Patent Publication Number: US-7213527-B2

Title: Folding pontoon trailer for all-terrain vehicle

Description:
This Application claims priority from UK Patent Application Serial Number 0504041.5 filed on Feb. 28, 2005 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to general field of vehicle accessories, and is particularly concerned with a folding pontoon trailer. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Recreational all-terrain vehicles, also commonly referred to as ATVs, have achieved a substantial popularity during the past few years. These types of vehicles are indeed very practical and versatile since they may be used for work or leisure related tasks. 
   By virtue of their relatively compact nature, their great mobility and their traction, they are capable of moving over many types of surfaces, from the common backyard to more challenging off the road terrain. Since ATVs are also fairly powerful, these vehicles may be used to pull or push various objects, such as a trailer. 
   In order to accommodate off road use, ATVs typically have over sized, soft and heavy threaded tires which are designed for non-pavement surfaces. The tires are typically mounted to a robust, steel frame through heavy-duty shock absorbers. A powerful gas-powered engine is provided for driving the tires. Also, typically, the tires are spaced apart to cast a wide swath and the frame is generally low in order to improve stability of the vehicle. 
   ATVs are often called upon by outdoorsman, such as hunters, fishermen, campers and the like, to carry not only passengers, but also gear. One of the main drawbacks associated with conventional ATVs relates to the fact that they are typically only intended for use for one or two individuals, namely a driver and in some instances a passenger. Hence, in situations wherein gear needs to be carried from one location to another, conventional ATV owners must resort to making a substantial amount of trips in order to carry the equipment. This may prove to be both tedious and time consuming, especially in off-road conditions. 
   Although most conventional ATVs are provided with both front and rear carrying racks, this is nevertheless considered inadequate. The volume of gear or equipment attachable to such a carrying rack is often insufficient. For example, during a typical weekend camping expedition, an intended user may require numerous pieces of equipment that may not fit on such racks. Furthermore, conventional racks are totally inadequate for transportation of additional passengers. 
   The problem of insufficient carrying accommodations on ATVs has been addressed in so much as ATVs commonly are equipped with a rearwardly disposed towing tongue assembly, which is attachable to a standard trailer hitch. Heretofore, trailers used with ATVs generally have two wheels mounted to a frame with an open, rear bed. 
   These trailers typically, though, are not sufficiently adapted for use in all off-road environments traversable by the ATV itself. In this regard, ATVs are often used in relatively rugged terrain and, for example, are capable of climbing over rather large obstacles. Trailers, on the other hand, generally are not suited for such use and may become stuck. Trailers, for example, commonly have an axle extending between the wheels. This axle, however, is prone to catch on logs, stumps, rocks, or other obstacles while the trailer is driven off-road. In other terrain, for instance, the ATV and trailer may be required to pass through the mud or between relatively close trees. In these situations, if the trailer is too large or difficult to pull, both may become stuck. 
   A relatively common problem when using ATVs for outdoor expeditions, such as camping or fishing, is due to the fact that ATVs are often unable to carry a boat along. Conventional ATV trailers are simply not adapted to carrying such a bulky load. Indeed, heretofore trailers for transporting boats and water recreational vehicles are of such size and weight to be such considered impractical for use with ATVs. 
   Notwithstanding the weight of the boat and trailer combination, the mere width of the boat and trailer combination would greatly reduce the capacity of the ATV to travel in some popular off-road locations such as in a relatively thick forest. For example, in situations wherein the ATV needs to travel between relatively adjacent trees, the mere width of conventional boats and trailers would result in the latter being caught between the trees. 
   Hence, participation in camping and water recreation has been directed in one or two directions. Typically, hunters and fishermen arrive at their destination with their ATVs and are at the mercy of marinas for relatively expensive canoe rentals, if available. The alternative is possibly to have one of the passengers drive a full size car or pick-up to tow their large, heavier trailers to participate in their water recreation. However, this may prove impossible in some situations since, by definition, some larger cars or vehicles may not be able to reach the destination reached by ATVs. 
   Furthermore, one of the problems associated with conventional boats and trailers is that a typical boat adapted to be carried by trailers towable by ATVs is unable to carry the ATVs itself across the body of water. Hence, the intended user must resort either to traveling around the body of water or being deprived of the ATV for the continuation of the expedition. This greatly limits the possibility for the ATV owner to plan more elaborate expeditions. 
   Hence, it would be desirable to provide a solution offering the freedom of using an ATV for transporting a boat or water recreational vehicle on off-road terrain. It is also desirable to provide a trailer that can be used as a watercraft that can be motorized, towed or otherwise propelled on the body of water. It is further desirable to provide such a trailer that can be used itself as a watercraft for carrying the ATV across the body of water. Accordingly, there exists a need for a folding pontoon trailer for all-terrain vehicles and by attaching many pontoons for forming a mobile bridge. 
   It is a general object of the present invention to provide such a folding pontoon trailer for all-terrain vehicles. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In a first broad aspect, the invention provides a pontoon usable for supporting a load, said pontoon being towable on land and usable on water to support the load thereonto, said pontoon comprising:
         a first platform including a first platform supporting surface, a first platform buoyant body attachment surface substantially opposed to said first platform supporting surface, a first platform first end edge, a first platform second end edge substantially opposed to said first platform first end edge, a first platform first lateral edge extending between said first platform first and second end edges and a first platform second lateral edge substantially opposed to said first platform first lateral edge and extending between said first platform first and second end edges, said first platform first and second end edges and said first platform first and second lateral edges being located substantially peripherally relatively to said first platform supporting and buoyant body attachment surfaces, said first platform further including a first substantially buoyant body extending substantially outwardly from said first platform buoyant body attachment surface and located substantially adjacent to said first platform second lateral edge, said first buoyant body defining a first buoyant body outwardmost location;   a second platform including a second platform supporting surface, a second platform buoyant body attachment surface substantially opposed to said second platform supporting surface, a second platform first end edge, a second platform second end edge substantially opposed to said second platform first end edge, a second platform first lateral edge extending between said second platform first and second end edges and a second platform second lateral edge substantially opposed to said second platform first lateral edge and extending between said second platform first and second end edges, said second platform first and second end edges and said second platform first and second lateral edges being located substantially peripherally relatively to said second platform supporting and buoyant body attachment surfaces, said second platform further including a second substantially buoyant body extending substantially outwardly from said second platform buoyant body attachment surface and located substantially adjacent to said second platform second lateral edge, said second buoyant body defining a second buoyant body outwardmost location, said first and second platform being hingedly attached to each other at locations respectively substantially adjacent said first and second platform first lateral edge;   a first and a second wheel respectively reversibly attachable to said first and second platforms respectively substantially adjacent said first and second platform second lateral edges;   said first and second platforms being movable between a deployed configuration and a folded configuration, wherein   in said deployed configuration, said first and second wheels are detached from respectively said first and second platforms and said first and second platforms are substantially coplanar relatively to each other so as to be usable on water to support the load onto the first and second platform supporting surfaces; and   in said folded configuration, said first platform supporting surface is substantially facing said second platform supporting surface and said first and second wheels are respectively attached to said first and second platforms so that said pontoon is towable on land.       

   Advantages of the present invention include that the pontoon trailer is adapted to be towed by conventional all-terrain vehicles. The proposed pontoon trailer is hence adapted to be attached to, and detached from, conventional all-terrain vehicles through a set of quick and ergonomic steps without requiring special tooling or manual dexterity and without requiring major modification to conventional all-terrain vehicles. 
   Also, the proposed pontoon trailer is designed so as to be adapted for use in off-road environments and, in particular, adapted to be pulled in relatively deep or thick forest environments wherein trees are relatively close to one another. The proposed pontoon trailer is also designed so as to be towable on relatively rugged terrain with reduced risk of becoming stuck or tipped. 
   The proposed pontoon trailer is adapted to be foldable in order to be compact when pulled on outdoor terrain. The pontoon trailer is designed so as to foldable and deployable through a set of quick and ergonomic steps, again without requiring special tooling or manual dexterity. 
   Furthermore, the proposed pontoon trailer is designed so as to provide a relatively safe and stable watercraft when in a deployed state, the watercraft being able to be motorized, towed or otherwise propelled on a body of water. Furthermore, the watercraft is designed so as to be able to carry the ATV itself across the body of water. 
   Yet still furthermore, the proposed folding pontoon trailer is designed so as to be manufacturable using conventional forms of manufacturing and conventional components so as to provide a trailer that will be economically feasible, long-lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation. 
   Synergetic effects between the configuration and positioning of the wheels and of the buoyant bodies create a pontoon that is both relatively stable both while used on water to support a load and while being towed on land. 
   In another broad aspect, the invention provides a pontoon usable for supporting a load, said pontoon being towable on land and usable on water to support the load thereonto, said pontoon comprising:
         a hinge;   a first platform attached to said hinge, said first platform including a first platform supporting surface, a first platform buoyant body attachment surface substantially opposed to said first platform supporting surface and a first substantially buoyant body extending from said first platform buoyant body attachment surface substantially distally relative to said hinge;   a second platform attached to said hinge so that said first and second platforms are hingedly attached to each other, said second platform including a second platform supporting surface, a second platform buoyant body attachment surface substantially opposed to said second platform supporting surface and a second substantially buoyant body extending from said second platform buoyant body attachment surface substantially distally from said hinge;   a first and a second wheel respectively reversibly attachable to said first and second platforms respectively substantially adjacent said first and second buoyant bodies;   said first and second platforms being movable between a deployed configuration and a folded configuration, wherein   in said deployed configuration, said first and second wheels are detached from respectively said first and second platforms and said first and second platforms are substantially coplanar relatively to each other so as to be usable on water to support the load onto the first and second platform supporting surfaces; and   in said folded configuration, said first platform supporting surface is substantially facing said second platform supporting surface and said first and second wheels are respectively attached to said first and second platforms so that said pontoon is towable on land.       

   Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An embodiment of the present invention will now be disclosed, by way of example, in reference to the following drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1 : in a perspective view, illustrates a pontoon in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the pontoon being shown in a deployed configuration and with a watercraft motor attached thereto, the watercraft motor being shown in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 2 : in a side elevational view with sections taken out, illustrates the pontoon shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3 : in a front view with sections taken out, illustrates the pontoon shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4 : in a partial bottom view with sections taken out, illustrates the pontoon shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 ; 
       FIG. 5 : in a rear view with sections taken out, illustrates the pontoon shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pontoon being shown with its motor supports being removed therefrom; 
       FIG. 6 : in a rear view, illustrates the pontoon being folded towards it folded configuration; 
       FIG. 7 : in a rear view, illustrates the pontoon being mounted on a set of wheels, the wheels being shown in phantom lines; 
       FIG. 8 : in a partial perspective view, illustrates a wheel in its associated axle bracket being attached to the pontoon trailer; 
       FIG. 9 : in a partial perspective view, illustrates a hitch bar being attached to the pontoon; and 
       FIG. 10 : in a partial side view with sections taken out, illustrates the pontoon in its folded configuration attachable to a conventional ATV. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a pontoon in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated by the reference numeral  10 . The pontoon  10  is a pontoon trailer shown in a deployed configuration usable as a watercraft. The pontoon  10  is also shown with a marine propulsion motor  12  mounted thereon, the motor  12  being shown in phantom lines. It should however be understood that the pontoon  10  could be otherwise propelled by other types of motors, with paddles or oars, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   As shown more specifically in  FIGS. 3 through 7 , the pontoon  10  includes a pair of platforms  14  each defining a corresponding substantially flat platform supporting surface  16  for supporting a load such as passengers, an ATV, gear and the like. Referring to  FIG. 3 , each platform  14  also defines a corresponding opposed platform buoyant body attachment surface  18  for attaching thereto a substantially buoyant body  20 . It should be understood that the term “attached” refers generally to the fact that the buoyant body  20  extends from the pontoon attachment surface and that the buoyant body  20  could be formed integrally with the ladder without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the deployed configuration, the platforms  14  are substantially coplanar relatively to each other so as to be usable on water to support a load onto the platform supporting surfaces  16 . 
   Returning to  FIG. 1 , each of the platforms  14  includes a platform first end edge  100 , a platform second end edge  102  substantially opposed to the platform first end edge  100 , a platform first lateral edge  104  extending between the platform first and second end edges  100  and  102  and a platform second lateral edge  106  substantially opposed to the platform first lateral edge  104  and extending between the first platform first and second end edges  100  and  102 . The platform first and second end edges  100  and  102  and the platform first and second lateral edges  104  and  106  are located substantially peripherally relatively to the platform supporting and buoyant body attachment surfaces  16  and  18 . 
   The buoyant bodies  20  extend substantially outwardly from the platform buoyant body attachment surfaces  18  and are located substantially adjacent to the platform second lateral edges  106 . In other words, the buoyant bodies  20  extend from the platform buoyant body attachment surfaces  18  substantially distally relative to a hinge interconnecting the platforms  14 , as described in further details hereinbelow. This brings stability to the pontoon  10  when used as a watercraft . The buoyant bodies  20  each define a buoyant body outwardmost location  108  relatively to the platform buoyant body attachment surfaces  18 , as seen in  FIG. 2 . 
   In the embodiment shown throughout the Figures, each buoyant body  20  has a cross-sectional configuration corresponding substantially to that of half of a circular disc. Accordingly, each buoyant body  20  typically has a substantially semicircular outer surface  22 . Also, in order to improve the hydrodynamic characteristics of the watercraft formed by pontoon  10 , each buoyant body  20  has a pontoon frontward surface  24  extending at an angle relatively to the corresponding platform  14  towards the corresponding platform second end edge  102 . As shown more specifically in  FIG. 2 , the pontoon frontward surface  24  typically extends at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the corresponding platform  14 . It should, however, be understood that the configuration of the pontoons  20  could vary without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   As illustrated more specifically in  FIG. 4 , the pontoon supporting surface  18  of each platform  14  may be provided with reinforcements for reinforcing the structural integrity of the corresponding platform  14 . In the embodiment shown throughout the Figures, the reinforcements include reinforcement ribs  26  extending from the platform buoyant body attachment surface  18 . It should be understood that although the reinforcement ribs  26  are shown in  FIG. 1  forming a substantially rectangular or square pattern, the reinforcement ribs  26  could be otherwise disposed without departing from the scope of the present invention. The reinforcement ribs  26  are hence adapted to increase the structural rigidity of the platform  14  without unduly increasing their respective weight. 
   As illustrated more specifically in  FIG. 1 , the pontoon  10  includes a cable attachment attachable to the platforms  14  and a delimiting cable  32  attachable to the cable attachment. For example, and non-limitingly, the platforms  14  are provided with post receiving sleeves  28  located about external corner sections thereof. In other words, the post receiving sleeves  28  are provided adjacent an intersection of the platform first end and second lateral edges  100  and  106  and an intersection of the platform second end and second lateral edges  102  and  106 . The post receiving sleeves  28  are configured and sized for substantially fittingly receiving corresponding posts  30  thereinto. The posts  30  are adapted to be secured to corresponding post receiving sleeves  28  and to act as support for a delimiting cable  32  attached thereto. The delimiting cable  32  is, in turn, adapted to prevent or reduce the risks of cargo on the platforms  14  falling into the body of water on which the watercraft is traveling. 
   As illustrated more specifically in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5 , the pontoon  10  is further provided with a motor attachment for allowing attachment of the motor  12  thereto. The motor attachment may take any suitable form. 
   In the embodiment shown throughout the Figures, the motor attachment  34  includes motor attachment sleeves  36  extending preferably at an angle, from the platform second end edges  102  of the platforms  14 . The motor attachment also includes a motor attachment plate  38  extending between motor attachment posts  40 . The motor  12  is mountable or attachable to the motor attachment plate  38  by conventional motor-to-supporting structure attachment means such as a conventional threaded jaw, illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The motor attachment plate  38  may take any suitable form, such as that of a plank, a stretched apart piece of flexible material, or the like. 
   As illustrated more specifically in  FIG. 5 , the motor attachment posts  40  are reversibly lockable to the motor attachment sleeves  36  using suitable post-to-sleeve attachments. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the post-to-sleeve attachments include attachment pins  44  extending through corresponding apertures formed in both the sleeves  36  and posts  40 . It should be understood that other sleeve-to-post attachments could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. The general concept is that the motor attachment plate and post  38 ,  40  may be relatively easily and ergonomically retracted from the platforms  14  so as to allow folding thereof into the folded configuration shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as will be hereinafter disclosed in greater detail. 
   The pontoon  10  is further provided with handling facilitators for facilitating handling thereof. In the embodiment shown throughout the Figures, the handling facilitators include handles  46  extending from the second platform lateral edges  106  of the platforms  14 , typically adjacent to both the front and rearward ends thereof. The handles  46  may take any suitable form. Typically, the handles  46  include a handle bar  48  maintained in a spaced relationship relative to the second platform lateral edges  106  of the corresponding platform  14  and attached thereto by handle spacing rods  50 . It should be understood that other types of handles could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   In the embodiment shown throughout the Figures, the handles  46  also act as a support for a tow bar attachment plate  52  extending between a segment of the handle bar  48  and a corresponding segment of the corresponding platform second lateral edge  106 . The tow bar attachment plate  52  is typically located adjacent to the frontward end of the pontoon  10 . The tow bar attachment plate  52  is typically provided with tow bar attachment apertures  54  extending therethrough for allowing attachment to a conventional tow bar, as will hereinafter be disclosed in greater details. 
   The platforms  14  are foldable relative to each other about the platform first lateral edge  104  thereof between a deployed, or expanded, configuration shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 , and a retracted, or folded, configuration shown in  FIGS. 6 through 10 . In the deployed configuration, the pontoon  10  is usable as a watercraft, whereas in the folded configuration the pontoon  10  is usable on land. In the folded configuration, the platform supporting surfaces  16  are substantially facing each other. 
   The platforms  14  are hence hingedly attached together. Typically, the pontoon  10  includes a set of hinges  56  disposed along the adjacent lateral peripheral edge of the platforms  14 . It should however be understood that the platforms may be hingedly attached together in any other suitable manner without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   In some embodiments of the invention, the pontoon  10  is also provided with a platform lock for locking the platforms  14  in the deployed configuration. In the embodiment shown throughout the Figures, the lock includes locking tongues or plates  58  extending from the platforms  14  typically adjacent the platform end edges  100 ,  102  or both  100  and  102 . The locking tongues  58  are configured, positioned and sized so that at least a portion thereof are in register with each other when the platforms  14  are in their deployed configuration. The locking tongues  58  are provided with a locking aperture for receiving a corresponding locking pin  60  thereinto so as to releasably lock the locking tongues  58  together, the locking tongues  56  being located, configured and sized such that the locking apertures are substantially in register relative to each other when the platforms are in the deployed configuration 
   The pontoon trailer  10  is still further provided with wheel attachments for allowing attachment thereto of wheels  62  enabling the pontoon trailer  10  to be towed on land. The wheels  62  and associated wheel attachments may take any suitable form. 
   In the embodiment shown throughout the Figures, each wheel attachment includes a wheel attachment sleeve  64  extending from the platform second lateral edge  106  of each platform  14 . The wheel attachment sleeve  64  is configured, sized and positioned for receiving a wheel attachment arm  66  to which the wheel  62  is rotatably attached. A wheel attachment arm  66  typically defines a substantially L-shaped arm spacing segment  68  and an arm attachment segment  70  extending therefrom. The wheel attachment segment  70  is substantially fittingly insertable into the wheel attachment sleeve  64 . A suitable locking means such as a pin  72  and pin lock  74  combination is used for releasably attaching the wheel attachment arm  66  to the wheel attachment sleeve  64 . 
   In some embodiments of the invention, the wheel attachment arms  66  are configured and sized such that the wheels  62  are substantially in register with the buoyant body outwardmost locations  108  when the platforms  14  are in the folded configuration and the wheels  62  are attached to the platforms  14 . This brings compactness to the pontoon  10  while it is towed as the pontoon then has a relatively small width. 
   As mentioned previously, the tow bar attachment plate  52  of each platform  14  is adapted to cooperate with the other tow bar attachment plate  52  for attaching a conventional tow bar  68  to the pontoon trailer  10  when the latter is in its folded configuration. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the tow bar attachment pins  70  are insertable into the tow bar attachment apertures  54  and the tow bar apertures  72  so as to releasably secure the tow bar  68  to the tow bar attachment plates  52 . 
   In use, the pontoon trailer  10  may be relatively easily towed adjacent to a body of water when in its folded configuration. In the folded configuration, the pontoon  10  forms a substantially compact structure so as to be towable even in relatively dense vegetation. In addition, the positioning and configuration of the wheels ensure that the pontoon  10  is relatively stable as it has a relatively low center of gravity with its mass substantially entirely located between the wheels  62 . 
   Having reached its aquatic destination, the pontoon  10  may be unfolded to its deployed configuration for use as a watercraft. In this configuration, the pontoon  10  is relatively stable and needs only a relatively small depth of water to be usable. 
   Therefore, the pontoon  10  is stable both on water and on land. This is caused at least in part through synergetic effects between the positioning of the wheels  62  and of the buoyant bodies  20 . 
   Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.