Patent Publication Number: US-2018050627-A1

Title: Convertible trailer

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to movable trailers and more particularly to movable trailers that are convertible between two different configurations. 
     Trailers are sometimes used to provide office or display space at conventions, trade shows, or other meetings. These trailers must be transported from storage locations to a location where it will be used. Rather, than transporting the trailer on a separate truck, it is sometimes convenient for the trailer to be transportable as one piece. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one construction, a convertible trailer includes a towable frame, a plurality of wheels coupled to the frame, and a space defined by a plurality of walls and supported by the frame. A movable porch is coupled to the room and is pivotable between a stowed position and a display position and a movable roof is coupled to the room and is pivotable between a stowed position and a display position in which the roof covers at least a portion of the porch. A first entryway is positioned adjacent the porch to facilitate movement into and out of the room from the porch and an end portion extends from a first end of the room. A second entryway is formed as part of the end portion to facilitate movement into and out of the room from a point spaced apart from the porch, and a plurality of support members are each coupled to one of the room and the porch, each support member is separately movable between a stowed position and a support position. 
     In another construction, a convertible trailer includes a frame including a tongue portion arranged to facilitate towing by a vehicle, a main portion supported by the frame and defining a portion of a space, and an end portion coupled to the main portion and cooperating with the main portion to define the space. A porch cover is pivotably coupled to the main portion for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position and a porch floor is pivotably coupled to the main portion for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position, the porch cover and the porch floor cooperating to define a porch when in the deployed position. A front door is formed as part of the main portion and provides a passage between the space and the porch. A plurality of removable support members is positioned beneath the porch floor and arranged to support the porch floor in the deployed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a convertible trailer in a deployed or display configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the trailer of  FIG. 1  in a travel or stowed configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the trailer of  FIG. 1  in the travel or stowed configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the trailer of  FIG. 1  in the deployed or display configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a convertible trailer  100  that is well-suited for use in a deployed or display configuration in which it can be used as an office or display area and a travel or stowed configuration in which it can be transported from location to location on roadways as may be required. The convertible trailer  100  includes a main portion  124  and an end portion  104  that together define an interior space  128  that can be used by end users as desired. Each of the main portion  124  and the end portion  104  are supported by a frame  108  that in turn is supported by a plurality of wheels  114  that also facilitate the transport of the convertible trailer  100 . 
     In the illustrated construction, the main portion  124  is rectangular and is defined by a plurality of walls  126  that includes two elongated sides, and a front end. The end portion  104  extends from a rear end of the main portion  124  and may also be rectangular. While the illustrated construction includes an end portion  104  that is the same width as the main portion  124 , some constructions may include an end portion  104  that is narrower than the main portion  124 . 
     When in the deployed position, one of the sides of the main portion  124  becomes the front of the trailer  100 . A porch cover  120  and a porch floor  112  deploy from the side of the convertible trailer  100  to define a porch that expands the space available in the convertible trailer  100 . In the illustrated construction, and as is better illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  the porch cover  120  pivots along a top hinge joint between the deployed position of  FIG. 1  and the travel position shown in  FIG. 2 . Similarly, the porch floor  112  pivots along a lower hinge joint between the deployed position of  FIG. 1  and the travel position shown in  FIG. 2 . A railing  118  is positioned around some or all of the porch floor  112  to inhibit occupants from stepping off of the porch floor  112  at an undesired location. In addition, stairs  116  are provided to allow easy access to the porch floor  112 . 
     In some constructions, the porch floor  112  includes a biasing member that biases the floor  112  upward toward the stowed position to assist a user in moving the floor  112  between the stowed and in use positions. In one construction, a torsional spring is used as the biasing member with other biasing members being possible. Similar biasing members could also be used with the porch cover  120  if desired. 
     The main portion  124  includes a front door  122  that provides for easy access between the porch floor  112  and the interior space  128  of the trailer  100 . In the illustrated construction, a pivoting door  122  is provided, preferably with a door closer, with other types of doors also being possible. Additional doors  122  and a window  102  are also provided in the side as may be desired. In other constructions, a plurality of windows or additional doors could be provided or omitted as may be desired for the particular application. 
     The end portion  104  of the illustrated construction includes an end door  106  that provides additional access to the interior of the convertible trailer  100 . Again, the end door  106  is a pivoting door, preferably with a closer, with other types of doors being possible. Of course, other constructions may include windows, additional doors, or a combination of doors and windows in the end portion as may be required. In still other constructions, the door  106  is omitted and only windows are included in the end portion  104 . 
     In preferred constructions, the doors  106 ,  112  include locks and door closer mechanisms. The locks provide security for the contents of the trailer  100 , while the closers assure that the doors remain closed when not in use. 
     To facilitate transport of the convertible trailer  100  the frame  108  is supported by wheels  114  that are positioned as required for transportation. The positioning of the wheels  114  may not provide the desired level of support for the convertible trailer  100  when in the deployed position. Therefore, a plurality of support members  110  are provided and located to better support the convertible trailer  100 . In the illustrated construction, individually adjustable scissors jacks are used as support members  110  with other arrangements and support members  110  being possible (e.g., bull jacks, etc.). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the convertible trailer  100  in the travel configuration. In this configuration, the porch cover  120  and the porch floor  112  are folded against the side of the convertible trailer  100 . In this arrangement, the convertible trailer  100  is narrower and the porch cover  120  and the porch floor  112  provide some protection for the front door  122  and the window  102 . This arrangement of the porch cover  120  and the porch floor  112  is sometimes referred to as a clamshell arrangement. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wheels  114  are positioned at a point that provides the necessary balance for transporting the convertible trailer  100 . In addition, the support members  110  are removed and stowed for transport. In some constructions, the support members  110  remain connected to the convertible trailer  100  but move to a stowed position, with other constructions having removable support members  110 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the frame  108  includes a tongue portion that is arranged to connect directly to a tow vehicle to facilitate transport. The tongue portion includes a ball and socket type trailer hitch with other arrangements also being possible. The tongue also supports a front leg  302  that can be used to support and level the convertible trailer  100  when in the deployed configuration. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an end view of the convertible trailer  100  that better illustrates the end door  106 . In addition,  FIG. 4  better illustrates the support members  110  in operation. As can be seen, a row of support members  110  is arranged to support the porch floor  112  with additional support members  110  positioned beneath the main portion  124  and the end portion  104  to provide additional support and stability where required. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , several actuators  404  are used to support the porch cover  120  in the deployed position. In the illustrated construction, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators are used as the actuators  404 . Of course, other arrangements that support the porch cover  120  in the deployed position are contemplated and possible. 
     In use, a user transports the convertible trailer  100  to a location where it is to be set up and used. To transport the device, the frame  108  attaches via the tongue portion to a tow vehicle which tows the convertible trailer  100  to the desired location. Upon arrival, the convertible trailer  100  is disconnected from the tow vehicle and is positioned as desired. The porch floor  112  is then moved from the stowed position to the deployed position and the porch cover  120  is similarly moved from the stowed position to the deployed position. The railing  118  is coupled to the porch floor  112  to limit access to and from the porch. The stairs  116  are then positioned adjacent the porch and the end portion  104  to provide easy access. 
     The support members  110  are removed from their stowed position and are placed in the desired locations beneath the convertible trailer  100  to provide the desired support and stability for use. 
     When use of the convertible trailer  100  is complete, the process is reversed to convert the convertible trailer  100  back to the stowed position. The railing  118  and stairs  116  are removed and the porch cover  120  and porch floor  112  are folded into their stowed positions. The support members  110  are then removed and stored for transportation or are moved to their stowed positions. The convertible trailer  100  is then connected to a tow vehicle for transport as may be required. 
     Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.