Abstract:
A single or double axle trailer including an axle assembly for moving the trailer axles forward or backwards along a track. As the axle assembly moves toward the front end of the trailer, the track leads into a drop cavity space which causes the trailer to drop closer to the ground. At the same time, a pair of carrier arms which hold up a dovetail platform hingedly connected to the rear of the trailer are pulled out from the dovetail, causing the platform to drop toward the ground. Once the carrier arms are pulled all of the way forward and the axles are in the drop cavity, vehicles may be driven up the dovetail platform like a ramp.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/992,721, filed May 13, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a transformable trailer, and more specifically to a trailer which can transform to provide a loading ramp portion for temporarily loading and unloading the trailer. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In a typical situation where a vehicle is being loaded onto a transport trailer, the user will use a pair of ramps which are placed at the rear of the trailer. It can be difficult to align these ramps with the wheels of the vehicle being loaded to the trailer, and a mistake can cause the vehicle to roll off of the ramps and cause damage to the vehicle, the trailer, or the user. 
         [0006]    Another disadvantage of these loading ramps is that they are heavy and cumbersome to set up. Further, these ramps have to be transported along with the trailer, which reduces useable space within the trailer or the vehicle towing the trailer. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a simple transport trailer which can quickly and easily transform between a travel position and loading position while providing a safe and reliable ramp for loading vehicles onto the trailer. 
         [0008]    Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for transforming a trailer for loading and unloading purposes with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention generally provides a transforming trailer capable of transforming from a travel position to a loading position and back quickly and safely. The trailer generally includes a trailer deck for storing a vehicle during travel, and a loading assembly affixed to an end of the trailer deck. The loading assembly includes a slightly inclined portion of the trailer deck connected to a dovetail assembly by a pinned hinge. A carrier arm is received by a receiver slot on the dovetail assembly. The carrier arm is hydraulically powered and mounted to the underside of the trailer deck and to the rear axle of the trailer. The dovetail is raised and lowered as the carrier arm is moved. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is top plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention in a first, towing position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view the first embodiment of the present invention in a second, loading position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partial bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the present invention in a first, towing position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a partial bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the present invention in a second, loading position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a detailed plan view of the first embodiment of the present invention in a first, towing position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a detailed plan view of the first embodiment of the present invention in a second, loading position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is top plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention in a first, towing position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view the second embodiment of the present invention in a second, loading position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a partial bottom plan view of the second embodiment of the present invention in a first, towing position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a partial bottom plan view of the second embodiment of the present invention in a second, loading position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a detailed plan view of the second embodiment of the present invention in a first, towing position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a detailed plan view of the second embodiment of the present invention in a second, loading position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is top plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention in a first, towing position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view the third embodiment of the present invention in a second, loading position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is a partial bottom plan view of the third embodiment of the present invention in a first, towing position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  is a partial side elevational view thereof. 
           [0033]      FIG. 23  is a partial bottom plan view of the third embodiment of the present invention in a second, loading position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 24  is a partial side elevational view thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
       [0035]    As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0036]    Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. 
       II. First Embodiment Single Axle Trailer System  2   
       [0037]      FIGS. 1-8  demonstrate a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is a single axle trailer system  2  designed for the transport of vehicles or other items.  FIG. 1  shows the present invention in a first, transport position. When loading or unloading items or vehicles onto the trailer  2 , the trailer is transformed into a second, loading position as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . The trailer  2  primarily includes a structural frame  6  and a hitch  14  for connecting to a towing vehicle. 
         [0038]    A dovetail loading assembly  22  is connected to the rear end of the trailer deck by a hinge as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . This dovetail assembly  22  acts as a ramp when the trailer is in the loading position. When in the travel position, the dovetail assembly  22  is held in place by a carrier arm  18  which slides into a slotted receiver  27  on the bottom of the dovetail. The carrier arm holds the dovetail assembly up in a cantilevered fashion in the transport position. The strength of the carrier arm is enough to hold up a portion of a vehicle or other item which is placed directly on the dovetail. 
         [0039]    The carrier arm  18  is mounted to the undercarriage of the trailer and is powered by a hydraulic arm  16 . When the trailer transforms from the travel position to the loading position, the entire rear axle  8  trolley assembly  4 , including the mounted end of the carrier arm  28 , moves towards the front of the trailer. The axle  8  trolley assembly  4  follows a track  7  which moves the assembly towards the front of the trailer but also upwards into a drop cavity  26 , causing the rear end of the trailer to drop during the process. This accelerates the transformation from a transport position to a loading position while decreasing the slope of the dovetail ramp when deployed. The wheels  10  generally roll beneath the fenders  12  in the space allotted by the wheel wells. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , in a preferred embodiment there is a break  11  in the deck slope near the rear end of the trailer deck. This is also to aid in the loading process by providing a better slope for tires to travel up. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the free end of the carrier arm  18  includes a slanted edge on its end  25  which slots into a catch, such as element  127  shown in  FIG. 10 , within the slotted receiver  24  of the dovetail assembly  22  for a more secure connection. The catch is mounted to the underside of the trailer deck which catches the axle trolley assembly when the trailer is placed into a transport position. This catch locks the trolley assembly in place and prevents the axle from moving during transport. 
         [0041]    The axle trolley assembly  4  includes a bracket  20  which connects to the wheel axle. The trolley assembly also includes a guide clip  33  for guiding the assembly along the track when the assembly is in motion. The guide clip  33  may also act as a backup safety element if the rollers  32  come off of the track  7 . A flex-tie or other connection element permits axle rotation of the wheel axle with approximately the same center line elevation as a typical wheel axle. The rollers  32  in a preferred embodiment could be constructed from a wire rope roller sheave or other suitable rolling element. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 2 and 4  show the trailer in a second, loading position, and show how the dovetail assembly drops, along with the back end of the trailer, as the axle trolley assembly  4  moves toward the front of the trailer and as the carrier arm  18  is drawn away from the dovetail assembly  22 . A hanger plate  19  holds the free end of the carrier arm  18  up as it is pulled away from the dovetail assembly. 
         [0043]    The hydraulic cylinder assembly  16  moves the entire axle assembly forward and backward. The wheel  10  is offset from the axle via a wheel assembly including the flex-tie axle connector, as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 7 and 8  and also in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The offset allows the wheel to continue unhindered as the axle assembly  4  moves along the track  7  and into the drop cavity  26 , thereby dropping the deck of the trailer  2 . 
         [0044]    The carrier arm  18  is connected to the axle  8  by a carrier arm mounting assembly  28 , and the hydraulic arm  16  is connected to the axle  8  by a similar hydraulic arm mounting assembly  30 . These mounting assemblies allow the ends of both the carrier arm  18  and hydraulic arm  16  to pivot as the axle assembly  4  travels along the track  7  and enters the drop cavity  26  of the trailer. Without this pivoting action, the arms may bind, and the carrier arm  18  would not remain parallel with the road, and could cause the dovetail  22  to jerk upwards or downwards uncontrollably. 
         [0045]    A pair of locking mechanisms including a receiver  36  are to the frame  6  in proximity with the end of the tracks  7 , which receivers  36  receive the locking pins  34  which prevent the assembly  4  from moving backwards toward the dovetail  22  further than the starting position. These locking pins  34  and receivers  36  also keep the axle assembly in place during transport of the trailer  2 , preventing the structure from falling. 
       III. Second Embodiment Single Axle Trailer System  102   
       [0046]      FIGS. 9-16  show a second embodiment of a single axle trailer system  102 . Many of the features are similar to the first embodiment trailer system  2  disclosed above. Here, however, a removable fender  112  travels along with the axle assembly  104 , removably connected to a tube  138  welded to the bracket  120  or other element of the axle assembly  104 . The fender  112  is mounted to the tube  138  via butterfly nuts or other simple connection elements (e.g. snaps, screws, etc.) which allow the fender to quickly be disconnected from the trailer system  102 , expanding the width of the trailer to accommodate larger vehicles. 
         [0047]    Like above, the trailer  102  primarily includes a structural frame  106  and a hitch  114  for connecting to a towing vehicle. 
         [0048]    A dovetail loading assembly  122  is connected to the rear end of the trailer deck by a hinge as shown in  FIGS. 9-12 . This dovetail assembly  122  acts as a ramp when the trailer is in the loading position. When in the travel position, the dovetail assembly  122  is held in place by a carrier arm  118  which slides into a slotted receiver  127  on the bottom of the dovetail. The carrier arm holds the dovetail assembly up in a cantilevered fashion in the transport position. The strength of the carrier arm is enough to hold up a portion of a vehicle or other item which is placed directly on the dovetail. 
         [0049]    The carrier arm  118  is mounted to the undercarriage of the trailer and is powered by a hydraulic arm  116 . When the trailer transforms from the travel position to the loading position, the entire rear axle  108  trolley assembly  104 , including the mounted end of the carrier arm  128 , moves towards the front of the trailer. The axle  108  trolley assembly  104  follows a track  107  which moves the assembly towards the front of the trailer but also upwards into a drop cavity  126 , causing the rear end of the trailer to drop during the process. This accelerates the transformation from a transport position to a loading position while decreasing the slope of the dovetail ramp when deployed. 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , in a preferred embodiment there is a break  111  in the deck slope near the rear end of the trailer deck. This is also to aid in the loading process by providing a better slope for tires to travel up. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the free end of the carrier arm  118  includes a slanted edge on its end  125  which slots into a catch  127  shown in  FIG. 10 , within the slotted receiver  124  of the dovetail assembly  122  for a more secure connection. The catch is mounted to the underside of the trailer deck which catches the axle trolley assembly when the trailer is placed into a transport position. This catch locks the trolley assembly in place and prevents the axle from moving during transport. 
         [0051]    The axle trolley assembly  104  includes a bracket  120  which connects to the wheel axle. The trolley assembly also includes a guide clip  133  for guiding the assembly along the track when the assembly is in motion. The guide clip  133  may also act as a backup safety element if the rollers  132  come off of the track  107 . A flex-tie or other connection element permits axle rotation of the wheel axle with approximately the same center line elevation as a typical wheel axle. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 10 and 12  show the trailer in a second, loading position, and show how the dovetail assembly drops, along with the back end of the trailer, as the axle trolley assembly  104  moves toward the front of the trailer and as the carrier arm  118  is drawn away from the dovetail assembly  122 . A hanger plate  119  holds the free end of the carrier arm  118  up as it is pulled away from the dovetail assembly. 
         [0053]    The hydraulic cylinder assembly  116  moves the entire axle assembly forward and backward. The wheel  110  is offset from the axle via a wheel assembly including the flex-tie axle connector, as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 15 and 16  and also in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The offset allows the wheel to continue unhindered as the axle assembly  104  moves along the track  107  and into the drop cavity  126 , thereby dropping the deck of the trailer  102 . 
         [0054]    The carrier arm  118  is connected to the axle  108  by a carrier arm mounting assembly  128 , and the hydraulic arm  116  is connected to the axle  108  by a similar hydraulic arm mounting assembly  130 . These mounting assemblies allow the ends of both the carrier arm  118  and hydraulic arm  116  to pivot as the axle assembly  104  travels along the track  107  and enters the drop cavity  126  of the trailer. Without this pivoting action, the arms may bind, and the carrier arm  118  would not remain parallel with the road, and could cause the dovetail  122  to jerk upwards or downwards uncontrollably. 
         [0055]    A pair of structural beams  109  are mounted across the frame beneath the axle assembly  104 . The locking mechanism including the receiver  136  are welded above these structural beams  109 , which receivers  136  receive the locking pins  134  which prevent the assembly  104  from moving backwards toward the dovetail  122  further than the starting position. These locking pins  134  and receivers  136  also keep the axle assembly in place during transport of the trailer  102 , preventing the structure from falling. As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the axle assembly includes two such locking pins  134  located in proximity to each tire  110  with respective receivers  136  on each side of the trailer  102 ; however, a single locking pin  134  and receiver  136  could be used on each side. 
       IV. Third Embodiment Double Axle Trailer System  202   
       [0056]      FIGS. 17-24  show a third embodiment of a double axle trailer system  202 . Many of the features are similar to the first embodiment trailer system  2  disclosed above. A pair of removable fenders  212  travel along with the axle assembly  204  with their respective tires  210 , the fenders being removably connected to a tube  238  welded to the bracket  220  or other element of the axle assembly  204 . The fender  212  is mounted to the tube  238  via butterfly nuts or other simple connection elements (e.g. snaps, screws, etc.) which allow the fender to quickly be disconnected from the trailer system  202 , expanding the width of the trailer to accommodate larger vehicles. 
         [0057]    Like above, the trailer  202  primarily includes a structural frame  206  and a hitch  214  for connecting to a towing vehicle. 
         [0058]    A dovetail loading assembly  222  is connected to the rear end of the trailer deck by a hinge as shown in  FIGS. 17-22 . This dovetail assembly  222  acts as a ramp when the trailer is in the loading position. When in the travel position, the dovetail assembly  222  is held in place by a carrier arm  218  which slides into a slotted receiver  227  on the bottom of the dovetail. The carrier arm holds the dovetail assembly up in a cantilevered fashion in the transport position. The strength of the carrier arm is enough to hold up a portion of a vehicle or other item which is placed directly on the dovetail. 
         [0059]    The carrier arm  218  is mounted to the undercarriage of the trailer and is powered by a hydraulic arm  216 . When the trailer transforms from the travel position to the loading position, the entire rear axle  208  trolley assembly  204 , including the mounted end of the carrier arm  228 , moves towards the front of the trailer. The axle  208  trolley assembly  204  follows a track  207  which moves the assembly towards the front of the trailer but also upwards into a drop cavity  226 , causing the rear end of the trailer to drop during the process. This accelerates the transformation from a transport position to a loading position while decreasing the slope of the dovetail ramp when deployed. 
         [0060]    As shown in  FIG. 17 , in a preferred embodiment there is a break  211  in the deck slope near the rear end of the trailer deck. This is also to aid in the loading process by providing a better slope for tires to travel up. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the free end of the carrier arm  218  includes a slanted edge on its end  225  which slots into a catch  227  shown in  FIG. 18 , within the slotted receiver  224  of the dovetail assembly  222  for a more secure connection. The catch is mounted to the underside of the trailer deck which catches the axle trolley assembly when the trailer is placed into a transport position. This catch locks the trolley assembly in place and prevents the axle from moving during transport. 
         [0061]    The axle trolley assembly  204  includes a bracket  220  which connects to the wheel axle. The trolley assembly also includes a guide clip  233  for guiding the assembly along the track when the assembly is in motion. The guide clip  233  may also act as a backup safety element if the rollers  232  come off of the track  207 . A flex-tie or other connection element permits axle rotation of the wheel axle with approximately the same center line elevation as a typical wheel axle. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 18 and 20  show the trailer in a second, loading position, and show how the dovetail assembly drops, along with the back end of the trailer, as the axle trolley assembly  204  moves toward the front of the trailer and as the carrier arm  218  is drawn away from the dovetail assembly  222 . A hanger plate  219  holds the free end of the carrier arm  218  up as it is pulled away from the dovetail assembly. 
         [0063]    The hydraulic cylinder assembly  216  moves the entire axle assembly forward and backward. The wheel  210  is offset from the axle via a wheel assembly including the flex-tie axle connector, as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 23 and 24  and also in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . The offset allows the wheel to continue unhindered as the axle assembly  204  moves along the track  207  and into the drop cavity  226 , thereby dropping the deck of the trailer  202 . 
         [0064]    The carrier arm  218  is connected to the axle  208  by a carrier arm mounting assembly  228 , and the hydraulic arm  216  is connected to the axle  208  by a similar hydraulic arm mounting assembly  230 . These mounting assemblies allow the ends of both the carrier arm  218  and hydraulic arm  216  to pivot as the axle assembly  204  travels along the track  207  and enters the drop cavity  226  of the trailer. 
         [0065]    A pair of structural beams  209  are mounted across the frame beneath each axle  208  the axle assembly  204 . The locking mechanism including the receiver  236  are welded above these structural beams  209 , which receivers  236  receive the locking pins  234  which prevent the assembly  104  from moving backwards toward the dovetail  222  further than the starting position. These locking pins  234  and receivers  236  also keep the axle assembly in place during transport of the trailer  202 , preventing the structure from falling. As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 19 , the axle assembly includes two such locking pins  234  located in proximity to each tire  210  with respective receivers  236  on each side of the trailer  202 ; however, a single locking pin  234  and receiver  236  could be used on each side. 
         [0066]    Because this embodiment includes two axles  208 , the axles must be joined by structural arms  217  which keep the axles  208  and respective tires  210  spaced appropriately while the assembly  204  moves forwards or backwards. The structural arms  217  transfer the force from the hydraulic arm  216  applied against the rear axle to the front axle at the same rate. The ends of the structural arms  217  must pivot against the two axles  208  similar to the hydraulic arm mounting assembly  230  and the carrier arm mounting assembly  228 , therefore a structural arm mounting assembly  229  is affixed to each end of each structural arm  217 , connecting each end to each respective axle. This allows the arms  217  to maintain the proper spacing between the axles as the assemblies  204  follow the track  207  into the drop cavity  226 . 
         [0067]    It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.