Abstract:
A trailer to vehicle laterally stable hitching mechanism wherein an attaching plate of the trailer vertically and laterally self-aligns into a receiving plate of the vehicle establishing the trailer as an operational extension of the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/818,656, filed Aug. 5, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure is directed to improvements in connecting trailers to vehicles. The disclosure is particularly applicable to connecting wheeled trailers to wheeled vehicles in a laterally-stable manner so as the trailers functionally become extensions of the vehicles and will be described in connection with such utility, although other utilities are contemplated. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure provides an attachable wheeled trailer that features an attaching plate on the trailer that self-aligns into a receiving plate on the vehicle such that vertical and lateral self-alignments are enabled by a wedge feature of the trailer&#39;s attaching plate. Such a wedge-alignment system would require only a single axial effort by a person manually pushing the trailer into attachment with a vehicle. Also provided is a method for the self-aligning attachment of a trailer to a vehicle using a laterally stable attachment of a trailer to a vehicle. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a trailer to vehicle attachment mechanism comprising an attaching plate of the trailer, which attaching plate is adapted to vertically and laterally self-align into a receiving plate of the vehicle as the trailer and vehicle are brought together. 
     In another aspect, the aligning wedge installs into a guiding space of a receiving plate. 
     In still yet another aspect, the attachment mechanism further comprises a latch adapted to freely lift up over a guiding surface of the receiving plate and to then fall into latching grasp of the receiving plate. 
     In a further aspect, the latch is adapted to be engaged by a powered device adapted to force the latch into structural locking with the receiving plate. 
     In a still further aspect, the latch is adapted to be engaged by a powered device adapted to force the latch out of structural connection of the receiving plate. 
     The present disclosure also provides an attachment mechanism as above described, installed on a trailer by a laterally stable but vertically accommodating device adapted to allow the trailer to independently maneuver vertically from it&#39;s attachment to a vehicle. 
     Also provided is a method of attaching a trailer to a vehicle, comprising: providing a trailer with an attaching plate as above described; providing a vehicle with a receiving plate as above described; and bringing the trailer and vehicle together, whereupon the attaching plate of the trailer and the receiving plate of the vehicle vertically and laterally self-align. 
     In one aspect of the method the aligning wedge installs into a guiding space of a receiving plate. 
     In another aspect of the method, the attachment mechanism further comprises a latch adapted to freely lift up over a guiding surface of the receiving plate and to then fall into latching grasp of the receiving plate. 
     In still another aspect of the method the latch is adapted to be engaged by a powered device adapted to force the latch into structural locking with the receiving plate. 
     In still yet another aspect of the invention the latch is adapted to be engaged by a powered device adapted to force the latch out of structural connection of the receiving plate. 
     In yet another aspect of the method, the attachment mechanism is installed on a trailer by a laterally stable but vertically accommodating device adapted to allow the trailer to independently maneuver vertically from it&#39;s attachment to a vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present disclosure shall be seen from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals depict like parts, and wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  present a battery-powered vehicle receiving the attachment of a range enabler so as to be driven away from it&#39;s battery-only driving range as a maximally fuel efficient ICE vehicle. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the several components of the attachment mechanism of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the connecting face of a vehicle&#39;s receiving plate. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a compliant range-enabler&#39;s attaching plate. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  show how the independent attaching plate and receiving plate and the plates fit together as a combined structure. 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  demonstrate the lateral self-alignment functionality of an attaching plate to a receiving plate. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the several components of the disclosed connecting mechanism. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a possible range enabler vehicle with it&#39;s related connecting mechanism components installed. 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  demonstrate the assembly of the components of the attaching plate assembly of this disclosure. 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  demonstrate the powered locking and releasing functionality of the activator module of the attaching plate assembly. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  demonstrate the powered locking and releasing functionality of the latch of the attaching plate assembly. 
         FIG. 12  is top view of the latch and the actuator module of the attaching plate assembly. 
         FIGS. 13A - 13 C 2  demonstrate the powered locking functionality of the attaching plate latch to the receiving plate of the connection mechanism of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  demonstrates the operational steps of the latch grasping the receiving plate of the connection mechanism. 
         FIG. 15  demonstrates the operational steps of the release of the latch from the receiving plate of the connection mechanism. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the connecting face of attaching plate demonstrating the installation of the latch in the attaching plate. 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the location of the latch in the attaching plate. 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of the assembly of the components of the attaching plate assembly of the disclosed connection mechanism. 
         FIG. 19  is an operational schematic of the actuator module of the connection mechanism. 
         FIG. 20  is a top view an attaching plate installed to a possible trailer by means of the vertically-accommodating yoke of the connection mechanism. 
         FIGS. 21A-21C  demonstrate road irregularity accommodation of a suggested trailer enabled by being installed to it&#39;s attaching plate by the yoke of the connection mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  presents a battery-powered vehicle  1  featuring an installed receiving plate  100  of this disclosure, awaiting the attachment of range-enabler vehicle attachment  2  featuring an installed attaching plate  200 . 
       FIG. 1B  demonstrates the now range-enabled vehicle driving away as a range enabled electric vehicle. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the several components of the disclosed self-aligning attachment mechanism, including a receiving plate  100 , an attaching plate  200 , a latch  300 , an actuator module  400 , and a vertically-adaptive yoke frame  500 . The latching functionality of the latch is demonstrated. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of receiving plate  100  featuring receiving socket  150 . 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of attaching plate  200  featuring aligning wedge  250 . 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  show the vertical aligning functionality of aligning wedge  250  of attaching plate  200  in receiving socket  150  of receiving plate  100 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a side view of attaching plate  200  and aligning wedge  250 . 
       FIG. 5B  is a side view of receiving plate  100 . 
       FIG. 5C  is a side view of the two plates fitted together as a combined structure. 
       FIGS. 6A-6D  are a demonstration of the lateral aligning functionality of aligning wedge  250  of attaching plate  200  installing in receiving socket  150  of receiving plate  100 . 
       FIG. 6A  is a top view of aligning plate  200  and aligning wedge  250 . 
       FIG. 6B  presents the range of lateral acceptance  155  of receiving socket  150 . In action 1, an attaching plate is seen at the lateral extremes of it&#39;s compliance with receiving socket  150 . As long as an approaching attaching plate is located within the socket&#39;s lateral range of acceptance it can proceed to laterally self-align into the receiving plate receiving socket. 
       FIG. 6C  action 2 demonstrates the attaching plate laterally self-aligning itself into the receiving plate&#39;s receiving socket. 
       FIG. 6D  action 3 demonstrates the attaching plate having laterally self-aligned itself into the receiving plate. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the several components of the disclosed attaching system, being a receiving plate  100 , an attaching plate  200  featuring aligning wedge  250 , a latch  300 , an actuator module  400 , and a vertically-adaptive yoke  500 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of a possible trailer  2  with it&#39;s related attachment system components installed. Attaching plate  200  featuring aligning wedge  250  is seen as structurally installed to a possible trailer  2  by vertically-adaptive yoke  500 . Installed to attaching plate  200  is an assembly of latch  300  and actuator module  400 . Actuator-powering battery  410  is contained within trailer  2 . 
       FIG. 9A-9C  demonstrate the assembly of the components of attaching plate assembly  275 . 
       FIG. 9A  identifies in side views attaching plate  200 , latch  300 , and actuator module  400 . Latch  300 A is indicated as being freely rotatable around a pivot hole, and  300 B is a top view of the latch. 
       FIG. 9B  demonstrates the latch installed to the attaching plate. 
       FIG. 9C  demonstrates the actuator module installed to that initial assembly resulting in attaching plate assembly  275 . 
       FIG. 10A  is a side view of the operational components of the attaching plate assembly: rotary actuator  450 , screw drive  460 , and socket manipulator  470 . 
       FIG. 10B  is a front view of the components in which the socket&#39;s operational recess is seen, and the socket&#39;s operational positions of down to lock (L) the latch and up to release (R) are demonstrated. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  are cutaway side views of screw drive  460  vertically positioning socket manipulator  47  seen in cutaway view. 
       FIG. 12  presents latch  300  with it&#39;s engagement ball  350  installed into the recess of the socket. Demonstrated is the socket forcing the latch engagement ball up and the latch thus rotating on it&#39;s pivot hole to drive the connecting end of the latch down. 
       FIG. 11B  demonstrates the socket pushing the latch engagement ball down and so lift the connecting end of the latch up. 
       FIG. 12  is a top view of latch  300  with it&#39;s engagement ball  350  installed into a cutaway view of socket manipulator  470  powered by screw drive  460 . 
       FIGS. 13A - 13 C 2  are conceptual side views of the powered locking of a simplified latch  300  of this disclosure to a simplified receiving plate  100 . 
       FIG. 13A  demonstrates the latch having loosely fallen by gravity (1) onto the plate. 
     FIG.  13 B 1  demonstrators the forward installing force of the latch having been removed, the now dead weight of the attaching assembly pulls the latch back against the face of the plate (2). This latching keeps the attaching plate from falling out from the receiving plate. 
     FIG.  13 B 2  illustrates the purposely designed angular displacement of the contact faces of latch  300  and receiving plate  100  when the latch is gravity only loosely positioned on the plate. 
     FIG.  13 C 1  demonstrates force (3) pushing up on the activating end of the latch that robustly pushes the latching end down (4) onto the receiving plate that results in the rotational resolution of the angular displacement of the two contacting faces into structural full contact of the latch to the plate as illustrated in  13 C 2 . 
       FIG. 14  demonstrates cutaway side views of the operational steps in the latching and locking functionality of an attaching plate to a receiving plate. 
       FIG. 14-1  presents attaching plate assembly  275  approaching receiving plate  100 . The vertical position of the attaching plate assembly is indicated as being within the lower level of acceptance of the receiving plate. 
       FIG. 14-2  demonstrates the latch of the installing attaching plate assembly making first contact with the accommodating lower edge of the receiving socket of the receiving plate. 
       FIG. 14-3  demonstrates the forward pressure of the installing attaching plate forcing the latch edge of the assembly lifting along the contour of the receiving socket of the receiving plate. 
       FIG. 14-4  demonstrates the latch following the receiving contour of the receiving plate as the attaching plate approaches full face contact with the receiving plate. 
       FIG. 14-5  demonstrates that when the two plates do make final contact, the latch by gravity falls into latching contact with the receiving plate. This free falling contact by the latch is by necessity a slightly loose grasp of the receiving plate, but structurally sufficient to allow the installing force on the attaching plate assembly to be removed. The latch will prevent the attaching plate assembly from falling out of the receiving plate. 
       FIG. 14-6  demonstrates the final powered locking of the attaching plate assembly to the receiving plate. 
       FIG. 15  demonstrates cutaway side views of the operational steps in the releasing of an attaching plate from a receiving plate. 
       FIG. 15-1  presents attaching plate assembly  275  as structurally locked to receiving plate  100 . 
       FIG. 15-2  demonstrates the socket manipulator powering down on the latch engaging ball to push it&#39;s gripping end up and free from it&#39;s receiving plate, that will allow, 
       FIG. 15-3  the attaching plate assembly falling out of the receiving plate. 
       FIG. 15-4  suggests that the attaching plate as a component of a trailer, the trailer has fallen back onto the ground as an again independent vehicle. 
       FIG. 16  is front views of attaching plate  200  and latch  300 . The latch is shown operationally located in the attaching plate. 
       FIG. 17  is a top view of attaching plate  200  and latch  300 . The latch is shown operationally located in the attaching plate. 
       FIG. 19  is an operational schematic of actuator module  400 . 
     Rotary actuator  450  powers screw drive  460  that vertically positions socket manipulator  470 . 
     An electric attaching plate locking sequence is initiated by appropriate sensor  420  of an attaching plate detecting contact with a receiving plate. The sensor is connected to electrical controller  425 , and battery  410 . Activated, the controller initiates a programed locking operation of rotary actuator  450  that produces a robust upward powering by screw drive  460  of socket  470  to push a latch into it&#39;s downward locking functionality. 
     An electric attaching plate releasing sequence is initiated by manually activating switch  430  on the body of an attached trailer of which the attaching plate is a component. The switch is connected to electrical controller  435 , and battery  410 . Activated, the controller initiates a programed downward releasing operation of socket  370 . 
     The two indicated controllers may be functions of a single controller. 
     Demonstrated is a rotary actuator mechanism, but other actuator systems are possible. 
       FIG. 20  is a top view of a possible trailer  2  with an attaching plate  200  installed by means of vertically-adaptive yoke  500 . The yoke is composed of frame  510  installing to vertically-accommodating links  520 . Links  520  oppositely install to plate mounting arms  530  and trailer mounting anus  420 . 
     The yoke installs the trailer to it&#39;s attaching plate so as to be able to vertically accommodate uneven road surfaces. 
       FIG. 21  is side views of the vertical accommodation of the wheels of an assumed trailer to the irregularities of a possible road surface. 
       FIG. 21A  identities vehicle receiving plate  100  structurally secured to trailer attachment plate  200  and yoke  500  vertically-accommodatingly installing a possible trailer  2 . (For clarity of concept, only the wheeled frame of such a trailer is illustrated). 
       FIG. 21B  demonstrates the downward accommodation of a trailer to a road irregularity. 
       FIG. 21C  demonstrates the upward accommodation of a trailer to a road irregularity. 
     DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               1  Battery-Powered Vehicle 
               2  Trailer 
               100  Receiving Plate 
               150  Receiving Socket 
               155  Range of Lateral Acceptance of Receiving Socket 
               200  Attaching plate 
               250  Aligning Wedge 
               275  Attaching Plate Assembly 
               300  Latch 
               350  Latch Engaging Ball 
               400  Actuator Module 
               410  Battery 
               420  Contact Switch 
               425  Locking Controller 
               430  Manual Switch 
               435  Releasing Controller 
               450  Rotary Actuator 
               460  Screw Drive 
               470  Socket Manipulator 
               500  Vertically-Accommodating Yoke Frame 
               510  Frame 
               520  Vertically-Accommodating Link 
               530  Plate Mounting Arm 
               540  Trailer Mounting Arm