Abstract:
A pedestrian trailer is disclosed. The pedestrian trailer includes a trailer frame for supporting a load and at least one wheel which renders the trailer frame portable. A load-stabilizing towing belt may be worn by a pedestrian and removably engage the trailer frame as he or she pulls or tows the pedestrian trailer.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to wheeled trailers which support a load and can be pulled or towed by a pedestrian. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pedestrian trailer which is lightweight and enables a pedestrian to easily pull a load while camping or hiking, for example. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Various outdoor pursuits such as hiking and camping, for example, frequently require that participants carry a load, typically in a backpack. The backpack may contain various hiking and/or camping gear such as a tent, food, clothing and the like which is necessary or desirable for the sustenance and comfort of the hiker or camper. However, for some persons, such as those who suffer back and/or joint problems, backpacks are uncomfortable to carry. Therefore, a lightweight pedestrian trailer is needed which is capable of carrying a sizable load and can be comfortably towed by a pedestrian when engaged in an outdoor pursuit such as hiking or camping, for example. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is generally directed to a pedestrian trailer. The pedestrian trailer includes a trailer frame for supporting a load and at least one wheel which renders the trailer frame portable. A load-stabilizing towing belt may be worn by a pedestrian and removably engage the trailer frame as he or she pulls or tows the pedestrian trailer. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1A  is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of the pedestrian trailer according to the present invention, with a kickstand of the pedestrian trailer deployed in a trailer-supporting position when the pedestrian trailer is not being towed; 
       FIG. 1B  is a top view of the pedestrian trailer illustrated in  FIG. 1 , with the kickstand deployed in a storage or non-supporting position; 
       FIG. 1C  is a side view of the pedestrian trailer being towed by a pedestrian, with the kickstand removed for clarity; 
       FIG. 1D  is a rear view of the pedestrian trailer; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of another illustrative embodiment of the pedestrian trailer according to the present invention, illustrating multiple pockets provided on the pedestrian trailer for carrying various items; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view of a dual-wheel embodiment of the pedestrian trailer; 
       FIG. 3A  is a side view of still another embodiment of the pedestrian trailer, more particularly illustrating an alternative trailer frame configuration for the pedestrian trailer; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of an illustrative attachment arrangement for removably and pivotally attaching the pedestrian trailer to a load-stabilizing towing belt to be worn by a pedestrian; and 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of an alternative attachment arrangement for removably and pivotally attaching the pedestrian trailer to a load-stabilizing towing belt. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1A-1D ,  4  and  5  of the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the pedestrian trailer according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . The pedestrian trailer  1  includes a trailer frame  2  which may be a lightweight metal such as aluminum or may be steel or any suitable alternative metal or material. The trailer frame  2  may have a generally L-shaped configuration and include an elongated, generally rectangular top frame member  3  which, as shown in  FIG. 1B , may include a pair of generally elongated, parallel side frame bars  3   a  and a front frame bar  3   b  and a rear frame bar  3   c  spanning opposite ends of the side frame bars  3   a . However, the top frame member  3  may have alternative shapes and configurations which are consistent with the functional requirements of the pedestrian trailer  1 . 
   The trailer frame  2  typically further includes a wheel mount frame member  12  which is welded or otherwise attached to the rear frame bar  3   c  and extends between the side frame bars  3   a  of the top frame member  3 . As shown in  FIG. 1D , the wheel mount frame member  12  may have a generally inverted U-shape and typically includes a pair of elongated, parallel, spaced-apart side frame bars  12   a  connected by a cross bar  12   b . The wheel mount frame member  12  is disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to the longitudinal axis of the top frame member  3  of the trailer frame  2 . The lower ends of the wheel mount frame member  12  terminate in a pair of spaced-apart axle mount flanges  13 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , an extended portion  14  of the wheel mount frame member  12  preferably extends upwardly beyond the plane of the top frame member  3  of the trailer frame  2 . 
   A wheel  16  is rotatably mounted on the wheel mount frame member  12  of the trailer frame  2 . The wheel  16  typically includes a wheel axle  18  which is mounted between the axle mount flanges  13  of the wheel mount frame member  12 ; a wheel hub  17  mounted on the wheel axle  18 ; a wheel rim  23  on which is mounted a tire  20 , which may be pneumatic; and spokes  19  extending between the wheel hub  17  and the wheel rim  23 . A pair of frame braces  22  (one of which is shown in  FIG. 1A ) may extend from the respective axle mount flanges  13  of the wheel mount frame member  12  and terminate on the respective side frame bars  3   a  of the top frame member  3 , to which the frame braces  22  are welded or otherwise attached. A generally arcuate fender  21  may be mounted between the side frame bars  12   a  of the wheel mount frame member  12  and/or the frame braces  22  to cover the upper curvature of the wheel  16 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1C , multiple strap loops  6  may extend from each side frame bar  3   a  of the top frame member  3 , in spaced-apart relationship to each other. A platform  9 , which may have a generally elongated, rectangular configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , is mounted on the top frame member  3  of the trailer frame  2 . The rear end of the platform  9  may abut against the extended portion  14  of the wheel mount frame member  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1C , in typical use of the pedestrian trailer  1  as will be hereinafter described, a load  50  can be placed on the platform  9  and one or multiple straps  8  extended over the load  50 , through the strap loops  6  and fastened to secure the load  50  on the platform  9 . However, it will be recognized and understood that the load  50  can additionally or alternatively be fastened to the platform  9  using any suitable technique known to those skilled in the art. 
   An elongated belt attachment shaft  4  may be provided on the trailer frame  2 . Preferably, a selected length of the belt attachment shaft  4  may be selectively extendible from the trailer frame  2 . For example, the belt attachment shaft  4  may be selectively and slidably or telescopically extendable from a belt attachment receptacle  11  that is provided on the trailer frame  2 . A pin (not illustrated) may be inserted through registering pin openings (not illustrated) provided in the belt attachment receptacle  11  and belt attachment shaft  4 , for example, to secure a selected length of the belt attachment shaft  4  in an extended configuration from the belt attachment receptacle  11 . Alternative locking mechanisms known by those skilled in the art may be used to lock the belt attachment shaft  4  with respect to the trailer frame  2 . 
   In one embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  4  of the drawings, a socket  5  is provided on the distal or extending end of the belt attachment shaft  4 . A pivot bracket  10 , which may have a generally semicircular configuration, is provided with a pair of pivot pins  10   a  which extend toward each other. The pivot pins  10   a  are inserted in the respective ends of the socket  5  to pivotally mount the pivot bracket  10  on the socket  5 . A belt attachment hook  7  extends forwardly from the pivot bracket  10 . Accordingly, as indicated by the double-headed curved arrow in  FIG. 1B , the belt attachment hook  7  is capable of being pivoted in a generally horizontal plane or side-to-side motion as the pivot bracket  10  pivots with respect to the socket  5 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1C , a load-stabilizing towing belt  30  is adapted to be worn around the waist of a pedestrian  34 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a hook receptacle  31  is provided on the rear surface of the load-stabilizing towing belt  30  for detachably engaging the belt attachment hook  7 . Accordingly, the pedestrian trailer  1  is adapted to be towed by the pedestrian  34  as the pedestrian  34  wears the load-stabilizing towing belt  30  while the belt attachment hook  7  engages the hook receptacle  31 . The belt attachment hook  7  is capable of pivoting in a generally vertical plane or up-and-down motion with respect to the hook receptacle  31  of the load-stabilizing towing belt  30 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in an alternative embodiment of the invention, a shaft eye  4   a  is provided on the distal or extending end of the belt attachment shaft  4 . A belt attachment hook  7   a  is pivotally attached to the shaft eye  4   a  such that the belt attachment hook  7   a  is capable of pivoting in a generally vertical plane or up-and-down motion with respect to the shaft eye  4   a . A hook receptacle  31   a  extends from the rear surface of the load-stabilizing towing belt  30 . The belt attachment hook  7   a  is adapted to detachably and pivotally engage the hook receptacle  31   a  in such a manner that the hook receptacle  31   a  is capable of pivoting in a generally horizontal plane or side-to-side motion with respect to the belt attachment hook  7   a.    
   A kickstand  26  may be provided on the trailer frame  2 . The kickstand  26  may include a pair of kickstand legs  28  which are pivotally attached to the respective side frame bars  3   a  of the top frame member  3  typically using pivot bolts  27 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1B . Accordingly, the kickstand  26  can be selectively deployed in a downwardly-extended, supporting position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1A , when the pedestrian trailer  1  is not being towed, to support the pedestrian trailer  1  in a self-standing position on the ground (not illustrated) or other supporting surface. The kickstand  26  can be selectively pivoted from the downwardly-extended, supporting position illustrated in  FIG. 1A  to a retracted position illustrated in  FIG. 1B , in which the kickstand legs  28  extend on opposite sides of the trailer frame  2  and beneath the platform  9 , when towing of the pedestrian trailer  1  is desired. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1C  of the drawings, in typical use of the pedestrian trailer  1 , a load  50  is initially secured on the platform  9  by placing the load  50  on the platform  9 , typically extending the strap or straps  8  over the load  50  and through the strap loops  6 , and then fastening and tightening the strap or straps  8 . The load  50  may include provisions for a hiking or camping expedition, such as food, clothing and/or a tent and other hiking or camping equipment, for example. The load-stabilizing towing belt  30  is fastened around the waist of a pedestrian  34 , with the hook receptacle  31  extending from the rear surface of the load-stabilizing towing belt  30 . The belt attachment hook  7  on the trailer frame  2  is then attached to the hook receptacle  31  on the load-stabilizing towing belt  30 . With the kickstand  26  in the raised, non-supporting position of  FIG. 1B , the pedestrian  34  then tows the pedestrian trailer  1  by walking forwardly as the wheel  16  rolls on the ground (not illustrated) and the trailer frame  2  and load  50  thereon travel on the rolling wheel  16 . It will be appreciated that the belt attachment shaft  4  is capable of pivoting in a side-to-side motion or horizontal plane with respect to the belt attachment hook  7 , whereas the load-stabilizing towing belt  30  is capable of pivoting in an up-and-down motion or vertical plane with respect to the belt attachment hook  7 . 
   Upon arrival of the pedestrian  34  and the towed pedestrian trailer  1  at a desired destination, the pedestrian trailer  1  is detached from the load-stabilizing towing belt  30  by unfastening the belt attachment hook  7  on the trailer frame  2  from the hook receptacle  31  of the load-stabilizing towing belt  30 . The pedestrian trailer  1  can then be deployed in the self-standing position by pivoting the kickstand  26  from the upper position illustrated in  FIG. 1B  to the lowered, supporting position illustrated in  FIG. 1A . This facilitates removal of the load  50  from the platform  9  typically by unfastening and removing the strap or straps  8  from the strap loops  6  and removing the load  50  from the trailer frame  2 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, another embodiment of the pedestrian trailer  1   a  includes at least one, and preferably, a pair of pockets  38  (shown in phantom) provided on one or both sides of the trailer frame  2 . Each of the pockets  38  is adapted to hold a load  51  in addition to the load  50  which is carried on the platform  1  as was heretofore described with respect to the pedestrian trailer  1  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, still another embodiment of the pedestrian trailer  1   b  includes a pair of wheels  16  which are mounted adjacent to each other typically on a common wheel axle  18 . A pair of fenders  21  may be mounted on the trailer frame  2 , over the upper curvatures of the respective wheels  16 . 
   Referring next to  FIG. 3A  of the drawings, yet another embodiment of the pedestrian trailer  1   c  according to the present invention has a modified trailer frame  64 . The trailer frame  64  includes a top frame member  3  which may be similar in construction to the top frame member  3  of the trailer frame  2  on the pedestrian trailer  1  which was heretofore described with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1D . A pair of wheel mount frame members  40  is provided in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship to each other on the respective side frame bars  3   a  of the top frame member  3 . Each wheel mount frame member  40  typically includes a front frame segment  41  which angles downwardly and rearwardly from the bottom surface of the corresponding top frame member  3 , a generally horizontal axle mount segment  42  which extends rearwardly at an obtuse angle from the front frame segment  41 , a connecting frame segment  43  which extends upwardly at an obtuse angle from the axle mount segment  42 , and a rear frame segment  44  which extends upwardly from the connecting frame segment  43 . An axle bracket  46  typically extends upwardly from the axle mount segment  42  of each wheel mount frame member  40 . The rear end of the top frame member  3  may be welded or otherwise attached to the rear frame segments  44  of the respective wheel mount frame members  40 . Preferably, each rear frame segment  44  has an extended portion  45  which extends beyond the plane of the top frame member  3 . The wheel axle  18 , which mounts a wheel or wheels  16  to the trailer frame  64 , is typically attached to the axle brackets  46  on the axle mount segments  42  of the respective wheel mount frame members  40 . A generally arcuate fender  21  may be provided on the top frame member and/or each wheel mount frame member  40  to cover the upper curvature of each wheel  16 . A platform  9  is typically provided on the top frame member  3 . The axle brackets  46  of the wheel mount frame members  40  impart a low center of gravity to the trailer frame  64 . 
   It is to be understood that the features of any of the embodiments of the pedestrian trailer heretofore described may be combined with any of the other embodiments of the pedestrian trailer. For example, the pockets  38  which were heretofore described with respect to the pedestrian trailer  1   a  of  FIG. 2  may be combined with the pedestrian trailer  1   c  in  FIG. 3A . Additionally, rather than having one wheel  16 , the pedestrian trailer  1   c  of  FIG. 3A  may be fitted with two adjacent wheels  16  as was heretofore described with respect to the pedestrian trailer  1   b  of  FIG. 3 . 
   While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.