ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT TRAILER

• US 20140306425A1
• Filed: 04/12/2013
• Published: 10/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James P. Atkinson
• Original Assignee: James P. Atkinson
• Inventors: Atkinson, James P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,340,087 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/414.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/06 Ball-and-socket hitches , e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/143 characterised by the mounting of the draw-gear on the towed vehicle B60D1/187 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/155 comprising telescopic or foldable parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/46 vertically
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 13/003 characterised by the mounting on the vehicle body or chassis of the damper unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/067 characterised by the mounting on the vehicle body or chassis of the spring and damper unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/00 Resilient suspensions having means for adjusting the spring or vibration-damper characteristics, for regulating the distance between a supporting surface and a sprung part of vehicle or for locking suspension during use to meet varying vehicular or surface conditions, e.g. due to speed or load levelling or stabilising systems for tippers B60P1/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/61 Adjustable during maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/04 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/38 Low or lowerable bed vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/02 the axle or housing being pivotally mounted on the vehicle , e.g. the pivotal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle B60G9/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/023 Sideboard or tailgate structures vehicle side panels in general B62D25/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/037 Latching means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 63/062 Trailers with one axle or two wheels semi-trailers B62D53/06

Abstract

A trailer is disclosed. The trailer may be pulled behind a vehicle such as, but not limited to, a jeep, dune buggy, or ATV. Embodiments of the trailer may include a frame and an adjustable suspension. The adjustable suspension may be used to vary the height of the trailer in order to accommodate different types of terrain and loading. By changing the height, the clearance and/or approach angle of the trailer may be varied. Additional embodiments may include a tongue connected to the frame, which tongue may have an adjustable length and/or height. Where the trailer includes a cover and a tailgate, an optional locking system may be used. In one embodiment, the locking system includes a handle that may release both the tailgate and cover. In some embodiments, the handle may be partially pulled to release the cover while fully pulling the handle may release the tailgate.

Claims

1. A trailer, comprising:

a frame;

at least two wheels connected to the frame; and

an adjustable suspension system for varying a clearance of the frame.

2. The trailer recited in claim 1, wherein the adjustable suspension system includes a pivot moveable along a longitudinal length of the frame.

3. The trailer recited in claim 2, wherein the pivot is moveable between discrete positions along a longitudinal length of the frame.

4. The trailer recited in claim 1, wherein the adjustable suspension is configured to provide an approach angle of at least fifteen degrees.

5. The trailer recited in claim 1, further comprising an adjustable tongue connected to the frame.

6. The trailer recited in claim 5, wherein the adjustable tongue includes an intermediate section pivotally secured to upper and lower sections of the tongue.

7. The trailer recited in claim 6, wherein the intermediate section is angled and non-perpendicular relative to the upper and lower sections of the tongue.

8. The trailer recited in claim 6, wherein the adjustable tongue has a variable extension length and vertical drop.

9. The trailer recited in claim 1, wherein the suspension system includes:

a fixed pivot relative to the frame;

a suspension arm pivotally secured to the fixed pivot, the suspension arm including or being connected to a second pivot;

a shock absorber pivotally secured to the second pivot; and

a third pivot pivotally secured to the shock absorber and slideably disposed relative to the frame.

10. The trailer recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a tongue with a hitch assembly connected thereto, the hitch assembly being configured to be attached to a mount of a towing vehicle, which mount includes;

a swivel hitch configured to allow side-to-side pivoting of the tongue; and

an adaptor connected to the swivel hitch and configured to allow upward-and-downward rotation of the tongue.

11. The trailer recited in claim 1, further comprising:

an enclosure defined by at least three sidewalls and a tailgate; and

a release handle for opening the tailgate.

12. The trailer recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a top cover positionable over an enclosure of the trailer.

13. The trailer recited in claim 12, further comprising:

a handle, wherein the handle is configured to;

release the top cover upon being pulled a first distance; and

release a tailgate upon being pulled a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

14. An adjustable suspension system, comprising:

a frame member;

a first pivot secured to the frame member;

a first suspension arm pivotally secured to the first pivot, the suspension arm including or being secured to a second pivot;

a second suspension arm pivotally secured to the second pivot; and

a third pivot pivotally secured to the second suspension arm, the third pivot being longitudinally moveable relative to the frame member.

15. The adjustable suspension system of claim 14, wherein the second suspension arm includes a shock absorber.

16. The adjustable suspension system of claim 14, wherein the second suspension member has an adjustable length.

17. The adjustable suspension system of claim 14, wherein the third pivot is slideably disposed relative to the frame member.

18. The adjustable suspension system of claim 14, wherein the third pivot is longitudinally moveable between discrete locations where the third pivot may be secured to the frame member.

19. A trailer, comprising:

a frame;

at least two wheels connected to the frame;

an enclosure connected to the frame, the enclosure including at least three sidewalls, a tailgate, and a top cover;

an adjustable suspension connected to the frame, the adjustable suspension providing selectively variable clearance relative to a bottom of the at least two wheels, and selectively varied longitudinal position of the at least two wheels; and

a tongue connected to the frame, the tongue having an adjustable drop and length.

20. The trailer recited in claim 19, wherein:

the adjustable suspension provides at least two suspension arms pivotally secured to the frame, a first suspension arm being secured to a fixed pivot of the frame and the second suspension arm being pivotally secured to the first suspension arm and a translatable pivot secured to the frame, and wherein the adjustable suspension is configured to selectively vary clearance up to at least twenty five inches;

the tongue includes a pivotable intermediate section for pivoting to change drop and length; and

the tailgate includes a handle, the handle controlling release of both the tailgate and top cover, wherein the handle releases the top cover at a different time relative to the tailgate.