Abstract:
A trailer for handling large round bales by loading and unloading them without the requirement of additional equipment or hydraulics as well as transporting one or more bales at a time. In addition the bale loading, hauling and unloading portions of the trailer may be replaced with other hauling structures such as hoppers, flat beds and RTV carriers to mention just a few.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a multi purpose trailer and, more particularly, to a trailer that will load and unload large round bales without the aid of a tractor or hydraulics as well as other cargos. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Large round forage bales weigh as much as 2,000 pounds each and are difficult to load and transport unless a tractor or some other large mechanical device with hydraulics is present to load and unload. With the growing number of hobby farmers and the availability of small bales becoming less it has increased the difficulty of the hobby farmer to obtain and feed his or her animals. Tractors are expensive to purchase and maintain. They are often diesel and forethought is required in cold weather to start them. In addition they are unsafe and impractical for hauling bales for long distances as well as expensive in fuel consumption to do so. 
         [0003]    The hobby farmer has long needed a means to enable him to purchase large bales, transport them home in a safe efficient manner, store them and then be able to reload them for transportation to the feeder where they can be unloaded without the need of hydraulics or other large equipment. 
         [0004]    Further, none of these trailers can be used for other purposes when large round bales are not being hauled. This is an economic expense that forces the hobby farmer to own multiple trailers to perform different tasks; thus increasing cost, maintenance and storage problems. 
         [0005]    Many other solutions exist but they are all centered around the large professional farmer or need for hydraulics and other large equipment such as Danner Des. 331,413 with its design of a large trailer to haul square bales. This design provides no means for loading and unloading large round bales. Hynson in U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,772 shows a device that will attach to the three point hitch of a tractor, lift and weigh it so it can be loaded onto a trailer, thus requiring a tractor, hydraulics and a separate trailer to haul and unload with. Kannady in U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,253 demonstrates a round bale carrier that will load and unload one round bale in a horizontal position only. Hauling only one bale at a time increases the cost of transportation substantially. By unloading the bale in a horizontal position it makes it difficult to place the bale into a round feeder for livestock and the trailer cannot be used for any other purpose other than to haul one round bale. 
         [0006]    Van Antwerp in U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,034 offers a method to spear a large bale and to elevate it. This bale loader offers the hauler the ability to carry one bale, principally unsupported from the bottom increasing the chance that portions of the bale will fall off on the road, especially when hauled for long distances. It permits the bale to be hauled and unloaded only in the horizontal position. It requires a tractor or a pickup truck of substantial size. This device is designed for on-farm moving. 
         [0007]    Doan in U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,964 shows an invention that will self-load a large round bale and then another and another until there are 4 in total. It unloads by dumping them to the side. This hauler is designed for the larger farmer and to remove bales from the field rather than a stack where the hobby farmer will often be retrieving bales from. 
         [0008]    Shonka shows in U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,836 a large capacity round bale retriever and hauler that requires tractor operation. While in prior art presented by Siebenga in U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,345 a loading, hauling and stacking trailer for handling large round balers is displayed which requires a tractor to operate. 
         [0009]    Willis in U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,294 displays a bale hauler and loader. Clay, Sr., shows a lifter/hauler that uses a ratchet to raise and lower one bale at a time on the rear of a truck in U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,597. Willis in U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,689 has a bale loader and transport that requires the use of a tractor to operate. Connell, Jr. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,199 demonstrates a self propelled large round bale retriever and hauler. 
         [0010]    Quirk in U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,038 uses a side by side large round bale carrying only device that will mount to a truck for the purpose of hauling and then the bales may be unloaded by dumping them. Bingham in U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,513 shows a trailer that is ground driven that will load and carry multiple large round bales. This unit is deigned to retrieve bales from the field rather than from a stack. Eiland demonstrates in a U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,021 a means for loading multiple large round bales on a gooseneck trailer in the field which requires a motor to raise and lower the trailer. All of the bales are unloaded in the horizontal position. Ellis displays in U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,367 B2 a bale loading and hauling device that is hydraulically operated. 
         [0011]    The other solutions discussed do not meet the needs of the hobby farmer. They are designed to fill the needs of the professional or large farmer. Most require a tractor or at least hydraulics which require a sophisticated and dedicated device for loading, hauling, and unloading bales. None of them provide for multiple use of the devices. So any hobby farmer is saddled with the problems that he so wants to solve. He cannot economically, efficiently or practically purchase, load, haul and unload a bale into a feeder for his livestock. Further he cannot use the trailer for any other purpose thus increasing his purchase cost, maintenance cost, shelter cost or the difficulty in trying to use multiple trailers with multiple connections to service his needs. 
         [0012]    It is therefore an object of the invention to load and unload large round bales without the need for other equipment or hydraulics. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the invention to transport one or more large round bales. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the invention to transport and stack small square bales without further handling. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the invention to transport and spread or dump from a hopper various materials. 
         [0016]    It is another object of the invention to transport RTV&#39;s, ATV&#39;s and Snow machines. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the invention to provide for a tilt deck flatbed trailer option. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the invention to provide a multi use trailer for towing behind any type vehicle capable of such loads. 
         [0019]    It is another object of the invention to reduce the cost to the owner of owning multiple trailers. 
         [0020]    It is another object of the invention to reduce the transportation cost of hauling various cargos. 
         [0021]    It is another object of the invention to reduce the problems associated with owning multiple trailers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a trailer for handling large round bales by loading and unloading them without the requirement of additional equipment or hydraulics as well as transporting one or more bales at a time. In addition the bale loading, hauling and unloading portions of the trailer may be replaced with other hauling structures such as hoppers, flat beds and RTV carriers to mention just a few. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a carrier frame; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a carrier frame fitted with a side basket; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a main carrier fitted with large bale baskets; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a schematic &amp; perspective view of a side basket frame and wire base; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a schematic &amp; perspective view of a rear basket; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of an optional tilt bed trailer mount; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an optional hopper attachment; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an optional box drag attachment. 
       
    
    
       [0032]    For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a carrier frame. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a carrier frame fitted with a side basket  32 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a main carrier fitted with large bale baskets. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a schematic &amp; perspective view of a side basket frame  38  and wire base  36 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a schematic &amp; perspective view of a rear basket  40 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of an optional tilt bed trailer mount. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an optional hopper  56  attachment. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an optional box drag attachment. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 1  there is a carrier frame means  9  consisting of a main beam  10  of this invention attached to a rear cross beam  12  which axle mounts  16  are fitted to secure at least one axle. It comprises a carrier frame indicated generally  FIG. 1 . The trailer frame is indicated generally and comprises essentially a rectangular frame having one main beam  10  and one rear cross beam  12  and two axle mounts  16  where axles are fitted (not shown). A winch mount  24 , battery box  14 , side attachment anchor beam  22 , spring mount  26 , rear attachment pivot  18  and a side attachment pivot  20  are indicated. The description of side and rear are derived from the fact of the direction in which the vehicle normally travels. The carrier frame means  9  includes a rigid main beam  10  support, by means of which the carrier frame means  9  is supported on an axle (not shown) which is parallel to the rear cross beam  12  frame members. Wheels (not shown) are provided and supported on the axle by conventional means. These wheels can have a brake mechanism which can be electrical, mechanical or hydraulic as desired, so that during a selected time interval the brakes can be locked to prevent the wheels from turning. The battery box  14  can hold a battery to power at least one electric winch. The winch mount  24  can be fitted with at one or more winches for operation of the pivot attachments. A cable anchor point  28  is provided for the end of each winch cable for use when multiplication of winch power is wanted. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 2  there is a carrier frame means  9  as described in  FIG. 1  shown with a side basket  32  consisting of a basket frame  38 , wire base  36  and cable pulley  34  attachment. The basket frame  38  means is composed of rigid lateral beams parallel to each other with rigid cross beams that are perpendicular to the lateral beams but parallel to each other covered with a heavy wire material to prevent objects from falling through the side basket  32 . A pivot tube is attached below the side basket frame  38  to permit the side basket  32  to pivot from a horizontal position to a vertical position and back. The cable pulley  34  means permits the cable to be looped through the cable pulley  34  for multiplication of pulling effect by the winch or directly for less multiplication but faster retrieval of the side basket  32  into the horizontal position. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 3  there is a carrier frame means  9  as described in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  shown with a side and rear basket  40  consisting of a basket frame  38 , wire base  36  and cable pulley  34  attachment. The basket frame  38  means is composed of rigid lateral beams parallel to each other with rigid cross beams that are perpendicular to the lateral beams but parallel to each other covered with a heavy wire material to prevent objects from falling through the side or rear basket  40 . A pivot tube is attached below the side basket  32  and rear basket frame  38  to permit the side basket  32  or rear basket  40  to pivot independently from a horizontal position to a vertical position and back. The cable pulley  34  means permits the cable to be looped through the cable pulley  34  for multiplication of pulling effect by the winch or directly for less multiplication but faster retrieval of the side basket  32  or rear basket  40  independently into the horizontal position. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  further displays the position of the wheel  42 , jack  44  and hitch  46  as they are attached to the carrier frame means  9 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 4  the side basket frame  38  means is composed of rigid lateral beams parallel to each other with rigid cross beams that are perpendicular to the lateral beams but parallel to each other covered with a heavy base wire material to prevent objects from falling through the side basket  32 . A side basket pivot tube  48  is attached below the side basket  32  to permit the side basket  32  or rear basket  40  to pivot independently from a horizontal position to a vertical position and back. The cable pulley  34  means permits the cable to be looped through the cable pulley  34  for multiplication of pulling effect by the winch or directly for less multiplication but faster retrieval of the side basket  32  or rear basket  40  independently into the horizontal position. A tension spring j bolt  30  is attached to the lower side basket frame  38  for attachment of an extension spring to provide tension on the side basket  32 . This tension spring facilitates the unassisted manual lifting of the side basket  32  and prevents the side basket  32  from dropping uncontrollably as it is lowered can comes over center in its decent from a vertical position to a horizontal position. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 5  the rear basket frame  38  means is composed of rigid lateral beams parallel to each other with rigid cross beams that are perpendicular to the lateral beams but parallel to each other covered with a heavy base wire material to prevent objects from falling through the rear basket  40 . A rear basket pivot tube  50  is attached below the rear basket  40  to permit the rear basket  40  to pivot independently from a horizontal position to a vertical position and back. The cable pulley  34  means permits the cable to be looped through the cable pulley  34  for multiplication of pulling effect by the winch or directly for less multiplication but faster retrieval of the rear basket  40  or rear basket  40  independently into the horizontal position. A tension spring j bolt  30  is attached to the lower rear basket frame  38  for attachment of an extension spring to provide tension on the rear basket  40 . This tension spring facilitates the unassisted manual lifting of the rear basket  40  and prevents the rear basket  40  from dropping uncontrollably as it is lowered and comes over center in its decent from a vertical position to a horizontal position. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 6  one of the several optional attachments, in particular to accommodate a tilting flat bed trailer attachment. The rear attachment pivot  18  is removable and replaceable permitting the main carrier frame to facilitate the attachment of various optional attachments. In  FIG. 6  the rear attachment tilt trailer pivot  52  means is composed of rigid lateral beams parallel to each other with rigid cross beams that are perpendicular to the lateral beams but parallel to each other fitted with axle rollers  54 . These axle rollers  54  intercept and operate in a tract fitted to the undercarriage of the flat bed top. This fitting permits the axle rollers  54  to travel inside a rigid c beam of the flat bed undercarriage permitting the flat bed to transverse its center resting position on the carrier frame means  9  causing it to tip from a horizontal position to one in which contact with the ground to the rear of the carrier frame means  9  is situated. In this rear position the flat bed can be easily accessed by wheeled or tracked vehicles for loading and off loading. When the vehicle is loaded the flat bed can be moved to its forward loaded transportation position by means of a winch located on the winch mount  24 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 7  a hopper  56 , one of the several optional attachments. In particular a generally rectangular structure consisting of two sides, a front, a rear angled swing gate  60  with an adjustable lower opening, a bottom and a means for adjusting the rear swing gate&#39;s relative opening. The hopper  56  is made from a rigid material and is fitted with a rear swing gate  60  that in its fully closed position is generally angled between 30 and 60 degrees facilitating a rock and trash dump end  58 . The rear swing gate  60  is fitted with a controllable opening device, swing gate adjustment  62 , which permits incremental opening of the rear swing gate  60  to facilitate accurate opening distances. A hopper pivot tube  64  is attached to the lower carriage of the hopper  56  permitting the hopper  56  to pivot on the rear attachment pivot  18 . Pivoting of the hopper  56  from its resting or horizontal position to an elevated or vertical position facilitates the emptying of the hopper  56  such is in releasing sand, gravel or other aggregate in a spreading action determined by the position of the open rear swing gate  60 . Or to empty the hopper  56  with the rear swing gate  60  closed when larger objects are contained in the hopper  56  and the desire is simply to remove them. An optional hopper lid  66  is depicted and consists of a rigid generally flat top portion with four rigid side portions at a generally 90 degree angle to the top portion. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 8  a box drag, one of the several optional attachments. In particular a generally rectangular structure consisting of two box grader sides  76 , a rear fitted with a hardened grader blade  70  to the box grader frame  74  with an adjustable lower opening, and a means for attaching the box grader  68  to the rear pivot attachment of the main carrier means, arms. The box scraper is made from a rigid material an arm pivot tube  78  is attached to one end of each arm  72  to connect the box drag to the main carrier frame so that the box drag follows in close proximity to the hopper  56  as it spreads its contents. The box drag then spreads and fills as it follows creating an even smooth surface behind the hopper  56 . 
         [0050]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0051]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.