Trailer system

• US 10,640,163 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bary Sanford Boggess
• Original Assignee: Bary Sanford Boggess
• Inventors: Boggess, Bary Sanford
• Primary Examiner(s): Hageman, Mark C
• Application Number:
  US16/034,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20180319452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 280 78
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/07 for carrying road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/122 by supporting the whole vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 63/061 Foldable, extensible or yielding trailers foldable caravans B60P3/34; adjustable chassis frames B62D21/14
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 63/062 Trailers with one axle or two wheels semi-trailers B62D53/06
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 27/006 having a single wheel

Abstract

A trailer system includes a chassis defining an axis and having a first section and a second section removably attached to the first section. A wheel assembly is attached to the first section that includes a single wheel and a lift mechanism arranged to raise and lower the chassis relative to the single wheel.

Claims

1. A trailer system comprising:

a chassis defining a longitudinal axis and including a first section and a second section; and

a wheel assembly attached to the first section of the chassis, the wheel assembly including a single wheel and a lift mechanism comprising an actuator operable to pivotally rotate the single wheel relative to the actuator and to raise and lower the chassis relative to the single wheel, wherein the lift mechanism is arranged to move the trailer system into a storage configuration in which the chassis is positioned on a support surface below the trailer system when the trailer system is detached from a tow vehicle, and a loading configuration in which the chassis is lowered relative to a towing configuration to facilitate loading of the chassis when the trailer system is attached to the tow vehicle.

2. The trailer system of claim 1, wherein the chassis is angled relative to the support surface to facilitate loading in the loading configuration.

3. The trailer system of claim 2, wherein which the chassis is elevated a distance above the support surface and extends generally parallel to the support surface in the towing configuration.

4. The trailer system of claim 1, further comprising a towing apparatus including a hitch component and an offset dual articulation joint connecting the hitch component to the second section, the offset dual articulation joint arranged to allow the second section to pitch and yaw relative to the hitch component when the trailer system is in the towing configuration.

5. The trailer system of claim 1, further comprising a twist compensation mechanism attached to the chassis and arranged to rotate at least one of the first section and second section relative to the other.

6. The trailer system of claim 5, wherein the twist compensation mechanism is arranged to compensate for torsional twist in the chassis caused by an unbalanced load applied to the chassis.

7. The trailer system of claim 5, wherein the twist compensation mechanism includes a rotating plate attached to the first section and a stationary plate attached to the second section.

8. The trailer system of claim 7, further comprising a shaft rigidly attached to the rotating plate.

9. The trailer system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first section and the second section defines at least one receiver tube arranged to receive one or more accessory attachments.

10. The trailer system of claim 9, wherein the one or more accessory attachments includes a motorcycle carrier attachment including a support member extending in a direction across the chassis and a connecting member attached to the support member, the connecting member being sized and configured for insertion into the at least one receiver tube.

11. The trailer system of claim 10, wherein a load securing system is attached to the support member of the motorcycle carrier attachment, the load securing system including a tightening member and a pivoting lever arranged to pull tension on the tightening member.

12. The trailer system of claim 9, wherein the one or more accessory attachments includes a flatbed attachment arranged for side dumping.

13. The trailer system of claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly includes a swing arm suspension assembly attached to the single wheel and one or more shock absorbers arranged to dampen movement of the swing arm suspension assembly.

14. The trailer system of claim 1, wherein the first section is removably attached to the second section at a flanged joint.

15. The trailer system of claim 14, wherein one or more extension sections are arranged for attachment to the chassis at the flanged joint.

16. A trailer system comprising:

a chassis including a first section and a second section removably attached to the first section at a flanged joint;

a wheel assembly attached to a back portion of the first section, the wheel assembly including a single wheel and a lift mechanism comprising an actuator operable to pivotally rotate the single wheel relative to the actuator and to raise and lower the chassis relative to the single wheel, wherein the lift mechanism is arranged to move the trailer system into a storage configuration in which the chassis is positioned on a support surface below the trailer system and the single wheel is elevated a distance above the support surface when the trailer system is detached from a tow vehicle, and a loading configuration in which the single wheel is positioned on the support surface and the chassis is lowered relative to a towing configuration to facilitate loading of the chassis when the trailer system is attached to the tow vehicle.

17. The trailer system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the first section and the second section defines at least one receiver tube arranged to receive and secure one or more accessory attachments therein.

18. The trailer system of claim 16, further comprising a twist compensation mechanism attached to the chassis and arranged to rotate at least one of the first section and second section relative to the other.

19. A trailer system comprising:

a chassis comprising a tubular member including a first section and a second section removably attached to the first section, at least one of the first section and the second section defining at least one receiver tube;

a wheel assembly attached to a back portion of the first section, the wheel assembly including a single wheel and a lift mechanism comprising an actuator operable to pivotally rotate the single wheel relative to the actuator and to raise and lower the chassis relative to the single wheel, wherein the lift mechanism is arranged to move the trailer system into a storage configuration in which the chassis is positioned on a support surface below the trailer system and the single wheel is elevated a distance above the support surface when the trailer system is detached from a tow vehicle, and a loading configuration in which the single wheel is positioned on the support surface and the chassis is lowered relative to a towing configuration to facilitate loading of the chassis when the trailer system is attached to the tow vehicle;

a towing assembly attached to a front portion of the second section, the towing assembly including a hitch component and an offset dual articulation joint connecting the hitch component to the second section; and

one or more accessory attachments removably attachable to the chassis via the at least one receiver tube.