Modular trailer

• US 5,383,703 A
• Filed: 01/28/1993
• Issued: 01/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Irvine S. J III
• Original Assignee: Irvine S. J III
• Inventors: Irvine, S. J. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US08/010,208
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 296/181, 296/168, 296/24.1, 296/26
• US Class Current: 296/24.45
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/36 Auxiliary arrangements; Arrangements of living accommodation toilet or washing arrangements B60R15/00; Details
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 63/061 Foldable, extensible or yielding trailers foldable caravans B60P3/34; adjustable chassis frames B62D21/14

Abstract

A modular trailer utilizes a small trailer body capable of being pulled by the average passenger automobile. The trailer'"'"'s interior is provided such that it may be utilized in a completely open fashion for the transportation of large, bulky items, or alternatively may be utilized with the addition of removal modular walls, shelves and restraints in a wide variety of configurations which provide particularized storage spaces for small items or items requiring special restraint during transportation. The trailer is provided such that the entire interior space may be utilized as a single compartment or it may be broken down into large compartments, small compartments or a combination of the two, according to the changing and varied needs of the operator. The device utilizes a plurality of movable walls and shelves which may be interlocked in a variety of configurations as well as providing a shaded interior space. The trailer is provided with fold-out accessories such as a picnic table and trailering ramps, all of which may be broken down and stored within the trailer with a relatively small loss of utility space in the event that the device is to be utilized in an empty mode.

Claims

1. A modular trailer for both storage and transportation of a variety of variously sized and shaped items and for use as a recreational vehicle, the trailer comprising:

a) a trailer chassis;

b) a hollow body mounted thereon, said hollow body having a front, rear and two sides, forming an interior space;

c) a rear door mounted in the rear of said hollow body for ingress and egress from said interior space;

d) at least one side door mounted in at least one side of said hollow body, said side door allowing access to at least a portion of said interior space;

e) fixed rigid interior walls, mounted within said interior space at the periphery thereof and to said front, rear and side walls;

f) at least one modular rigid interior wall, adapted for selective placement within the interior space to at least partially divide said interior space into a plurality of smaller spaces; and

g) mounting means, affixed to one of said at least one modular interior wall and said fixed interior walls for selective interconnection therebetween.

2. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, wherein said at least one side door has a top and bottom edge and is hinged along said top edge.

3. A modular trailer as described in claim 2, wherein said at least one side door is sized and adapted to open such that both objects and people may pass therethrough.

4. A modular trailer as described in claim 2, wherein said at least one side door is sized and adapted to open upwardly.

5. A modular trailer as described in claim 4, further comprising restraining means for restraining said at least one side door in a plurality of open positions.

6. A modular trailer as described in claim 5, wherein said restraining means is comprised of a shock absorber.

7. A modular trailer as described in claim 5, wherein said at least one side door is restrained in an extreme open position and said at least one side door is adapted to further function as an awning for an area immediately adjacent said modular trailer.

8. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, further comprising locking means for securing said at least one side door in a closed position.

9. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, wherein said at least one side door comprises essentially the entire side of said hollow body.

10. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, wherein said rear door has top, bottom and side edges and is rotatably mounted to said hollow body along one of said side edges.

11. A modular trailer as described in claim 10, further comprising locking means for securing said rear door in a closed position.

12. A modular trailer as described in claim 11, wherein said locking means is further comprised of a rotatable bar mounted upon an exterior surface of said hollow body adjacent said rear door, a pivotable bar mounted upon said rotatable bar and at least one receiving and restraining means mounted upon said rear door, whereby said pivotable bar may be selectively rotated into a position adjacent said rear door and selectively pivoted into a position within said receiving and restraining means, securing said rear door in a closed position, and whereby said locking means is generally parallel and adjacent to said hollow body in both a locked and unlocked configuration.

13. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, wherein said hollow body is mounted along one edge of said trailer chassis and covering a portion thereof, said trailer chassis further comprising a smaller triangular portion extending outwardly from said hollow body.

14. A modular trailer as described in claim 13, wherein said trailer chassis further comprises a height-adjustable support wheel mounted on said smaller triangular portion at a point opposite said hollow body.

15. A modular trailer as described in claim 13, further comprising a support means mounted on said smaller triangular portion, said support means being sized and adapted to receive and restrain a propane tank.

16. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, wherein said fixed interior walls further comprise at least a first portion of said mounting means, said first portion of said mounting means spatially arranged upon said fixed interior walls to receive and restrain said modular interior walls in a stable manner in a plurality of positions.

17. A modular trailer as described in claim 16, wherein said modular interior walls further comprise at least a second portion of said mounting means, said second portion of said mounting means sized and adapted to selectively interconnect to said first portion of said mounting means affixed to said fixed interior walls.

18. A modular trailer as described in claim 17, wherein said mounting means further comprises a sliding latch.

19. A modular trailer as described in claim 17, wherein said mounting means further comprises a tongue and slot.

20. A modular trailer as described in claim 17, wherein said mounting means further comprises a screw type latch.

21. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, wherein said fixed interior walls further comprise at least one locking ring, adapted to receive and restrain one of a hook and rope.

22. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, wherein said modular interior walls further comprise at least one locking ring, adapted to receive and restrain one of a hook and rope.

23. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, further comprising a mounting slot, mounted upon at least one of said rear and sides of said hollow body, adapted to receive and restrain a table surface.

24. A modular trailer as described in claim 23, further comprising a flat table surface which may be selectively affixed to said mounting slot, said flat table surface having at least one secondary foldable leg for support.

25. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one selectively extendable support jack mounted to one of said hollow body and said trailer chassis, said at least one selectively extendable support jack adapted for support of said modular trailer when said modular trailer is in a rest mode.

26. A modular trailer as described in claim 25, wherein said modular trailer is further comprised of four lower corners and said at least one selectively extendable support jacks are mounted beneath at least one of said four lower corners.

27. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, further comprising a step located adjacent said at least one side door, said step adapted to hang intermediate said at least one side door and the ground.

28. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one removable ramp for facilitating ingress and egress from said interior space, said at least one ramp selectively mountable immediately adjacent said rear door.

29. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, further comprising a light within the interior space.

30. A modular trailer as described in claim 1, wherein said interior space is further comprised of a top surface, said top surface further comprising at least one support rod, said support rod sized and adapted for receiving and restraining a variety of hanging objects.

31. A modular trailer as described in claim 30, wherein said top surface further comprises at least a first portion of said mounting means, adapted to receive and restrain said modular interior walls.