Trailer assembly and connector unit therefore

A trailer assembly for a two-wheel vehicle including a compact body portion carried and supported by wheels, an easily attachable and detachable connector assembly for attaching the trailer to the vehicle, and a kick-stand unit for facilitating ease of handling of the trailer.

This invention relates to non-powered carts, trucks and other types of 
vehicles intended to be drawn by a suitable prime mover, and more 
particularly relates to trailers designed to be towed by bicycles, 
motorcycles and other types of powered two-wheel vehicles. 
The use of bicycles and motorcycles has recently become increasingly 
popular for travel over extended distances as well as for limited 
journies. Thus, a cyclist is often on the road for periods as long as 
overnight and weekend trips, as well as for short intervals such as 
required for travel between home and office. 
A short trip does not usually require the rider to burden himself with any 
significant amount of baggage, but this is not the case for trips 
extending overnight or through a weekend. On the other hand, a bicycle or 
motorcycle is not suitable to carry much more than its rider. Attempts 
have been made to meet this deficiency in two-wheeled vehicles, by 
providing racks and other assemblies whereby larger baggage may be 
strapped to the bicycle. However, such devices are inherently unsuitable, 
since they necessarily support their loads in a manner to contribute to 
instability of the bicycle. 
It will be apparent that these disadvantages may be overcome with a trailer 
which is adapted to be connected to a two-wheel vehicle, and which will 
thereby shift such instabilizing loads from the bicycle to a better and 
more convenient or suitable location. Since a basic feature of any 
two-wheel variety of vehicle is its extreme maneuverability, ease of 
handling, and its capability of travel in tight places, it also follows 
that any trailer to be towed by a bicycle must also demonstrate these same 
characteristics. 
Furthermore, it will be apparent that any trailer suitable for these 
purposes must not only itself be easy to maneuver, easy to handle, and 
capable of movement in tight places, but it must not limit or detract from 
such capabilities with respect to the bicycle itself. 
More particularly, bicycles and other two-wheel vehicles do not remain 
vertical to the ground during travel but bank or tilt from vertical due to 
natural balance in the course of riding this type of vehicle. It is 
therefore desirable to provide a trailer assembly for securing to a 
two-wheel vehicle, which assembly tracks behind the vehicle and provides 
no noticeable effect on the natural balance in riding, cornering or 
banking. 
In accordance with the present invention, a trailer assembly for a 
two-wheel vehicle is provided, which assembly includes a body portion of 
compact design carried and supported by a pair of wheels, a connector 
assembly for attaching the trailer to the vehicle, and a kick-stand 
assembly to facilitate ease of handling of the trailer. 
Accordingly, it is a principal feature of this invention to provide a 
trailer assembly particularly adapted for use with two-wheel vehicles. A 
further feature is to provide a sturdy and yet light-weight trailer 
assembly simple in construction and economical to manufacture. 
A still further feature is to provide a trailer assembly for two-wheel 
vehicles suitable for trailering light or heavy loads with ease and with 
minimum effect of the weight of the load. 
A further feature of this invention is to provide a trailer assembly for 
two-wheel vehicles that is so constructed and arranged as to be readily 
convertible into a wheelbarrow. 
Another feature of this invention is to provide a trailer assembly for a 
two-wheel vehicle which includes hanging seats for the accommodation of 
passengers. 
Yet another feature of this invention is to provide a trailer assembly for 
a two-wheel vehicle that includes a kick-stand unit for providing 
stability to the assembly. 
A further feature is to provide a connector assembly for attaching a 
trailer to a two-wheel vehicle, which connector allows the vehicle to 
freely maneuver while cornering or banking. 
A further feature of this invention is to provide a connector assembly for 
attaching a trailer to a two-wheel vehicle, which connector is adapted to 
be quickly and easily attached or detached in use.

Referring to the drawings in detail and more particularly to FIG. 1, a 
two-wheel vehicle 1 is there shown and is of the type having wheels 
arranged in tandem, such as, for example, a bicycle. A trailer 2 embodying 
the novel features of the present invention is also shown, and the 
attachment connector assembly 3 for hitching the trailer to the vehicle. 
The vehicle 1 illustrated only partially, and only by way of example, 
comprises several well-known structural features of a frame member 4, for 
example. The frame member 4 carries seat 5, drive wheel 6 and fender 7. To 
the frame is rotatably mounted sprocket 8. A pedal is fixedly related to 
sprocket 8 to drive same. Rotational motion is transmitted to drive wheel 
6 via chain drive member 10. Since the vehicle forms no particular feature 
of the present invention, further details thereof will be omitted. Other 
prime movers may be substituted therefore, for example mini-bikes, motor 
scooters, motorcycles, tricycles, tractors and lawnmowers, the only 
prerequisite being that the prime mover possess a power source or power 
train sufficient to pull the trailer of the present invention from place 
to place. 
As can be seen in FIGS. 2 - 4, the trailer according to the present 
invention includes a body unit 11. The body unit includes a bottom wall 12 
and a plurality of upstanding walls. Numerals 13 and 14 indicate side 
walls. The front wall of the body unit is shown at 15, and the numeral 16 
indicates the rear wall. Rear wall 16 is sloped in a direction away from 
front wall 15. The function of this sloping rear wall 16 will be apparent 
from the discussion below regarding the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12. 
A connector assembly 3 is attached to the body unit 11 of the trailer and 
constitutes the means for attaching the trailer to the vehicle behind 
which the trailer is to track. The connector assembly 3 is shown in detail 
in FIGS. 1 - 3 and is seen to include a first elongated member 17 and a 
second elongated member 18. These elongated members are preferably 
releasably attached to the body unit side walls at one end thereof at 19 
and 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the elongated members 17 and 18 converge 
upwardly from the body unit side walls 13 and 14 and terminate at point 
21. From here, the elongated members are joined to a third elongated 
member 22. This third member is likewise elongated and further is seen in 
FIG. 1 to take the shape of a gooseneck-like configuration. The particular 
shape of this member as shown facilitates ease of connecting the hitch 
assembly to the vehicle, as well as allowing for passage over the rear 
fender of the vehicle which is to tow the trailer unit. As seen in FIG. 1, 
the socket portion 23 of the hitch unit is carried by the terminal end 
portion of the goosenneck-like elongated member 22. Members 17 and 18 may 
be releasably attached to side walls 13 and 14 by any suitable release 
attachment means at points 19 and 20. 
As shown in FIGS. 1 - 3, a pair of fender members 24 and 25 extend from the 
body unit side walls 13 and 14 and function to prevent the flinging of 
water, dirt, mud or snow from the wheels 26 and 27 of the trailer unit 
when under tow. 
A pair of wheels 26 and 27 are provided as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, 
for example. These wheels in the preferred embodiment of the invention 
comprise gearless front bicycle wheels which include a rim member 28 
having numerous radially extending spokes 29. An inflatable tire 30 
surrounds rim member 28 and may comprise either a nylon tire or a 
conventional rubber tire. The central collar member 31 is typically of the 
non-threaded type adapted to be received upon an axle member and rotatably 
mounted with respect thereto by conventional bearings, bushings and 
packings. 
In FIGS. 5 and 6 are shown the details of the assembly for mounting the 
axle 32. The mounting system is seen to include an elongated bracket 
member 33 attached to the bottom wall 12 of the body unit. Suitable 
attachment elements 34 extend along each side of the bracket member and 
secure the member to the bottom wall. The bracket member 33 includes a 
plurality of V-shaped or notched sections 35 which provide a resilient 
shock-absorbing member. This member, as will be apparent, is capable of 
resiliently yielding in directions toward and away from the bottom wall. 
If desired, rubber bumpers or other conventional cushioning devices may be 
interposed between the bottom wall and the bracket member to further 
absorb the shock, as may be the case when bottoming out occurs. 
The axle is suitably received in notched relationship to bracket member 33 
and is attached thereto by suitable means such as U-bolts. It will thus be 
seen that as the axle is deflected upwardly or downwardly as the case may 
be by one or both of the wheels attached thereto, the bracket member 
flexes to accommodate such deflecton. 
In FIGS. 7 and 8, is shown a detail of an embodiment of the present 
invention which is seen to include an elongated holding bar member 37 
attached at end 38 by means 39. The end 38 of bar 37 is preferably 
attached to side wall 13 of body unit 11 so as to pivotably mount the bar 
for movement between side walls 13 and 14. Thus, when not in use the bar 
member lies alongside side wall 13 and is held thereto by a fastener. The 
opposite side wall 14 includes a retainer 41 for receiving end 42 of bar 
member 37. When it is desired to use bar member 37, end 42 of the bar 
member is removed from the fastener and swung across and received in 
retainer 41. Retainer 41 holds bar member 37 rigidly between side walls 13 
and 14. The bar member 37 when so fixed functions to prevent items in body 
unit 11 from tumbling over into the slanted rear wall 16 when the trailer 
is moved about. Thus, in FIG. 7 is shown the body unit of the trailer 
assembly loaded with two trash cans 43 and 44, for example. As will be 
apparent, bar member 37 is moved to its position extending between side 
walls 13 and 14, and hence upon forward movement of the trailer assembly 
the momentum produced thereby does not cause the cans to tilt or fall into 
the vacant space defined by rear wall 16. Rather, bar member 37 retains 
the cans or other items carried in upright position during movement of the 
trailer assembly from point to point during use. Upon unloading of the 
trash cans from the trailer, bar member 37 is removed from retainer 41 and 
swung back to side wall 13 and placed in the fastener. 
A further embodiment of the trailer assembly of the present invention is 
illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. Included therein are a pair of seat members 
45 and 46 with bottom sections 47 and 48 and upright sections 49 and 50 
forming support surfaces adapted to carry one or more passengers. 
Sidewalls 13 and 14 and bottom wall 12 include suitable means for 
removably mounted both seat members 45 and 46 within body unit 11. When 
the trailer is to be used to carry passengers, children for example, the 
seat members 45 and 46 are inserted into body unit 11. At the termination 
of use of the trailer as a passenger carrier, the seat members 45 and 46 
are removed, and the trailer again may be used for hauling other types of 
materials. The means for removably mounting the seat members should be of 
such construction to allow the seat sections 45 and 46 to be slipped into 
the body unit 11 when in use and to be removed therefrom when not in use. 
It is contemplated that this seat embodiment of the trailer assembly will 
provide hours of enjoyment for children in being trailered about the 
neighborhood by a bicycle attached thereto. The seats are sized to 
accomodate two pair of children in face to face relationship, although one 
child on each side may be trailered. Preferably, the occupants should be 
equally distributed on each side in order to avoid putting stress on 
gooseneck-like member 22 due to unequal weight distribution fore or aft. 
In still another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in 
FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown a trailer assembly including a secondary 
handle 52 of curved configuration and attached to bottom wall 12. The 
function of the handle member 52 is to push body unit 11 to and fro and to 
tilt the body unit 11 to dump material therefrom along slanted rear wall 
16. It is necessary, however, to first remove the detachable connector 
assembly 3 from body 11 so as not to interfere with the manipulation of 
body unit 11 as a wheelbarrow, for example. Thus, as explained above in 
connection with FIGS. 1 - 3, the connector assembly is easily and 
releasably attached to body unit 11, and hence the connector assembly 3 
including the three elongated members 17, 18 and 22 may be quickly 
released from body unit 11 and laid aside. The body unit 11, thus freed of 
outwardly extending protuberances, may be manipulated via handle member 52 
in the fashion of a wheelbarrow. Thus it can be used to perform many 
useful functions about the home or garden, as will be apparent. When it is 
desired to reconvert the assembly of FIGS. 11 and 12 for trailering 
functions, it is simply necessary to reattach connector assembly 3 to the 
body unit 11. Thus there is provided a trailer device which, when simply 
modified, provides a wheelbarrow-like unit. 
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate still another embodiment of the present 
invention including therein a kick-stand assembly 53 for leveling the body 
unit 12 when at a standstill. This assembly 53 is usable with any of the 
above described embodiments, the main function of the assembly 53 being to 
provide a support for the body unit 11 to maintain the unit in a level 
relationship when stationary. To this end, there is seen a closed-loop 
rectangularly shaped configuration 54 comprising the weight supporting 
member of the kick-stand assembly. This member 54 is suitably mounted to 
front wall 15 of body unit 11 by means of a mounting bracket 55. The 
bracket receives and mounts member 54 for pivotal movement between a 
substantially vertical position when in use to a position substantially 
parallel to the bottom wall 12 of body unit 11 when not in use. Thus, when 
desired to support body unit 11 in a level plane when at a standstill, 
member 54 is positioned as shown in FIG. 13. When body unit 11 is to be 
moved about, member 54 is pivoted upwardly to a position adjacent body 
unit bottom wall 12 as shown in FIG. 5. A suitable clip element 56 is 
provided in bottom wall 12 to maintain member 54 in this relationship when 
not in use. When in its vertical position, a locking arm 57 cooperates 
with member 54 to support the member in its vertical disposition for load 
bearing. Numeral 58 indicates a foot peg member attached to member 54 and 
extending therefrom. The foot peg 58 enables the kick-stand assembly 53 to 
be moved upwardly into its inoperative position by the foot of the person 
using the device. Pressure applied by the foot against foot peg 58 moves 
member 54 upwardly into engagement with clip 56 until needed. The reverse 
procedure is used to move member 54 into operative position again. 
The body unit of the assemblies illustrated and explained above is 
preferably constructed of a plastic material, although other suitable 
materials such as wood or metal may be used. Plastics are preferred due to 
their light weight and unitary features of construction. 
The various assemblies and brackets referred to above, including the 
connector assembly 3, kick-stand assembly 53, holding bar member 37, 
handle member 52, and the hardware associated therewith, are preferably 
constructed of metal, stainless steel being preferred due to appearance. 
However, other conventional metal materials of construction may be used. 
The seats described in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 are also preferably 
constructed of plastic as above, and a unitary construction is 
contemplated herein. Again, wood or metal materials may be used. 
In selecting constructional materials, it is the aim of the invention 
herein to produce an assembly simple to construct, lightweight and 
inexpensive to manufacture. 
Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, are shown the details of the hitch assembly 
for mounting the trailer unit to a conventional bicycle which is to tow 
the unit. More particularly, a first pair of brace members 60 and 62 are 
attached at 68 to the post member 69 of the bicycle. A second pair of 
brace members 61 and 65 are seen which interconnect with members 60 and 62 
at one end, and with elements 70 (only one being shown in FIG. 15) of the 
bicycle frame. The ball connection member 64 is removably mounted on a 
block element 67 which is fixedly secured to the junction of the pairs of 
brace members as shown at 71 and 72. Thus, the brace mounting assembly of 
FIGS. 15 and 16 provides a level and rigid platform for carrying the ball 
member 64 of the hitch connection assembly. 
The socket portion of the connection assembly is shown in FIGS. 17 - 19 and 
will be seen to include a collar connector generally indicated at 66 and 
carried by the lower end of gooseneck member 22. Connector 66 carries 
within its confines the socket portion which is received on ball element 
64. The socket portion terminates in a bevel shown at 73 which rides on 
the top surface of ball element 64. More particularly, connector 66 
includes a first stationary sleeve 74 which includes bevel portion 73. 
This sleeve 74 extends downwardly from member 22 and terminates at its 
lower portion with a series of ball bearing elements 75 movable within the 
lower portion of sleeve 74. Received about sleeve 74 is a second collar 
member 76 which is slidably mounted on sleeve 74. Thus, FIG. 17 shows the 
collar 76 in its lower position, while the upper position of collar 76 is 
illustrated in FIG. 18. The lower position of collar 76 in FIG. 17 
compresses ball-bearing elements 75 inwardly of sleeve 74, which inward 
movement of elements 75 locks assembly 66 about ball element 64. Thus, the 
assembly 66 with element 76 in its upper position as in FIG. 18 is placed 
over ball element 64. Collar 76 is then slipped to its lower position as 
shown in FIG. 17. This downward movement of collar 76 forces ball-bearing 
elements inwardly toward the lower segment of ball element 64 and thus 
prevents assembly 66 from moving upwardly and off of ball element 64. It 
should be apparent that to disconnect assembly 66 from ball element 64 it 
is simply necessary to slip collar 76 to its upward location as in FIG. 
18. This allows ball-bearing elements 75 to move outwardly of the lower 
portion of sleeve 74 thus disengaging ball element 64. 
FIG. 19 shows ball-bearing elements 75 located within sleeve 74. As will be 
seen, collar 76 is in surrounding relationship thereto. Elements 75 are 
free to move between the inner and outer peripheries of sleeve 74. 
Elements 75 are positioned towards the inner periphery of sleeve 74 when 
the collar 76 is in its lower position, FIG. 17, and are positioned 
towards the outer periphery of sleeve 74 when the collar 76 is in its 
upper position, FIG. 18. 
While the above invention has been described in regard to a trailer adapted 
to be towed by two-wheel vehicles, it should be apparent that the trailer 
assembly described herein may be equally trailered by three, four or 
multi-wheel vehicles as well. Thus, the disclosed trailer may be adapted 
to be towed by tricycles, tractors or lawnmowers, for example. 
Although specific embodiments have been described in detail hereinbefore, 
it is understood that the subject invention is not limited thereto, and 
all obvious variations and modifications thereof are contemplated and are 
included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the 
appended claims.