Abstract:
An adjustable width trailer including a center frame with a center deck, and attached tongue and an attached guide beam that is transverse to the direction of forward movement. Left and right wheel support assemblies are slidably mounted on the guide beam. Left and right tire and wheel assemblies are attached to the wheel support assemblies by suspension assemblies. A left wing frame and a right wing frame, with wing decks are pivotally attached to the center frame, when the wheel support assemblies are in inboard positions, the wing frames are folded. When the wheel support assemblies are slid on the guide beam to outboard positions, the left and right wheels are outboard from the sides of the center frame and the left and right wing frames sit on the adjacent wheel support assemblies and are held in horizontal positions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/513,395, titled “Multi-Use Trailer,” filed Oct. 22, 2003. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   A trailer having adjustable width and length that permits use behind a full size vehicle on public roads as well as use behind an all terrain vehicle on trails and off road areas. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Field of the Invention 
   Light weight trailers are available that can transport two snowmobiles or all terrain vehicles (ATV). The snowmobiles and ATVs can be loaded on the trailers in fore and aft orientation. Both ATVs and snowmobiles can also be loaded on these trailers in a transverse position. However, the front skis of some large snowmobiles may extend laterally out past a side of a trailer and may even exceed the legal width for moving on public roads without over width markings. 
   ATVs are transported on trailers, pulled on public roads, to and from areas where they are to be used. ATVs are used to transport various types of cargo to areas that are not accessible by most road vehicles. Trailers and sleds are often pulled by ATVs and snowmobiles to carry cargo. These trailers or sleds are generally about the same size as the unit they are pulled by so that they can be used on narrow trails that accommodate the pulling unit. With the trailers currently used to transport ATVs, a trailer or sled for carrying cargo on narrow trails takes about the same space as the ATV or snowmobile. This results in a reduction in the number of ATVs or snowmobiles that can be transported by the trailer on a public road. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The adjustable width trailer has a center frame with a rear beam, a front beam and at least one fore and aft extending beam fixed to the rear beam and the front beam. A center deck, that is generally rectangular, substantially covers the center frame. A rear guide beam is fixed to the at least one fore and aft extending beam between the front beam and the rear beam. The rear guide beam is substantially parallel to the rear beam. A front guide beam is fixed to the at least one fore and aft extending beam between the front beam and the rear guide beam. The front guide beam is spaced from and parallel to the rear guide beam. A left wheel support assembly is slidably mounted on the rear guide beam and the front guide beam. A left tire and wheel is journaled on a left spindle and attached to the left wheel support assemble by a left suspension assembly. A right wheel support assembly is slidably mounted on the rear guide beam and the front guide beam. A right tire and wheel is journaled on a right spindle and attached to the right wheel support assembly by a right suspension assembly. A left wing frame is pivotally attached to a left side of the center frame. The left wing frame is pivotable between a left wing horizontal position extending laterally to the left of the left center frame and a left wing folded position. A left wing deck is attached to the left wing frame. A right wing frame is pivotally attached to a right side of the center frame. The right wing frame is pivotable between a right wing horizontal position extending laterally to the right of the right side of the center frame and a right wing folded position. A right wing deck is attached to the right wing frame. A hitch tongue is attached to the center frame and extends forward from the front beam. The left tire and wheel is directly below the left wing frame when the left wing is in the left wing horizontal position extending to the left of the left side of the center frame and the left wheel support assembly is in a left wheel support assembly outboard position on the rear guide beam and the front guide beam. The right tire and wheel is directly below the right wing frame when the right wing is in the right wing horizontal position extending to the right of the right side of the center frame and the right wheel support assembly is in a right wheel support assembly outboard position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent in view of the following detailed description and best mode, appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the trailer with the left wing and right wing in extended horizontal positions and the wheels extended; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view, similar to  FIG. 1 , with the central deck and the wing decks removed to expose the main frame, the wing frames and the wheel and axle assemblies; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the trailer with the left wing and the right wing both in folded horizontal positions and the wheels retracted; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view, similar to  FIG. 3 , with the center deck and both wing decks removed to expose the frame assembly; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the trailer with the left wing and the right wing both in vertical positions; 
       FIG. 6  is s perspective view, similar to  FIG. 5 , with the center deck and both wing decks removed to expose the frame and assembly; 
       FIG. 7A  is a perspective view showing the wing frames in the same position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; 
       FIG. 7B  is a perspective view showing the wing frames in the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 7C  is a perspective view showing each wing frame in a wide vertical position; and 
       FIG. 7D  is a perspective view showing the wing frames in the same position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The multi-use trailer  10  includes a frame assembly  12  and a deck  14  with a cargo support surface  16 . The frame assembly  12  includes a center frame  18 , a left wing frame  20  and right wing frame  22 . The center frame  18  includes fore and aft extending U-shape channel  24  with an open top. The U-shaped channel  24  has a horizontal base  26 , a vertical left wall  28 , and a vertical right wall  30 . A left flange  32  of the U-shaped channel  24  is integral with the top of the left wall  28  and extends laterally outward from the channel. A right flange  34  is integral with the top of the right wall  30  and extends laterally outward away from the left flange  32 . A rear rectangular tube  36  is fixed to the flanges  32  and  34  at the rear end of the U-shaped channel  24 . A rear intermediate tube  38  is fixed to the flanges  32  and  34  forward from and parallel to the rear tube  36 . A left rear side rail tube  40  is fixed to the left end of the rear tube  36  and the left end of the rear intermediate tube  38 . A right rear side rail tube  42  is fixed to the right end of the rear tube  36  and right end of the rear intermediate tube  38 . A rear guide tube  44  is fixed to the forward end of the left rear side rail tube  40 , the left flange  32 , and the right flange  34 , and to the forward end of the right side rail tube  42 . The rear guide tube  44  is parallel to and spaced a short distance forward of the rear intermediate tube  38 . The top of the guide tube  44  is spaced a short distance below the top of the rear tube  36 . 
   A front rectangular tube  46  is fixed to the flanges  32  and  34  at the front end of the U-shaped channel  24 . A front guide tube  48  is fixed to the left flange  32  and to the right flange  34  of the U-shaped channel  24  between the front tube  46  and the rear guide tube  44 . A left front side rail  50  is fixed to the left end of the front tube  46  and to the left end of the guide tube  48 . A right front side rail  52  is fixed to the right end of the front tube  46  and to the right end of the front guide tube  48 . A tension bar  54  is connected to the left front side rail  50  and to the right front side rail  52  forward and above the front guide tube  48 . 
   A left wheel support  56  includes two spaced apart for and aft extending tubes  58  and  60 . A horizontal plate  62  is connected to the forward ends of the tubes  58  and  60 . A 90° angle member  64  has a horizontal portion  66  that is fixed to the horizontal plate  62  and a vertical portion  68  that extends upward from the horizontal plate. The horizontal portion  66 , of the 90° angle member  64 , engages the bottom surface of the front guide tube  48  and a vertical portion  68  engages the vertical rear wall of the front guide tube  48 . A horizontal top plate  70  is secured to a flange  72  integral with the vertical portions  68  of the angle member  64  and extending rearward from the upper edge of the vertical portion. The top plate  70  extends forward from the flange  72 . A bottom surface of the top plate  70  is engagable with the top of the front guide tube  48 . The angle member  64  extends laterally outward from the horizontal plate  62  and the tube  60 . 
   A 90° angle member  74  is fixed to the rear ends of the tubes  58  and  60  and extends laterally outward to the left of the tube  60 . The horizontal portion  76 , of the angel member  74 , engages the bottom wall of the rear guide tube  44 . A vertical portion  78 , of the angle member  74 , engages a vertical front wall of the rear guide tube  44 . An upper 90° angle member  80  has a vertical portion  82  that extends downward and is fixed to the rear of the horizontal portion  76  of the angle member  74 . The horizontal portion  84 , of the angle member  80 , extends forward from the vertical portion  82 , past the vertical portion  78  of the angle member  74  and is fixed to the angle member. The vertical portion  82 , of the angle member  80 , engages the rear wall of the rear guide tube  44 . The horizontal portion  84 , of the angle member  80 , engages the top wall of the rear guide tube  44 . The angle member  74  extends laterally outward to the left of the tube  60 . 
   A right wheel support  86  includes two spaced apart fore and aft extending tubes  88  and  90 . A horizontal plate  92  is connected to the forward ends of the tubes  88  and  90 . A 90° angle member  94  has a horizontal portion  96  that is fixed to the horizontal plate  92  and a vertical portion  98  that extends upward from the horizontal plate. The horizontal portion  96 , of the 90° angle member  94 , engages the bottom surface of the front guide tube  48  and the vertical portion  98  engages the vertical rear wall of the front guide tube. A horizontal top plate  100  is secured to a flange  102  integral with a vertical portion  98 , of the angle member  94 , and extends rearward from the upper edge of the vertical portion. The top plate  100  extends forward from the flange  102 . A bottom surface of the top plate  100  is engagable with the top of the front guide tube  48 . The angle member  94  extends laterally outward to the right of the horizontal plate  92  and the tube  90 . 
   A 90° angle member  104  is fixed to the rear ends of the tubes  88  and  90  and extends laterally outward to the right of the tube  90 . A horizontal portion  106 , of the angle member  104 , engages the bottom wall of the rear guide tube  44 . A vertical portion  108 , of the angle member  104 , engages a vertical front wall of the rear guide tube  44 . An upper 90° angle member  110  has a vertical portion  112  that extends downward and is fixed to the rear of the horizontal portion  106  of the angle member  104 . The horizontal portion  114  of the upper angle member  110  extends forward from the vertical portion  112  past the vertical portion  108 , of the angle member  104 , and is fixed to the vertical portion of the angle member. The vertical portion  112  of the angle member  110  engages the rear wall of the rear guide tube  44 . The horizontal portion  114 , of the upper angle member  110 , engages the top wall of the rear guide tube  44 . The angle member  104  extends laterally outward to the right of the fore and aft tube  90 . 
   The left tire and wheel  116  is journaled on a spindle  118 . The spindle  118  is integral with an arm  120 . The arm  120  is integral with a torque shaft  122  journaled in a square tube  124 . An inner end of the torque shaft  122  is anchored to the tube  124 . The tube  124  is attached to mounting plates  126  and  127 . This connection between the tube  124  and the mounting plates  126  and  127  will provide some camber for the left wheel  116 . The mounting plates  126  and  127  are secured to the tubes  58  and  60 . The torque shaft  122 , arm  120  and spindle  118  provide a spring suspension for the left tire and wheel  116 . 
   The right tire and wheel  128  is journaled on a spindle  130  that is integral with an arm  132 . The arm  132  is integral with a torque shaft  134  journaled in a square tube  136 . An inner end of the torque shaft  134  is anchored to the tube  136 . The tube  136  is attached to mounting plates  138  and  140 . This connection between the tube  136  and the mounting plates  138  and  140  will provide some camber for the right wheel  128 . The mounting plates  138  and  140  are secured to the tubes  88  and  90  of the right wheel support  86 . The torque shaft  134 , arm  132  and spindle  130  provide a spring suspension for the right tire and wheel  128 . 
   The left wing frame  20  is made from tubular members with rectangular cross sections. These tubular members include a rear wing tube  142 , a front wing tube  144  and an outside rail  146 . A rear intermediate wing tube  148  and a front intermediate wing tube  150  are attached to the outside wing rail  146 . A rear inside tube  152  extends from an inboard end of a rear wing tube  142  to an inboard end of the intermediate wing tube  148  and is fixed to the rear wing tube and the rear intermediate wing tube. A front inside side wing tube  154  extends from the inboard end of the front intermediate tube  150  to the inboard end of the front wing tube  144  and is fixed to the intermediate wing tube and to the front wing tube. 
   A front arm  156  is pivotally attached to the tube  144  of the left wing  20  by pivot pin  158 . The arm  156  is also attached to the front tube  144  by a removable pin  160 . The front arm  156  is also pivotally attached to a bracket  162  by pivot pin  164 . The bracket  162  is secured to the front tube  46  of the center frame  18 . A rear arm  166  is pivotally attached to the rear wing tube  142  of the left wing  20  by pivot pin  168  that is coaxial with the pivot pin  164 . The rear arm  166  is also attached to the rear wing tube  142  by second removable pin  160 . A pivot pin  170  pivotally anchors the rear arm  166  to a bracket  172  secured to the rear rectangular tube  36  of the center frame  18 . The pivot pin  164  and the pivot pin  170  are coaxial. 
   The right wing frame  22  is made from tubular members with rectangular cross sections like the left wing frame  20 . These tubular members include a rear wing tube  174 , a front wing tube  176  and an outside wing rail  178 . A rear intermediate wing tube  180  and a front intermediate wing tube  182  are attached to the outside wing rail  178 . A rear inside wing tube  184  extends from an inboard end of the rear wing tube  174  to an inboard end of the intermediate tube  180  and is fixed to the rear wing tube  174  and the rear intermediate wing tube. A front inside wing tube  186  extends from the inboard end of the front intermediate wing tube  182  to the inboard end of the front wing tube  176  and is fixed to the intermediate wing tube and to the front wing tube. 
   A front arm  188  is pivotally attached to the front wing tube  176 , of the right wing  122 , by a pivot pin  190 . The front arm  188  is also pivotally attached to the tube  176  by a removable pin  192 . The front arm  188  is also pivotally attached to a bracket  194  by pivot pin  196 . The bracket  194  is secured to the front tube  46  of the center frame  18 . A rear arm  198  is pivotally attached to the rear wing tube  174 , of the right wing  22 , by a pivot pin  200  that is coaxial with the pivot pin  190 . The rear arm  198  is also attached to the rear wing tube  174  by a second removable pin like the pin  192 . A pivot pin  202  pivotally attaches the rear arm  198  to a bracket  204  secured to the rear rectangular tube  36  of the center frame  18 . The pivot pin  196  and the pivot pin  202  are coaxial. 
   The deck  14  with a cargo support  16  includes a center deck plate  206  that is secured to the upper surface  207  of the center frame  18 . A center deck cargo support surface  208  is a portion of the total cargo support surface  16 . The left wing deck  210  with a left wing deck cargo support surface  212  and a right wing deck plate  214  with a right wing deck cargo support surface  216  provide the remainder of the cargo support surface  116 . The center deck cargo support surface  208  provides substantially half of the cargo support surface  16 . The left wing deck cargo support surface  212  provides substantially a quarter of the cargo support surface  16 . The right wing deck cargo support surface  216  provides the remaining quarter of the total cargo support surface  16 . The left wing deck plate  210  is attached to the upper surface  218  of the left wing frame  20 . The right wing deck plate  214  is attached to the upper surface  220  of the right wing frame  22 . 
   A tongue tube  222  is telescopically received in the U-shaped channel  24 . A ball receiver for a ball and socket type hitch (not shown) is normally attached to the forward end  224  of the tongue  222 . Hitch assemblies other than a ball and socket type hitch can be attached to the tongue  222 . The length of the portion of the tongue  222  extending from a forward end of the U-shaped channel  24  is adjustable by sliding the tongue into or out of the channel and then locking the tongue in the desired position. Locking the tongue  222  in position can be as simple as sliding a pin or a bolt through alined apertures through the tongue and the U-shaped channel  24 . 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  show the trailer  10  with a left wing frame  20  and the right wing frame  22  in extending horizontal positions and the left wing cargo supporting surface  212  and the right wing cargo supporting surface  216  in a common plane with the center deck cargo supporting surface  208 . In this position, the rear intermediate wing tube  148 , of the left wing frame  20 , is setting on the angle member  74 , the front intermediate wing tube  150  is setting on the angle member  64 , the tube  60  of the left wheel support  56  is adjacent to the inner ends of the wing tubes  148  and  150  and the left wheel support has been slid outward on the rear guide tube  44  and the front guide tube  48  to a position to which the left tire and wheel  116  are in their farthest working position from the U-shaped channel  24 . The removable pins  160  are inserted into the front arm  156  and the rear arm  166  to lock the left wing  20  in the extended position. In the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the rear intermediate tube  180  and the front intermediate tube  182  of the right wing frame  22  are setting on the angle members  94  and  104  and the fore and aft extending tube  90  is adjacent to the inner ends of the wing tubes  180  and  182  and the right wheel support  86  is at its outer most working position and the tire and wheel  128  are positioned in the farthest working position from the U-shaped channel  24 . The removable pins  192  are inserted through the front arm  188  and the rear arm  198  and into the wing frame  22  to hold the wing frame in a horizontal position. In the positions shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  the trailer  10  could transport two ATVs positioned side by side and facing in the direction of forward movement of the trailer  10 . The tongue  122  is extending out of the U-shaped channel to provide clearance for turning with a wide highway vehicle. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4  show that trailer  10  with the left wing frame  20  and the right wing frame  22  setting on top of the center deck plate  206  and in an engagement with center deck cargo supporting surface  208 . The removable pins  160  and  192  are removed to permit the wing frames  20  and  22  to rotate relative to their respective front and rear arms  156  and  166  and  176  and  198  thereby positioning the left and right wing deck cargo support surfaces  212  and  216  facing upward. In this position the width of the total cargo support surface available to receive cargo is about half the total width as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The left wheel support  56  and the right wheel support  86  are both slid inward on the rear guide tube  44  and the front guide tube  48  toward the U-shaped channel  24 . Retainers (not shown) are provided to hold the wheel supports  56  and  86  in selected positions. With the wheel supports  56  and  86  as well as the left wing  20  and the right wing  22  in the position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the trailer  10  is substantially half the width shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . An ATV can pull the trailer  10  on narrow trails or into areas without trails. The trailer  10  could also be pulled by a snowmobile if desired. Trailer skis can replace the left and right tires and wheels  116  and  128  as a primary support for the trailer  10  if necessary. With the trailer  10  and a narrow configuration, the tongue  222  can be slid into the U-shaped channel  24  to shorten the trailer  10 . 
   Another option available on the trailer  10  is in a narrow configuration is to pivot the left and right wing frames  20  and  22  to their vertical positions shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In the vertical positions with the left and right wing deck cargo support surfaces  212  and  216  facing each other, cargo such as fire wood or gravel can be retained by the wings. Removable fasteners are used to hold the wing frames  20  and  22  in the position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
   Another options is to pivot the left and right wing frames  20  and  22  to vertical positions with the left and right wing deck plates  210  and  214  on the outside of the vertical wing frames as shown in  FIG. 7C . In this position retainers would be required to hold the wing frames in the vertical position. 
   A further option is to fix the front arms  156  and  188  and the rear arms  166  and  198  to their respective wing frames  20  and  22 . With the arms  156  and  166  fixed to the left wing frame  20 , the left wing frame can be pivoted about the axis of pivot pin  164  and pivot pin  170  between a horizontal position shown in  FIG. 1  and a generally vertical position. The right wing frame  22  can pivot about the axis of pivot pin  196  and pivot pin  202  between a horizontal position and a generally vertical position when the front arm  188  and the rear arm  198  are fixed to the right wing frame. A retainer member or members are required to hold the wing frames  20  and  22  in vertical positions when the arms  156 ,  188 ,  166  and  198  are fixed to their respective wings.