Patent ID: 7976265

Claim:
A trailer for being towed in a forward direction, the trailer comprising: a deck frame arranged to carry a load thereon and comprising a pair of opposing sides extending generally in the forward direction between a front end and a rear end of the deck frame; a pair of side rails hinged at respective rear ends on respective ones of the opposing sides of the deck frame adjacent the rear end of the deck frame to extend generally forwardly to respective front ends of the side rails such that the side rails are arranged for pivotal movement relative to the deck frame about a first lateral axis oriented generally perpendicularly to the forward direction; a wheel supported on each side rail at a location spaced forwardly from the rear end of the side rail and being arranged for rolling movement in the forward direction; a hitch arm pivotally coupled to the side rails adjacent the front end of the side rails so as to be arranged for pivotal movement relative to the side rails about a second lateral axis oriented generally perpendicularly to the forward direction; and a hitch connector at a forward end of the hitch arm arranged for connection to a towing vehicle; the deck frame being movable between a loading position and a transport position; wherein in the loading position the deck frame is arranged to lay substantially at ground level such that the side rails extend upwardly and forwardly to the front ends of the side rails which are spaced above the front end of the deck frame; and wherein in the transport position the front end of the deck frame is arranged to be supported spaced above the ground by the hitch arm such that the front ends of side rails are lowered relative to the loading position and the deck frame is supported for rolling movement on the wheels; and the deck frame comprising a main portion arranged to carry the load thereon and a hitch supporting portion including a hitch support member which extends forwardly from the main portion in fixed relation therewith, the hitch supporting portion being arranged to be secured to the hitch arm in fixed relation in the transport position.