Abstract:
A trailer for towing vehicles and related methods is presented. The disclosed trailer can be configured for towing certain three-wheeled vehicles and include a ramp, a front wheel retaining member, and rear wheel plates. The trailer may be configured to receive a three-wheeled vehicle, and upon receipt of the front wheel at the front wheel retaining member and the rear wheels at the rear wheel plates, transition from a first position with the ramp in a lowered configuration to a second position with the ramp in a raised and locked configuration, wherein the weight of the vehicle being towed may be used to both raise the ramp and maintain the ramp in a secured, raised configuration.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/290,216 filed Feb. 2, 2016, titled Trailers For Towing Vehicles and Related Methods; and also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/293,354 filed Feb. 10, 2016 titled Trailers For Towing Vehicles and Related Methods; the entire disclosures of both applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING GOVERNMENT SUPPORT 
       [0002]    None. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present disclosure relates to trailers for towing vehicles and related methods. In particular, the present disclosure related to trailer for towing three-wheeled vehicles that provide total support of the vehicles while permitting easy loading and unloading of the vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Landscaping equipment and vehicles used to maintain golf courses are often three-wheeled vehicles with two rear wheels and a centered forward wheel that permits for, among other things, tight turning radiuses and improved maneuverability in tight quarters. Such three wheeled vehicles can be designed to perform specific tasks, such as for example mowing, or can be configured to accept different attachments or implements and perform a wide variety of tasks. Generally speaking, such three-wheeled vehicles are designed to perform one or more tasks within a given intended area or job site, but are not well-suited to travel over long distances under their own power. Thus, such three-wheeled vehicles are often towed by other vehicles to a job site where they may be utilized for their desired function and are then towed to other job sites or a storage area once the task is completed. 
         [0005]    To tow such three-wheeled vehicles, numerous methods and devices may be employed. In one example, a small trailer that includes a single platform may be utilized whereby the front wheel may be secured to the trailer and the remaining wheels remain on the ground. Such towing may be acceptable for three-wheeled vehicles with freely rotating back wheels, but may not be acceptable if the three-wheeled vehicle includes, for example, a geared transmission system or hydraulic drive system that prevents or otherwise makes undesirable free rotation of the back wheels. In such cases, other types of trailers must be utilized, including trailers wherein the three-wheeled vehicles must be fully driven onto, for example, full length trailers. Such trailers are often heavy, difficult to maneuver, and otherwise undesirable in certain applications (such as, for example, golf courses or other landscaping applications). 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there exists a need for improved trailers that may be used to easily tow three-wheeled vehicles without the need for heavy and poorly maneuverable full length trailers or the like. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In some embodiments, a trailer for towing a three-wheeled vehicle having a front wheel and two rear wheels is presented. The trailer may include one or more of a tongue assembly, a ramp assembly, and a front wheel securing assembly spanning substantially along a longitudinal axis between the tongue assembly and the ramp assembly. In some embodiments, the front wheel securing assembly may include a front wheel receiver pivotable about a front wheel receiver pivot axis. The trailer may also include a ramp assembly having one or more of a ramp and a ramp pivot axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the ramp pivot axis divides the ramp into a forward ramp portion disposed proximate the front wheel securing assembly and a rear ramp portion opposite thereto. The ramp may be configured to pivot about the ramp pivot axis, and may also include at least two wheel rest plates disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the front wheel receiver and the ramp may pivot from a first position to a second position upon receipt of the front wheel at the front wheel receiver and the rear wheels at the wheel rest plates. In some embodiments, a downward force provided by the rear wheels may pivot the ramp from the first position to the second position. The second position may be substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis. 
         [0008]    In certain embodiments, the trailer may also include two or more rear wheel stops, each having a substantially semi-circular radius. The trailer may also include a front wheel receiver pivot bar and a ramp pivot bar. In some embodiments, the width of the front wheel securing assembly is sufficiently wide enough to receive a front wheel of a vehicle, but narrower than the ramp assembly so as to, among other things, minimize materials and weight in the trailer. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the tongue assembly may be adjustable such that the length of the tongue may be adjusted as needed by the user depending on the application. In some embodiments, the tongue assembly may include a tongue bar and tongue bar receiver, wherein the tongue bar includes adjustment holes configured to align with a lock point on the tongue bar receiver. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the trailer may also include a manual hoist point (e.g., a T-bar) for manually maneuvering the trailer, and may also include an adjustable stand for use when the trailer is not, for example, secured to a towing vehicle. 
         [0011]    The trailer may also, in some embodiments, include a securing mechanism such as, for example, a ratchet strap assembly, strap, and hook for securing a vehicle positioned on the trailer with the trailer itself for transport. 
         [0012]    In certain other embodiments, variants of the present disclosure are contemplated wherein the vehicle to be installed on the trailer comprises a plurality of wheels (e.g., two, three, or more) and the trailer includes wheel receiving mechanisms for securing such vehicles to the trailer in a similar manner. Methods for installing a vehicle on the presently disclosed trailer are also presented. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  illustrate a side perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, of an example of the presently disclosed trailer for hauling a three-wheeled vehicle, wherein the features of the trailer are shown in an unloaded state; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of the presently disclosed trailer, wherein the features of the trailer are shown in a loaded state; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side perspective view of the presently disclosed trailer in the unloaded state and in relation to a three-wheeled vehicle configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side perspective view of the presently disclosed trailer loaded with the three-wheeled vehicle configuration; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side perspective view of the presently disclosed trailer held in the loaded state using a strap; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B , and  FIG. 7C  illustrate an example of a telescoping tongue feature of the presently disclosed trailer; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  illustrate schematic side views of the presently disclosed trailer in the unloaded and loaded states, respectively; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9A ,  FIG. 9B ,  FIG. 9C , and  FIG. 9D  illustrate schematic side views showing a process of loading a three-wheeled vehicle on the presently disclosed trailer; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a flow diagram of an example of a method of using the presently disclosed trailer for hauling a three-wheeled vehicle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    The present disclosure relates generally to trailers for towing vehicles and related methods, and more particularly to trailers for towing three-wheeled vehicles that provide total support of the vehicles while permitting easy loading and unloading. 
         [0023]    Unless otherwise defined, terms used herein should be construed to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art. Further, the use of any term in this disclosure in one tense or context shall not be limited to only the tense or context of the term as used. 
         [0024]    Unless the absence of one or more elements is specifically recited, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” as used herein should be interpreted as open-ended terms that do not preclude the presence of one or more elements. 
         [0025]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, certain components or features may be exaggerated for clarity, and broken lines may illustrate optional features or elements unless specified otherwise. In addition, the sequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presented in the figures and/or claims unless specifically indicated otherwise. Features described with respect to one figure or embodiment can be associated with another embodiment or figure although not specifically described or shown as such. 
         [0026]    It will be understood that when a feature or element is referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as “/”. 
         [0027]    As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.” 
         [0028]    Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. 
         [0029]    It will be understood that although the terms first and second are used herein to describe various features or elements, these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed below could be termed a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
         [0030]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) and phrases used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. 
         [0031]    The term “about”, as used herein with respect to a value or number, means that the value or number can vary by +/− twenty percent (20%). The terms “about,” “somewhat,” etc., with respect to structural or functional inter-relations apart from values or numbers are used to convey that an absolute inter-relation is not required, so as the elements satisfy the described purpose within such inter-relation. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side perspective view and rear perspective view, respectively, of an example of the presently disclosed trailer  100  is presented with the trailer in an unloaded state. In some embodiments, the trailer  100  may include, among other things, a trailer frame  110 , an axel member  112 , and two or more wheels  114 . In some embodiments, trailer  100  may also include a ramp plate  116 , wheel rest plates  118 R and  118 L, wheel stops  122 R and  122 L, trailer floor plates  124 , and front wheel cradle  126 . The trailer  110  may also a cradle pivot bar  132  configured to enable front wheel cradle  126  to pivot about bar  132 , and a ramp pivot bar  120  configured to enable ramp plate  116  to pivot about bar  120 . For example, front wheel cradle  126  and ramp plate  116  may pivot from a first position (e.g. an unloaded position) depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  to a second position (e.g. a loaded position) depicted in  FIG. 3 . Ramp plate  116  may also include an angled underside portion configured to lie flat on a surface (e.g. surface  172  in  FIG. 8 ) when the ramp is the first (unloaded) position. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary three-wheeled vehicle configuration  200  is presented in relation to trailer  100 . Three-wheeled vehicle configuration  200  is presented for exemplary purposes only and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 4 , trailer  100  may be configured to substantially align with three-wheeled vehicle configuration  200  such that the front wheel  210  of three-wheeled vehicle configuration  200  substantially aligns with front wheel cradle  126 , and rear wheels  212  and  214  of three-wheeled vehicle configuration  200  substantially align with wheel rest plates  118 R and  118 L and wheel stops  122 R and  122 L. It will be appreciated by those having skill in the art that trailer  100  may include any configuration that corresponds to any three-wheeled configuration  200  and may be configured to correspond to any relative positions of wheels  210 ,  212 , and  214 . It will also be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to a trailer for carrying three-wheeled vehicles, but also includes four wheeled configurations, and five or more wheeled configurations. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , trailer  100  is presented in a loaded state whereby front wheel cradle  126  and ramp plate  116  have pivoted from their respective first positions to their respective second positions. In some embodiments, front wheel cradle  126  may include a front edge  128 , a rearward edge  130 , and a radius of curvature between edges  128  and  130  substantially similar to that of front wheel  210 . This radius of curvature can front wheel  210  to seat securely in front wheel cradle  126  and prevent unwanted movement of front wheel  210 . Front wheel cradle  126  may also, alone or on combination with wheel stops  122 R and  122 L, provide a forward-most stopping position for three-wheeled configuration  200 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an alternative view of trailer  100  is presented. For example, in  FIG. 8A , trailer  100  is presented in an unloaded state with front wheel cradle  126  and ramp plate  116  in their respective first positions. In this first position, ramp plate  116  may be positioned on a ground surface  172  in a manner to receive, for example, a vehicle with three-wheeled configuration  200 . In  FIG. 8B , trailer  100  is presented in a loaded state with front wheel  210  secured in front wheel cradle  126 , and rear wheels  212  and  214  positioned on wheel rest plates  118 R and  118 L and wheel stops  122 R and  122 L. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , three-wheeled configuration  200  is depicted at various points in the state of loading the trailer  100 . Referring first to  FIG. 9A , front wheel  210  is traveling up ramp plate  116  and rear wheels  212  and  214  remain on surface  172 . At  FIG. 9B , front wheel  210  may now be traveling along trailer floor plates  124  with rear wheels  212  and  214  traveling up ramp plate  116  and no longer in contact with ground  172 . 
         [0037]    At  FIG. 9C , trailer  100  is depicted in a state of transitioning from the first unloaded position to the second loaded configuration. Advantageously, in some embodiments, upon reaching wheel rest plates  118 L and  118 R, wheels  212  and  214  may provide a downward force (from, for example, the vehicle to which the three-wheeled configuration  200  is a part) that may cause ramp plate  116  to pivot from its first position to its second position. Finally, at  FIG. 9D , wheel  210  is seated in front wheel cradle  126  and wheels  212  and  214  are seated on wheel rest plates  118 L and  118 R and wheel stops  122 L and  122 R. In this loaded state, ramp plate  116  may be substantially aligned along an axis  170 , thereby providing sufficient clearance between ramp plate  116  and ground  172  and enabling transport of the trailer  100  and vehicle thereon. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, trailer  100  may also include a strap assembly  140 . Referring now to  FIG. 5 , strap assembly  140  may include ratchet strap mechanism  144 , strap  146 , and hood  148 . In some embodiments, when a vehicle (e.g. a vehicle having three-wheeled configuration  200 ) is loaded on trailer  100 , hook  148  may be coupled to the vehicle and ratchet mechanism  144  may be used to tighten strap  146 . Accordingly, the strap assembly  140  may provide a mechanism for securing the vehicle to the trailer  100 , thereby preventing the vehicle from undesirably moving or shifting during transport. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , strap assembly  140  may also be used to secure ramp plate  116  in its second position, thereby enabling for example transport of the trailer  100  without a vehicle loaded thereon. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , additional features of the present disclosure are presented. In some embodiments, for example, trailer  100  may include a tongue assembly  150 . Referring now to  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B , tongue assembly  150  may include tongue receiving member  152 , tongue bar  154 , holes  156 , and tongue pin  158 . In some embodiments, tongue assembly  150  is adjustable such that the length of the tongue bar  154  may be varied according as desired (for example, depending upon what type of vehicle is towing trailer  100 ). For example, tongue bar  154  may include one or more holes  156  (see  FIG. 7A ). Tongue bar  154  may be inserted in tongue receiving member  152  ( FIG. 7B ) and the length of tongue bar  154  may be adjusted by a user by, for example, securing tongue pin  158  into the desired hole  156 . For example,  FIG. 7B  illustrates a relatively extended tongue length.  FIG. 7C , on the other hand, illustrates a relatively short tongue length. 
         [0040]    Trailer  100  may also include hitch  160  and hitch pin  162 . In some embodiments, hitch  160  may be configured to mate with a hitch receiver on a vehicle (not shown) for towing trailer  100 . Hitch pin  162  may be utilized to securely couple hitch  160  to the towing vehicle. Trailer  100  may also include a T-bar  142  that may be utilized for, among other things, maneuvering trailer  100  by hand when not secured to a towing vehicle. Adjustable stand  164  may also be included for keeping tongue assembly  150  off the ground when trailer  100  is not secured to a towing vehicle. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an exemplary method for using a trailer  100  is presented. In some embodiments, a user may begin with trailer  100  in an unloaded state or first position. At step  310 , user may begin rolling a vehicle (e.g., a vehicle having three-wheeled configuration  200 ) toward and up ramp plate  116 , with the front wheel or wheels reaching and rolling up ramp plate  116  first. 
         [0042]    At step  315 , a user may continue advancing the vehicle onto the trailer such that the front wheel(s) is advancing toward the front wheel cradle of trailer  100  and the rear wheel(s) advance from the ground to the ramp plate  116  and being advancing up the ramp plate  116  towards wheel rest plates  118 Land  118 R. 
         [0043]    At step  320 , a user may continue advancing the vehicle onto the trailer = 100  such that the front wheel(s) begins to engage the front wheel cradle  126  of trailer  100  and the rear wheel(s) begin to engage wheel rest plates  118 L and  118 R and ramp plate  116  beings to pivot about ramp pivot bar  120  and move away from ground  172 . 
         [0044]    At step  325 , a user may continue advancing the vehicle onto the trailer  100  such that the front wheel(s) is fully engaged with front wheel cradle  126  of trailer  100  and rear wheel(s) are fully engaged with wheel rest plates  118 L and  118 R such that ramp plate  116  is fully lifted off of the ground  172 . In this state, the trailer  100  may be ready for transport. 
         [0045]    At step  330 , a user may tie down the vehicle using a strap assembly to more securely engage the vehicle with trailer  100 . 
         [0046]    Additional steps that may include, among other things, securing the vehicle to the trailer, attaching the trailer to a towing vehicle, and the like are also contemplated in the presently disclosed method. The steps disclosed herein are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the number of steps or scope of the method in any way. 
         [0047]    It will be appreciated by those having skill in the art that the trailer  100  may be made of any suitable material, or combination of materials, whether natural or synthetic, including but not limited to metal, wood, plastic, or the like. It will also be appreciated that the trailer  100  may be of any shape or size to accommodate any number of vehicles to be towed, including larger or smaller vehicles than those pictured in the enclosed examples, and vehicles having four or more wheels. In such embodiments, the present disclosure contemplates additional wheel cradle(s) and/or wheel rest plates as needed to suit the vehicle to be towed. The present disclosure further contemplates dual axis configurations (or more) and/or alternative tongue assemblies to facilitate transport of heavier machinery where appropriate. 
         [0048]    The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.