Abstract:
A field assemblable trailer that has a container having a bottom, a hitch assembly configured to be securable to the bottom of the container, an axle housing configured to be securable to the bottom of the container, a pair of hub and axle assemblies configured to be attached inside the axle housing and a pair of tires on rims configured to attached to the hubs. The hitch assembly, the axle housing, the pair of hub and axle assemblies and the tires on rims comprise a kit which fits inside the container. The kit takes up a minimal room which leaves the container free to accept a larger primary load for safe keeping. When the container is opened the kit is readily identifiable and is capable of converting the shipping container to an enclosed trailer quickly with minimal tools. This can be done while providing protection of the primary load.

Description:
RELATED CASES  
       [0001]     This application claims the Priority of the Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/828,872 filed Oct. 10, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention provides the field assemblable trailer which is easy to transport and easy to assemble.  
         [0003]     The concept of a folding trailer is known some examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,758,008, 5,743,541 and 7,150,466 these trailers are usually designed to make storage or transport more convenient.  
         [0004]     However there is still an unfulfilled need to have a fully enclosed storage or shipment container which is capable of holding a primary load for safe transport and also is capable of containing a kit which is capable of transforming the shipping container to a trailer which would insure that the primary load reaches its intended destination in tact. In emergency situations, areas of conflict, or in delivering supplies to groups living in third world countries, it is often the case that commercial transport might be able to deliver a package to a close proximity, but not all the way to the intended location. In many instances the shipper would want to provide safe transport of a primary load which would insure that supplies or parts are not lost, stolen or damaged by transport or by the unloading and reloading of the primary load in route to a remote location.  
         [0005]     Recently the concept of packing and storing a movable, securable storage unit has been popular. The PODS (Portable On Demand Storage) storage container is a securable storage container which is configured to be loaded and unloaded from a specialized truck has proved popular. U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,422 teaches that a large load can be secured in a shipping container, then, with some specialized add-ons; provide transport to a final destination. US patent publication 2004/0207173 teaches that a smaller container can be mounted to an external apparatus which allows it to be pulled to the desired sites more easily. However neither of these inventions allows for the pieces of the transport unit to be stored in the storage container.  
         [0006]     Finally US Patent Application Publication 2007/0120345 teaches a shipping container which can be rearranged into a trailer, but requires that the primary package be removed and the pieces of the shipping container be taken apart and rearranged into a trailer.  
         [0007]     While the prior art provides containers that can be converted into trailers and foldable trailers, nothing teaches a shipping container which is capable of fully enclosing a primary load and a secondary trailer kit for safe transport. The secondary trail kit is capable of converting the enclosed container to a trailer at a remote sight with a minimum of tools while still protecting the primary load.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     A field assemblable trailer, which is comprised of a container having a bottom, a hitch assembly configured to be securable to the bottom of the container, an axle housing configured to be securable to the bottom of the container, a pair of hub and axle assemblies configured to be attached inside the axle housing and a pair of tires on rims configured to attach to the hubs. The hitch assembly, the axle housing, the pair of hub and axle assemblies and the tires on rims comprise a kit which fits inside the container. The kit takes up a minimal room which leaves the container free to accept a larger primary load for safe keeping. When the container is opened the kit is readily identifiable and is capable of converting the shipping container to an enclosed trailer quickly with minimal tools. This can be done while providing protection of the primary load. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The foregoing will become more readily apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the appended drawings in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the field assemblable trailer with the component parts in an unassembled arrangement.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the field assemblable trailer that shows the container on the jack system.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the field assemblable trailer, showing the hitch assembly mounted to the bottom of the container.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the field assemblable trailer, showing the axle housing mounted to the bottom of the container.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the field assemblable trailer, showing the hub and axle assembly mounted in the axle housing.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the field assemblable trailer, showing the battery, wiring harness and light mounted to the field assemblable trailer.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the field assemblable trailer, showing the tires and rims mounted to the hub.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the field assemblable trailer fully assembled.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9A  schematic of one embodiment of primary package.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9B  schematic of one embodiment of primary package.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the field assemblable trailer fully assembled.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the field assemblable trailer, showing the hitch assembly mounted to the bottom of the container. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     A field assemblable trailer  10 ,  FIG. 8 , which is comprised of a container  15 ,  FIG. 1 , having a bottom  20 , a hitch assembly  25  configured to be securable to the bottom  20  of the container  15 ,  FIG. 3 , an axle housing  30  configured to be securable to the bottom  20  of the container  15 ,  FIG. 4 , a pair of hub ( 37 ) and axle ( 42 ) assemblies  35 ,  40  configured to be attached inside the axle housing  30 ,  FIG. 6 , and a pair of tires on rims  45 ,  50  configured to attached to the hubs  37 ,  FIG. 7 . The hitch assembly  25 , the axle housing  30 , the pair of hub and axle assemblies  35 ,  40  and the tires on rims  45 ,  50  all fit inside the container  15  and are capable of being assembled quickly with minimal tools.  
         [0023]     In one of the embodiments of the invention, the field assemblable trailer  10  includes a jack system  55 ,  FIG. 1 . The jack system connects to the container  15  and is used to raise the container  15  above the ground,  FIG. 2 , so that the other parts such as the hitch assembly  25 , axle housing  30 , the pair of hub and axle assemblies  35 ,  40  and tires and rims  45 ,  50 , could all be affixed to the container  15 . When the parts are attached and secured then the container can be lowered for use,  FIG. 8 , such as, but not limited to, attaching it to a tow vehicle.  
         [0024]     In one of the embodiments of the invention, the field assemblable trailer  10  can be fitted with a lighting kit adapted to facilitate use on the road. The lighting kit is comprised of a battery  60 , a wiring harness  65 , and a light  70 . Then the battery, the wiring harness, and the light can all be attached to the field assemblable trailer as shown in  FIG. 6 . It is also known in another embodiment where the lighting lit only includes a wiring harness and a light where the wiring harness may be connected to the electrical system of the tow vehicle.  
         [0025]     In one of the embodiments of the invention the field assemblable trailer  10  can be fitted with a fender  75 . The fender is adapted to be affixed to the container and over the tire as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0026]     In one of the embodiments of the invention, the container  15  of the field assemblable trailer  10  can be a standardized container which is adapted to be combinable with like units to facilitate shipping. The container  15  is preferably an intermodal, a modular intermodal, or a specialty container such as the containers being offered from Charleston Marine Containers Inc., of Charleston S.C. Examples of these containers include but are not limited to the Quadcon, the Tricon, and the Bicon. Other examples of intermodal containers are 20 or 40 foot shipping containers or other ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certified intermodal shipping container. The Quadcon container is configured to enable four containers to be secured together using an exclusive connector so that the resulting package has the same footprint as a standard 20 foot ISO intermodal container. Alternatively two Quadcons can be combined to make a 10 foot ISO container. With the Tricon, three containers have the same footprint as a standard 20 foot ISO intermodal container. With the Bicon, two containers have the same footprint as a standard 20 foot ISO intermodal container. Intermodal is defined as being or involving transportation by more than one form of carrier during a single journey.  
         [0027]     The field assemblable trailer  10  in another embodiment is comprised of an enclosed standardized intermodal shipping container  15 , hereinafter container. This container  15  has a bottom  20  and is capable of holding a primary package  90 . There is a trailer kit  95 , where the trailer kit  95  comprises a hitch assembly  25  configured to be securable to the bottom  20  of the container  15 , an axle housing  30  configured to be secured to the bottom  20  of the container  15 . The trailer kit  95  also contains a pair of hub and axle assemblies  35 ,  40  configured to be attached inside the axle housing  30 , a pair of tires on rims  45 ,  50  configured to attach to the hub  37 . The trailer kit  95  contains a jack system  55  where the jack system allows the container  15  to be raised so trailer kit  95  parts can be attached. The jack system  55  also allows the field assemblable trailer  10  to be lowered for removal after the components from the trailer kit  95  have been attached. The trailer kit  95  and the primary package  90  all fit inside the container  15  and are capable of being assembled quickly with minimal tools.  
         [0028]     In one embodiment of the invention, the axle housing  30  of the field assemblable trailer  10  can be secured at different points along the bottom  20  of the container  15  to allow a user to better balance the container  15  and the primary package  90 .  
         [0029]     In another embodiment of the invention, the field assemblable trailer  10  may further comprise a battery  60 , a wiring harness  65 , and a light  70 . The battery  60 , wiring harness  65  and light  70  are all attached to the field assemblable trailer  10 . Here the battery  60  can be used to power the light  70  on the field assemblable trailer  10  to increase visibility in lower light situations or at night.  
         [0030]     The field assemblable trailer  10 , in another embodiment, may further comprise a pair of fenders  75  adaptable to be affixed to the container  15  and over the tires  45 ,  50 . If the field assemblable trailer  10  has been fitted with the light assembly then the light may be affixed to either the container  15  or the fenders  75 . In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of lights may be provided which attach to the wiring harness which in turn is connected to the battery for power or are connected to the tow vehicle&#39;s electrical system. This plurality of lights can be connected to the container  15  or over the fenders  75 .  
         [0031]     In another embodiment of the invention, the container  15  may be selected from the group consisting of: Quadcon, Tricon, and Bicon containers. In another embodiment of the invention, the trailer kit  95  is clearly marked and bundled together so that the trailer kit  95  can be unloaded without having to move the primary package  90 .  
         [0032]     In another embodiment of the invention, the field assemblable trailer  12 ,  FIG. 10 , where the trailer kit  95  is further comprised of a second axle housing  32 ,  FIG. 11 , configured to be secured to the bottom  20  of the container  15 , a second pair of hub and axle assemblies  36 ,  41  configured to be attached inside the axle housing  32  and a second pair of tires on a second pair of rims  47 ,  52  configured to attached to the hub and axle assemblies  36 ,  41 . In this embodiment the field assemblable trailer  12 ,  FIG. 10  has four tires connected by two axles to allow for primary packages of greater weight. This embodiment may also be used when the container is larger, such as with a Tricon or a Bicon container. Most of the trailer kit is assembled using bolts, nuts and washers. However other removable, securable means for attachment can be used, including but not limited to, cotter pins and wing nuts. It would also be known to secure these parts by welding or with adhesive however these means would not allow these parts to easily be removed for later intermodal shipment.  
         [0033]     The primary package  90 , in one of the embodiments, is a water treatment system  100 . This water treatment system  100  may be the water treatment system taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,176, which is incorporated herein by reference. The water treatment system  100 ,  FIG. 9A , in another embodiment may comprise a water inlet  105 , an alum feed  110  connected to the water inlet  105 , an alum feed retaining tank  115  connected to the alum feed  110  and a regenerable filter  120  connected to the alum feed retaining tank  115 . The regenerable filter  120  is configured to receive water that has flown through the inlet  105 . This regenerable filter  120  can separate solids from water flowing through it. The regenerable filter  120  comprises one or more layers of fine particulates on a bed of coarse particulates. The fine particulates may include, but are not limited to, a layer of anthracite having an average particle size of between 0.5 and 1.5 millimeter in diameter, a layer of garnet having an average particle size between or equal to 425 to 600 micrometers, and a layer of support material where the support material is selected from the group consisting of coarse garnet or gravel having an average particle size of between 1.8 to 5 micrometers. The regenerable filter  120  is connected to an ultraviolet sterilization unit  125  which is connected to a cartridge filter  130 . A reverse osmosis system  140  is provided which is connected to the cartridge filter  130 . The reverse osmosis system  140  is connected to an erosion chlorinator  150 . An example of an erosion chlorinator is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,127 or Applicant&#39;s co-pending application publication number US 2006/0191833 the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. The erosion chlorinator  150  is connected to a clean water tank  160 .  
         [0034]     In another embodiment of the invention, the field assemblable trailer  10  and the water treatment system  100  further comprise a generator  200 ,  FIG. 9B  and a series of electric pumps  210 ,  215 ,  220  connected to the generator that send water to be treated through the water treatment system. The electric pump  210  brings water through the inlet. Electric pump  215  pulls water from the cartridge filter  130  to the reverse osmosis system  140 . Electric pump  220  pulls water from the clean water tank  160  to either clean the regenerable filter  120 , or to send the clean water to an end use. The generator  200  may be a gasoline, diesel, propane, or natural gas generator. The generator  200  may also be powered by renewable resources such as solar, wind, or hydro-electric power sources.  
         [0035]     In another embodiment of the invention, the water treatment system  100 ,  FIG. 9A , has an alum feed  110  that comprise an alum feed tank  112  which is attached to an alum recirculation pump  230 . The alum recirculation pump is powered by the generator  200 . The alum treatment is dispersed from the alum feed tank  112  by an alum feed pump  225 . This alum feed pump  225  is powered by the generator  200 ,  FIG. 9B . Alum is available in either a powder or granular form that is mixed into a solution ranging from 5 to 10% by weight of alum to water.  
         [0036]     In another embodiment of the invention, the water treatment system  100  may further comprise an anti-scaling feed  175 . In another embodiment of the invention the anti-scaling feed  175  may comprise an anti-scaling feed tank  178  which is attached to an anti-scaling recirculation pump  240 . The anti-scaling recirculation pump  240  is powered by the generator  200 . The anti-scaling treatment is dispersed from the anti-scaling feed tank  178  by an anti-scaling feed pump  235 . This anti-scaling feed pump  235  is powered by the generator  200 ,  FIG. 9B .  
         [0037]     The regenerable filter  120  of the embodiment where the primary package  90  is a water treatment system  100  is configured so that the filter can use clean water from the clean water tank  160  to backwash the regenerable filter  120  so that it will be effective in removing particulates from the water source. Generally the backwash will be performed until the water running through the regenerable filter  120  is clear. In another embodiment of the invention one might want to use a plurality of regenerable filters  120 ,  122 ,  124  so that one filter can be backwashed while one or more of the other filters is used to remove particulated contaminants. In one of the embodiments of the invention a clean water pump  220  is used to send water from the clean water tank  160  back through the filter for the backwash operation.  
         [0038]     The primary package  90 , in another embodiment of the invention, has a water treatment system  100 ,  FIG. 9A , that comprise a water inlet  105 , which draws the water using inlet pump  210  and an alum feed  110  connected to the water inlet  105 . Then a pair of alum feed retaining tanks  115 ,  118  are provided. Alum feed retaining tanks  115 ,  118  are in communication with the alum feed  110 . Three regenerable filters  120 ,  122 ,  124  are connected to the alum feed retaining tanks  115  and  118 . The regenerable filters  120 ,  122  and  124  are configured to receive water that has flown through the inlet  105 . These regenerable filters can separate solids from water flowing through it. The regenerable filters comprise one or more layers of fine particulates on a bed of coarse particulates. The fine particulates may be, but are not limited to, a layer of anthracite having an average particle size of between 0.5 and 1.5 millimeter in diameter, a layer of garnet having an average particle size between or equal to 425 to 600 micrometers and a layer of support material where support material is selected from the group consisting of coarse garnet or gravel having an average particle size of between 1.8 to 5 micrometers. The regenerable filters  120 ,  122  and  124  are connected to a pair of ultraviolet sterilization units  125 ,  128  which are connected to a cartridge filter  130 . A reverse osmosis system  140  is provided which is connected to the cartridge filter  130 . The reverse osmosis system  140  can be made up multiple reverse osmosis filter elements  143 ,  144 ,  145 ,  146 ,  147  and  148 . In order to facilitate flow through the reverse osmosis system  140  a reverse osmosis pump  215  is provided between the cartridge filter  130  and the reverse osmosis system  140 . The reverse osmosis system  140  is connected to an erosion chlorinator  150 . The erosion chlorinator  150  is connected to a pair of clean water tanks  160  and  162 . A clean water pump  220  is connected to the clean water tanks  160  and  162  and can be used to either, backwash the regenerable filters  120 ,  122  and  124 , or to supply clean water to a designated location. In this example the inlet pump  210  the reverse osmosis pump  215  and clean water pump  220  are all connected and powered from an electrical generator  200 .  
         [0039]     In another embodiment of the invention the primary package  90  may be any materials that one whishes to protect and wants to transport to a location. Examples include but are not limited to food supplies, medical supplies, building supplies, clothing, temporary shelter, laboratory equipment, test equipment, ammunition, weapons or any load that is desired to protect from the elements or to be protected while shipped.  
         [0040]     The invention allows the entire trailer kit  95  to fit into the standardized container  15 , which are combinable for shipping reason. It can then be removed and assembled with a minimum of tools and people so that it could be attached to a tow vehicle and used as a trailer  10 . When the trailer  10  is no longer required, the trailer kit  95  components can be easily disassembled and loaded back into the container for transport to another location. It has be found that with use of the field assemblable trailer  10 , using a Quadcon container that two people with minimal hand tools can assemble or disassemble the field assemblable trailer  10  in under an hour.  
         [0041]     The present invention also provides a method of assembling a trailer  10 , which is comprised of the steps of providing an enclosed standardized intermodal shipping container  15 , hereinafter container. This container  15  has a bottom  20  and is capable of holding a primary package  90 . A trailer kit  95  is also provided. The trailer kit  95  is comprised of a hitch assembly  25 , an axle housing  30 , a pair of hub and axle assemblies  35 ,  40 , a pair of tires on rims  45 ,  50 , and a jack system  55 . This trailer kit  95  comes loaded in the container  15 . The trailer kit  95  is removed from the container  15 . The jack system  55  is placed at each corner of the container  15 . Then the container  15  is raised by the jack system  55 . Once the container is raised off the ground, the hitch assembly can then be attached to the bottom  20  of the container  15 . The axle housing  30  is then attached to the bottom  20  of the container  15 . Hub and axle assemblies  35 ,  40  can then be affixed within the axle housing. Then the pair of tires on rims  45 ,  50  can be attached to the hub an axle assemblies  35 ,  40  to create a trailer  10 . The trailer  10  is then lowered and the jack system  55  is removed. All the trailer components were attached using minimal hand tools.  
       EXAMPLES  
       [0042]     An example of this invention will soon be available from Water Missions International of Charleston S.C. under the trademark RAPID RESPONSE. In this example the trailer is a completely self-contained unit which holds both a primary package and the trailer kit  95 . The intermodal container is a Quadcon, which serves as a shipping container and a permanent securable housing for all the processing equipment (primary package). Quick leveling jack assemblies make up the jack system  55 . The jack system  55  attaches to each corner of the Quadcon container  15  and elevate the container off the ground. Once elevated, the axle, wheels, and trailer hitch assembly, stored in the Quadcon during shipping, can be attached in the field without special equipment or tools. The Quadcon with the trailer kit  95  packed inside, allows for containerized shipment by ground, sea or air (intermodal transport). Once the Quadcon is transformed into a trailer, it can be towed to remote locations. The field set up of the trailer can be accomplished in just one hour.  
         [0043]     In this example the primary package is a water treatment system. This system is capable of producing 10 gallons per minute of safe potable water from most water sources up to approximately 15,000 ppm of dissolved solids (i.e. brackish water). A similar system is designed to treat water sources containing more than 15,000 ppm (parts per million) of dissolved solids, up to sea water (approximately 35,000 ppm). This system provides process control options for generator startup, process flow controls, and treated water quality monitoring. These controls can either be manual or touch-screen microprocessor control. Power is provided by a 20 kW (kilowatt) diesel power generator, which provides power for pumps, electronics, and lighting. A submersible pump is designed to transfer raw water from any source to the water treatment system. 100 feet (about 30 meters) of raw water hose allows the system to be placed up to 100 feet (about 30 meters) from the water source. Three backwashable filters remove 99.9% of the suspended particulates down to approximately 3 microns. The treated water from the filter stage is typically less than 1 NTU (nephlometric turbidity units). Reverse osmosis stage  140  removes dissolved inorganic and organic contaminants. Treated water from the reverse osmosis stage meets USEPA National Primary and Secondary Water Regulations. With this example, the water treatment system can be set up in less than an hour.