Single wheel trailer and stabilizing hitch

• US 7,387,308 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2005
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jimmy C. Williamson
• Original Assignee: Jimmy C. Williamson
• Inventors: Williamson, Jimmy C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YEAGLEY, DANIEL S
• Application Number:
  US11/103,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20050285362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 280/483, 280/78, 280/446.1
• US Class Current: 280/483
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/50 resiliently mounted B60D1/30 takes precedence ;B60D1/182 takes precedence; springs or dampers per se F16F
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 2001/546 two pivot axes
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/00 Motor vehicles or trailers, characterised by the arrangement or number of wheels, not otherwise provided for, e.g. four wheels in diamond pattern

Abstract

The single wheel trailer and stabilizing hitch assembly includes a hitch which precludes lateral tilt or roll of a trailer about the longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle and trailer, the trailer having only a single wheel for support. The hitch includes a pair of horizontal plates which bear against one another, with a vertical pivot pin securing the two plates together to allow the trailer to turn laterally relative to the towing vehicle. A separate horizontal pivot axis accommodates pitch of the trailer relative to the towing vehicle while negotiating bumps and dips. However, the trailer tongue is fixed relative to the roll axis of the assembly, and the trailer cannot tilt or lean to the side while being supported by its single wheel. This greatly reduces wheel bearing and tire wear, and reduces rolling resistance of the trailer as well. Different trailer configurations are also provided.

Claims

1. A single wheel trailer and stabilizing hitch therefor, comprising:

a trailer frame having at least a forward end and a rearward end opposite the forward end;

a trailing suspension arm having a trailer frame attachment end and a wheel attachment end opposite the trailer frame attachment end, said arm pivotally extending from said trailer frame;

a single wheel and tire extending from the wheel attachment end of said trailing suspension arm;

a trailer tongue extending from the forward end of said trailer frame, said tongue having a forward, distal end;

a hitch arm having a tow vehicle attachment end and a trailer tongue attachment end opposite the tow vehicle attachment end;

a tow vehicle mounting plate extending generally horizontally from the trailer tongue attachment end of said hitch arm;

a trailer tongue mounting plate pivotally secured to said tow vehicle mounting plate;

a mounting plate pivot bolt disposed through said tow vehicle mounting plate and said trailer tongue mounting plate;

a trailer tongue box extending from said trailer tongue mounting plate;

a trailer tongue attachment bolt disposed laterally through said trailer tongue box and the forward, distal end of said trailer tongue captured within said trailer tongue box; and

a mounting plate pivot bolt attachment box disposed between said trailer tongue mounting plate and said trailer tongue box.

2. The single wheel trailer and stabilizing hitch combination according to claim 1, wherein the forward, distal end of said trailer tongue has opposed upper and lower sides, the combination further including a plurality of trailer pitch damping compression springs extending from the upper and lower sides of the forward, distal end of said trailer tongue.

3. The single wheel trailer and stabilizing hitch combination according to claim 1, further including a resilient suspension mechanism disposed between said trailing arm and said trailer frame.

4. The single wheel trailer and stabilizing hitch combination according to claim 1, further including a bed extending across said trailer frame.

5. The single wheel trailer and stabilizing hitch combination according to claim 4, further including a storage enclosure disposed atop said bed.

6. The single wheel trailer and stabilizing hitch combination according to claim 4, further including at least one article support bracket extending from said bed.

7. The single wheel trailer and stabilizing hitch combination according to claim 4, further including a trailer bed raising and lowering mechanism disposed upon said trailer frame.

8. The single wheel trailer and stabilizing hitch combination according to claim 1, wherein said hitch arm is selected from the group consisting of flat plates and rectangular section receiver hitch bars.

9. The single wheel trailer and stabilizing hitch combination according to claim 1, wherein:

said trailer tongue mounting plate is disposed above said tow vehicle mounting plate; and

said trailer tongue box is disposed atop said trailer tongue mounting plate.