Patent Publication Number: US-2015076800-A1

Title: Rebuildable utility trailer

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present application relates generally to vehicle-towed trailers, and more specifically, to a rebuildable utility trailer configured for multiple disassembly and reassembly. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Utility trailers are well known in the art for effectively providing cargo space to haul various items, e.g., motorcycles, lawn equipments, debris, cars, and the like. After use, the utility trail is stored, and the storage process includes detaching the utility trailer from the towing vehicle and thereafter storing the trailer in a desired location such as, for example, a car garage. Due to the trailer size and bulkiness, the storage area is greatly limited for other use such as parking a car. One common solution to overcome the storage issue is to rent or purchase additional storage space; however, this solution increases the overall cost to own and operate a trailer. 
     A foldable trailer is another solution that partially overcomes the problems associated with storing a trailer. However, even foldable trailers require substantial storage space due to the bulkiness of a trailer when folded. Thus, foldable trailers fail to adequately overcome the above-mentioned problems commonly associated with storing trailers. 
     Although the foregoing developments in trailers represent great strides, many shortcomings remain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a trailer according to a preferred embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the trailer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the trailer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the trailer of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial side view of a side railing and a front railing taken at V-V of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial top view of a crossbeam support taken at VI-VI of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a crossbeam support taken at VII-VII of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a horizontal support taken at VIII-VIII of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  are top views of a locking mechanism; and 
         FIGS. 10A-10C  are side views of the locking mechanism of  FIGS. 9A-9C . 
     
    
    
     While the trailer and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the trailer and method of use are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The trailer of the present application overcomes the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional trailers. Specifically, the trailer disassembles prior to storage, and then easily reassembles prior to re-use. When disassembled, the trailer greatly reduces the required storages space. For example, the trailer can be stored on shelving within the storage facility, thereby allowing storage for other vehicles or items that cannot be disassembled, e.g., the towing vehicles. In order to achieve this feature, the trailer is configured to be easily and rapidly disassembled and reassembled via a plurality of fasteners and/or quick-release devices. Further detailed description of these features are provided below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The trailer and method of use of the present application will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the trailer are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-4  depict various views of a rebuildable trailer  101  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that trailer  101  can be manufactured in various sizes, for example, a 6×8 foot trailer, and is configured for use with different applications typical for utility trailers. 
     Trailer  101  preferably includes one or more of a front railing  103  removably attached to two side railings: a first side railing  105  and a second side railing  107 . When assembled, front railing  103  is configured to retain first side railing  105  relatively parallel to second side railing  105 . In the preferred embodiment, the railings are composed of a lightweight metallic material, preferably steel; however, alternative embodiments could include other suitable materials, such as aluminum, fiber composites, or the like in lieu of preferred material. 
     Trailer  101  is further provided with a plurality of footings, preferably four footings: a first footing  109  and second footing  111  secured to first railing  105 , and a third footing  113  and a fourth footing  115  secured to second railing  107 . In the preferred embodiment, the footings are configured to slidingly engage with a housing  117  in direction D 1  (for ease of description and viewing, only footing is labeled; however, all footings share the same features). In the contemplated embodiment, housing  117  is rigidly attached to the railing; however, alternative embodiments could include housings that rotatably mount to the side railings. A shaft  119  is configured to slides within housing  117  and is then secured in a locked position via a locking device (not shown) to retain shaft  119  in an extended position. A pin-lock mechanism could be utilized in the preferred embodiment as a locking device to secure shaft  119 . It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the footings are also contemplated, for example, footings that have shafts that telescopically extend in lieu of a shaft having a fixed length that slidingly engages within the housing. 
     One unique feature believed characteristic of trailer  101  is utilizing a lightweight wheel assembly  121  that removably attaches to first side railing  105  and second side railing  107 . In the contemplated embodiment, wheel assembly  121  is fastened via one or more fasteners, e.g., bolts that can thereafter be removed during the disassembly process. It will be appreciated that wheel assembly  121  preferably includes two or more wheels  123 ,  124 , an axial  125 , and spring leafs associated with each wheel. The lightweight wheel assembly design enables rapid and easy disassembly from the side railings. 
     One or more crossbeams  127 ,  129  are removably attached to the side railings and are configured to retain the side railings in a relatively parallel position to each other. The crossbeams also provide means for securing a platform  131  to trailer  101 . In the exemplary embodiment, platform  131  includes two sections  133 ,  135  that pivotally engage with each other about pivot joint  137 . It will be appreciated that alternative platforms designs are also contemplated, which include wood planks, ramps, and the like in lieu of the preferred embodiment. 
     A horizontal beam  139  is removably attached to crossbeam  127  via a flange  141  and removably attached to front railing  103  via a flange  143 . In the contemplated embodiment, flanges  141 ,  143  are shaped to slidingly receive horizontal beam  139 . A tongue  145  is rigidly attached to one end of horizontal beam  139  for receiving the hitch of a towing vehicle (not shown). Two horizontal beam stabilizers  147 ,  149  removably attach to horizontal beam  139  and are configured to attach to both front railing  103  and crossbeam  127  via one or more fasteners. 
     During assembly, horizontal beam  139  is configured to slide through flanges  141 ,  143  and is thereafter secured into a desired position with the horizontal beam stabilizers  147 ,  149 . The stabilizers are then secured in a fixed position via one or more fasteners. The stabilizers provide significant advantages, namely, they are configured to add additional rigidly and support; however, it will be appreciated that alternative embodiments could include a single horizontal beam without stabilizers. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 2 , a side view of trailer  101  is shown. First side railing  105  preferably includes a top horizontal beam  201 , a bottom horizontal beam  203  that runs relatively parallel to the top beam  201 , and a plurality of vertical members  205  that space the horizontal beams relative to each other. It will be appreciated that both front railing and second side railing share the same features of first side railing  105 , specifically, an upper and lower horizontal beam rigidly attached to a plurality of vertical beam members. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of trailer  101  without the platform. As shown, two optional horizontal crossbeam stabilizers  301 ,  303  removably attached to the side railings and to a back railing  305 . It should be understood that back railing is optional and includes the same features as one or more of the railing discussed herein. The crossbeam stabilizers provide additional rigidly and support during use and like the horizontal stabilizers  147 ,  149 , are optional features. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of trailer  101  without the platform. A plurality of fasteners  401  (indicated with a circle) are illustrated at various locations wherein two or more members, e.g., the side and front railings of trailer  101  are joined. In the contemplated embodiment, two types of fasteners are utilized, for example, a quick-release device that extends the entire length of a railing and configured to rapidly join two railings and a bolt fastener  603  configured to pass through a hole extending through two or more members. For ease of illustration and description, only one of the plurality of fasteners are identified. 
     Two leaf springs  403 ,  405  operably associated with axial  125  are shown attached to side railing  105 ,  107  via a plurality of fasteners. In the contemplated embodiment, the leaf springs are rigidly attached to the axial and are the sole member removably attached to the side railings. This feature allows rapid removal of the wheel assembly during disassembly. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a partial side view of first railing  105  joined to front railing  103  via a quick-release device  500 . In the contemplated embodiment, quick-release device  500  is a pin  501  that joins the two railings together. First side railing  105  includes a top horizontal beam  503  and a bottom horizontal beam  505  that run parallel to each other. Pin  501  is configured to extend through a hole at the locking mechanisms  900  and  901  and is secured in location via a pin lock  507  and via the head  509 . 
     The quick-release device provides significant advantages, namely, the two railings are rapidly joined together and secured in position by the process of aligning the two railing and then sliding the pin through the hole created by the locking mechanisms. It will be appreciated that the quick-release device can be utilized at any location where two or more members are joined, but preferably at positions wherein the railings join. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the crossbeam horizontal stabilizer  303  and back railing  305  taken at VI-VI of  FIG. 4 . One unique feature believed characteristic of the present application is utilizing a plurality of alignment devices  601  at locations where two members are joined via a fastener  603  or quick-release device  500 . In the contemplated embodiment, the alignment device provides rapid means to ensure that the two members are in the correct position prior to securing the members via a fastener or quick-release device. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 6  taken at VII-VII.  FIG. 7  illustrates alignment device  601  and fastener  603  operably associated with each other during the assembly process. In the contemplated embodiment, device  601  is a rod that protrudes from surface  701  of railing  305  and is received within a hole  703  that extends through at least partially through the thickness of stabilizer  303 . Aligning the rod through the hole aligns a first hole  705  extending through the thickness of stabilizer  303  with a second hole  707  extending through the thickness of railing  305 . The alignment of the two holes  705 ,  707  provides access for a fastener  603  to pass through the two members. 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of crossbeam  127  and a cross-sectional front view of beam  139  taken at VIII-VIII of  FIG. 4 . As depicted, flange  141  creates an area  801  that allows beam  139  to slide therethrough. Flange  141  effectively assists in the assembly process and creates additional rigidly and support during use of trailer  101 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 9-10  of the drawing, respective top and side views of locking mechanism  901  are shown. Locking mechanism  901  includes a flange  903  that extends from a top surface  905  of railing  103 . In the contemplated embodiment, railing  103  is formed of angle iron, thereby creating a second contact surface  907  relatively perpendicular to surface  905 . A hole  909  extends through flange  903  and thorough the thickness of railing  103 . 
     Side railing  105  includes a member  911  that matingly engages with flange  903 . In particular, member  911  includes a slot  1001  that receives the flange. During assembly, a hole  913  extending through a thickness of railing  105  aligns with hole  909 , which in turn the quick-release device  500  or a fastener  603  is passed therethrough. 
     Railing  105  further includes a hole  1003  that extend through member  911  and configured to align with a hole  1005  extending through the thickness of railing  103 . When aligned, holes  1003 ,  1005  provide access for a quick-release device or a fastener  603  to pass therethrough. 
     The locking mechanism  901  utilizes one or more of a flange, surfaces, holes, fasteners, quick-release devices, and the like to prevent slipping and to add additional stability and rigidly between joining parts. The locking mechanism is also uniquely characterized because of its ability to quickly and rapidly align the member and thereafter secure the members via the fasteners. 
     Although not shown in the figures, alternative embodiments could include an electrical system, e.g., tail lights that removably attach to one or more members of trailer  101 . It is contemplated that the electrical systems could be removably attached via a hook-loop system, a plurality of clips, and the like. Also, alternative embodiments could include storage racks tailored to store the railing and/or other members of the trailer. 
     A method to assemble trailer  101  includes the process of joining the front railing to both side railings via one or more fasteners or preferably quick-release devices. Thereafter, the railings are raised via the footing to the desired height. The wheel assembly is then fastened to the side railings. The process is continued by attaching the remaining members, including the horizontal beam, stabilizers, crossbeams, and finally the platform. 
     It is apparent that a trailer and method with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.