Patent Publication Number: US-7216851-B1

Title: Method and apparatus for trailer jack mount

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Towed trailers, such as utility trailers or camper trailers, are in wide spread use in this country and worldwide. Individuals who use these types of trailers often move them from location to location on a frequent basis. Towed trailers typically have wheels and a hitch mechanism to allow them to be attached to a towing vehicle and moved easily. The hitch mechanism normally will employ a tongue coupler to engage a vehicle&#39;s hitch and a stabilizer, or trailer jack, which allows the trailer to be supported while disengaged from the towing vehicle. 
   Towed trailers are typically purchased with a trailer jack installed at the point of manufacture. The trailer jacks typically have a flange, or a mounting bracket integrated with the jack which allows the jack to be mounted to the trailer. The height of the trailer jack is normally adjustable by means of a hand crank. The adjustable trailer jack allows an individual to adapt the jack to differing terrain and use conditions. For example, in typical operation, an individual with a utility trailer will tow the trailer to the desired site. In order to release the towing vehicle, the individual will then crank the trailer jack until the jack meets the ground and raises the trailer&#39;s tongue coupler free from the towing vehicle&#39;s hitch. The individual is then free to drive the towing vehicle away and the trailer is supported by the trailer jack. In order to tow the trailer again, the process is reversed, requiring the individual to crank the jack such as to lower the trailer&#39;s tongue coupler onto the vehicle&#39;s hitch and continue cranking the jack until the lowest portion of the jack is high enough off the ground to prevent the jack from hitting the ground during transport. 
   Thus, as can be see by the typical mode of operation of trailer jacks, a significant amount of time and energy can be expended by the individual in cranking the jack from the up, or travel, position to the down, or supporting, position and vice versa. Additionally, it is important that when the jack is in the up position the jack is sufficiently high enough off the ground, to avoid damage during travel. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for a trailer jack apparatus and method which allows an individual to quickly and easily transition a jack from the up position to the down position and vice versa. Also, as there are many existing trailers in use which currently have jacks, there is a need for an apparatus and method which can allow existing jacks to be retrofitted with an apparatus allowing the jacks to quickly be transitioned from the up position to the down position and vice versa. 
   The subject invention relates to a method and apparatus for a trailer jack mount. The subject invention also pertains to a method and apparatus for providing a trailer jack mount for use with towable trailers. The subject apparatus can also enable the mounting of a trailer to a trailer such that the trailer jack can quickly transition up or down relative to the trailer. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention includes a first piece mountable to an A-frame coupler and a second piece to which a trailer jack can be secured. In this embodiment, the subject apparatus also includes means for securely attaching the second piece to the first piece and allowing the second piece to pivot relative to the first piece. Advantageously, the subject invention can either be retrofitted to an existing trailer with jack, or installed at original manufacture. In another specific embodiment, the second piece is slidably attached to the first piece to allow an individual to adjust the height of the trailer jack. 
   The subject method and apparatus can be used to shorten the time required to transition a trailer jack from an up, or travel position, to a down, or support position, and vice versa. With respect to typical crank jacks, an individual must manually crank the trailer jack the entire distance between the up and down or down and up positions. The subject invention can significantly reduce the amount of cranking needed to transition the jack between the up and down positions and vice versa. The subject invention is advantageous in situations where an individual needs to frequently move a towable trailer, such as a utility trailer used to tow equipment to and from different job sites, because the time needed to mount and dismount the trailer is significantly shortened over currently available solutions. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  shows the A-frame coupler of a typical trailer. 
       FIG. 1B  shows the bottom portion of an embodiment of the pivot-type trailer jack mount in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 1C  shows the top portion of an embodiment of the pivot-type trailer jack mount in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 1D  shows a typical trailer jack for use with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a typical trailer jack for use with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  shows the bottom portion of an embodiment of the slide-type trailer jack mount in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2C  shows the top portion of an embodiment of the slide-type trailer jack mount in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
   The subject invention relates to method and apparatus for a trailer jack mount. The subject invention also pertains to a method and apparatus for providing a trailer jack mount. The subject invention can enable the mounting of a trailer jack such that the jack can be easily and rapidly transitioned between an up, or travel, position and a down, or support position. The subject invention is advantageous in situations where an individual desires to move a trailer frequently, as the subject invention permits the trailer to be readied for transport in a shorter period of time than can be realized with typical trailer crank jacks. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention can be retrofitted to a trailer with an existing jack, such that the jack is then pivotally attached to the A-frame coupler. Alternatively, the subject invention can be integrated into a new trailer prior to a retail sale in order to utilize the advantage herein disclosed. 
     FIGS. 1B and 1C  illustrate an embodiment of a movable trailer jack mount in accordance with the subject invention. The trailer jack mount can be constructed with any number of parts, but preferably is made from two portions, a bottom portion  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1B  and a top portion  22  as shown in  FIG. 1C . The bottom portion  10  can have a trailer mounting structure  12  and transitioning structure  16 . Transitioning structure  16  can be a separate piece attached to the mounting structure by, for example, fasteners or by weld, or can be integral with the mounting structure. In trailers commonly referred to as utility trailers, the trailer typically has an A-frame coupler  1  which contains an opening designed to accept a standard trailer jack  4 .  FIG. 1A  shows a typical A-frame coupler  1  and  FIG. 1D  shows a typical trailer jack  4 . The jack  4  typically has a flange  6  which allows the jack to be mounted to the A-frame coupler  1 . When the jack  4  is mounted to the A-frame coupler  1  in this way the jack handle  8  can then be turned in order to raise or lower the trailer tongue with respect to the ground due to the foot  3  of the jack raising or lowering relative to the body of the jack. The foot  3  of the jack can have, for example, a wheel to contact the ground and allow the trailer to be rolled. 
   In a preferred embodiment, after the jack is removed from the A-frame coupler, the bottom portion  10  of the subject mount can be secured to the A-frame coupler  1 . Preferably, the bottom portion  10  is removably secured to the trailer through attachment structure  9  such as screws, bolts, or pins. In order to aid in securing the bottom portion  10 , the trailer mounting structure  12  can have several holes  14  matched to the holes  5  located in the A-frame coupler  1 . Alternatively, the bottom portion  10  can be attached permanently to the A-frame coupler through welding or other adequate means of permanently affixing the bottom portion  10  to the A-frame coupler. 
   The transitioning structure  16  of the bottom portion  10  preferably extends perpendicular to the trailer mounting structure  12 , although other degrees of declination will not affect functionality of the subject invention. In a preferred embodiment, the transitioning structure  16  provides means for the top portion  22  to be pivotally connected such that the top portion  22  can be pivotally transitioned between a plurality of positions with respect to the bottom portion  10 . In this embodiment, the transitioning structure  16  can comprise one or more extending portions, such as extending portions  16   a  and  16   b  as shown in  FIG. 1B . The extending portions  16   a  and  16   b  provide a region in between where the top portion  22  can be attached. Alternatively, the transitioning structure  16  can have a larger number of extending portions without affecting the functionality of the invention. 
   In the specific embodiment of the subject invention shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the top portion  22  can have a jack mounting structure  24  and a pivoting arm  26 . In a preferred embodiment, the jack mounting structure  24  can have a mounting aperture  28  sized to accept a desired trailer jack  24 . Alternatively, jack mounting structure  24  can be cut away in a similar fashion to jack mounting piece  50  shown in  FIG. 2C . Such a cut away may allow easier mounting of the jack. The jack mounting portion  24  can also contain mounting holes  30  to secure the trailer jack  4  to the top portion  22 , such as holes matched to the trailer jack mounting plate  6  which is normally built into to the typical trailer jack used in the art. The mounting holes  30  can be used to removably secure the trailer jack  4  to the top portion  22  through the use of screws, bolts or other means suitable for the purpose. Alternatively, the trailer jack  4  can be permanently attached to the top portion  22  by, for example, welding. 
   The extending portions  16   a  and  16   b  can further have a pivot aperture  20 . An aperture  20  can be used to house a pivot axle  21 , allowing the top portion  22  to freely pivot. Thus, the bottom portion  10  serves to secure the subject invention to a trailer as well as providing structures to allow the top potion  22  to pivot relative to the bottom portion  10 . To aid in securing the top portion  22  in one of at least two portions relative to the bottom portion  10 , the extending portions  16   a  and  16   b  can have a lock aperture  18 . This aperture can receive a retention structure  23  to secure the top portion  22  when the top portion  22  has been pivoted between different positions of use. 
   The pivoting arm  26  of the top portion  22  preferably contains at least one axle aperture  32  and at least two lock apertures  34  and  36 . It is understood that any number of combinations of axle apertures and lock apertures can be used without affecting the functionality of the subject invention. The pivot arm  26  can interfit with the extending portions  16  of the bottom portion  10  to allow a pivoting axle  21 , such as a pin or bolt to be passed through the axle aperture  32  of the top portion  22  and the pivot aperture  20  of the extending portions  16   a  and  16   b . Alternatively, the top portion  22  can contain any number of pivot arms  26  corresponding to the plurality of arrangements of extending portions  16   a  and  16   b  available for the bottom portion  10 . The pivot arm  26  can further contain a retention structure  23  such as a bolt or pin. The retention structure  23  can be passed through, for example lock aperture  34  of the top portion  22  and lock aperture  18  of the transitioning structure  16  in order to lock the top portion  22  into place. In a specific embodiment, retention structure  23  is movably attached to transitioning structure  16  such that retention structure  23  can be pulled out to release pivoting arm  26  and pushed in to engage pivoting arm  26 , and when let go will remain attached to transitioning structure  16 . Retention structure  23  can be spring loaded such that when let go it automatically pushes toward pivoting arm  26 . Other mechanisms can also be used to adjustably secure top portion  22  in position relative to bottom portion  10  as well, such as a rachet mechanism or a push-button release mechanism. Thus, the top portion  22  provides structures which allow a trailer jack  4  to be mounted to the top portion  22  as well as structures which allow the top portion  22  to be pivotally mounted to the bottom portion  10 . 
   A preferred method of providing a pivotable trailer jack mount is now discussed. The subject invention can be installed onto a trailer either prior to retail sale or by a user to retrofit a trailer with an existing jack attached. In this example, the subject invention is described as being retrofitted onto a trailer with an existing jack attached. It is understood that this is an illustration, not intended to be limiting in the application of the subject invention. For example, a similar process could be employed by a trailer manufacturer or distributer in order to integrate the subject invention into a trailer prior to retail sale. 
   An individual wishing to utilize the subject trailer jack mount can remove the trailer jack  4  from the A-frame coupler  1 . The individual can then place the trailer jack into the mounting aperture  28 , or other means, of the top portion  22 . The trailer jack  4  can then be secured, permanently or removably to the top portion  22  using, for example, screws inserted through the trailer jack mounting plate  6  and the mounting holes  30  of the top portion  22 . The individual can then install the bottom portion  10  of the trailer jack mount onto the A-frame coupler  1  either permanently or removably. Once the bottom portion  10  is mounted, the individual can install the top portion  22  and trailer jack  4  portion by placing the pivoting arm  26  of the top portion  22  in between the extending portions  16   a  and  16   b  of the bottom portion  10 . A pivot axle  21  can then be inserted through the pivot apertures  20  of the bottom portion and the axle aperture  32  of the top portion  22 . 
   The jack  4  shown in  FIGS. 1D and 2A  have a handle  8  which can be cranked to raise and lower the foot  3  of the jack with respect to the lower portion  7  of the jack  4 . The top portion can be transitioned between any number of positions relative to the bottom portion  10 . Accordingly, the subject invention can allow the lower portion  7  of the jack, and therefore foot  3  of the jack  4 , to be raised or lowered with respect to the ground by moving the top portion  22  with respect to the bottom portion  10 , in addition to being raised or lowered by the cranking of handle  8 . Furthermore, raising or lowering the foot of the jack via the subject jack mount can be much quicker than cranking the handle. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the subject jack mount has two settings, an up, or travel, position and a down, or supporting, position. In the up position, the lower portion  7  of the jack  4  can be positioned upward relative to the ground, thus preventing the foot  3  of the jack  4  from striking the ground when the trailer is in motion. In the down position, the foot  3  of the jack  4  can contact the ground, stabilizing and supporting the trailer while separated from the towing vehicle. In order to hold the position of the jack  4 , a retention structure  23 , such as a bolt or pin can be employed. In the up position, for example, the retention structure  23  can be inserted through the lock apertures  18  of the extending portions  16   a  and  16   b  and the lock aperture  36  of the pivot arm  26  which corresponds to the up position. Similarly, in the down position, a retention structure  23  can be inserted through the lock apertures  18  of the extending portions  16   a  and  16   b  and also through the lock aperture  34  corresponding to the down position. 
     FIGS. 2B and 2C  illustrate an alternative embodiment of a trailer jack mount in accordance with the subject invention. With respect to this embodiment,  FIG. 2B  shows a trailer mounting portion  40  mountable to a trailer. The mounting portion  40  can have a mounting structure  42  and a mounting post  44 . The mounting structure  42  can be mounted to a trailer permanently or, alternatively, removably mounted using means such as bolts, pins or rivets passed through mounting apertures  43 . The mounting post  44  is preferably permanently attached to the mounting structure  42 , but alternatively can be detachably mounted using any means common in the art. The mounting post  44  as shown in  FIG. 2B  has a circular cross-section. Other cross-sectional shapes can also be incorporated. For example, a square cross-sectional shape can be used to keep the mounting collar  60  from rotating with respect to the mounting post  44 . The mounting post  44  preferably extends substantially perpendicular to the mounting structure  42 , although non-perpendicular orientation does not detract from the functionality of the subject invention. The mounting post  44  can have several post lock apertures  46  located along the length of the mounting post  44 . 
   The post lock apertures  46  can be used to communicate with a locking device  48 . The locking device  48  can be made from any material suitable to withstand the load involved in supporting a trailer jack, such as steel, composite, or wood. The locking device  48  can be constructed from any type of structure, such as a pin, bolt, screw or wood peg. Preferably, the locking device  48  is a metal pin. In an alternative embodiment, the locking device  48  can be a spring-loaded pin. The locking device  48  can be of any shape, such as round or square, provided that the chosen shape corresponds with the shape of the post lock apertures  46  to facilitate communication between the two elements. 
     FIG. 2C  illustrates a jack mounting portion  50  to which a jack can be mounted in accordance with the subject invention. The jack mounting portion  50  can have a mounting structure  52  and a slide-collar portion  58 . The mounting structure  52  can have means for accepting a trailer jack  54 , such as indentations, grooves, or apertures. In the present embodiment, the mounting structure  52  has an indentation sized to accept a trailer jack  4 . The mounting structure  52  can also contain jack attachment structures  56  to secure a trailer jack  4  to the mounting structure  52 . 
   The slide-collar portion  58  of the illustrated embodiment can contain a mounting collar  60  and any number of mounting apertures  62 . The mounting collar  60  can be used to slidably attach the jack mounting portion  50  to the trailer mounting portion  40  by interfitting over the mounting post  44 . The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2C  utilizes one mounting post  44  and one mounting collar  60 , but it is understood that any combination of mounting posts  44  and mounting collars  60  can be used without affecting the functionality of the invention. For example, there could be two mounting collars  60  attached to an elongated slide-collar portion  58  in order to further lessen the side-to-side movement of the trailer jack  4  when installed. Alternatively, there could be two or more mounting posts  44  along with any number of mounting collars  60 . Further, it is contemplated to switch the position of the mounting post  44  and the mounting collar  60 . In this fashion, the mounting post  44  can be attached to the mounting structure  52  of jack mounting portion  50  to which the trailer jack  4  is attached and the mounting collar  60  can be attached to the mounting structure  42  of trailer mounting portion  40  which is attached to the the A-frame coupler. In the specific illustrated example, the mounting collar  60  is of a circular design. It is also contemplated to produce mounting collars  60  and corresponding mounting posts  44  of different cross-sectional shapes, such as square or triangular. 
   The collar mounting apertures  62  can be used to slidably secure the jack mounting portion  50  to the mounting post  44  through the use of a locking device  48 . For example, the mounting collar  60  can have any number of collar mounting apertures  62  which, when the mounting collar  60  is slidably mounted onto the mounting post  44 , will align with a desired post mounting aperture  46  located on the mounting post  44 . Once aligned, a locking device  48 , such as a pin can be inserted through the post mounting apertures  46  and the ring mounting apertures  62  to lock the jack mounting portion  50  into a desired position. In the illustrated example, the locking device  48  is a removable pin which is fully detachable from the apparatus. It is, however, contemplated to use other means which are not fully detachable from the subject apparatus, such as a spring loaded device attached to the slide collar portion  58 . In using the spring loaded device, a user can pull back on the spring loaded device, thereby pulling the device clear of the post mounting aperture  46 , allowing the jack mounting piece  52  to slide along the mounting post  44  to a desired aperture alignment. The spring loaded device can then push into post mounting aperture  46 , be released, locking the apparatus in place. The spring loaded device is provided as an example of alternative structures contemplated for use in the subject invention and is not intended to be limiting in any respect. 
   It should be understood that the example and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and the scope of the appended claims.