Patent Publication Number: US-2011068556-A1

Title: Removable Container Apparatus For Use With Watercraft Trailer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The need to transport personal items such as luggage, camping equipment, machinery, etc., is a common occurrence. Many people have trailers for towing and transporting various watercraft, such as boats or personal watercraft, such as “jet-skis.” However, when these trailers are not being used to transport watercraft, such as in winter when the watercraft is in storage, the trailer often sits unused. Thus, there is a need to provide a removable storage container that can be positioned on and secured to a pre-existing watercraft trailer in order to transport objects to a desired location when the trailer is not being used to transport watercraft. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A transport system is provided for use on a watercraft trailer capable of being towed behind a motor vehicle. A removable container is provided having a base portion with a bottom wall and side walls defining an interior space. The container is attachable to the watercraft trailer frame and secured to structural members of the trailer, such as by adjustable straps extending between and through rings attached to the container and trailer frame. The container can be enclosed and include an upper portion which can be removably or pivotally attached to the base portion. Alternately, the container can have an access panel for allowing access to the interior of the container. The container can also have indentations in the bottom wall corresponding to structural members of the trailer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawing is incorporated into the specification to help illustrate examples according to the presently most-preferred embodiment of the inventions. The drawing is not to be construed as limiting the inventions. 
         FIG. 1  is a top-view of a trailer for transporting personal watercraft; 
         FIG. 2  is a side-view of a trailer for transporting personal watercraft; 
         FIG. 3  is a top-view of one embodiment of the container according to the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side-view of one embodiment of the container according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear-view of one embodiment of the container according to the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional partial view of a corrugated material for use in an embodiment of the container of the invention taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a detail view of a means for securing the front of the container to a winch located on a trailer; 
         FIG. 8  is a detail view of section  8  of  FIG. 5  showing a means for securing the container to the trailer; 
         FIG. 9  is a top-view of one embodiment of the container according to the invention which also shows the structural members of the trailer; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional rear-view taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9  showing the container positioned on the trailer; 
         FIG. 11  is a detail view as indicated on  FIG. 10  of a container positioned on the trailer; 
         FIG. 12  is a side-view of the container showing one embodiment of the upper portion of the container in a closed position; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial side-view of the container showing one embodiment of the upper portion of the container in an opened position; 
         FIG. 14  is a side-view of the container showing another embodiment of the upper portion of the container in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 15  is a side-view of the container showing another embodiment of the upper portion of the container in a closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The container can be made of any durable (stiff) material. For example, the container can be made of metal such as steel or aluminum, or a hard plastic or other suitable material. Preferably, the container is made of a hard plastic such that the overall weight of the container is lightweight enough for one person to position the container onto the pre-existing trailer. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show an example of a trailer  100  used to hold or transport personal watercraft. The trailer  100  includes a frame  101 . The frame  101  typically includes longitudinal members  98  and lateral members  99 . It is common for some of the longitudinal members of the frame  101  to define a U-shape or V-shape where seen from an end view in order to accommodate the shape of the hull or underside of a watercraft. Attached to the frame  101  are support members  102  which provide support for the watercraft to sit on and also provide guides for the watercraft to stay aligned on the trailer when placing the watercraft on the trailer. Support members  102  are typically padded and positioned at an angle from the horizontal. 
     The front of the trailer  100  has a tongue that can be attached to a ball on the back of a vehicle for securing the trailer  100  to the vehicle. The front portion of the trailer  100  can have a height-adjustable front wheel assembly  103 . The front wheel  107  of the assembly  103  is normally lowered to the ground via a handle, when the trailer  100  is not attached to a vehicle, in order to provide a level surface for the watercraft on the trailer  100 . Once the trailer  100  has been attached to the back of a vehicle by trailer hitch  108 , the front wheel  103  is raised such that it is no longer touching the ground. The trailer  100  also includes rear wheels  104  which allow the trailer  100  to be pulled behind a vehicle once attached to the vehicle. The front portion of the trailer  100  also includes a winch  105 . The winch  105  is a means for loading the watercraft onto the trailer  100  as well as for securing the watercraft so it does not slip off the trailer  100  during transport. The winch  105  includes a ring for placing a rope or other like strap (which is attached to the front of the watercraft) through the ring, which can then be tied in any fashion to secure the watercraft to the winch  105 . The winch  105  also includes a handle for reducing or creating slack in the rope or other like strap. The rear portion of the trailer  100  can also include one or more retaining bars  106  which provide lateral support for the watercraft, serves as a guide for the placement of the watercraft onto the trailer  100  when the trailer  100  is in the water, or prevents the watercraft from lateral displacement during transport. The trailer preferably also includes attachment structures  109 , such as rings as shown, for securing the container assembly  200  to the trailer  100  by ropes, straps or the like, as explained further herein. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show one embodiment of the container  200  positioned on trailer  100 . The container  200  has a base portion  198 . The base portion  198  of the container  200  includes a bottom wall  201 , side walls  203 , front wall  204  and rear wall  205 . The dimensions of the container  200  can vary as long as the container  200  is capable of fitting onto the frame  101  of the trailer  100 . The bottom wall  201  can be square, rectangular or other shapes, or can be custom-molded to fit the specific shape of the frame  101 . The bottom wall  201  can include drain holes  202  which allow liquids, such as rain water, to drain out of the bottom wall  201 . The drain holes  202  can be located in the corners of the base portion  201  or elsewhere as desired. Preferably, the drain holes  202  are at the lowest area of the container  200  when in use on a trailer. 
     The base portion  198  of the container  200  also includes two side walls  203 , a front wall  204 , and a rear wall  205 . The walls extend upwardly from and are attached to the bottom wall  201 . The sides, front and rear walls are shown intersecting at right angles, however, the walls can intersect at any desired angle or arc. The container  200  can alternately have a pointed or circular front wall, be of other shape, or have rounded corners. 
     The container  200  is shown secured to the trailer  100  by attachment assemblies  220  at the container side wall  203 , rear wall  205  and front wall  204  to the winch  205 . 
     The bottom portion of the container  200  includes a rear wall  205  which can be attached to the bottom  201  by various means. In other embodiments, the rear wall  205  can be movably attached to the container such that it can be pivoted or “lowered” and “raised” to allow easier access to the interior space  210 . For example, the rear wall  205  can be secured to the bottom wall  201  via hinges or other pivotal mounting. The hinges can be affixed to the bottom wall  201  and the rear wall  205  allowing the rear wall  205  to swing down towards the ground for opening. In this example, it is preferable that the side walls  203  and have a means for securing the rear wall  205  in a closed position. By way of another example, the hinges can attach one of the two side walls  203  and the rear wall  205 . In this manner, the rear wall  205  can be swung outward from the container  200  parallel to the ground. In this example, it is preferable that the side wall  203  and rear wall  205  be fitted with a means for securing the rear wall in a closed position. In another embodiment, the rear wall  205  can be detachable from the bottom  201 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 8  show attachment assemblies  220  for selectively securing the container  200  to the trailer  100 .  FIG. 8  is a detailed view of the means for securing seen in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 8  depicts exemplary rings  211 , which need not be circular in shape, attached to the rear wall  205  and the trailer frame at lateral member  99 . A strap (e.g., a nylon strap), tie-down, or other clamping mechanism  212  can be placed through both rings and then tied or clamped to secure the container  200  to rear wall  205  to the bottom wall  201 . Rings  109  and  211  and strap  212  are exemplary. Alternate embodiments of attachment assemblies  220  for securing the container  200  to the trailer  100  can be used. Straps or tie-downs can be run through openings in the container wall, across the top of the container or through rings or hooks attached elsewhere on the container. Similarly, straps or tie-downs can be run around any structural member or other suitable member of the trailer. The term “rings” as used here means any mechanism creating a substantially closed loop, such as an opening in the container wall, a metal D-ring or O-ring attached to the container wall, or a recess in the container wall with a rod or pin extending across the recess. Other embodiments of attachment assemblies for securing the container includes latches, clips, clamps, protrusions extending from the container which engage structural members of the trailer, and other means known in the art. Since the container  200  is removable from the trailer, the attachment assemblies  220  are preferably readily and easily operated to secure and detach the container. Adjustable vinyl straps  212  with hand-operated clamps  213  are ideal. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an attachment assembly  220  for securing the base portion  198  of the container  200  to the winch  105  on the trailer  100 . The front wall  204  of the container  200  includes a ring or hoop  211 . The ring  211  allows a strap  212  or such to be fitted through the ring and attached to the winch  105  of the trailer  100 . This allows the base portion of the container  200  to be secured to the trailer  100  in a manner similar to a watercraft being secured to the trailer  100 . Alternately, the bottom wall, side wall or upper portion of the container can be used to attach to the winch strap or cable. 
     Preferably the container  200  can be attached to the trailer  100  using the winch assembly  105  in the same manner that watercraft is secured on the trailer. The container is designed to be lightweight and movable by a user or users. However, where desired or more practical, the container can be attached to the winch cable, which can then be cranked, moving the container onto the trailer. 
       FIG. 9  is a top-view of the base portion  198  of the container  200  positioned on a trailer  100  showing indentations  301  in the bottom wall  201  of the container  200 .  FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional rear view of the indentations  301  of base portion of the container  200  in cooperation with the structural members  102  of the trailer  100  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional detail of  FIG. 10  showing an indentation  301  in cooperation with a support member  102 . The base portion  198  of the container  200  has indentations  301  formed to cooperate with the structural members  102 . The indentations  301  are spaced and sized to accommodate the spacing and dimensions of the structural members  102  such that the bottom portion of the container  200  fits relatively flush with the frame of the trailer  101 . The indentations  301  can be made to accommodate a variety of different trailers. The indentations  301  are shown extending longitudinally and only a portion of the length of the container. The indentations  301  can extend all or a portion of the length of the container, can extend longitudinally, laterally, diagonally or in any desired configuration. 
     The container  200  can include an upper portion  400 . In one embodiment, the upper portion of the container  400  is simply a top wall  401  which can be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the base portion  198 , for example, at side walls  203 , front wall  204 , and rear wall  205 . The base and upper portions can be monolithic, that is, of a single piece, or can be separate pieces attached to one another by semi-permanent fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, screws and the like. Where the upper portion is removable, it can be attached to the base portion by latches, clips and the like. 
       FIG. 12  shows an embodiment with the upper portion  400  having a access panel  402  (shown in a closed position) pivotally attached to the upper portion  400  via a pivotal connector. In this manner, the access panel  402  can be opened for access to the interior storage space and closed to protect stowed items. The access panel  402  can be removably attached to the container  200 , such as with a plurality of latches, clips and the like. Alternately, the access panel  402  is pivotally attached to the container at a pivotal connector  410 , such as by one or more hinges, pin and slot assemblies, a rod extending through openings in the access panel and container body, or other means known in the art. Preferably the access panel  402  rotates through an arc such that the access panel rests in an open position supported by other portions of the container.  FIG. 13  is a cut-away of the rear portion of the container showing the access panel  402  in an open position. 
     The access panel  402  is shown in a preferred embodiment positioned at the top of the container and near the rear of the container. The access panel  402  can be located elsewhere on the container and multiple access panels can be used. For example, two access panels can be placed on either side of the container extending longitudinally, that is, with their pivotal attachments extending longitudinally along the container, parallel with the side walls. Further, the access panel  402  is shown as a generally planar panel in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The access panel  402  can alternately be of other shape, such as generally L-shaped, having a generally horizontal portion which, when closed, is flush with the container top, and a generally vertical portion which, when closed, is flush with the container side wall. Other shapes and arrangements will be apparent to the practitioner. 
     According to another embodiment, as depicted in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the upper portion  400  of the container has a top wall  401 , side walls  403 , a front wall  404 , and a rear wall  405 . In  FIG. 14  the upper portion  400  of the container is shown in a closed-position. The upper portion  400  is attached to the base portion  198  of the container  200  via a pivotal connector  410  located at the front wall  404  of the upper portion  400  and front wall  204  of the base portion  198  of the container.  FIG. 15  shows the upper portion of the container in an open position. The upper portion  400  and base portion  198  abut one another at lip  413  when in the closed position in an exemplary embodiment. 
     The upper portion  400  or access panel  402  of the container can have a spring mechanism (not shown), such as a gas or mechanical spring, to reduce the force required by the user to open the container. Additionally, the container can include a support mechanism (not shown), such as articulated arms, to support the upper portion  400  or access panel  402  and maintain it in an open position. The support mechanism preferably includes a locking mechanism to lock the upper portion or access panel in the open position. Preferably, the upper portion of the container has a means for securing  412  the upper portion in a closed-position. The means for securing  412  can be a lock, latch, clasp, clip, or any other suitable means. 
     The container can be made of any durable material. For example, the container can be made of metal, such as steel or aluminum, a hard plastic, rubber or other synthetic material, or a composite material such as fiberglass. Preferably, the container is made of a material such that the overall weight of the container is lightweight so it may be easily positioned on and removed from the trailer. 
     It is to be understood that numerous modifications, alterations, sub-combinations, and changes can be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.