U.S. patent application number 15/282309 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-05 for utility trailer.
This patent application is currently assigned to KARAVAN TRAILERS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is KARAVAN TRAILERS, INC.. Invention is credited to JOEL NEHRING.
Application Number | 20180093726 15/282309 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61724943 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180093726 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NEHRING; JOEL |
April 5, 2018 |
UTILITY TRAILER
Abstract
A utility trailer having outboard wheels, the trailer including
a deck having a first height, a frame having an axle in which
wheels attached to the axle have a second height, the second height
extends a predetermined distance above the first height, opposed
side panels are rotatably coupled to the frame, at least one of the
opposed panels includes an opening having a third height, the third
height being greater than the predetermined distance.
Inventors: |
NEHRING; JOEL; (RANDOLPH,
WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KARAVAN TRAILERS, INC. |
FOX LAKE |
WI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
KARAVAN TRAILERS, INC.
FOX LAKE
WI
|
Family ID: |
61724943 |
Appl. No.: |
15/282309 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 63/061 20130101;
B62D 63/08 20130101; B62D 63/062 20130101; B60P 1/435 20130101;
B60P 1/003 20130101; B60P 1/43 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62D 63/06 20060101
B62D063/06; B62D 63/08 20060101 B62D063/08; B60P 1/43 20060101
B60P001/43 |
Claims
1. A utility trailer comprising: a deck wherein the deck has a
first height; a frame attachable to and supporting said deck, said
frame having an axle in which wheels attached to said axle have a
second height, said second height extending a predetermined
distance above said first height; and opposed side panels, said
opposed side panels being rotatably coupled to said frame such that
said opposed side panels are rotatable from a first, upright
position, relative to said deck, to a second, outwardly rotated
position relative to said deck, at least one of said opposed panels
including an opening having a third height, said third height being
greater than said predetermined distance.
2. The utility trailer of claim 1 further including a front panel
and a rear panel.
3. The utility trailer of claim 2 wherein said rear panel is a
hinged ramp.
4. The utility trailer of claim 1 further including means for
attaching said utility trader to a vehicle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains to trailers intended to be
towed by a motor vehicle. These trailers may be used for a variety
of purposes including transporting luggage, materials, or sports
machines. Such trailers are generally made from metal beams cut to
the correct length and welded together and are commonly arranged
with the deck over the wheels. Such trailers must be end loaded via
a ramp or the like, or otherwise materials to be loaded must be
lifted over the trailer sides. The arrangement of the deck over the
wheels necessitates the deck to be elevated from the ground cit a
height at least greater than the wheel height. In order to side
load a trailer such as this, it is necessary to lift the materials
onto the elevated deck. This can be impractical when loading heavy
objects. Moreover, the elevated center of gravity when such a
trailer is fully loaded may cause instability. A new trailer is
therefore desired which permits a lower center of gravity, having
outboard wheels, with fully rotatable sides and arranged to permit
side loading of the trailer with materials. Such an arrangement
allows side loading with forklifts or the like, and greatly
enhances the flexibility of use. It is further desired to design a
new trailer which can be side-loaded easily to reduce the
logistical problems associated with side-loading trailers having an
elevated, deck-over-wheels configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention provides a trailer having outboard wheels and
fully rotatable side panels. The trailer of the present invention
includes a front panel and two opposed side panels. The front and
side panels are rotatably coupled to a floor panel or deck which is
supported on a frame having an axle and at least two wheels. A
least one of the side panels preferably includes an opening having
a height above the deck that is greater than the height of the
wheel and attached fender above the deck, such that as a side panel
is rotated for loading of the trailer, the side panel clears the
wheel and fender for complete rotation and clearance of the deck
without interference from the wheel and fender. Moreover, the floor
panel or deck is supported at a position lower than the height of
the wheels. The trailer may further include a bumper coupled to the
floor panel and a hinged ramp coupled to the bumper. The trailer
preferably includes means for attaching the utility trailer to a
vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art,
deck-over-wheels trailer.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a trailer according to the
present invention.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the trailer illustrated
in FIG. 2.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the trailer illustrated
in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a top view of the trailer illustrated in FIGS.
2-4.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but showing the
side panels, rear ramp and front panel rotated and in open
position.
[0009] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the trailer shown in
FIG. 6 and taken along lines 7-7 thereof.
[0010] FIG. 8A is an enlarged portion of FIG. 2 and showing a hinge
in the upright position.
[0011] FIG. 8B is an enlarged portion of FIG. 6 and showing a hinge
in a rotated position.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view similar to that of FIG. 3
but showing an alternative side panel.
[0013] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view similar to that of FIGS. 3
and 9 but showing an alternative side panel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the
physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the
invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While
the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be
changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by
the claims.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art trailer 100. As shown, the
prior art trailer 100 includes a deck 26 positioned over the wheels
36, with the wheels 36 having a height less than the height of the
deck.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a trailer 10 according to the present
invention. As seen, the trailer 10 includes a frame 12 having a
pair of opposed side frame rails 14, a front frame rail 16 and a
rear frame rail 18. The trailer 10 further includes front panel 20,
at least two spaced apart opposed side panels 22, a rear panel 24,
and a deck 26. The panels 22, 24 being rotatably supported on the
frame 12 by hinge members 28 (see also FIGS. 8A and 8B).
[0017] As may be seen particularly in the side view of FIG. 3, the
side panels 22 may each include a plurality of upright posts 30, at
least one panel rail 32 and at least one opening 34. The opening 34
having a height h2 above the deck 26 greater than the height h1 of
the wheel 36 and the attached fender 38 above the deck 26, such
that as a side panel 22 is rotated, as is shown in FIG. 6, the side
panel 22 may clear the wheel 36 and fender 38 for complete rotation
and clearance of the deck 26 without interference from the wheel 36
and fender 38. As the view of FIG. 3 illustrates, the utility
trailer 10 comprises a deck 26 wherein the deck has a first height
h3, with a frame 12 attachable to and supporting the deck 26. The
frame 12 includes an axle 42 in which wheels 36, and fender 38 if
used, attached to the axle 42 have a second height h4, the second
height h4 extends a predetermined distance h1 above the first
height h3. The opposed side panels 22, are rotatably coupled to the
frame 12 and at least one of the opposed side panels 22 includes an
opening 34 having a third height h2. As shown, the third height h2
is greater than the predetermined distance h1. This arrangement
allows the side panel 22 to fully rotate and avoid contact with the
wheels 36 and fender 38 (if provided). Moreover, in addition to
height, the size and shape of the opening 34 is preferably
configured such that the side panel 22 easily clears the wheel 36
and fender 38 (see for example FIG. 10). This arrangement allows
the side panels 22 to be fully rotated away from the deck 26 and to
allow loading of material (not shown) onto the deck 26 without need
to elevate the material to a deck 26 height greater than that of
the wheels 36, as in prior deck-over arrangements. While the
Figures depict the wheels 36 having fenders 38, it is to be
understood that the trailer 10 may include wheels 36 not having
fenders 38 and fall within the scope of the invention.
[0018] The views of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate the trailer 10 as
further including a bumper 40, an axle 42, a pair of tongue
brackets 44 and a tongue 46. As is particularly illustrated in FIG.
3, the floor or deck 26 is positioned at a height below that of the
wheels 36, with an outboard arrangement of the wheels 36 as is seen
particularly in FIG. 5. As mentioned, each side panel 22 is
arranged to pivot about a hinge member 28 such that a selected side
panel 22 may rotate in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 6) to
gain access to the deck 26, as will be discussed.
[0019] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a hinge member 28 for use in
conjunction with the panels 20, 22. As is shown in FIG. 8A the
hinge member 28 may include a hinge pin 48 about which the panels
20, 22 rotate. Moreover, and with particular attention to FIG. 8A,
a panel 20, 22 may be secured in an upright position by a latch 50
attached to a selected upright post 30, and a catch 52 attached to
an adjacent selected upright post 30. A quick release pin 54 may be
further included to secure a selected panel 20, 22 in an upright
position. Rotational movement of a panel 20, 22 on the hinge member
28 may be viewed in FIGS. 7 and 8B. As is shown, if a quick release
pin 54 is used, the pin 54 is removed from its pin aperture 56, the
latch 50 is removed from the catch 52 and the panel 20, 22 rotated
in the direction of arrow A. While this arrangement is shown, it is
to be understood that other methods of securing and pivoting the
panels 20, 22 may be used without departing from the invention.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, and as
mentioned, the utility trailer 10 preferably further includes means
for attaching the utility trailer 10 to a vehicle (not shown) for
towing. As illustrated, a tongue 44 may be secured to the trailer
10 by a pair of tongue brackets 44. As seen in. FIGS. 2 and 3, the
tongue brackets 44 may be attached to the frame 12 in a traditional
manner. The trailer 10 preferably further includes an axle 42 to
support the wheels 36.
[0021] In an embodiment of the trailer 10 the rear panel 24 may be
pivoting ramp 58. As is shown in FIG. 3, the ramp 58 may be
attached to a rear frame rail 18 and bumper 40, and secured in its
upright position by a pair of latches 50 attached to the either
side of the ramp 58 and a pair of catches 52 each attached to a
selected upright post 30 in the manner described with regard to the
panels 20, 22. While this arrangement is shown, it is to be
understood that other methods of securing the pivoting ramp 58 may
be used without departing from the invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 are
further views of a trailer 10 according to the present invention,
and showing location of the outboard wheels 36 and optional fenders
38. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the pivoting ramp 58 in a loading
position wherein the latches 50 are disengaged from the catches 52
and the ramp 58 moved to the position shown. Although the ramp 58
illustrated in the Figures is shown as being taller than the side
panels 20, 22, it is also contemplated that the ramp 58 could be of
any height and still fail within the scope of the present
invention.
[0022] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an alternative side panel 120 for
use with the present trailer 10A. In these views, the panels 120
are seen to include panel sections 60 wherein at least one of the
panel sections 60 is fitted with a mesh 62 or otherwise solid
material. Mesh 62 for use in this embodiment may be any suitable
material such as metal or rigid polymer, as may be desired. The
view of FIG. 9 illustrates two panel sections 60 having a mesh 62
with the panel section 60 adjacent the wheel 36 having an opening
34 configured as mentioned above. The view of FIG. 10 depicts
another side panel 120 arrangement in which a portion 64 of the
panel section 60 adjacent the wheel 36 includes a both a mesh 62
and an opening 34 configured as mentioned above. As in the previous
embodiment, the opening 34 of side panel 120 is sized and shaped
such that the side panel 120 easily clears the wheel 36 and fender
38 (see for example, FIG. 10). This arrangement allows the side
panel 120 to be fully rotated away from the deck 26 and to allow
loading of material (not shown) onto the deck 26 without need to
elevate the material to a deck 26 height greater than that of the
wheels 36, as in prior deck-over arrangements. As mentioned with
regard to previous embodiments, it is to be understood although
fenders 38 are shown in the Figures, it is within the scope of the
invention to provide a utility trailer 10. 10A, 10B with or without
fenders 38, as desired.
[0023] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred
embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without
departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
* * * * *