Abstract:
The trailer is lightweight, but durable, and includes a set of detachable deck segments that can be assembled into a deck. The trailer further includes a suspension assembly that attaches to the deck once the deck is assembled or, alternatively, is permanently attached to one deck segment. Intra-deck segment support is provided by slidable rods that are extendable to bridge between a pair of adjacent segments. Each deck segment has a male edge to be inserted into a female edge to create an exceedingly strong, interlocking hinge-like structure. The deck and trailer can be assembled without the need for any tools. The deck segments, when disassembled, are stackable into a condensed deck stack. A foldable suspension facilitates the stackable storage and transportation of the trailer. The trailer is convertible into a cargo platform that can be attached directly to a conventional trailer hitch receiver on a vehicle.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/300,006, filed Dec. 13, 2005, now pending. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates generally to cargo hauling and, more specifically, to a Collapsible Trailer. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Cars and trucks have become a mainstay of the modern active lifestyle. Unfortunately, due to garaging space limitations, each family is only realistically capable of having two vehicles in any single household. As a result of this, each household must make a choice as to what species of vehicle to obtain, depending upon their particular needs and circumstances. In recent years, that choice has been the Sport Utility Vehicle or SUV&#39;s. While the SUV certainly has attempted to “bridge the gap” between the utility vehicle and the passenger vehicle, it has almost gone too far. Certainly, all SUV&#39;s have the capability and design to haul a substantial amount of cargo; the problem is that they are many times too nice for this application. As a result, the user must rent or borrow. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Collapsible Trailer. The trailer should be durable, and include a set of detachable deck segments that can be assembled into a deck. The trailer further should have a suspension assembly that attaches to the deck once the deck is assembled or, alternatively, is permanently attached to one deck segment. The horizontal intra-deck segment support should be provided by slidable rods that would be extendable to bridge the intersection between a pair of adjacent segments. Each deck segment should have a male edge and a female edge; the male edge can be insertible into the female edge to create an interlocking hinge-like structure to provide longitudinal stability along the special plane of the assembled deck. Furthermore, the deck and trailer should be able to be assembled without the need for any tools or additional equipment. In all cases, the deck segments, when disassembled, should be stackable into a condensed deck stack. Additional features should include a foldable suspension that facilitates the stackable storage and transportation of the trailer. Still further, the trailer should be convertible into a cargo platform that can be attached directly to a conventional trailer hitch receiver on a vehicle to transport smaller loads of cargo or the stacked trailer itself. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is an exploded top view of a sixth embodiment of the collapsible trailer of the parent application to the instant invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the collapsible trailer of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a deck segment of the trailer of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are partial perspective views of the deck segment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the deck segment of  FIGS. 2-4 ; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are cutaway side views of the deck segments of  FIGS. 2-5 ; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7A ,  7 B and  7 C are partial perspective views of deck segments of the trailer of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 8A ,  8 B and  8 C are partial cutaway side views of deck segments of the trailer of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a partially exploded perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the trailer of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a cargo platform configuration of the trailer of  FIG. 9  as it would attach to a conventional vehicle; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the trailer of  FIGS. 9 and 10  in a preferred packaged condition; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are cutaway front and side views, respectively, of a suspension assembly of the trailer of the present embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Collapsible Trailer. 
         [0021]    The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Collapsible Trailer. 
         [0022]    The contents of the parent applications (Ser. Nos. 10/150,601 and 11/300,006) to the instant application are incorporated by reference. 
         [0023]    The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0024]    This trailer embodiment  10 E comprises four or more deck segments  16 A formed substantially from aluminum, plastic or other high-strength, lightweight material. Some of the deck segments  16  in this embodiment further include a system of interlocking protrusions and sockets, namely, a pair of pegs  68  extending from one side of the segment, and a cooperatively designed pair of sockets  70  on the facing side of the adjacent segment  16 , such that when the deck is assembled, the pegs  68  fit into the sockets  70  to prevent twisting of the assembled deck (and to provide generally greater strength). 
         [0025]    The segments  16  are further defined by a center bore  78  down their length; this bore  78  is provided to accept the frame members to be discussed further below (i.e. the frame members are actually inserted into the deck segments). The frame in this embodiment  10 E comprises a first longitudinal strut  22 , a second longitudinal strut  26  and a hitch strut  80 . The hitch strut  80  terminates at its front end in the hitch socket  24 , and is designed to interlock with the first longitudinal strut  22  at its rear end. The first longitudinal strut  22  is essentially a hollow tube having a substantially round cross-section, and terminating in an engaging socket  74 . The engaging socket  74  is preferably a female threaded bore configured to accept an engaging peg  72  formed in the front end of the second longitudinal strut  26 . The engaging peg  72  is preferably a male threaded peg for engaging the engaging socket  74 . It should be understood that the peg  72  and socket  74  could be reversed (i.e. such that the socket  74  is formed in the second longitudinal strut  26 ). 
         [0026]    To assemble the trailer  10 E, therefore, one need simply assemble the segments such that the pegs  68  engage the sockets  70 ; insert the first and second longitudinal struts  22  and  26  into the (now-aligned) bores  78  and threadedly engage them tightly; attach the hitch strut  80  to the first longitudinal strut  22 ; and attach the suspension halves  18 E and axle  46  to the assembled deck. The suspension halves  18 E preferably attach to the sides of the center two segments  16 ; the axle  46  is attached between the two suspension halves  18 E (typically prior to the attachment of the halves  18 E to the deck). The order of assembly discussed herein is exemplary only; a number of factors may determine that other orders of assembly (and disassembly) of the trailer  10 E are used. 
         [0027]    Also shown in this  FIG. 1  are two tail light assemblies  76  displayed on the rear surface of the rear segment  16 ; these tail light assemblies  76  are preferably of the type that are very sleek in order to reduce their interference with the stacking of the segments  16  (when the trailer is disassembled). 
         [0028]    While the trailer of  FIG. 1  is extremely useful and durable (and, of course, collapsible), it can tend to be very challenging to assemble and disassemble. The cause of this is gauge of metal necessary for the structural members (the large longitudinal struts  22 ,  24  and  26 ). In order to eliminate these drawbacks, a seventh embodiment of the collapsible trailer of the present invention has been devised, and is depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the collapsible trailer  14  of the present invention. Like its predecessors, this trailer  14  is composed of a plurality of deck segments  16  made from aluminum, plastic, or some combination of these or other durable and lightweight materials. Unlike most of its predecessors, this trailer  14  does not employ large structural members for load bearing. In this version, deck segments interlock with one another (the interlocked panels resist pulling apart), and then a pair of slidable rods  100  is slid from one segment and partially into the adjacent segment so that each rod  100  bridges the intersection between a pair of interlocked adjacent panels—one rod  100  is at each outer edge of each deck segment  16  (except for one of the two end segments). 
         [0030]    Once a rod  100  has been slid into its “bridging” position, the actuating handle  102  (which is what the user grasps to slide the rod  100 ), can be flipped down (rotated downwardly) until it is recessed into the handle pocket  104 . Being fitted into (and possibly clipped into) the handle pocket  104  will prevent the actuating handle  102  from moving and/or permitting the rod  100  to move out of its bridging position between the two panels. A segment  16  and its two rods  100  (and associated minor parts, if appropriate) comprise a “segment assembly” for future reference. 
         [0031]    The leading edge of the trailer deck  14  (where the trailer  10 F attaches to the vehicle for towing) has a hitch adapter  106 . The hitch adapter  106  interfaces with the first segment in the deck  14  by interlocking like any other segment  16  to the first segment  16 . This provides a finished look for the front of the trailer  10 F while making efficient use of the interlocking structure of the deck panels. 
         [0032]    The hitch adapter  106  may be either permanently bolted to the first deck segment (thereby creating a dedicated leading edge deck segment), or it might be detachable like any other deck segment  16 . The hitch adapter  106  has a receiver socket  108  extending forwardly. Like a receiver socket commonly used to mount a trailer hitch to the vehicle, the receiver socket  108  is used to mount a hitch strut, such as element  80  in  FIG. 1  to the socket  108 . The hitch strut  80  is detachable to provide a very compact, conveniently stowed assembly. 
         [0033]    A lighting adapter  110  is permanently or removably attached to the last segment  16  in the deck  14 . It has an edge configured to interface with the trailing edge of the last segment in the deck  14 . There are conventional trailer lights (stop, turn signal) lamps housed within the adapter  110  to provide the necessary safety lighting. The wiring for the lighting adapter is contained within individual segments  16 . As the segments  16  are assembled into a deck  14 , the wiring from one segment  16  is connected to the adjacent segment  16 , either by manually plugging them into each other, or through contact switches. 
         [0034]    A suspension assembly  18 F is attached to one deck segment  16 , usually with permanent fasteners. The assembly  18 F, however, is intended to be added to a typical deck segment (thereby converting that segment into a suspension segment). The suspension assembly  18 F will most preferably have wheels that fold towards the center of the suspension segment when storing the trailer  10 F in detached segments. Although not shown in this diagram, there will also very likely be a fender for each wheel to prevent the tires from throwing rocks up into following vehicles. 
         [0035]    In order to make the most efficient use of the deck segment mold (the most likely manufacturing approach), a single deck segment  16  could be cut into two pieces. The result would be two half-segments (one with a male edge and one with a female edge). These two half-segments could be used to create the hitch adapter  106  and lighting adapter  110 . Now turning to  FIG. 3 , we can examine additional specific design features of the segment  16  of this new trailer embodiment. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a deck segment  16  of the trailer  10 F of  FIG. 2 . In its preferred form, the segments  16  will be molded from a durable material, such as plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic. Should additional strength be necessary, metal structure may be encased within the plastic molded part as well. 
         [0037]    The segment  16  is defined by a female edge  112  and a male edge  114  opposite thereto. The edges  112 ,  114  are specifically designed to interlock with one another to form a structure that looks somewhat like a hinge. When interlocked to an adjacent segment  16 , this “hinge” structure will prevent the segments  16  from being pulled apart. Additional detail regarding the hinge will be provided below in connection with  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0038]    The two side edges  116 A and  116 B include very important structure. The side edge  116 A and  116 B (generically  116 ) configuration and associated elements is what gives the segment assembly its rigidity and load-bearing strength at the intersection between two segment assemblies. There is a rod bore  120  aligned longitudinally along each side edge  116 . The bore  120  permits the slidable rod  100  to be slid along its length to engage or disengage the adjacent segment when assembling or disassembling the trailer. 
         [0039]    In order to provide additional rigidity to the assembled trailer, bore braces  124 A and  124 B (generically  124 ) are provided to extend outwardly from each side edge  116 . As should be apparent (and visible in  FIG. 2 ), the slidable bolt will be exposed in the gap between the bore braces  124  and the rod bore  120 . These exposed portions of slidable bolt will provide the user with ideal tie-down locations for securing loads to the assembled trailer.  FIGS. 4A and 4B  provide additional resolution to the functioning of the slidable bolt. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are partial perspective views of the deck segment  16  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In each figure, the slidable rod  100  is shown in hidden lines so that its unique functionality can be clearly understood. As shown in  FIG. 4A , when the segments  16  are in storage (disassembled from the trailer), the slidable rod  100  will be found in the “stowed” position. In its stowed position, the entire length of the rod  100  resides within the confines of the longitudinal length of the segment  16 . This makes for a very compact, simple structure that is easily handled, even by the most inexperienced user. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4B  depicts the panel assembly with the slidable rod  100  in the “extended” position. When in the extended position, the rod  100  bridges the intersection between adjacent segments  16 , reaching midway between each segment  16 . Referencing  FIG. 2 , it becomes clear that a sort of “domino effect” occurs with the actuation of these rods  100 . As segments  16  are interconnected to one another and their rods  100  are slid to bridge the intersection, each subsequent segment&#39;s bolt will be slid until it reaches the bolt from the adjacent segment. As a result, all of the bolts are prevented from being disengaged from the extended position by the bolt right next to it in line. This “domino effect” provides structural security to the assembled trailer by making it virtually impossible for the trailer to become disassembled. Furthermore, when fully extended, the rods  100  are rotated so that the actuating handles  102  are captured within the handle pocket  104  of the adjacent segment  16 . Once captured within the pockets  104 , the actuating handles  102  provide additional resistance to the assembled deck pulling apart. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the deck segment  16  of  FIGS. 2-4 . As shown, the female edge  112  runs across virtually the entire transverse with of the segment  16 . Similarly, the male edge  114  runs across virtually the identical width of the opposing edge of the segment  16 . These two edges  112 ,  114  are configured so that one segment  16  interlocks with another segment  16 . 
         [0043]    The top surface of the segment may have the raised “dimples” shown here, or some other design that provides fraction, skid-resistance and conceals scrapes and scratches. On the side edges, there are gaps  115  in between the portion of the segment  16  housing the rod bore  120 , and the two bore braces  124 A and  124 B. As discussed above, the rod is exposed within these gaps  115  to provide locations for tying cargo down to the trailer (or to assist in securely storing the segments). Finally turning to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , we can examine the unique interlocking design of these segments  16 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are cutaway side views of the deck segments  16  of  FIGS. 2-5 . The male edge  114  of each deck segment has a knuckle  117  extending from it. In actuality, to aide in the molding process (to avoid the need for “slides”), the knuckle  117  is actually staggered along the transverse width of the edge  114  (somewhat like a hinge), with alternating sections of the edge  114  looking exactly like depicted here, and the other alternating sections having a flat top surface. As can be clearly seen from  FIG. 3  above, the female edge  112  is cooperatively designed such that this alternating hinge-like design is mirrored by the female edge  112 . 
         [0045]    The knuckle  117  has a generally circular cross-section, but with opposing parallel flat surfaces  121  creating an angled top and bottom surface to the knuckle  117 . The knuckle  117  has the same thickness between these flat surfaces  121  as the mouth  123  of the female edge  112 . The mouth  123  opens to a transverse void  113  formed within the alternating sections of the female edge  112 . 
         [0046]    To engage or disengage two adjacent segments  16  to or from one another, the male-edge-sided deck segment  16  (on the left here) must be angled until the flat surfaces  121  are coplanar with the top and bottom surfaces  118  and  119 , respectively of the female-edge-sided deck segment  16  (on the right here). The knuckle  117  will then pass easily through the mouth  123  and into the transverse void  113 . Once in place, the male-edge-sided deck segment  16  is rotated in direction R until the top surface  118  of both segments  16  are flush with relation to one another. The shoulders  127 A and  127 B created at the transition in the knuckle  117  between a rounded portion and the flat surfaces  121 . These shoulders  127 A and  127 B interact with slight lips created at the mouth of the transverse void  113  to prevent the interlocked segments  16  from being pulled apart in the longitudinal direction. The sliding rods would then be placed in the extended position to retain the top surfaces  118  segments in a flush condition. 
         [0047]    To disassemble the interlocked hinge  126  (although it is not intended to operate like a hinge in normal conditions, only when assembling/disassembling the deck), the slidable rods are placed in the stowed position, allowing the panel on the left in this  FIG. 6B  to be rotated counter-clockwise until the flat surfaces  121  are aligned and parallel with the top and bottom surface  118 ,  119  of the segments  16 . The segments  16  can now be pulled apart. 
         [0048]    Continued testing and prototyping has resulted in the development of an eighth embodiment of the trailer of the current invention. This eighth version is quite similar to that described herein as the seventh embodiment, but with critical improvements and developments that provides still further utility and ease of use. We will begin to describe this new embodiment with  FIGS. 7A-7C . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 7A ,  7 B and  7 C are partial perspective views of deck segments  16 A and the lighting adapter  110 A of the trailer of  FIG. 9 . The deck segments  16 A are similar to, but have critical distinctions as compared to those segments of the trailer embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0050]    One distinction between these segments  16 A and those of the prior embodiment is that there are no strictly “male” or “female” panel edges. The leading and trailing edges of each panel are, instead, made up of alternating sections of male and female structure. The leading edge  194 , for example, is made up of a female edge portion  112 A at the left side. A male edge portion  114 A borders the first female edge portion  112 A. The leading edge  194  alternates between female  112 A and male  114 A edges across the width of the deck segment  16 A. As should be apparent, the trailing edge  196  will comprise alternating male  114 A and female  112 A edge portions in the opposite sequence to that of the leading edge  194 . Of course this is so that the leading edge  194  will interlock with the trailing edge  196  of a deck segment  16 A having the identical design. 
         [0051]    The alternating of the male and female edge portions accomplishes as least three objectives. First, the breaking up of the structural profile of the leading  194  and trailing  196  edges of the segments  16 A is expected to increase the strength of the deck segments  16 A along the leading and trailing edges, since there will not be long, continuous structural features across the width of the edges  194 ,  196 . 
         [0052]    Second, alternating the gender of the edge portions will assist in the alignment of the interlocking segments  16 A to one another when they are being attached to one another. Furthermore, the alternating gender will resist any relative transverse sliding between adjacent deck segments  16 A. 
         [0053]    Finally, as will be described further below in connection with other drawing figures, the alternating of genders will assist in the orientation of the different segments  16 A and the lighting adapter  110 A so that other arrangements or configurations of the elements will be easier to assemble without the need for extensive instructions or care. 
         [0054]    Another distinction from the instant design and that of the prior embodiment is related to the slidable rods  100 A. Comparing the view of  FIG. 7A  to that of  FIG. 7B , we can see that the slidable rods  100 A of this design slide forward (towards the front of the assembled trailer—in direction “L”), rather than backwards (as was the case with the prior design). Just as with the prior design, the rods  100 A have at least one actuating handle  102  extending from it that is designed to engage the handle pocket  104 A in either its native segment  16 A, or in the adjacent segment  16 A when the segments are interconnected 
         [0055]    The lighting adapter  110 A is much narrower (front-to-back) than a full deck segment  16 A, so a full-length slidable rod  100 A will not work properly. As a result, half-rods  101 A take the place of normal slidable rods  100 A. The half-rods  101 A are not necessarily one-half the length of the normal slidable rods  100 A; their length will depend upon the width of the lighting adapter  110 A. The half-rods  101 A must be of the proper length so that their actuating handles  102  will engage the handle pocket  104 A of the panel segment to which the lighting adapter  110 A is attached. As shown, the leading edge of the lighting adapter  110 A is also comprised of alternating male and female edge portions  114 A,  112 A.  FIGS. 8A-8C  depict additional design changes in the current embodiment. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 8A ,  8 B and  8 C are partial cutaway side views of deck segments  16 A of the trailer of  FIG. 9 . By way of example, the segments  16 A depicted here are cutaway until only one male edge portion  114 A and one female edge portion  112 A is visible at the leading and trailing edge of the segment  16 A. As discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 7A-7C , the male and female edge portions  114 A,  112 A alternate across the width of the segments  16 A (and lighting adapter  110 A). 
         [0057]    There have been some structural design changes to the instant design as compared to that depicted in  FIGS. 2-5  (from the parent application). The mouth  123 A defines a wider opening into the transverse void portion  113 A (of the female edge portions  112 A). 
         [0058]    Widening the mouth  123 A results in shoulders  127 AA,  127 BA and  127 CA that are thicker than with the prior design. This additional thickness of the shoulders  127 AA- 127 CA adds strength to the female feature of the segment  16 A, while also making it easier to engage the segments  16 A to one another. 
         [0059]    Furthermore, the knuckle  117 A (of the male edge portions  114 A) has a thicker “neck” than in the previous design. The thicker neck  190 A adds strength to the male features without obstructing the smooth assembly and disassembly of the interlocked hinge portion  126 A. In the depicted version, there is only a single flat surface  121  on the upper face of the knuckle  117 A. Just as with the prior design, once the knuckle  117 A has been inserted into the transverse void portion  113 A, the panel segments  16 A are rotated relatively (in direction “R”) until the top surfaces  118  and bottom surfaces  119  are relatively coplanar, at which time the slidable rods (see  FIGS. 7A-7C ) are slid across to the adjacent segment and then locked.  FIG. 9  depicts the assembled trailer. 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  is a partially exploded perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the trailer  10 G of the present invention. Distinctions shown here as compared with the prior embodiment relate to the suspension assembly  18 G, the head segment  17  and the hitch elements. As shown, the trailer  18 G is made up of a plurality of deck segments  16 A,  17  and lighting adapter  110 A interconnected as previously described to form a trailer deck  14 A, with the slidable rods  110 A each engaging the adjacent elements to form a structurally strong platform. 
         [0061]    The suspension assembly  18 G has a in this version comprises a pair of independently-folding frames that can be easily folded or unfolded when assembling or disassembling the trailer  10 G. Further detail regarding the suspension assembly  18 G will be provided below in connection with  FIGS. 12A and 12B . 
         [0062]    The head segment  17  is effectively a combination of the prior hitch adapter  106  and a full-sized panel segment  16 A. The result is a segment that has an integrated male receiver socket  108 A. The receiver socket  108 A is described as being “male,” although it actually function as both a male and female gender, depending upon what it is engaging. It is actually of female gender when a male hitch strut  80 A is inserted into its bore  188 . The strut  80 A and the receiver socket  108 A both have corresponding apertures formed in their sides so that a pin can be inserted through them to retain them together when the two are engaged. As with the prior trailer design, the male hitch strut  80 A terminates at its leading end in the hitch socket  24 . Although not explicitly depicted here, it should be understood that the bore  188  may actually extend further into the head segment  17  (i.e. past the depth of the receiver socket  108 A). Such an arrangement would improve the strength of the head segment  17 , which very well may be made from a plastic material, by adding the strength of the hitch strut  80 A, which is most likely made from steel.  FIG. 10  depicts an additional utility provided by the instant trailer design. 
         [0063]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a cargo platform  200  configuration of the trailer of  FIG. 9  as it would attach to a conventional vehicle  1 . The cargo platform  200  is made from an interlocked combination of the head segment  17  and the lighting adapter  110 A. These panels are held together by the hinge features and the engaged half-rods  101 A. As shown, there are tail lights  202  on the trailing edge of the cargo platform  200  that are connected to the vehicle  1  so that they light, as appropriate, when attached to the vehicle&#39;s electrical tail light system. 
         [0064]    The male receiver socket  108 A is dimensioned to function as a male gendered element in this operational configuration. It has its outer surfaces dimensioned so that it can be inserted into the female bore  5  of a conventional trailer hitch receiver  5 . 
         [0065]    Ideally, this would be a two inch receiver, which is the conventional dimension for utility hitch receivers for trucks. In the event that a smaller diameter bore  5  exists on the vehicle  1  (e.g. for a 1.5 inch hitch), an adapter could be inserted into the male receiver socket  108 A and then into the bore  5 . In other words, the adapter would either accept the male receiver socket  108 A within its bore, or would have an outer profile that would fit inside the bore  188 . The opposing end of the adapter would then fit within the receiver female bore  5 .  FIG. 11  expands upon the cargo platform functionality. 
         [0066]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the trailer of  FIGS. 9 and 10  in a preferred packaged condition  204 . The cargo platform  200  (the head segment and lighting adapter) would normally be at the bottom of the package  204 . One or more deck segments  16 A, formed in a stack  206  are placed atop the cargo platform  200 . The top deck segment in the stack  206  for the trailer depicted in  FIG. 9  would be the suspension deck segment  16 B. The suspension deck segment  16 B would generally be a regular segment  16 A, but with the suspension assembly (e.g.  18 G) attached to it. 
         [0067]    Here, the pivoting suspension frames  214  for each wheel assembly  20  has been folded in around their respective pivot axes  216  so that the wheels are located above the bottom of the suspension deck segment  16 B. 
         [0068]    The stack  206  would be bound together in some convenient fashion. Here, the stack  206  is enclosed within storage container  208 . The storage container  208  (shown in dashed lines) is a hard- or soft-sided container that can hold the package within it. There could be two or more transport wheels  210  protruding from the bottom, rear of the package  204 , which will facilitate moving the package  204  around when not attached to a vehicle (such as in the user&#39;s garage). The transport wheels  210  could be of some conventional design, such as those used on in skates, scooters and the like. When rolled into the proper location, the package  204  could be tilted up so that the bottom of the stack  206  (i.e. to the reader&#39;s right in this depiction) faces the floor. 
         [0069]    In order to accommodate the package  204  being transported on the vehicle trailer hitch, the storage container  208  may further be provided with clear lenses  212  or apertures over the lights on the lighting adapter (of the cargo platform  200 ), so that the lights can be seen by following vehicles. Similarly, an aperture would be provided at the front side of the storage container  208  so that the mail receiver socket  108 A can protrude through it—to either attach to the vehicle, or to be used as a handle when the user is rolling the package  208  around. Finally, we will turn to  FIGS. 12A and 12B  to further examine the suspension system. 
         [0070]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are cutaway front and side views, respectively, of a suspension assembly  18 G of the trailer of the present embodiment. The wheels  20  are attached by axle  218  to hub base  222 . The hub base  222  extends from pivoting suspension frame  214 , which is pivotally attached to the base of the suspension segment  16 B. The dashed lines depict the preferred position of the suspension assembly  18 G when it is in the stowed position. The solid lines show the assembly  18 G in the “in-use” position. The assembly moves between the two position according to direction “F.” 
         [0071]    The base bracket or brackets  219  extend from either the bottom surface of the suspension deck segment  16 B, or from a backing plate (not shown) that could be used to provide further strength and rigidity to the suspension segment  16 B. The pivot axis  216  is around the pivot axle  224 , which is retained to the segment/backing plate by the base brackets  219 . When in the “in-use” position, support and dampening is provided by one or more dampener elements  220  that are squeezed between the suspension frame  214  and the segment/backing plate. The dampener elements  220  could be of simple construction, such as being made from a selected rubberized material that has the desired hardness to provide the necessary cushioning to the ride. In more complex versions, the dampening elements  220  could be shock absorbers, combination springs/shocks, or even inflatable bladders. The dampener elements  220  could be attached to either the deck  16 B/backing plate, or to the suspension frame  214 . 
         [0072]    A wide variety of structures for the frames  214  could be utilized beyond that depicted here, but one preferred form is to have a pair of angled struts  226 A intersecting at the hub base  222 . The angled struts  226 A could be bent as shown so that they are braced against the dampener elements  220 . Straight struts  226 B could be included for further strength and durability. 
         [0073]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.