Abstract:
The dual mode jack foot of the present invention is designed for attachment to the base of most commercially available trailer jacks. The inventive jack foot includes a housing pivotally attached to an end of a trailer jack, and first and second types of trailer support mechanisms attached to the housing approximately 90-degrees apart. The housing is pivotable between a first position wherein the first type of trailer support mechanism is deployed for use, and a second position wherein the second type of trailer support mechanism is deployed for use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/070,226 entitled “Dual Mode Mobile Leveling Jack Foot”, filed on Mar. 20, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed toward jacks for use on equipment such as trailers and, more particularly, toward a dual mode jack foot capable of easy switching between a first position wherein a first type of trailer support mechanism (e g, foot pad) is deployed for supporting the trailer, and a second position wherein a second type of trailer support mechanism (e g, caster wheel) is deployed for supporting the trailer. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Trailers and jacks are well-known in the prior art. Trailers may be utilized to haul various types of vehicles, equipment and cargo. Trailers may take virtually any configuration depending upon the type of vehicle, equipment, cargo, etc. they are designed to transport. 
         [0004]    Typical trailers will include a frame for supporting the item(s) to be transported and a chassis supporting the frame. An axle is provided beneath the chassis for wheels which contact a road surface. A tongue is provided at the head of the trailer frame for connection to a vehicle. Trailers also typically have a jack connected to the frame to support the tongue during hitching and unhitching to a vehicle. Jacks typically include a crank (either manual or automated) that will extend the jack to raise the trailer frame and retract the jack to lower the trailer frame, which aids in hitching and unhitching the trailer to a vehicle. The distance of movement of the jack between its extended and retracted positions is generally referred to as “travel”. Conventional jacks will have anywhere between 6-13 inches of travel. The bottom end of the jack which contacts the ground typically includes either a wheel (e.g., a caster wheel) or a flat foot pad. 
         [0005]    A wheel jack (a jack which includes a wheel at its bottom end) permits movement of the trailer once it is unhitched from the vehicle. Conversely, a foot jack (a jack which includes a flat toot pad at its bottom end) will fix the location of the trailer and provide for a secure and non-moveable trailer. Each of the wheel and foot jacks has its advantages and disadvantages. 
         [0006]    While a wheel jack will permit a user to move the trailer on flat ground, the wheel will often become embedded in soft ground or soft asphalt if the trailer is unhitched at such a location. While a foot jack will have greater surface area for greater stability on soft ground, the trailer cannot be readily moved without lifting the foot pad off the ground. 
         [0007]    The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the above-mentioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The dual mode jack foot of the present invention is designed for attachment to the base of most commercially available trailer jacks. The inventive jack foot includes a housing pivotally attached to an end of a trailer jack, and first and second types of trailer support mechanisms attached to the housing approximately 90-degrees apart. The housing is pivotable between a first position wherein the first type of trailer support mechanism is deployed for use, and a second position wherein the second type of trailer support mechanism is deployed for use. 
         [0009]    In one form, the housing includes an opening for receiving the end of the trailer jack. The housing is pivotally attached to the end of the trailer jack by a pin extending through aligned apertures in the housing and the trailer jack. The pin provides a pivot point for the inventive jack foot enabling it to be rotated quickly and easily between the first and second positions. 
         [0010]    In a further form, the end of the trailer jack includes a position retaining aperture extending there through. The housing includes first and second apertures corresponding to the first and second positions, respectively, such that with the housing in the first position the first aperture in the housing is aligned with the position retaining aperture in the trailer jack, and with the housing in the second position the second aperture of the housing is aligned with the position retaining aperture in the trailer jack. The inventive jack foot is held in either the first or second position by a pin extending through the aligned apertures. 
         [0011]    Some advantages of the inventive jack foot include, but are not limited to:
       Heavy duty construction for large commercial, industrial and military applications.   When a foot pad is utilized, the inventive jack foot is meant to keep the trailer in place. The inventive design does not mount to the caster axle and therefore the caster swivel is not able to rotate and allow the trailer to move side to side such as, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,696.   Since the caster of the present invention is mounted to a plate separate from the jack, various caster wheel arrangements and sizes can be attached to the mounting plate, including dual wheel casters. Additionally, the present invention provides the option to remove the caster and provide a stake foot to hold the trailer on sloped terrains or simply to ensure that it is stable when detached from the tow vehicle Alternately, the stake can be mounted onto the foot pad in order to provide both caster and stake features.   Since the caster wheel and foot pad are mounted to the same rotation unit (housing), the caster wheel does not have to be aligned to deploy the foot pad.   The inventive design leaves the caster wheel fully exposed to operate over rough terrains and obstacles.   Since the present invention allows operation in rough environments, the fact that the foot pad does not rotate on the caster wheel axle means it will be less susceptible to operational failure due to weeds, grass and other debris getting wrapped between the caster wheel and the foot pad.   The inventive jack foot allows for larger foot pads (square, rectangular, etc.) to be implemented since it swings the foot pad 90-degrees from the caster wheel, and vice versa.   The inventive jack foot is less susceptible to packing with mud since the caster wheel is rotated up and away when the foot pad is deployed and in position for use, thus keeping it clean and functional.       
 
         [0020]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a dual mode jack foot for the support of items such as trailers and other mobile systems. The dual mode jack foot can be attached to the base of most commercially available trailer jacks and generally consists of a housing having a foot pad and a mounting point for a caster wheel or other device, such as a stake. The dual mode jack foot can be rotated between first and second positions to deploy either the foot pad or the caster wheel for use. In the first position, the inventive jack foot can deploy the foot pad for use on soft surfaces or surfaces where high flotation is necessary. In the second position, the inventive jack foot can deploy the caster wheel for use on hard surfaces which provides the ability to move the trailer without an attached vehicle. Using the mounting point with a stake rather than the caster wheel will allow the trailer to be pinned into location on sloped terrains. Rotation of the inventive dual mode jack foot between the first and second positions can be accomplished quickly and easily without the use of tools. 
         [0021]    Other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the specification, the drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1   a  is a side view of the inventive dual mode jack foot attached to a first type of conventional jack, with the foot pad deployed for use; 
           [0023]      FIG. 1   b  is a side view of the inventive dual mode jack foot attached to the first type of conventional jack, with the caster wheel deployed for use; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2   a  is a side view of the inventive dual mode jack foot attached to a second type of conventional jack, with the foot pad deployed for use; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2   b  is a side view of the inventive dual mode jack foot attached to the second type of conventional jack, with the caster wheel deployed for use; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3   a  is a side view of the inventive dual mode jack foot attached to a third type of conventional jack, with the foot pad deployed for use; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3   b  is a side view of the inventive dual mode jack foot attached to the third type of conventional jack, with the caster wheel deployed for use; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a tubular member provided in a conventional jack housing; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates side views rotated 90-degrees of the tubular member shown in  FIG. 4  after the foot pad has been removed; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the foot pad after removal from the tubular member; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the foot pad after removal from the tubular member; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the inventive jack foot with caster attachment plate; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the inventive jack foot with caster attachment plate; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the inventive jack foot with caster attachment plate; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the inventive jack foot with caster attachment plate; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the inventive jack foot with a caster wheel attached thereto. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the dual mode jack foot  10  of the present invention can be utilized with a variety of different types of conventional jacks. As shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , the jack  12  includes a side crank  14  which is used to extend and retract the jack to provide the travel typically associated with jacks. As shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , the jack  12 ′ includes a top crank  14 ′ which is used to extend and retract the jack  12 ′. Similarly, the jack  12 ″ shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  also includes a top crank  14 ″ for extending and retracting the jack  12 ″ The jacks,  12 ,  12 ′,  12 ″ each typically include a housing  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″ and tubular members provided within the housing  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″. The tubular members are operably connected to the jack crank and conventionally extend out of and retract into the jack to provide a certain amount of travel for the jack. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the dual mode jack foot  10  of the present invention is attached to a bottom end  18 ,  18 ′,  18 ″ of the trailer jacks. The jacks  12 ,  12 ′,  12 ″ themselves are conventionally attached to a trailer flame by welding or other attachment mechanisms as is well-known in the art. 
         [0038]    The dual mode jack foot  10  of the present invention can be a pre-made item or can be made from an existing foot jack.  FIG. 4  illustrates a tubular member  20  of a typical foot jack. The tubular member  20  extends into the housing of the jack and is operably connected to the crank for extension and retraction of the jack. The bottom of the tubular member  20  includes a foot pad  22 . The tubular member  20  is cut at the dotted line  24  to separate the foot pad  22  from the tubular member  20 . The apertures  26  provided in the tubular member  20  are for connection to other tubular members within the housing of a conventional jack. While the foot pad  22  may be detached from the tubular member  20  at virtually any place along the length of the tubular member  20 , in one form the cut is made approximately 2.75 inches from the bottom of the foot pad  22 . While the tubular member  20  is shown having a square cross-section, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the tubular member  20  may have a variety of geometric cross-sectional shapes. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 5  apertures, are formed in the cut tubular member  20 . A first aperture  28  is cut in the tubular member  20  approximately 1.5 inches from the lower end. A second aperture  30  is cut above the aperture  28 . Apertures  28  and  30  are cut in the tubular member  20  at approximately a 90-degree angle to the apertures  26  provided in the tubular member  20 , Aperture  28  acts as the pivot point for the inventive jack foot  10 , while aperture  30  acts as a position retaining aperture, as will be more fully described herein. As shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , once the foot pad  22  is removed, it will still include a portion of the tubular member  20  extending from the center thereof. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-11 , to construct the inventive dual mode jack foot  10  of the present invention, a housing  32  is attached to the foot pad  20 . The housing  32  includes plates  34  and  36  attached to opposite sides of the tubular member  20  extending from the foot pad  22 . The plates  34 ,  36  may be welded to the tubular member  20  and/or the foot pad  22 , or attached by other conventional attached mechanisms. A spacer bar  38  extends through corresponding apertures formed in the plates  34  and  36 , and is mounted (via welding or other conventional attachment mechanisms) between the plates  34  and  36  for added stability and as a rotation stop. A mounting plate  40  for a caster wheel or other device is attached to an end of the side plates  34 ,  36 . For attachment, the ends of the side plates  34 ,  36  have extended portions which fit into cut outs formed in the mounting plate  40 . Then the mounting plate  40  is welded to the plates  34 ,  36  or attached by other conventional attachment mechanisms. The mounting plate  40  includes apertures  42  formed therein for mounting a caster wheel or other device thereto. 
         [0041]    Three apertures are provided through the side plates  34  and  36 . Aperture  44  acts as a pivot point for the inventive jack foot  10 , Apertures  46  and  48  act as position retaining apertures to retain the inventive jack foot  10  in either the first or second positions, respectively. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , a conventional caster wheel  50  is mounted to the mounting plate  40  via conventional nut and bolt fasteners. It should be understood that other types of devices, such as stakes, etc., may be mounted to the mounting plate  40  depending upon the type of support required for the trailer. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , to attach the inventive jack foot  10  to the jack  12 ,  12 ′,  12 ″, the tubular member  20  is received in the housing  32  and the pivot aperture  44  in the jack foot housing  32  is aligned with the pivot aperture  28  in the tubular member  120 . A retaining pin  52  or other similar member is inserted through the apertures  44  and  28  and conventionally locked in place. The pivot aperture  28  in the tubular member  20  is cut such that there will be clearance between the end of the tubular member  20  extending into the jack foot housing  32  and the end of the portion of the tubular member  20  remaining on the foot pad  22  to allow for rotation of the inventive jack foot  10 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 1   a ,  2   a  and  3   a  illustrate the inventive jack foot  10  attached to a jack  12 ,  12 ′,  12 ″ with the foot pad  22  deployed for use. To place the jack foot  10  in this position, the jack foot  10  is rotated to the position shown in  FIGS. 1   a ,  2   a  and  3   a  such that the position retaining aperture  46  in the jack foot housing  32  is aligned with the position retaining aperture  30  in the tubular member  20 . A retaining pin  54  or other similar member is inserted through the apertures  46  and  30  and conventionally locked in places. In this first position, the foot pad  22  is deployed for use and the caster wheel  50  is rotated 90-degrees and is rolled up and away. In this manner, the caster wheel  50  can be kept clean and functional for use. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 1   b ,  2   b  and  3   b  illustrate the inventive jack foot  10  attached to a jack  12 ,  12 ′,  12 ″ with the caster wheel  50  deployed for use. When the caster wheel  50  is desired for deployment, the retaining pin  54  is removed and the jack foot  10  is rotated 90-degrees to align the position retaining aperture  48  in the jack foot housing  32  with the position retaining aperture  30  in the tubular member  20 . The retaining pin  54  or other similar member is inserted through the apertures  48  and  30  and conventionally locked in place to retain the jack foot in this second position. In this second position, as shown in  FIGS. 1   b ,  2   b  and  3   b , the caster wheel  50  is deployed for use and the trailer may be moved on a flat surface. The foot pad  22  is rotated 90-degrees and is moved up and away and does not interfere with movement of the trailer. 
         [0046]    As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the inventive dual mode jack foot  10  allows ease of operation between deployment of either the foot pad  22  or the caster wheel  50  (or other device). In one form, the caster wheel  50  may be removed and replaced with a stake or other type of support mechanism, depending upon the desired support required for the trailer. 
         [0047]    While the present invention has been described with the particular reference to the drawings, it should be understood that various modifications could be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance, while position retaining apertures are described a being formed through the jack foot housing and tubular member of the jack, other ways and means of securing the inventive jack foot into position may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the various modifications and alterations could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. The presently preferred embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.