027] Tongue assembly 28 includes an elongated tongue member 54
which has its forward end pivotally secured to the forward ends of
bar members 50 and 52 by means of bolt or pin 56 extending
therethrough. A removable bolt or pin 58 extends through bar
members 50 and 52 and the rearward end of tongue member 54 when the
trailer is to be positioned in its transport position (FIG. 1).
[0028] Tongue assembly 28 also includes elongated tongue member 60
which has its rearward end pivotally secured to the forward end of
tongue member 54 by means of bolt or pin 62 extending vertically
downwardly therethrough. The forward end of tongue member 60 has a
horizontally disposed opening 64 formed therein to enable the
tongue assembly to be pivotally connected, about a horizontal axis,
to a hitch adapter 66 which will be described in more detail
hereinafter.
[0029] Second frame portion 32 includes side frame members 68 and
70 having a pair of cross members 72 secured to the underside
thereof rearwardly of the forward ends of the side frame members 68
and 70. The forward ends of side frame members 68 and 70 are
positioned inwardly of the rearward ends of side frame members 38
and 40 of first frame portion 30 and are pivotally secured thereto
by means of bolts or pins 74 and 76, respectively. When the second
frame portion 32 is in its operative or transport position, the
forward ends of the side frame members 68 and 70 are supported upon
the rearwardmost cross frame members 42 of first frame portion 30
(FIG. 1).
[0030] Rear frame portion 34 includes a pair of side frame members
78 and 80 having a pair of cross members 82 and 84 secured thereto
and extending therebetween. Side frame members 78 and 80 are
positioned between the side frame members 68 and 70 of second frame
portion 32 and have their lower ends pivotally secured thereto by
means of bolts 83 and 85, respectively. Hooks 86 and 88 are
attached to supports 90 and 92 which are secured to the rack 94 of
the ATV 12. When the rear frame portion 34 is in its folded
position, it rests upon the cross frame members 72 of second frame
portion 32 with the side frame members 78 being positioned between
the rearward ends of side frame members 68 and 70 and flush
therewith. When the rear frame portion 34 is pivotally moved
upwardly to its upright position, the lower ends of side frame
members 78 and 80 engage the rearwardmost cross frame member 72 to
prevent further pivotal movement of the rear frame portion 34 with
respect to second frame portion 32.
[0031] When it is desired to use the trailer, the second frame
portion 32, with the rear frame portion 34 folded flush therewith,
is pivotally moved from its folded position to the operative
position so that second frame portion 32 extends rearwardly from
first frame portion 30. Rear frame portion 34 is then pivotally
moved upwardly to the operative position. Bolt 58 is then extended
through bar members 50 and 52 and the rearward end of tongue member
54 to prevent pivotal movement of the tongue member 52 with respect
to the first frame portion 30. The forward end of tongue member 60
is then secured to the hitch adapter 66. The materials, objects,
etc., to be transported may then be loaded onto the trailer 10 and
secured thereto. As the ATV 12 moves the trailer from one location
to another, the forward end of the tongue member 28 may pivot about
a horizontal axis with respect to the hitch adapter 66 with the
forward end of the trailer being adapted to pivot about a vertical
axis with respect to tongue member 60 by way of the bolt 62. The
pivotal connection of the trailer, about both vertical and
horizontal axes, permits the trailer and the tongue assembly to
move with respect to one another to prevent damage to the tongue
assembly, trailer and the ATV.
[0032] When it is desired to stow the trailer so that the trailer
wheels are not in ground-engagement, bolt 58 is removed from bar
members 50 and 52 and the rearward end of tongue member 54 so that
tongue member 54 may pivot about bolt 56. Rear frame portion 34 is
then folded downwardly so that it is received and lies between the
side frame members 68 and 70 of second frame portion 32. Second
frame portion 32, with rear frame portion 34 folded thereonto, is
then folded forwardly about bolts 74 and 76 so that second frame
portion 32 and rear frame portion 34 lie between side frame members
38 and 40 of first frame portion 30. The rearward end of the folded
frame assembly is then pivotally moved upwardly with respect to
tongue member 54 with the folded frame portions then being lifted
upwardly so that the rearward ends of the supports 90 and 92 are
positioned below one of the aligned sets of cross members so that
the supports 90 and 92 may support the same. Hooks 86 and 88 limit
the upward movement of the trailer with respect to the supports 90
and 92. Straps are then extended from the rack around the folded
trailer to maintain the folded trailer in its substantially
vertically disposed position. As the vehicle travels over regular
and rough terrain, the conventional suspension system permits
movement between the frame 20 and body 18 and vice versa. Such
movement is not restricted by the folded trailer 10 inasmuch as the
forward end of tongue member 60 is pivotally connected, about a
horizontal axis, to the hitch adapter 66 by means of bolt 96
extending through opening 98 in hitch adapter 66 and through
opening 64 in tongue member 60. The pivotal connection between
tongue member 54 and the front frame portion 30, by means of the
bolt 56, also permits the relative movement between the body 18 and
the frame 20 of the ATV 12.
[0033] Due to the fact that the hitches of various ATVs are
positioned above the ground at various heights and due to the fact
that the hitches on the ATVs have varying thicknesses, and further
due to the fact that the openings 26 in certain hitches are spaced
at different distances from the rear of the hitch, and further due
to the fact that it is desired to have a horizontal pivot
connection between the hitch of the ATV and the forward end of the
tongue of the trailer 10, the adjustable and reversible hitch
adapter 66 is provided. Hitch adapter 66 includes a pair of
spaced-apart side plates 100 and 102 which are L-shaped. Base plate
104 extends between the leg portions 106 and 108 of the plates 100
and 102, as seen in the drawings. An elongated slot 110 is provided
in the base plate 104 and an elongated slot 112 is provided in the
plate 114 which is positioned between the side plates 100 and 102.
The upper ends of plates 100 and 102 are provided with openings 116
and 118, respectively.
[0034] Hitch adapter 66 may be secured to the hitch, as seen in
FIGS. 3-5, by positioning plate 104 beneath the lower rearward end
of hitch 24 and by extending the bolt 120 downwardly through the
eye 122 of eye bolt 124 which has a threaded shank 126 extending
from the eye 122. Bolt 120 is extended downwardly through the eye
122, through the opening 26, and through the slot 110 and is
secured therein by means of nut 128. The elongated slot 110 enables
the hitch adapter 66 to be moved forwardly and rearwardly with
respect to the hitch 26 to enable hitches of various dimensions to
be accommodated. Further, the threaded shank 126, by extending
through the slot 112, enables the hitch adapter 66 to accommodate
hitches having various thicknesses. The forward end of tongue
member 60 is pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to the
hitch adapter 66 by means of the bolt 62 extending through openings
116 and 118 and the opening 64 in tongue member 60. If the height
of the hitch 24 is considerably higher than that shown in the
drawings, the hitch adapter 66 may be rotated 1800 so that the
plate 104 rests upon the upper surface of hitch 24 so that the
openings 116 and 118 are positioned well below the hitch 24.
[0035] Thus it can be seen that a novel folding trailer for an ATV
has been provided. It can also be seen that a novel hitch adapter
has been provided which enables the trailer to be connected to the
hitches of various types of ATVs.
[0036] Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least
all of its stated objectives.
* * * * *