Abstract:
An auxiliary vehicle transporter for a master vehicle which has a platform that reverse articulates and is removably connected thereto. The auxiliary vehicle transporter includes a main frame, a platform pivotally connected to the main frame for supporting an auxiliary vehicle, a reverse articulation apparatus for reverse folding the platform with respect to the main frame, and a frame connection group for removably connecting the main frame to a hitch and the vehicular frame of a master vehicle without inflicting injury to the vehicular frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to master vehicles (for example a motor home or a travel trailer), and more particularly to an auxiliary vehicle transporter connected to a master vehicle for providing transportation therewith of an auxiliary vehicle. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Master vehicles, as for an unlimiting example, motor homes (also referred to as recreation vehicles (RVs)) and travel trailers, sometimes are accompanied by an auxiliary vehicle for providing local transport. Auxiliary vehicles may take many different forms, but unlimiting examples include electric powered commuter vehicles, golf carts, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), motor cycles, scooters and powered wheel chairs. In the art, auxiliary vehicles accompany master vehicles by provision of a trailer, a rear extension or an interior intrusion. In the case of a trailer, problems attendant to lighting, license plating and driving technique make this an undesirable provision modality. In the case of a rear extension, the master vehicle can only accommodate a short overhang which likely can only allow for auxiliary vehicles of narrow and small size (ie., a scooter), but cannot allow for larger auxiliary vehicles (ie., ATVs and golf carts, and commuter vehicles). Providing a space for transport of an auxiliary vehicle by intruding into the occupant space of a master vehicle is a solution that detracts from the serviceability of the master vehicle. Accordingly some new solution is a serious need yet felt in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an auxiliary vehicle transporter for a master vehicle which reverse articulates and is removably connected thereto. 
     The auxiliary vehicle transporter includes a main frame, a platform pivotally connected to the main frame for supporting an auxiliary vehicle, a reverse articulation apparatus for reverse folding the platform with respect to the main frame, and a frame connection group for removably connecting the main frame to a hitch and the vehicular frame of a master vehicle without inflicting injury to the vehicular frame. 
     The platform is a rigid structure suitably configured for supporting a predetermined range of auxiliary vehicles. The main frame includes a pair of lift rails; a lift eye actuation assembly for slidably moving a lift eye in each lift rail, wherein a near end of the platform is pivotally connected to the lift eyes; and a pair of pivot arms, each pivotally connected at one end to a medial location of the platform and at the other end to the main frame. 
     In operation, the main frame is first removably connected, via the connection group, to the (Class III or above rated) hitch of a selected master vehicle, and then removably connected to the vehicular frame of the master vehicle via the connection group. With the platform at its deployed position, the distal end of the platform rests upon the driving surface (for example, a road or driveway surface), and a selected auxiliary vehicle is placed upon the platform and secured thereto. The user then activates the reverse articulation apparatus, wherein the lift eye actuation assembly causes the lift eyes to slide upwardly along the lift rails. As the near end of the platform is drawn upwardly by the lift eyes, the platform is caused to reverse articulate in the sense that the platform articulates such that the upper surface of the platform comes into parallel with the lift rails as the lift eyes ascend the lift rails. Upon completion of the eyelet movement, the platform is locked into a support position on the main frame, whereupon the auxiliary vehicle is stored in a vertical attitude rearwardly of the master vehicle. Reactivation of the reverse articulation apparatus results in the lift eye actuation assembly releasing the support position and a subsequent reverse motion of the lift eyes along the lift rails to the lowermost position. As the lift eyes descend, the platform retraces the reverse articulation so that the platform resumes the original attitude with the distal end on the driving surface when the lift eyes are fully descended. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reverse articulating platform assembly. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary vehicle transporter which provides support of an auxiliary vehicle with a reverse articulation movement. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary vehicle transporter which provides support of an auxiliary vehicle with a reverse articulation movement, wherein the auxiliary vehicle transporter is connected to the master vehicle in a non-injurious manner. 
     These, and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a broken-away perspective view of a motor home equipped with an auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention, wherein a platform thereof is shown at its stored position. 
     FIG. 2 is a broken-away perspective view of a motor home equipped with an auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention, wherein the platform is shown at its deployed position. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the framework of the platform. 
     FIG. 4 is a broken-away, detail perspective view of a lower end of a lift rail of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a broken away, detail front view of a lift rail of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention, showing interconnections of a pivot arm and platform pivot connection. 
     FIG. 6A is a front view of a main frame of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 6B is a side view of the main frame of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a partly sectional view, seen along line  7 — 7  in FIG.  6 A. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention, shown in operation with respect to the vehicular frame of a master vehicle and an auxiliary vehicle, wherein the platform is shown at its deployed position. 
     FIG. 9 is a partly sectional end view of a frame bracket of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention shown installed on a vehicular frame of a master vehicle. 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B show, respectively a plan view of a frame bracket plate, and a rear view of an L-shaped frame bracket, both of which being components of the frame bracket of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 10A is a side view of first and second receivers of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 10B is a side view of a tubular insert of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention for being received by the first and second receivers of FIG.  10 A. 
     FIGS. 11A and 11B, show, respectively, side and frontal views of an attachment bar of the main frame of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a broken-away, frontal view of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention, shown with the platform at its stored position. 
     FIG. 13 is a broke-away, exploded, perspective view of a latch rod of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 14A and 14B are partly sectional side views of either of the lift rails of the auxiliary vehicle transporter according to the present invention, showing a lift eye actuation assembly thereof, wherein FIG. 14A depicts the configuration thereof when the platform is at its deployed position, and wherein FIG. 14B depicts the configuration thereof when the platform is at its stored position. 
     FIG. 15A is a schematic diagram of an hydraulic circuit for the lift eye actuation assembly of FIGS. 14A and 14B. 
     FIG. 15B is a schematic diagram of a microprocessor controlled hydraulic circuit as in FIG.  15 A. 
     FIGS. 16 and 17 are operational views as in FIG. 8, wherein, FIG. 16 depicts the platform at an intermediate position between its deployed and stored positions, and wherein FIG. 17 shows the platform at its stored position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the Drawing, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the auxiliary vehicle transporter  10  connected (preferably in a non-injurious and removable manner as described hereinbelow) to a master vehicle (wherein this term refers to any master vehicle, including a motor home (RV), travel trailer, etc.)  12 . The auxiliary vehicle transporter  10  includes a main frame  14 , and a platform  16  which is pivotally connected to the main frame. The main frame  14  has a pair of mutually spaced apart lift rails  18 L,  18 R and lift eyes  20 L,  20 R slidably movable along each of the lift rails, respectively. As shown at FIG. 2, the platform  16  includes a transport surface  22  upon which an auxiliary vehicle  24  is placed (see FIG.  8 ). The auxiliary vehicle transporter  10  includes within the main frame  14  a lift eye actuation assembly  25  (see FIGS.  14 A and  14 B). 
     As can be understood by simultaneous reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the platform  16  is movable by operation of the lift eye actuation assembly  25  between a stored position shown at FIG. 1 and a deployed position shown at FIG.  2 . In this regard, since the platform  16  is pivotally connected to the lift eyes  20 L,  20 R, as the lift eye actuation assembly  25  raises or lowers the lift eyes along the lift rails  18 L,  18 R, always the transport surface  22  is freely exposed. This movement, which moves the transport surface  22  away from the rear of the master vehicle at the stored position, is a “reverse articulation” movement when compared with the movement of a conventional lift-gate. In this regard, a conventional lift gate moves up and down while the transport surface is kept horizontal and then moves the transport surface in a “forward articulation” toward the rear gate of the vehicle so as to attain a stored position. The components which provide reverse articulation of the platform (ie., the platform pivoting system, the lift eyes and lift rails and the lift eye actuation assembly) are referred to collectively as a reverse articulation apparatus. 
     The structural and functional aspects of the auxiliary vehicle transporter  10  will be further elaborated with additional reference to the remaining figures. FIG. 3 depicts the platform  16 , wherein the transport surface  22  is removed to show the platform framework  24 . The platform framework  24  includes a transverse resting bar  26  and a transverse securement bar  28 , both of which will be referred to functionally hereinbelow. At the near end  14 N of the platform  16  is a platform pivot  30 L,  30 R, each preferably in the form of a clevis, having a pivot hole  32  formed therein for receiving a pivot pin  34  therethrough (see FIG.  5 ). As can be understood by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a lift eye  20 L,  20 R is respectively received by each platform pivot  30 L,  30 R, whereby the pivot pin  34  respectively thereof pivotally conjoins the platform  16  to the main frame  14 . 
     A pair of pivot arms  36 L,  36 R are pivotally connected to the main frame  14  and pivotally connected to a medial location of the platform. In this regard, as shown at FIGS. 4 and 5, an arm eyelet  38 L,  38 R is provided for each pivot arm  36 L,  36 R, wherein the arm eyelets are affixed, such as by welding W, to the main frame  14  so that the pivot hole  40  thereof which receives a pivot pin  42  for pivoting the pivot arm is horizontally aligned with the pivot holes  32  of the lift eyes  20 L,  20 R when the lift eyes are at the lowermost position along the lift rails. The other end of each of the pivot arms  36 L,  36 R is pivotally connected, respectively, by a pivot pin  44  to a medial (preferably at the lengthwise mid-point) location of the platform framework  24 . 
     The materials of the platform  16  are selected for rigidity, durability and corrosion resistance, and may be a combination of metals (ie., aluminum and steel) and plastics. Each pivot pin  34 ,  42 ,  44  is constructed suitably, as for example in the form of a smooth shanked, cotter pinned, flat headed pin or a threadably secured bolt. 
     Turning attention now to the main frame  14 , as shown at FIGS. 6A and 6B the main frame  14  includes the aforementioned left and right lift rails  18 L,  18 R which are interconnected, as for example by welding, via first and second cross beams  50 ,  52 . A main plate  54  is connected (as for example by welding) to the first and second cross-beams  50 ,  52 . 
     The main plate  54  has a rearwardly projecting hitch insert  56  which is dimensioned to properly fit into a standard hitch  58  (Class III or above rated hitch) of the master vehicle  12  (see generally FIG.  8 ). The main plate  54  further includes a (Class III or above rated) hitch  60  so that trailers, etc. may still be towed by the master vehicle  12  even though its hitch  58  is occupied by the hitch insert  56 . The main plate  54  has a forwardly projecting ledge  62  upon which the resting bar  26  of the platform rests when the platform is in the stored position of FIGS. 1 and 12. Connected to the main plate  54  is a kick-out cylinder  64  having a cylinder rod  64 R which is passable forwardly in relation to the main plate via an aperture formed therein. 
     Attachment bars  66 L,  66 R are attached (preferably by welding) to the first and second cross-beams  50 ,  52  (see the methodology described hereinbelow). At a lower end of each of the attachment bars  66 L,  66 R is (via for example welding) a respective a first receiver tube (preferably of square cross-section)  68 . 
     Each of the lift rails  18 L,  18 R is constructed as a hollow channel  72 , having a forward slot  70  extending lengthwise therealong. The channel  72  is divided into a forward chamber  74  and a rearward chamber  76  lengthwise of the lift rails  18 L,  18 R. The forward chamber  74  includes the aforementioned slot  70 , and further includes a slide seat  78 . The slide seat  78  is composed of a wear resistant, rigid, and low friction material, as for example TEFLON. Into each slide seat  78  is slidably seated a respective lift eye,  20 L,  20 R. In this regard each lift eye  20 L,  20 R has a rectangular base  20 B which is slidably seated in the slide seat  78  and further has an integral eyelet member  20 E which projects outwardly from the slot  70 . The aforementioned lift eye actuation assembly  25  has a hydraulic cylinder  80 L,  80 R in each of the rearward chambers  76 . 
     A safety latch system  82  includes a latch rod  84 , a pair of latch fingers  86  and latch release handles  88  (see also FIG.  13 ). The latch rod  84  is rotatively connected to the lift rails  18 L,  18 R by mounting brackets  90 . In operation, when the platform assumes its storage position, as shown at FIGS. 1 and 12, the latch fingers grab the securement bar  28  by automatic action of a spring or by gravity. Before the platform can again be moved to the deployed position of FIG. 2, either latch release handle  88  is used by an operator to cause the latch fingers  86  to ungrab the securement bar  28 . 
     The connection of the main frame  14  to a master vehicle  12  can be understood by reference to FIGS. 8 through 11B. The hitch insert  56  is inserted into the (Class III or above rated) hitch  58  of the master vehicle  12 , and the pin associated with the hitch is passed therethrough to secure it thereinside. Next, a pair of frame brackets  92  are assembled over each vehicular frame member  94 . In this regard, each frame bracket  92  includes an L-shaped frame bracket  92 A having (attached preferably by welding) a second receiver tube  96 , and further includes a frame bracket plate  92 B. With respect to each frame bracket  92 , the L-shaped frame bracket  92 A is bolted to the frame bracket plate  92 B so as to loosely engird a respective vehicular frame member  94 , as shown at FIG.  9 . Thereafter, the attachment bars  66 L,  66 R are positioned so that a tubular insert  98  is inserted into each of the first and second receiver tubes  68 ,  96 . Pins (preferred), bolts or welding then secure the tubular inserts to their respective first and second receiver tubes. Now, with the first and second receiver tubes  68 ,  96  mutually aligned, the attachment bars  66 L,  66 R are fitted onto the first and second cross-bars  50 ,  52  via slots  66 ′,  66 ″ thereof (see FIG. 11A) and then welded thereto. Finally, the bolts  100  of the frame brackets  92  are tightened so that the frame brackets tightly engird, so as not to be slippable therealong, their respective vehicular frame members  94 . 
     Referring now additionally to FIGS. 14A though  15  the lift eye actuation assembly  25  will be discussed. Each lift rail  18 L,  18 R includes an hydraulic cylinder  80 L,  80 R, as mentioned with regard to FIG.  7 . Each hydraulic cylinder  80 L,  80 R has a piston rod  102 L,  102 R having a main sprocket  104  at its respective end. An idler sprocket  106  is located in each lift rail  18 L,  18 R, respectively, at an uppermost end thereof, wherein an idler sprocket rod  108  (see FIG. 6A) interconnects both of the idler sprockets so that they must rotate synchronously. A lift chain  110 L,  110 R is located in each lift rail  18 L,  18 R, having one end fixedly connected to a respective lift eye  20 L,  20 R, and the other end connected to a respective terminous  112 L,  112 R, while therebetween engageably threading on each of the main and idler sprockets  104 ,  106 . The terminous  112 L,  112 R has a threaded mechanism  114  for adjusting the placement of the end of the chain  110 L,  110 R thereat. 
     FIG. 14A shows the lift eyes  20 L,  20 R at the lowermost position, when the platform would be at the deployed position of FIG.  2 . Now, the piston rods  102 L,  102 R are fully extended. Activation of the hydraulic circuit  116  of FIG. 15 results in the piston rods  102 L,  102 R of the hydraulic cylinders  80 L,  80 R retracting, causing the lift eyes  20 L,  20 R to slide in their respective slide seats  78  upwardly along the lift rails  18 L,  18 R until the uppermost position is reached, as shown at FIG.  14 B. Now the platform is at the stored position of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 15A is a schematic of a suitable hydraulic circuit  116  for the lift eye actuation assembly  25 , wherein hydraulic lines are shown as piping and wherein electrical lines are shown as lines. 
     An hydraulic fluid reservoir  120  is hydraulically connected to a hydraulic pump  122 , which is, in turn, hydraulically connected to a normally closed raise solenoid valve  128  and to a normally closed kick-out cylinder solenoid valve  124 . The raise solenoid valve  128  is hydraulically connected to the hydraulic cylinders  80 L,  80 R, which are hydraulically connected on the return side to a normally closed down solenoid valve  130 , which, in turn, is connected to a return of the reservoir  120 . The kick-out solenoid valve  124  is hydraulically connected to the kick-out cylinder  64  and connected to a normally open pressure release solenoid valve  126 , which is, in turn, connected to the return of the reservoir  120 . 
     On the main frame , such as for example via a control panel (see  144  in FIG.  15 B), are a momentary raise push button  136 , a momentary kick-out push button  138  and a momentary lower push button  140 . The raise push button  136  is electrically connected through a diode  132  to a solenoid switch  135  which supplies high current power to the hydraulic motor  122 , and is further connected to the raise solenoid valve  128 . The kick-out push button  138  is electrically connected through a diode  134  to the solenoid switch  135  which, as mentioned, supplies high current power to the hydraulic motor  122 , and is further connected to the pressure release solenoid valve  126  and the kick-out solenoid valve  124 , wherein the pressure release solenoid valve is only closed when the kick-out solenoid valve is open. The lower push button  140  is electrically connected to the down solenoid valve  130  through a kick-out sensor  118  and a hydraulic pressure sensor  142 , both of which regulating the operative condition of the down solenoid valve. The kick-out sensor senses whether kick-out of the resting bar  26  relative to the ledge  62  has occurred; if not, the down solenoid valve cannot open. The hydraulic pressure sensor  142  senses whether there is sufficient hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinders  80 L,  80 R to provide an acceptable rate of gravity induced descend of the platform, the rate being for example dictated by the valve and/or line sizing; if not, the down solenoid valve cannot open. 
     To raise the platform from the deployed position, a user presses the raise push button, whereupon the solenoid switch closes and delivers high current power to the hydraulic pump; the raise solenoid valve opens. The platform now reverse articulates to the stored position, and the resting bar rests upon the ledge and the latch fingers grab the first cross-beam. To lower the platform back to the deployed position, the user releases the latch fingers, then presses the kick-out push button to effect kick-out of the resting bar in relation to the ledge. The user then presses the lower push button which then causes the lower solenoid valve to open if both kick-out and sufficient hydraulic pressure are sensed. The platform then reverse articulates to the deployed position. 
     FIG. 15B is an automated version of the hydraulic circuit of FIG. 15A, wherein a microprocessor  146  takes commands from a panel  144 , uses data from sensors  148 , for example data regarding platform position, kick-out condition, latch finger location, and hydraulic line pressure, and then directs operative signals selectively to the solenoid valves  128 ,  130 , 124  and  126 . 
     An overview of operation of the auxiliary vehicle transporter  10  can be understood by additional reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. 
     Beginning with the platform in the deployed position of FIG. 1, an auxiliary vehicle  24  is driven, pushed or otherwise placed upon the platform  16 , as shown at FIG.  8 . After securing the auxiliary vehicle to the platform by any suitable tie-down, the operator then activates the reverse articulation apparatus in storage mode. In this regard, the lift eye actuation mechanism  25  moves from the configuration of FIG. 14A to that of  14 B, whereduring the platform reverse articulates from the orientation depicted at FIG. 8, through the orientation depicted at FIG. 16 to the storage position depicted at FIG.  17 . Upon the platform just reaching the storage position of FIG. 17, the latch fingers  86  grab the securement bar  28  (see FIG.  12 ). The hydraulic circuit  116  automatically commands the lift eye actuation assembly  25  to lower the resting bar  26  restably upon the ledge  62 . With the platform safe and secure at the storage position, the master vehicle  12  may now be safely operated on the roads. 
     Upon reaching a destination, the operator rotates the latch release handle  88  to release the latch fingers from grasping of the first cross-beam. Thereupon, the operator activates the reverse articulation apparatus into deployed mode. The lift eye actuation assembly releases the weight of the platform at the resting bar off the ledge, and the kick-out cylinder  64  pushes the resting bar clear of the ledge. Now the lift eye actuation mechanism reverse articulates the platform again through the orientation depicted at FIG. 16 to the deployed position of FIG. 8, and the kick-out cylinder retracts. 
     To those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, the above described preferred embodiment may be subject to change or modification. Such change or modification can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.