Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the field of hunting and recreation, including still hunting, ice fishing and other forms of sportsman&#39;s activities. Currently, many different tools and apparatus need to be utilized if a sportsman desires to still hunt from a blind, still hunt from a stand, ice fish and tow equipment related to such activities. Many, if not all, of these devices as individual components are bulky and cumbersome. Because of this, to buy, store and maintain such a multitude of devices is a cumbersome, not to mention expensive, prospect. 
   Present devices offer some of the functionality of the present invention, but none offer all of the versatility or the combination of features that the sports and recreational trailer presented herein does. Some elevating stands offer storage for ATV&#39;s, but do not provide the ability to hunt from a ground blind position. Ice fishing huts in the present art do not offer the mobility that the current invention does. Available incarnations of ground blinds generally are not self-elevating. Nothing in the present field offers the ability to combine all of these features, or offers the additional novel aspects of the present invention, such as a dropping hitch and axle assembly. 
   The current invention fills the existing gap in technology by providing a single device to competently handle all of the tasks associated with the separate devices listed above. This invention also adds new functionality not before seen in any incarnation of the above devices, such as the ability to lower the entire chassis, or to load the trailer by utilizing a bed-tilting feature. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   One object of the invention is to provide a device capable of providing shelter for blind hunting. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a device capable of providing an elevated stand for still hunting and other activities which require a heightened position. 
   Still another object of the invention is to supply a device which provides shelter for ice fishing and other activities where shelter from weather elements is required. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a device that facilitates entry and exit by lowering the load floor to be parallel and flush with the ground below it. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a device that enables the user to carry cargo in the device when being transported to and from the destination. 
   Other objects and advantages of this invention shall become apparent from the ensuing descriptions of the invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the present invention, the sports and recreational trailer is a multi-purpose device that may be used for myriad uses, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, observation, hauling and elevated work. It comprises mainly a chassis portion and a platform portion. The platform portion can be positioned at various elevations, ranging from flush with the ground to a substantial height, depending upon the desired use of the trailer. Various other features permit the trailer to be entirely or partially enclosed so that the user can be shielded from weather, to prevent game from scenting the hunter/user within, as well as other uses which shall become apparent. Other components of the invention permit the entire trailer to be put in substantial contact with the ground below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of this invention. However, it is to be understood that this embodiment is intended to be neither exhaustive, nor limiting of the invention. They are but examples of some of the forms in which the invention may be practiced. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the sports and recreational trailer. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of the drop hitch assembly in the “up” position. 
       FIG. 2B  shows a perspective view of the drop hitch assembly in the “down” position. 
       FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of the drop axle assembly in the “up” position. 
       FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of the drop axle assembly in the “down” position. 
     “FIG  4 A. Shows a perspective view of the elevating assembly. 
     FIG  4 B. Shows a side view of the elevating assembly.” 
       FIG. 5  shows an elevational view of the sports and recreational trailer in the elevated position. 
       FIG. 6  shows a top view of the lifting mechanism. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention, reference is made to the figures in describing the various embodiments of the invention. Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , a sports and recreational trailer  100 , chassis  101  can support platform  102 , in a number of ways. One such way is directly, i.e. is permanently affixed to chassis  101 . Another method is an elevational connection, that is, a platform that is able to be lifted up relative to chassis  101 , which will be discussed in greater detail below. Other modes of connectivity would be possible as well, and evident to those skilled in the art. 
   Chassis  101  would likely be mobile in most applications, to provide added convenience and utility. Mobility can be achieved by attaching various mobility-enabling devices such as wheels  103  for general utility, skids  116  if in a more arctic climate or even buoyant devices, such as pontoon floats  117  if in an aquatic environment. Part of trailer&#39;s  100  mobility is being able to be affixed to a towing vehicle  115 , such as a car, truck, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) via hitch  104 . The trailer  100  could also conceivably be self-propelled if desired. 
   If trailer  100  is in a configuration by which platform  102  is able to be elevated, additional parts will be configured as part of trailer  100 . One such part would be lift  105 , which can be attached to platform  102  and to chassis  101 . Using lift  105 , platform  102  may be elevated as illustrated in FIG.  5 . Such lift  105  would be comprised mainly of linkage  133  attached to chassis  101 . Linkage  133  would comprise a series of crossed bars  134 , each forming a section  135 , with the overall number of sections  135  dependent upon the desired maximum height of the device, as well as other factors which may warrant additional sections  135 . Examples of such varying needs include increased weight capacity or space constraints, such as the need for a shorter trailer. First leg  137  of first section  136  of linkage  133  would be pivotally attached to a fixed point of chassis  101 . Second leg  138  would be slidably attached to chassis  101  by way of channel  139 , which would permit lateral movement of second leg  138 . Such lateral movement is necessary to facilitate the elevation of platform  102 . Horizontal braces  107  may also be utilized to provide additional stability and weight capacity. Other types of lifting mechanisms could also be used, but this particular iteration permits platform  102  to remain flat when in the down position, substantially parallel to chassis  101 . This enables efficient use of space and minimal intrusion of lift  105  and platform  102  when in the stowed, or down position, as well as permitting platform  102  to be used for storage when in the down position, rather than occupying space on the trailer, as other devices in the art do. 
   To counteract any torquing forces that may result from the higher center of gravity when elevated, chassis  101  may be outfitted with stabilizers  110 . These may be mounted in several ways, and in several configurations, one of which is pictured in FIG.  5 . In this particular embodiment, stabilizers  110  are attached to the rear and/or front of chassis  101  and rotate down to engage the ground below when needed. Stabilizers  110  can take various forms, such as that listed here, as well as telescoping bars that extend out of the box steel forming chassis  101 , as in  FIG. 1 , or any other out rigging device that could prevent rotational motion of trailer  100 . 
   Platform  102  may also be equipped with various other accoutrements to facilitate activities on trailer  100 . One such example would be collapsible shelter  111 , which may be used during hunting or fishing, among other things, for protection from weather. Collapsible shelter  111  would comprise structural ribs  112  that support material  113  such as canvas, nylon, plastic or the like, forming collapsible shelter  111 . Alternately, railing  118  can be employed about the perimeter of platform  102 . Railing  118  can be used to retain objects within trailer  100  or to support concealing mesh  119  or other material, and need not be permanently attached to platform  102 . Concealing mesh  119  can be used to prevent game from spotting the user of trailer  100  and/or as shelter from the weather when affixed to railing  118  or collapsible shelter  111 . 
   In addition, platform  102  may have opening(s)  114  in strategically placed positions on the floor to permit access to the ground below. This enables users of trailer  100  to access the surface below for activities like ice fishing, where access to the ground is required. Openings  114  can be used with doors  120  so that openings might not always be exposed and objects pass therethrough. 
   Platform  102  may also be configured to permit its rotation about wheels  103  by being releasably attached to hitch  104 . In this manner, platform  102  can be permitted to tilt until it contacts the ground. This precludes the need for a ramp for loading snowmobiles, ATV&#39;s or similar items. Ramp  121  can be utilized, if desired, which doubles as a retaining device to keep loaded items within trailer  100  when ramp  121  is closed. 
   Dropping hitch assembly  152  may be configured to permit trailer  100  to raise and lower independently of the hitch  104 . This is accomplished by having tongue  123  from trailer  100  connected to another piece which attaches to the towing vehicle. The two can be connected in multiple ways, one of which is in a hinged fashion as illustrated in FIG.  6 . This configuration has pivot  151  whereby hitch  104  remains stationary and tongue  123  moves downward, permitting trailer  100  to rest flat on the ground when axles  122  are also disengaged. 
   Axle  122  may be constructed in various ways to permit trailer  100  to be lowered and put in substantial contact with the ground beneath it. One method is to have stub axle  124  connected to suspension component  129 , such as leaf spring  125  or similar device, which would be hinged at rear point  126 , and front point  127  would be detachable. It should be noted that this could be configured in the reverse, namely that front point  127  could be hinged, while rear point  126  could be detachable, however in the pictured embodiment, the former method was chosen. In either case, while in the up position, as pictured in  FIG. 3A , axle pin  128  can be employed to hold suspension component  129  in place. Also part of this assembly would be suspension winch  130  with cable  131  that would be used to raise and lower the detachable point of suspension component  129 . This procedure is outlined in greater detail below. 
   In operation, hitch  104  and trailer  100  can remain in the standard position, or lowered in order to be flush with the ground. If the latter is desired, hitch  104  and trailer  100  must be lowered, though not necessarily in that order. Dropping hitch assembly  152  can be lowered by removing axle hitch pin  150 . This permits the front end of the trailer to move toward the surface below it, while hitch  104  remains attached to towing vehicle  115 . The second step of lowering trailer  101  is to disengage the axles  122 . This is achieved by removing axle pin(s)  128  and actuating suspension winch  130  such that the cable  131  would be released, which allows detachable front point  127  of the suspension component  129  to move upwards, and, in turn, trailer  100  moves downward toward the surface below it under trailer&#39;s  100  own weight. Once this procedure is complete, trailer  100  is once again level and ready for use. 
   As previously mentioned, trailer  100  can be used in various activities. In operation as a ground blind, trailer  100  would first be positioned in the desired spot. If desired, trailer may be lowered by disengaging hitch  104  and axle  122 . Railing  118  can then be installed, if not fixed, and concealing mesh  119  may be arranged to provide optimal coverage. User may then engage in the desired activity, such as predator calling, observation, hunting or the like. 
   In operation as an elevated stand, again, trailer  100  will be positioned where desired, and can then be lowered using axle  122  and hitch  104 . Alternately, stabilizers  110  can be used if the user does not wish to lower trailer  100 . Lift  105  may then be employed to raise platform  102 . In order to do this, an upward force must be applied to platform  102 . On such method of accomplishing this would be to utilize winch  140 , which can be either manual or motorized, to draw in cable  141  or other strand-like material which is attached to second leg  138  by way of pulley  142 . Pulley  142  can also be attached to lifting bar  143 , which consists of a bar  144  and roller  145 . Winch  140  is actuated, which causes lifting bar  143  to rotate, and as this occurs, whereby roller  145  moves along first leg  137  of linkage  133 . As lifting bar  143  rotates the vertical position of roller  145  moves upward, taking with it first leg  137 . Once lifting bar  143  is in a substantially vertical position lifting bar  143  is mechanically prohibited from further torquing, thus the pulling force from cable  141  on pulley  142  transfers to second leg  138  of lift  105 . This force slides second leg  138  along channel  139  toward the end of trailer  100 , in turn causing lift  105  to further elevate platform  102 . To aid in the elevating action, compressible mounts  146  may be employed to assist in providing the requisite upward force by attaching them to the lift  105  and to chassis  101 . Once elevated to the desired height, user may then perform the desired activity, such as hunt, practice shoot, paint or the like. 
   In operation as an ice fishing hut, trailer  100  will likely be located on a frozen body of water where fishing is desired. Axle  122  and hitch  104  may then be lowered, thus putting chassis  101  in direct contact with the ground below. Doors  120  to openings  114  may then be opened to access the ice below in order to fish. 
   In operation as a utility trailer, ramp  121  may be used to load wheeled or other mobile devices onto trailer  100 , or items can be stored behind railing  118 . Trailer  100  could then be towed normally, used to lift or lower loaded items, or various other activities as previously described. 
   Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.

Technology Category: 7