Trailers

A trailer comprising a load bearing section, a wheel carrying assembly and a draw bar. The load bearing section and the wheel carrying assembly are relatively displaceable between a conventional towing position (FIG. 1, FIG. 5) and a position in which the wheel carrying assembly supports the trailer in a substantially vertical disposition (FIG. 3, FIG. 7) for stowage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to trailers. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a trailer. 
(i) A load bearing section; 
(ii) A wheel carrying assembly; and 
(iii) A draw bar 
the load bearing section and wheel carrying assembly being displaceable 
with respect to one another between a first position in which said wheel 
carrying assembly is operable to support said load bearing section for 
towing in the conventional manner, and a second position in which said 
wheel carrying assembly is operable to support said load bearing section 
in a substantially vertical disposition. 
To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes 
in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the 
invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the 
invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the 
descriptions herein are purely illustrative and it is not our intention to 
limit the scope of the invention by those disclosures and descriptions, or 
otherwise, than by the terms of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 4 a trailer 10 is provided comprising a 
pair of wheels 11 mounted on a common axis 12, a draw bar 13 mounted so 
that the towing axis is substantially perpendicular to the axis 12 on 
which the wheels 11 are mounted, and a load bearing section 14 which is 
supported by the wheels 11. The assembly upon which wheels 11 are carried 
and the load bearing section 14 are relatively displaceable between a 
first position shown in FIG. 1 in which the trailer is in the conventional 
towing configuration, and a second position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in 
which the wheel carrying assembly can support the load bearing section in 
a substantially vertical configuration. It will be noted that when in the 
second position the rear edge 15 of the load bearing section 14 lies 
substantially above the rear extremities of the wheels 11 when the trailer 
is horizontal. The advantage of this is readily apparent from FIG. 3 and 
it will be noted that when the load supporting section of the trailer has 
been displaced to the position depicted in FIG. 2, the resulting compact 
combination may be simply rotated about the wheels 11 and stowed readily 
in a vertical position, the combination of the wheel carrying assembly and 
the edge 15 of the load bearing section providing a stable foundation on 
which the combination may rest. It will further be noted that the act of 
displacing the load bearing section 14 with respect to the wheel carrying 
assembly to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, has the effect of 
retracting the draw bar 13 with respect to the load bearing section. 
In the simplest embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the 
load bearing section 14 is simply slidable with respect to the wheel 
carrying assembly along a fixed straight axis between the first and second 
positions. 
The form of the load bearing section 14 does not constitute an essential 
part of the invention, however it may be in the form of a one-piece 
stamping or molding produced in metal, plastics such as for example ABS, 
fiberglass or any other suitable material. In the form shown however, the 
load bearing section comprises a substantially planar deck 16 with side 
boards 17, tow board 18 and tail board 19. The side boards 17, tow board 
18 and tail board 19 are preferably metal pressings and may be pivotally 
mounted with respect to the deck and foldable between the positions 
depicted in the figures and further positions in which they lie in planes 
substantially parallel to and adjacent the deck 16. It will be appreciated 
that when the side boards, tow board and tail board are in the folded 
configuration they will yet further reduce the width of the trailer when 
in the stowed position as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown catches 20 
are provided to fasten the tow and tail boards to the side boards when in 
the erect position. 
Referring now to FIG. 4 the draw bar 13 is as shown, rigidly fixed to the 
wheel carrying assembly which preferably comprises a pair of sub-frames 
23. As can further be seen from FIG. 4, the rear edge 22 of the draw bar 
preferably extends to a line joining the rear extremities of the wheels 
11. It will be appreciated that the tow bar 21 may also be reducible in 
length, if necessary or desirable, by making the same in two sections and 
having one section telescopic or foldable with respect to the other. 
The sub-frames 23 extend from opposite sides of the draw bar 13 at a 
position intermediate the ends thereof, but nearer the end 22. The 
sub-frames 23 are preferably in the form of metal pressings, on which 
suspension units 24 are mounted which in turn mount the wheels 11 
preferably through conventional dead axles. The suspension units 24 do not 
comprise part of the invention, but may, as shown each comprise a single 
trailing leaf spring 25 located by a radius rod 26. Alternatively the 
wheels could be mounted on torsional rubber suspension units mounted on 
the undersides of the sub-frames 23. 
The load bearing section is supported by the chassis which in turn is 
defined by the draw bar 13 and the sub-frames 23 and as stated above is 
slidable with respect thereto, between the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 
2. When the trailer is in the position shown in FIG. 1 the center of 
gravity of the load bearing section 14 lies just forward of a vertical 
line through the axis 12 of wheels 11 to provide some downward loading on 
the tow coupling 28 and it will be appreciated that this center of gravity 
moves forward as the section 14 is displaced forward to the position shown 
in FIG. 2. 
Many different ways of maintaining the load section 14 in engagement with 
the chassis will present themselves to those skilled in the art, however, 
by way of example suitable sectioned members (not shown) provided on the 
underside of the load supporting section 14 may engage in correspondingly 
shaped runners 27 mounted on suitable points on the tow bar 21 and the 
sub-frames 23. Suitable catches (not shown) are also provided on the 
underside of the load supporting section 14 to engage the chassis to lock 
the load bearing section 14 in the alternative positions as depicted in 
FIGS. 1 and 2. 
The trailer is provided with all the necessary accessories such as coupling 
28 and lights (not shown) which are preferably housed in a bumper which 
constitutes the rear edge 15 to comply with all the necessary Statutory 
requirements. These of course do not constitute part of the invention. 
In use, the trailer may be used in the conventional manner by positioning 
the load bearing section 14 with respect to the wheel carrying assembly as 
shown in FIG. 1. 
When it is desired to stow the trailer in, for example, a confined space, 
the load bearing section 14 is slid forward with respect to the wheel 
carrying assembly until the position shown in FIG. 2 is attained. In this 
position the trailer can be simply rotated in a counter-clockwise manner 
until the upstanding position shown in FIG. 3 is assumed. 
Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 14 a further embodiment of the trailer 
according to the invention is provided in which the load bearing section 
is displaceable with respect to the wheel carrying assembly to enable the 
trailer to be securely supported, for stowage purposes in a substantially 
vertical disposition. To this end a trailer 30 is provided comprising; a 
load bearing section 31; a wheel carrying assembly, generally designated 
32; at least one pair of wheels 34 mounted for rotation on the wheel 
mounting assembly 32; and a draw bar 33. Again relative movement between 
the load bearing section 31 and the wheel mounting assembly is provided 
for between a conventional towing position shown in FIG. 5 to a vertical 
stowed position shown in FIG. 7. An intermediate position is shown in FIG. 
6. 
As shown, the load bearing section 31 has a pressed metal sheet base 35 
which may include longitudinal and/or lateral stiffening ribs (not shown) 
pressed into the surface thereof. Corner members 36 are provided at each 
corner of the base 35 and supported by and between the corner members 36 
are side boards 37, a tow board 38 and a tail board 39. The side boards 37 
are preferably fixed in position and to the base 35 while the tow board 38 
and tail board 39 are preferably removable. The side boards 37, tow board 
38 and the tail board 39 are all preferably sheet metal stampings or 
pressings, although it will be appreciated that these could also be 
moldings in plastics or similar moldable or formable material. 
It will further be appreciated that the load carrying section 31 could be 
formed as a single molding or pressing in metal, plastics or fiberglass. 
As shown, the wheel carrying assembly includes a cross member 40 mounted 
for arcuate movement with respect to the undersurface of the load bearing 
section 31 and, in particular, with respect to the base 35. To this end a 
pair of spaced, parallel mounting plates 41 project from the axis of the 
cross member 40 adjacent either end thereof, the plates 41 pivotally 
engaging a pair of brackets 42 (FIG. 14) extending from opposed points on 
the undersurface of the base 35, bolts 43 providing the pivotal 
attachment. The wheel carrying assembly further includes a pair of 
suspension units 44 which, in the form shown, are torsional rubber 
suspension units provided as extensions of the cross member 40; a U-shaped 
sub-frame 45 extending from the axis of the cross member 40; and 
connecting means 46 whereby the draw bar 33 is pivotally connected to the 
wheel carrying assembly. 
The wheel carrying assembly 32 is preferably constructed arranged and 
mounted to allow for displacement of the wheels between fixed limits. Thus 
when the wheel mounting assembly is at the forwardmost limit, as shown in 
FIG. 5, the wheel axis 47 lies just behind the center of gravity of the 
trailer so that a small downward force exists at the coupling 48. When the 
wheel assembly is at the rearmost limit however, as shown in FIG. 7, a 
plurality of points defined by the trailer components define a support so 
that the trailer may be stowed in a vertical position. It will further be 
appreciated from viewing FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 that the act of displacing the 
wheel carrying assembly between the opposite limits is effected by raising 
the draw bar 33 to a vertical position. 
As shown, when the wheel carrying assembly 32 is at the forwardmost limit 
the U-shaped sub-frame 45 extends forward and upward towards the under 
surface of the base 35 to engage the rear end of the draw bar 33. When the 
wheel carrying assembly is at the rearmost limit the sub-frame 45 extends 
rearwardly and downwardly. It will be appreciated that the arcuate 
movement between the forward and rearward limits pivots the wheels out 
from beneath mudguards 50, which are mounted on the load bearing section 
31. 
Referring now to FIG. 8 it will be noted that the draw bar 33 engages the 
cross bar 51 of the U-shaped sub-frame 45 and is pivotally connected 
thereto in a manner which will now be described. 
Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, a circular boss 52 is provided which is mounted 
on the cross bar 51. To this end the boss 52 includes an axial slot 53 
which is passed over a flat section 54 (FIG. 8) provided in the cross bar 
51 until the cross bar 51 engages in the central aperture 55 of the boss. 
The boss is then clamped in place in the center of the cross bar 51 by 
means of clamping bolt 56. Spaced about the periphery of the boss and 
preferably along radii thereof are a series of bores 57, the purpose of 
which will be described hereinafter. 
Mounted in the rear end of the draw bar 33 is a pin mounting block 60, the 
pin mounting block 60 being retained in the rear end of the draw bar by 
means of through bolts 61. The rear end of the pin mounting block 60 
extends out of the rear end of the draw bar 33 and includes an arcuately 
shaped rear surface 62 of a radius corresponding to the external radius of 
the boss 52. 
Slidable within a through bore 63 in the pin mounting block 60 is a pin 64. 
The outer periphery of the pin 64 corresponds substantially to the form of 
the bores 57 provided in the boss 52 and indeed the pin 64 is shown 
engaged in one of the bores 57 in FIGS. 9 and 10. The pin 64 is connected 
to a tie rod 65 passing centrally through the draw bar and still further, 
the pin 64 is biased towards the periphery of the boss 52 by means of 
compression coil spring 66 which is retained within the bore 63 by means 
of retaining nut 67. 
The boss 52 and the pin retaining block 60 are maintained in contact by 
retaining bracket 70 which is shown on its own in FIGS. 12 and 13. As can 
be seen the bracket 70 is substantially channel shaped in cross section 
and includes an arcuate rear section 71 having inward side flanges 72 
which engage on either side of the boss 52. The flanges 72 merge into 
larger side plates 73 which engage on either side of the rear of the pin 
mounting block 60. The bracket 70, after being passed about the boss 52, 
is engaged with the rear of the pin mounting block 60 by means of bolts 74 
(FIG. 9) which pass through the cross plate 75 of the bracket 70 and 
engage within the pin mounting block 60. 
It will thus be appreciated that the connection provided by the boss 52, 
the pin mounting block 60 and the bracket 70 enables the draw bar 33 to be 
pivotally connected to the wheel carrying assembly yet allows the relative 
positions of the draw bar 33 and the wheel carrying assemble to be locked 
in various positions. 
As can be seen from FIGS. 5 to 6 the draw bar 33 is engaged with the load 
bearing section 31 by bracket 80 provided between the point of pivotal 
engagement with the wheel carrying assembly and the tow coupling 48 and, 
as shown, preferably on the forward edge of the load bearing section 31. 
Referring now to FIG. 15, the bracket 80 preferably comprises a pair of 
downwardly extending spaced parallel side plates 81 between which is 
rotatably mounted a roller 82, the roller 82 being mounted on shaft 83 
supported by the side plates 81. The bottom edges of the side plates 81 
carry inwardly turned flanges 84. 
In the form shown the draw bar is a substantially tophat shaped member 
comprising a transverse top plate 85, a pair of downwardly extending side 
plates 86 and an outwardly turned flange 87 extending outwardly from the 
bottom edge of each of the side plates 86. It will be seen that the 
flanges 87 are enclosed within the inwardly turned flanges 84 on the sides 
plates 81, and thus the combination of the roller 82 and the flanges 84 
retains the draw bar 33 within the bracket 80 and ensures engagement of 
the draw bar with the load bearing section. 
Turning now to FIGS. 5 to 10 it will be noted that the tie rod 65 attached 
to locking pin 64 extends forward within the draw bar 33 to an actuating 
lever 90 provided adjacent the tow coupling 48 on the forward edge of the 
draw bar. Thus by turning the actuating lever 90 in a counter-clockwise 
direction, as viewed from the top, the pin 64 may be withdrawn from one of 
the bores 57 provided in the boss 52 and the boss 52 is then free to 
rotate with respect to the pin mounting block 60 and in turn the draw bar 
is free for pivotal movement with respect to the wheel carrying assembly. 
Since the draw bar 33 is maintained in engagement with the load bearing 
section by means of bracket 80, by releasing the locking pin 64 and 
raising the forward edge of the draw bar the whole wheel carrying assembly 
can be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction since the bracket 80 acts 
as a fulcrum. The consequence of this is that the trailer is displaced 
from the conventional towing position depicted in FIG. 5 to a vertical 
stowing position shown in FIG. 7. As can be seen, the act of moving the 
trailer from the configuration shown in FIG. 5 to the configuration shown 
in FIG. 7 withdraws the draw bar 33 with respect to the load bearing 
section 31 which further reduces the bulk of the trailer in the stowed 
configuration. 
It will be appreciated that in moving the trailer between the positions 
shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 the wheels 33 never actually leave the ground until 
the very final stage of movement. 
While the locking mechanism to limit movement between the wheel carrying 
assembly and the load carrying structure is shown and described as being 
provided between the draw bar 33 and the wheel carrying assembly, it will 
be appreciated that this catch could also be incorporated in, for example, 
bracket 80. 
Once in the vertical position shown in FIG. 7 it may be necessary to 
maneuver the trailer still further and to this end as shown, is provided a 
castor wheel 92 on the rear edge of bracket 70 and further, a pair of 
spaced castors 93 are provided on the rear surface of the load bearing 
structure 31. The castors 93 are preferably included in a bumper 94 which 
further includes light units (not shown) and a number plate surround (not 
shown) to comply with the appropriate government regulations. Thus when 
the trailer is displaced to a configuration shown in FIG. 7, the folded 
trailer may be wheeled on the castors to any convenient location. 
Thus the invention provides two embodiments of a trailer which are 
relatively simple in form, are used in the conventional manner yet which 
can be readily and easily displaced to an alternative, more compact 
configuration for stowage. The embodiment described with reference to 
FIGS. 5 to 15 including all its preferred features has the following 
advantages: 
1. The act of displacing the trailer from the towing to the stowing 
configuration, gives an automatic tipping function. 
2. During the folding or stowing operation the wheel assembly remains in 
contact with the ground right until the final stages of the operation and 
accordingly only the weight of the load bearing section and any loads 
thereon must be displaced. At the initial stages of the folding operation 
the folding moment is the greatest thus requiring the least effort. 
3. The locking pin which locks the position of the wheel carrying assembly 
relative to the load bearing section self locks and yet is readily 
releasible. 
4. When the trailer is in the stowing configuration it can be subsequently 
readily maneuver on castors 92 and 93. 
While the trailer depicted and described takes the form of a simple box 
trailer this is by no means an essential part of the invention and the 
load bearing section could be formed to any specific purpose for example 
boat trailer, horse trailer, motor cycle trailer etc.