Abstract:
A collapsible trailer apparatus and methods of use and more particularly to a boat trailer having a boat storage space below a rigid frame. The boat trailer may also be collapsible and can be used to transport boats of varying sizes and shapes between lakes and camps without the need to empty the boat of any contents. The collapsible boat trailer can be broken down into a plurality of smaller components that are readily stored and transported. The present invention also particularly pertains to a boat trailer apparatus which may be collapsible and which is uniquely suited for short distance motorized vehicle towing. The collapsible boat trailer apparatus can be quickly disassembled without the use of bulky and/or numerous tools into lightweight sub-components for convenient storage and transport.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a collapsible trailer apparatus and methods of use and more particularly to a boat trailer having a boat storage space below a rigid frame. The boat trailer may also be collapsible and can be used to transport boats of varying sizes and shapes between lakes and camps without the need to empty the boat of any contents. The collapsible boat trailer can be broken down into a plurality of smaller components that are readily stored and transported. The present invention also particularly pertains to a boat trailer apparatus which may be collapsible and which is uniquely suited for short distance motorized vehicle towing. The collapsible boat trailer apparatus can be quickly disassembled without the use of bulky and/or numerous tools into lightweight sub-components for convenient storage and transport. 
     2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
     Since the advent of the motorized vehicle, sportsmen and recreational boat users have oftentimes desired a convenient and mechanically simple apparatus to transport a boat from place to place. To meet this need, numerous boat trailers have been invented, manufactured, and sold to the general public which provide means for the motorized transport of a boat. Thus, the use of boat transport trailers is well known in the art. 
     Historically these boat transport trailers have been little more than wheeled support platforms upon which a boat was placed and hauled from one location to another. Although there have been countless different wheeled support platforms, most, if not all, consist basically of familiar and obvious structural configurations. Typically these structural configurations consist of two wheels, a frame, and a placement and/or locking mechanism which holds the boat hull and provides stability to the boat when the wheeled support platform is in use. Depending on whether the boat hull was a v- or tri-hull, the placement and locking mechanism could consist of two or more members, oftentimes covered with rubber or outdoor carpeting to protect the hull from contact with these placement and/or locking members. 
     When using these wheeled platforms, the task of placing the boat on top of the trailer is cumbersome, requires the operator to immerse themselves at least partially in the water, and also necessitates deft maneuvering of both the motorized vehicle and the bow of the boat. Oftentimes, operators have to engage in successive attempts to place the boat and wheeled platform in proper alignment. This alignment procedure is fraught with difficulties and is, in most cases, nothing more than an exercise in trial and error. 
     Storage of these wheeled support platforms is also cumbersome and can be quite financially taxing due to their bulky size and shape. The wheeled support platforms require extensive maintenance and cannot be subjected to prolonged exposure to the atmosphere and during the off-season, most users are required to find suitable indoor storage for the wheeled support platforms. 
     The present invention is directed to a unique and novel boat trailer especially suited for towing a small and lightweight recreational boat thereunder, although the present invention may also be used with any size, shape, or weight of boat. The present invention is also useful in that the boat does not have to be emptied of its contents during transport. Thus, the present invention does not require the user to exert substantial energy, skill, or effort in towing the boat small distances between lakes and/or rivers. 
     The present invention also includes a collapsible boat trailer superior to known collapsible boat trailers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,083 to Mally discloses a collapsible boat trailer which may be collapsed for storage and/or shipment and which may be used to tow a small, lightweight boat short distances. The Mally boat trailer, however, discloses that the boat be placed on top of the trailer and thereby requires tremendous effort of the user to coax the boat upon the trailer. Furthermore, the Mally boat trailer does not provide a secure means for securing the boat to the trailer. A boat which is placed upon the Mally trailer is prone to shift into incorrect alignment and/or weight distribution, resulting in substantial damage to any boat placed upon the Mally trailer. 
     The prior art also discloses U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,830 to Hardwick which discloses a foldable boat trailer which may be collapsed for storage or shipment and which may be used to suspend a boat thereunder for transporting a boat from one location to another. The boat trailer disclosed in Hardwick, however, awkwardly places the wheels in the center of the trailer, thereby skewing the balance and weight distribution of a boat suspended thereunder. A boat suspended from the Hardwick trailer would have a tendency to fall forward or rearward and would not be substantially stable at higher speeds of towing. Indeed, the Hardwick trailer is especially suited for such forward and rearward tilt due to its intended use for long, slender sailing craft. Furthermore, the disclosure does not show a way to positively secure and cradle the boat to the trailer for safe and effective towing behind a vehicle. 
     The prior art also discloses folding and foldable trailers as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,316 to Wright, U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,008 to Modddejonge, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,073 to Harper. While these devices fulfill their respective and particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a boat trailer wherein the boat is suspended from the trailer in such a manner that the contents of the boat do not have to be removed prior to the boat being towed. Furthermore, none of the boat trailers of the prior art disclose a boat trailer that is easily maneuverable and quickly assembled with none or few tools and which can be adapted to a variety of boat structures and sizes. 
     In this respect, the boat trailer of the present invention substantially departs from the prior art boat trailer apparatuses as well as conventional boat trailer structure and design. Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a need for a lightweight boat trailer apparatus which can be used to transport a multitude of boat structures and sizes. 
     It is also an object of the present invention, to provide a collapsible boat trailer that is easily articulated without the need for substantial use of tools and which can be easily manipulated and articulated by a user in a recreational setting as well as methods of use. 
     Thus, the present invention achieves its intended purposes, objects, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of components and method steps with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, a minimum amount of user interaction, and at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only readily available materials. These and other objects, purposes, and advantages of the present invention will be disclosed in light of the specification, drawings, and claims appended hereto. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is defined by the appended claims with the specific embodiments shown in the attached drawings. For the purpose of summarizing the invention, without limiting the invention to such a summary, the invention can be described as a collapsible boat trailer apparatus for towing a boat wherein the boat is suspended from the trailer apparatus and wherein further the trailer apparatus is readily collapsible into several sub-components in a manner requiring few if any tools. 
     The present invention more particularly relates to a collapsible trailer apparatus and methods of use and even more particularly to a boat trailer having a boat storage space below a rigid frame. The boat trailer may also be collapsible and can be used to transport boats of varying sizes and shapes between lakes and camps without the need to empty the boat of any contents. The collapsible boat trailer can be broken down into a plurality of smaller components that are readily stored and transported. The present invention also particularly pertains to a boat trailer apparatus which may be collapsible and which is uniquely suited for short distance motorized vehicle towing. The collapsible boat trailer apparatus can be quickly disassembled without the use of bulky and/or numerous tools into lightweight sub-components for convenient storage and transport. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the disassembled boat trailer apparatus of the present invention and shows, via a short and long dashed line, the general means and methods of connecting the disassembled parts. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled boat trailer apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the assembled boat trailer apparatus of the present invention and shows, in particular, the use of the boat trailer apparatus with a boat suspended thereunder. 
     FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the assembled boat trailer apparatus of the present invention and shows, in particular, the wheel assemblies, the hull retaining space, and the weight distribution assembly of the boat trailer apparatus. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the boat trailer apparatus of the present invention is shown generally in its unassembled state in FIG.  1  and referenced by numeral  10 . The boat trailer apparatus  10  is constructed from a rigid frame  12  having a forward end  14 , a rearward end  15 , a first side  16 , and a second side  17 . The rigid frame  12  of the boat trailer apparatus  10  can be generally described as having six (6) main components: a hitch assembly  20 , a first support member  30 , a second support member  70 , a spacing member  90 , a first wheel assembly  120 , and a second wheel assembly  140 . When assembled, these six (6) main components constitute the boat trailer apparatus  10  of the present invention. Generally, the assembly of the boat trailer apparatus  10  is indicated in FIG. 1 by the long-and-short dashed line and the boat trailer apparatus  10  is shown in its substantial complete and assembled state in FIG.  2 . The rigid frame  12  may be constructed of any material, but it is contemplated that the rigid frame be constructed out of steel, aluminum, fiberglass, copper lead and any combinations of these materials. 
     The hitch assembly  20  includes a hitch adapter  21 , a step up member  22 , and a coupling adapter  23 . In FIG. 1 the hitch adapter  21  is shown as being a ball hitch adapter although it is contemplated that the hitch adapter  21  can be any mechanical device which is capable of connecting the rigid frame  12  of the boat trailer apparatus  10  to a motorized towing vehicle (not shown). For example, but not by way of limitation, the hitch adapter  21  may be capable of attaching to a fifth wheel hitch found in the bed of pickup truck. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the design of the hitch adapter  21  is solely limited by the design of the hitch which is attached to the motorized towing vehicle (not shown) that is to be used with the boat trailer apparatus  10 . The step up member  22  of the hitch assembly  20  raises the plane of the boat trailer apparatus  10 . In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the step up member  22  of the hitch assembly  20  raise the plane of the boat trailer apparatus  10  approximately 15 to 30 inches above the plane in which the hitch of the towing vehicle resides. More particularly, it is contemplated that the step up member  22  of the hitch assembly  20  raises the plane of the boat trailer apparatus  10  approximately 18 to 24 inches above the plane in which the hitch of the towing vehicle resides. In any event, it should be appreciated that the step up member  22  of the hitch assembly  20  raises the plane of the boat trailer apparatus  10  to an appreciable extent above the plane of the hitch of the motorized towing vehicle in order to create a boat storage space  18  (shown in FIG. 2) under the rigid frame  12  of the boat trailer apparatus  10 . 
     The coupling adapter  23  of the hitch assembly  20  is sized and shaped so as to accept a first coupling adapter  31  of the first support member  30 . As shown in FIG. 1, the coupling adapter  23  of the hitch assembly  20  has a female configuration while the first coupling adapter  31  of the first support member  30  has a male configuration. When joined, the first coupling adapter  31  of the first support member  30  matingly engages the coupling adapter  23  of the hitch assembly  20  such that an interior surface  24  of the coupling adapter  23  is adjacent an exterior surface  32  of the first coupling adapter  31  of the first support member  30 . Thus, the first coupling adapter  31  of the first support member  30  fits within the coupling adapter  23  of the hitch assembly  20 . Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the configuration of the coupling adapter  23  and the first coupling adapter  31  can be switched: i.e. the coupling adapter  23  can have a male configuration while the first coupling adapter  31  can have a female configuration. 
     The first coupling adapter  31  of the first support member  30  fits within the coupling adapter  23  of the hitch assembly  20  so that a connection slot  25  in the coupling adapter  23 , which allows access through the coupling adapter  23 , aligns with a first connection slot  33  in the first coupling adapter  31 , which allows access through the first coupling adapter  31 . A first connection bolt  26  is then placed through both the connection slot  25  of the coupling adapter  23  and the first connection slot  33  of the first coupling adapter  31 . Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the first connection bolt  26  may, in practice, be a carriage bolt, a cotter pin or any other suitable fastening device which can be assembled and disassembled quickly and easily yet still provide a sturdy and reliable connection between the hitch assembly  20  and the first support member  30 . In FIG. 2, for example, the first connection bolt  26  is a “T” connector. 
     The first support member  30  is shown in FIG. 1 as including the first coupling adapter  31 , having the exterior surface  32  and the first connection slot  33 , a bow securing assembly  34 , a stem securing winch  35 , a second coupling adapter  36 , a second connection slot  37 , an interior surface  38 , and a second connection bolt  39 . 
     The bow securing assembly  34 , as shown in FIG. 1, may be, and is shown as, a combination of several elements. First, the bow securing assembly  34  includes a bow support member  40  which is sized and shaped so as to catch and engage a bow lip  43  of a bow  42  of a boat  46  which is shown more particularly in FIG.  3 . The bow support member  40  engages a bottom surface  45  of the bow lip  43 . Second, a bow support tensioning member  41  allows the bow support member  40  to be drawn up and toward the first support member  30  thereby bringing an upper surface  44  of the bow lip  43  into close proximity with the underside of the first support member  30 . In this manner, the bow  42  of the boat  46  is secured to the first support member  30  and the bow  42  of the boat  46  is placed substantially adjacent an underside  200  of the first support member  30 . Although one specific embodiment of the bow securing assembly  34  is shown in FIG. 1, namely, a biasing turnbuckle screw assembly, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the bow securing assembly  34  may comprise any device which secures the bow  42  of the boat  46  substantially adjacent the underside  200  of the first support member  30 . For example, but not by way of limitation, the bow securing assembly  34  may consist of a single bolt which fits within a predrilled or prefabricated slot in the bow  42  of the boat  46  and releasably fastens directly to the first support member  30 . 
     The first support member  30  further includes the second coupling adapter  36  having the second connection slot  37 , the interior surface  38  and the second connection bolt  39 . The second coupling adapter  36  is sized and shaped so as to releasably connect to the second support member  70  which has a first end  72  having a first connection slot  74  and an exterior surface  75 , and a second end  76  having a second connection slot  78  and an exterior surface  79 . The second coupling adapter  36  may have a female configuration as shown in FIG.  1  and the first end  72  of the second support member  70  may have a male configuration. In these configurations, the first end  72  of the second support member  70  matingly engages the second coupling adapter  36  of the first support member  30 . In this manner, the exterior surface  75  of the first end  72  of the second support member  70  is substantially adjacent to the interior surface  38  of the second coupling adapter  36  of the first support member  30 . When the first support member  30  and the second support member  70  are joined in this manner, the first connection slot  74  of the first end  72  of the second support member  70  is in substantial alignment with the second connection slot  37  of the second coupling adapter  36  of the first support member  30 . As configured as such, the second connection bolt  39  is inserted into the substantially aligned first connection slot  74  and the second connection slot  37  and releasably tightened. In this manner, the first support member  30  is releasably connected to the second support member  70 . Although shown in a female to male configuration, the first support member  30  and the second support member  70  may be connected such that the second coupling adapter  36  and the first end  72  are in a male to female configuration, respectively. It would be well within the realm of one of ordinary skill in the art, given this disclosure, to make such a change in configuration. 
     The first support member  30  also includes the stem securing winch  35  which is affixed to an upperside  300  of the first support member  30 . In alternative embodiments (not shown) the stem securing winch  35  may be operably associated with either the hitch assembly  20  or the second support member  70 . The stern securing winch  35  is operably associated with a tensioning assembly  47 , shown in FIG.  2 . The tensioning assembly  47  allows for the boat  46  to be supported under the boat trailer apparatus  10  in the boat storage space  18  which is generally defined as the area underneath the first support member  30 , the second support member  70 , and the spacing member  90 . The tensioning assembly  47  has a tensioning member  48 , at least three weight distribution assemblies  49 , an adjustable support band  50 , and at least two quick connects  51 . As shown in FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 , the tensioning member  48  comprises a cable  53  and a spring  54 . Although the spring  54  is shown in FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  as being closely adjacent the stem securing winch  35 , one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the spring  54  may be placed at any point along the cable  53  as long as the spring  54  is capable of providing flexibility and shock absorbability to the cable  53 . 
     The cable  53  extends from the stem securing winch  35  to the weight distribution assemblies  49 , each of which is generally marked with reference numeral  49 . As can be appreciated from FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3 , and  4 , the weight distribution assemblies  49 , in one embodiment, are a plurality of pulleys. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the weight distribution assemblies  49  may be additional springs which are placed in curving tubes into or onto the rigid frame  12 . In any event, the weight distribution assemblies  49  and the cable  53  provide the ability for raising and lowering the adjustable support band  50  and allow a stern portion  55  of the boat  46 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, to be raised from a lowered position to a raised position. 
     As mentioned above, the tensioning assembly  47  includes the adjustable support band  50  and the at least two quick connects  51 . The adjustable support band  50  fits underneath the stern portion  55  of the boat  46  and acts as a cradle. When the adjustable support band  50  is raised to its raised position, as shown in FIG. 31 the stern portion  55  of the boat  46  is suspended off of the ground which is indicated generally by the solid line in FIG. 4 The two quick connects  51  are any mechanical device capable of quickly and releasably connecting the cable  53  to the adjustable support band  50 . For example, but not by way of limitation, the quick connects  51  may be c-clamps or carabineers, i.e. mechanical devices which can connect two pieces of cable  53  together while allowing for quick release of the cable  53 . It is contemplated that the support band  50  may be constructed from a web of material, chain, rubber tubing, rope and any combination of these materials. 
     In operation, the adjustable support band  50  may be hand positioned under the stern portion  55  of the boat  46  and thereafter the adjustable support band  50  would be connected to the at least two quick connects  51 . The stern portion  55  of the boat  46  would then be raised to its raised condition by manipulating the stern securing winch  35  so as to wind up and/or gather up the tensioning assembly  47 , as shown in FIG.  3 . Alternatively, the adjustable support band  50  may be left connected to the rigid frame  12  via the quick connects  51  and either the boat  46  can be manipulated through the boat storage space  18  or the rigid frame  12  can be manipulated forward or backward so that the boat  46  is placed within the boat storage space  18 . In any event, it should be appreciated that the adjustable support band  50  cradles the stern portion  55  of the boat  46  and urges the stern portion  55  of the boat  46  up to and adjacent the underside of the rigid frame  12 . 
     The second support member  70  may be of any length and is generally sized and shaped to fit the particular length of the boat  46  that is to be towed. Indeed, the boat trailer apparatus  10  of the present invention may consist of a kit wherein several different sizes of the second support member  70  are provided. If provided with such a kit, the operator would be required to judge the overall length of the second support member  70  that is required and select and use the length appropriate for the task. 
     The second support member  70 , as mentioned above, also has the second end  76  which includes the second connection slot  78  and the exterior surface  79 . Upon inspection of FIG. 1, it can be appreciated that the exterior surface  75  of the first end  72  of the second support member  70  is essentially the same as the exterior surface  79  of the second end  76  of the second support member  70 . One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that these two exterior surfaces would always be one and the same, unless the end configurations of the second support member  70  were opposing: for example, if one end was in a female configuration and another end was in a male configuration. For purposes of illustration, however, the second support member  70  is shown as having both the first end  72  and the second end  76  in the male configuration and thus the exterior surface  75  of the first end  72  is the same as the exterior surface  79  of the second end  76 . 
     The second support member  70  connects to the spacing member  90 , generally as shown by the long and short dashed line in FIG.  1 . In particular, the second end  76  of the second support member  70  releasably interconnects with a stem member  92  of the spacing member  90 . The stem member  92  of the spacing member  90  includes a connection slot  94 , an interior surface  96  and a connection bolt  98 . As shown in FIG. 1, the second end  76  of the second support member  70  and the stem member  92  of the spacing member  90  are in a male to female configuration, respectively. As outlined above for the first end  72  of the second support member  70  and the second coupling adapter  36  of the first support member  30 , the male to female configuration of the second end  76  of the second support member  70  and the stem member  92  of the spacing member  90  may be reversed to a female to male configuration, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, when connected the male configuration is inserted into the female configuration, i.e. the exterior surface  79  of the second end  76  of the second support member  70  is substantially adjacent the interior surface  96  of the stem member  92  of the spacing member  90 , respectively. Also, the second connection slot  78  of the second end  76  of the second support member  70  is substantially in alignment with the connection slot  94  of the stem member  92  of the spacing member  90 . When in alignment, a connection bolt  98  is inserted through the aligned connection slots and releasably fastens the spacing member  90  to the second support member  70 . 
     The stem member  92  is permanently affixed to a cross member  100  of the spacing member  90  via a connection joint  99 . The connection joint  99  may be a mechanical, chemical adhesive or combinations of these materials. When so permanently affixed, the stem member  92  and the cross member  100  of the spacing member  90  are in a “T” configuration and are substantially perpendicular to one another. The stem member  92  is affixed to the cross member  100  at approximately the mid-point of the cross member  100 . The cross member  100  of the spacing member  90  includes a first end  102  having an interior surface  104  and a connection slot  106 , and a second end  110  having an interior surface  112  and a connection slot  114 . As can also be seen in FIG.  1  and more especially in FIG. 4, a double set of pulleys, one component of the weight distribution assemblies  49 , are located on the cross member  100  of the spacing member  90 . 
     The cross member  100  keeps a first and second wheel assembly,  120 ,  140  respectively, substantially parallel and a predetermined distance  160  away from one another as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The predetermined distance  160  is directly correlative to the length of the cross member  100  and it should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, that the length of the cross member  100  and consequently the predetermined distance  160  should depend upon the width of the boat  46  to be towed with the boat trailer apparatus  10 : i.e., the width of the boat  46  will determined both the length of the cross member  100  as well as the predetermined distance  160 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the identical first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140 , extend downwardly, one from each of the first and second ends  102 ,  1   10 , respectively, of the cross member  100 . Each of the first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140  have an upper end  130 . The upper ends  130  of each of the first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140  one releasably connected to the cross member  100  through the use of interlocking male to female configuration connections. These male to female configuration connections are similar to the male to female configuration connections that exist between the cross member  100  of the spacing member  90  and the second end  76  of the second support member  70  and may also be arranged in female to male configuration connections as outlined hereinabove. In particular, each of the identical first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140  have an upper end  130  which includes a coupling joint  131  which has an interior surface  132 , a connection slot  133 , and a connection bolt  134 . 
     With respect to the first end  102  of the cross member  100 , the first wheel assembly  120  is releasably connected to the first end  102  of the cross member  100  such that the interior surface  104  of the first end  102  of the cross member  100  is substantially adjacent the interior surface  132  of the coupling joint  131  of the first wheel assembly  120 . When this connection is made, the connection slot  106  of the first end  102  is substantially aligned with the connection slot  133  of the coupling joint  131  of the first wheel assembly  120 . A connection bolt  134  is then inserted into the aligned connection slots such that the first end  102  of the cross member  100  is releasably connected to the coupling joint  131  of the first wheel assembly  120 . 
     Since the first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140  are essentially identical, the same procedures are followed to releasably connect the second end  110  of the cross member  100  with the second wheel assembly  140  through the use of the interior surface  112  and the connection slot  114  of the second end  110 . When assembled in this manner, the cross member  100  of the spacing assembly  90  is releasably connected to both the first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140 . The predetermined distance  160  between the first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140  further defines the sides of the boat storage space  18  with the adjustable support band  50  defining the bottom boundary of the boat storage space  18  and the spacing assembly  90 , as well as the first and second support members  30 ,  70 , defining the upper boundary of the boat storage space  18 . 
     Shown best in FIG. 4, first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140  include a wheel fork assembly  141  which is connected to a support member  142  which is connected to the upper ends  130  of each of the first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140 . The wheel fork assembly  141  has a facing pair of first and second fork arms  145 ,  146 , which have a facing pair of first and second axle mounting slots  143 ,  144 , respectively, through the lower end thereof. In the embodiment shown best in FIG. 1, the wheel fork assembly  141  has two sets of first and second fork arms  145 ,  146  which are connected to opposing ends of a stabilization member  147 . The stabilization member  147  is then connected to the support member  142  and thereby provides a wider base of stabilization, support and the ability for the entire wheel assembly to withstand outward centrifugal and gravitational forces when in operation. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, an axle  148  extends transversely across the first and second fork arms  145 ,  146  of each of the first and second fork arms  145 ,  146 , the ends of the axle  148  extending through the first and second axle mounting slots  143 ,  144 . A wheel  149  is journelled from the axle  148  whereby the boat trailer apparatus  10  may roll across the ground, designated generally by the solid line, when in use. As can also be seen from FIG. 4, in an alternative embodiment, the connection bolts  134 ,  26 ,  39 , and  98  may consist of a “T” connector. A strengthening member  150  is also provided to connect an outside edge  152  of the upper end  130  of the first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140  in an angular manner to the outside edge  152  of the axle  148 . In this manner, the entire first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140  are strengthened and braced against possible movement of the wheel fork assembly  141  inwardly and/or outwardly. 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the usage of the boat trailer apparatus  10  can best be seen in FIG. 3, wherein the boat  46  is suspended underneath the rigid frame  12  of the boat trailer apparatus  10  in the boat storage space  18  such that the bow  42  of the boat  46  is substantially adjacent the underside  200  of the first support member  30  and the stern portion  55  of the boat  46  is cradled by the adjustable support band  50  as well as being held substantially adjacent the underside  200  of the spacing member  90  and between the first and second wheel assemblies  120 ,  140  and thus, the manner in which the boat  46  is suspended and held under the rigid frame  12  should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. For example, although in one embodiment of the boat trailer apparatus  10  it is contemplated that the rigid frame  12  be constructed of a metal such as steel, the material of choice could vary from other metals, such as aluminum, and the rigid frame  12  may also be constructed from polymers, extruded polymers, laminates of differing materials, fiberglass and so forth. The material of which the rigid frame  12  of the boat trailer apparatus  10  is constructed is only limited by the strength, stability and weight desired. All the different variations of the boat trailer apparatus  10 , in light of the present specification, drawings and claims, are deemed readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given the present specification, claims and drawings, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative of the principles of the invention as well as the preferred embodiment of the invention at the time of filing. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art given the present specification, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope and the broad terms as used herein in the claims and the specification. Although this invention has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.