Abstract:
A trailer for carrying cargo and also towing a motor vehicle. A cradle for retaining the front wheels of a motor vehicle is located at the rear of the trailer and the majority of the length of the trailer has a platform for carrying cargo. Means including air cushions is used to drop the trailer close to the ground level to load both the motor vehicle and the cargo.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to trailers and more specifically relates to a trailer for transporting cargo of a wide variety but most specifically recreational equipment such as motorcycles, snowmobiles and four wheelers while also being capable of towing a motor vehicle.  
           [0003]    2. Prior Art and Objects  
           [0004]    The use of recreational vehicles, commonly referred to as RVs, has become increasingly popular. Families traveling and vacationing with a RV, frequently desire to use a variety of recreational equipment, including but not limited to motorcycles, snowmobiles and four wheelers. It is also a very common practice to take a motor vehicle on a trip with a RV so as to have transportation while the RV is parked. Motor vehicles are commonly towed behind the RV and since a majority of motor vehicles have front wheel drive, the front wheels of the motor vehicle are placed in a cradle mounted on wheels that is towed behind the RV. along with a RV.  
           [0005]    There is one device currently known that begins to answer the need to take recreational equipment A motorcycle carrier that mounts on the rear of an RV has been produced which effectively permits the carrying of one motorcycle while still permitting the towing of a cradle on which the front wheels of motor vehicle are mounted. This device has been most popular but the amount and type of recreational equipment that can be carried is still limited. A need exists for a device that can be used with a RV and possibly another towing vehicle, that can transport a variety of recreational equipment, sufficient in amount for use by an entire family as well as offering a variety of equipment that also provides a cradle for the towing of a motor vehicle. It is also important that any such device provide a reasonably smooth ride to prevent damage to the recreational equipment as well as to any motor vehicle being towed. The cradles currently available do not provide any cushioned suspension which may result in damage to the motor vehicle due to bouncing.  
           [0006]    It is essential that a trailer that both transports recreational equipment and tows a motor vehicle have a cushion suspension. It is also of the greatest importance that the trailer be easily loaded with both the recreational equipment as well as the motor vehicle being towed.  
           [0007]    It should be understood that although this invention provides a trailer for use with an RV to carry recreational equipment while also towing a motor vehicle, it has a wide diversity of other applications. By way of illustration and not by way of limitation, the trailer in accordance with this invention may be towed by a truck and provide additional cargo space while permitting the towing of a motor vehicle of some type. Such usage could be invaluable to a construction contractor. Any situation where a trailer is needed to carry cargo and where inclusion of an additional motor vehicle is desirable, this trailer has application.  
           [0008]    In the past, various patents have shown trailers for transporting motor vehicles and recreational equipment of one type or another.  
           [0009]    The Smidler Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,798, teaches a trailer for carrying motor vehicles. In order to permit loading of the trailer, an air cushion is provided which permits the rear of the trailer to be dropped sufficiently close to the ground to permit easier loading of the motor vehicles into the trailer.  
           [0010]    The Wellman Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,544, is for a trailer for specifically intended for transporting motorcycles. Cantilevered arms are used to mount the wheels. The wheels are mounted on a perimeter frame. A lever member tilts on the perimeter frame and a load platform is mounted to pivot at the rear of the lever member. A cable system connected to front of the load platform and the perimeter frame pulls the load platform and the perimeter frame together for transit. With the cable system let out, the load platform drops to the ground.  
           [0011]    The Kallstrom Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,278 teaches a two-wheel trailer for motorcycle transportation. By use of air shocks, the trailer tilts down at its end to permit a motorcycle to be wheeled onto the trailer.  
           [0012]    The Stringer Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,435 is for a two-wheel trailer which does not tilt but does drop toward the ground for loading and raises to above the wheel hubs for travel. The trailer and side support structure are forced backward and forward by an actuation system and cams and cam followers move the trailer bed up and down as it is moved back and forth.  
           [0013]    At this time, a trailer is not available to both carry cargo including recreational equipment while also towing a motor vehicle and while also providing ready loading of both the cargo including recreational equipment and the motor vehicle.  
           [0014]    Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a trailer for carry cargo such as a variety of recreational equipment while also towing a motor vehicle.  
           [0015]    It is another object of this invention to provide a trailer that is suspended and which provides a cargo area and also provides a cradle for towing a motor vehicle.  
           [0016]    It is another object of this invention to provide a trailer which drops down to provide ready access for mounting a motor vehicle.  
           [0017]    It is another object of this invention to provide a trailer which provides a system for readily loading cargo onto the trailer.  
           [0018]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination trailer and motor vehicle towing device that is both durable and can be comparatively inexpensively constructed.  
           [0019]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the annexed description and drawings.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0020]    A trailer is provided for carrying cargo and for towing a motor vehicle. The trailer a frame and the frame has a front and a rear. A base member is mounted on the frame to pivot downwardly from the frame. An axle is mounted on the base member. Wheels are mounted to rotate on the ends of the axle. Means which include an air cushion which is inflatable are provided to pivot the base member to and from the frame to raise and lower the frame. A draw bar is connected to the front of the frame. A platform is mounted on the frame that extends from the front to the wheels. The platform is extends from the front a major portion of the distance from the front to the rear. A cradle is mounted at the rear of the frame to hold the front wheels of the motor vehicle. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the trailer viewed from the right front of the trailer showing the tow bar, the cargo area and the motor vehicle trailer mounted on the axis and specifically showing the removable ramp for easy access to the cargo area.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a pictorial view from outside the trailer showing the mounting arm rotated away from the frame and showing the arch into which the axle fits when the mounting arm and the frame are bought together.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a pictorial view similar to FIG. 2 but with the mounting arm rotated against the frame with the axle in the arch.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of the mounting member with the axle mounted thereon and the frame with the mounting member rotated away from the frame and showing the plates mounted on the frame and the mounting member and the air cushion that is located between the two plates.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a pictorial view similar to FIG. 4 but with the mounting member rotated against the frame with the air bags compressed between the plates.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of the trailer from the rear showing the motor vehicle trailer at the rear of the trailer behind the axle and the cargo area forward of the axle.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is plan view of the trailer with the platform and cradle removed showing the structure of the trailer. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NUMERALS  
       [0028]    [0028]                                   NUMERAL   DESCRIPTION                   11   Tow Bar Assembly       13   Cargo Area       15   Cradle Area       17   Mounting Member       19   Axle       21   Frame       23   End       25   Pivot Pin       27   Pair of Straps       29   Rear       31   Side Members       33   Front Member       35   Rear Section       37   Front Member       39   Front       41   Rear Member       43   Front Inner Member       45   Rear Inner Member       47   Lower Center Member       49   Opening       51   Lower Plates       53   Upper Plates       55   Air Cushions       57   Arch       59   Short Member       61   Vertical Member       63   Wheels       65   Shock Absorbers       67   Fenders       69   Platform       71   Ramps       72   Brackets       73   Channels       75   Clips       76   Slots       77   Upper Cradle       79   Upper Rear Member       81   Upper Inner Member       83   Upper Center Member       85   Upper Side Member       87   Opening       89   Pin       91   Rear Ramps       93   Pair of Chains       95   Lower Edge       97   Flaps       99   Latch       101    Draw Bar       103    Two Support Members       105    Air Compressor                    
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0029]    As seen in FIG. 1, the trailer in accordance with this invention includes a towing bar assembly  11 , a cargo area  13  and a cradle area  15  for towing a front-wheel drive motor vehicle. As is quite apparent from FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, that the cargo area  13  covers the major portion of the trailer and the cradle area  15  located most remote from the towing assembly  11  is a very minor portion of the trailer.  
         [0030]    The trailer is mounted on a mounting member  17  on which an axle  19  is secured. A frame  21  is mounted above the mounting member  17 . The axle  19  is secured to the mounting member  17 . The mounting member  17  is connected to the frame  21  at one end  23  to pivot on the frame  21  by means of a pivot pin  25  secured within a pair of straps  27  affixed to the frame  21 . The end  23  of the mounted member  17  that is mounted on the frame  21  to pivot is the end  23  of the mounting member  17  closest to the tow bar assembly  11  and the mounting member  17  extends from there toward the rear  29  of the trailer where the cradle area  15  for towing a motor vehicle is located.  
         [0031]    The frame  21  has two generally parallel side members  31 , each side member  31  of the frame including two sections, namely a front section  33  adjacent the towing bar assembly  11  and a rear section  35  adjacent to the cradle area  15 . The frame  21  further includes a front member  37  located at the front  39  of the trailer. The front member  37  is generally located at right angles to the two side members  31  and the front member  39  connects the two side members  31  together. A rear member  41  is located at the rear  29  of the trailer which is the location of the cradle area  15  of the trailer and the rear member  41  is also secured at right angles to the two side members  31 . The frame  21  also has a front inner member  43  which is secured to both side members  31  of the frame  21  and the front inner member 43  is spaced from but located toward the front member  37 . The front inner member  43  is generally parallel to both the front member  37  and the rear member  41 . A inner rear member  45  is also secured to the two side members  31  of the frame  21  and is located toward but in a spaced relationship to the rear member  41  and the inner rear member  45  is generally parallel to the front member  37 , the rear member  39  and the front inner member  43 . An lower center member  47  is located midway between the two side members  31  of the frame  21 and extends between the rear member  41  and the inner rear member  45 . The lower center member  47  is generally parallel to the two side members  31 . An opening  49  is located centrally through the lower center member  47 .  
         [0032]    Lower plates  51  are mounted on each mounting member  17  and on the axle  19 . Directly above the lower plates  51  and connected to the frame  21  are a pair of upper plates  53 . Between each set of upper plates  53  and lower plates  51  are at least one but preferably a pair of air cushions  55 . When the air cushions  55  are deflated, the upper plates  53  and the lower plates  51  are forced toward one another by the weight of the trailer.  
         [0033]    Both side members  31  of the frame  21  are constructed with a arch  57 . The arch  57  is located at the junction point of the front sections  33  and the rear sections  35 . At the point where the axle  19  is located, the front section  33  extends upwardly and then continues along a short member  59  parallel to but above the rear section  35 . A vertical member  61  is secured to both the front section  33  and the rear section  35  to complete the arch  57  and secure each front section  33  to its respective rear section  35 . In this way the arch  57  is formed in the side members  31 . The rear section  35  extends from the arch generally parallel with the front section  33  but slightly lower than the front section  33  extends from the front member  33  to the arch  57 . The axle  19  is situated in the arch  59  when the air cushions  55  are deflated.  
         [0034]    As the air cushions  55  are inflated, both set of lower plates  51  are forced apart and the axle  19  having wheels  63  mounted on it is forced downwardly away from the frame  21  thereby moving the frame  21  upwardly away from the ground. However, with the air cushions  55  deflated, the frame  21  is close to the ground. This, of course, permits ready loading of cargo onto the cargo area  13  . A pair of shock absorbers  65  are mounted on an angle to the pivot at the top of the short member  59  of the side members  31  and are secured to rotate at their lower ends on the axle  19 . As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, fenders  67  are mounted over the wheels  63 .  
         [0035]    The cargo area  13  is covered by a platform  69 . The platform  69  would include a plurality of openings (not shown) to permi 9 t a wide variety of places to connect tie downs (not shown) used to secure cargo to the platform  69 . The platform  69  extends from the tow bar assembly  11  to the wheels  63 . Since the axle 19  and thus the wheels  63  are located immediately adjacent the cradle area  15  toward the rear  29  of the trailer, the rear cradle area  15  is substantially smaller than the cargo area  13 . The major portion of the distance from the front  39  pf the trailer to the rear 29  of the trailer is cargo area  13 .  
         [0036]    To permit easy access for loading cargo including equipment such as snowmobiles, motorcycles and four wheelers, ramps  71  are provided. The ramps  71  are stored in channels  73  under the platform  69 . With the air cushions  55  deflated, the ramps  71  are slid out and are affixed by means of clips  75  to the platform  69  of the cargo area  13 . Slots  76  are located along the edge of the platform  69  to retain the clips  75 . It is essential that when the ramps  71  are not in use that the ramps  71  be positively secured by any suitable means within the channels  73 .  
         [0037]    The cradle area  15  has an upper cradle  77  over the rear member  41  and the inner rear member  45  and the lower center member  47 . The upper cradle  77  has an upper rear member  79  and an upper inner rear member  81  and an upper center member  83 . The upper cradle  77  also has a pair of upper side members  85  that extend between the ends of the upper rear member  79  and the upper inner rear member  81 . An opening  87  in the upper center member  79  of the upper cradle  77 , is located directly over the opening  49  in the lower center member  47  of the frame  21 . A pin  89  is located in the openings  49 , 87  in the lower center member  47  and in the upper center member  83  to permit the upper cradle  77  to pivot on the frame  21 . This permits the upper cradle  77  to rotate to a limited degree when the trailer has a motor vehicle mounted in the upper cradle  77  and the trailer is turning. In this way the pull on the motor vehicle from a turn is slightly relieved.  
         [0038]    Rear ramps  91  are mounted on the rear member  41  and provide an incline readily to drive a motor vehicle onto the upper cradle  77 . A pair of chains  93  extend from the from the upper cradle  77  to the lower edge  95  of the flaps  97 . These chains  93  limit the degree to which the upper cradle  77  can rotate on the frame  21 . The wheels of the motor vehicle are strapped into the upper cradle  77  in the same manner as is now widely used.  
         [0039]    As best seen in FIG. 7, the tow bar assembly  11  includes a latch  99 , a draw bar  101  and two support members  103 . The draw bar  101  extends through the front member  37  to the inner front member  43 . The support members  103  extend from around the center of the draw bar  101  at an angle to the front member  37  and are secured to both the draw bar  101  at an angle to the front member  37  and are secured to both the draw bar  101  and to the front section  37 . The support members  103  provide rigidity to the draw bar  101  and prevent the draw bar  101  from bending. The hitch  99  at the forward end of the draw bar  101  forms a positive lock on the towing vehicle as the weight of the motor vehicle causes the hitch  99  to pull up on the towing vehicle.  
         [0040]    A source of compressed air, preferably an air compressor  105 , is located forward of the upper cradle  77 . The air compressor  105  may be powered by a battery (not shown) or by the power supply of the towing vehicle.  
         [0041]    It is to be understood that the drawings and description matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it is contemplated that various changes may be made in various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.