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US 12,583,376 B1Granted
Trailer assembly
AssigneeGeneration Trailers, Inc.
InventorsMark Alferink, Michael DeJonge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer assembly, including: (a) a frame sub-assembly, wherein the frame sub-assembly comprises a pair of rails adapted to support a pontoon/tritoon watercraft thereon; (b) at least two ground-engaging wheels, wherein the at least two ground-engaging wheels are associated with the frame sub-assembly; (c) a trailer coupler, wherein the trailer coupler is releasably securable to a trailer ball; (d) a rail drive sub-assembly, wherein the rail drive sub-assembly comprises a battery, an electrically powered hydraulic pump, at least two actuating hydraulic cylinders, and an up/down controller; and (e) wherein the trailer assembly is readily convertible between a raised position and a lowered position.
Claims16
A trailer assembly, comprising:
- a frame sub-assembly having a front end, wherein the frame sub-assembly comprises a dual frame rail configuration including an upper rail frame and a lower frame, said upper rail frame including a pair of rails adapted to support a pontoon/tritoon watercraft thereon;
- at least two ground-engaging wheels, wherein the at least two ground-engaging wheels are associated with said lower frame of the frame sub-assembly;
- a trailer coupler, wherein the trailer coupler is releasably securable to a trailer ball;
- a rail drive sub-assembly, wherein the rail drive sub-assembly comprises a battery, an electrically powered hydraulic pump, at least two actuating hydraulic cylinders, and an up/down controller;
- and
- wherein the trailer assembly is readily convertible between a raised position and a lowered position by pivoting said upper rail frame relative to said lower frame.
3 more elements
A pontoon/tritoon watercraft trailer assembly, comprising:
- a lower frame sub-assembly including a lower left horizontal support member, a lower right horizontal support member, at least two ground-engaging wheels secured to said lower frame sub-assembly via leaf spring suspensions having equalizers, and one or more horizontal cross support members extending between said lower left and lower right horizontal support members;
- an upper rail frame sub-assembly pivotally connected to said lower frame sub-assembly via one or more rotatable vertical support members, said upper rail frame sub-assembly including an upper left horizontal support member having a pontoon support rail secured thereto and an upper right horizontal support member having a pontoon support rail secured thereto;
- a hydraulic rail drive sub-assembly including a battery, an electrically powered hydraulic pump, a first actuating hydraulic cylinder operably connected between said lower left horizontal support member and one of said rotatable vertical support members, a second actuating hydraulic cylinder operably connected between said lower right horizontal support member and one of said rotatable vertical support members, and an up/down controller in electrical communication with said hydraulic pump;
- a front tongue assembly including a front horizontal support member, a trailer coupler secured thereto, and a slanted support member;
- and
- wherein actuation of said hydraulic cylinders pivots said upper rail frame sub-assembly relative to said lower frame sub-assembly to convert the trailer between a raised transport position and a lowered watercraft loading position, and wherein, in said raised position, pontoon watercraft load is transferred through said upper rail frame sub-assembly and said rotatable vertical support members directly to said lower frame sub-assembly and said ground-engaging wheels.
3 more elements
A pontoon/tritoon watercraft trailer assembly, consisting of:
- a lower frame sub-assembly consisting of a lower left horizontal support member, a lower right horizontal support member, three pairs of ground-engaging wheels secured via leaf spring suspensions with equalizers, and a plurality of horizontal cross support members;
- an upper rail frame sub-assembly consisting of an upper left horizontal support member with a pontoon support rail fixed thereto, an upper right horizontal support member with a pontoon support rail fixed thereto, and two pairs of rotatable vertical support members pivotally connecting said upper rail frame sub-assembly to said lower frame sub-assembly;
- a hydraulic rail drive sub-assembly consisting of a twelve-volt battery mounted proximate a front end of said lower frame sub-assembly, an electrically powered hydraulic pump mounted proximate said front end, a first hydraulic cylinder connected between said lower left horizontal support member and one rotatable vertical support member, a second hydraulic cylinder connected between said lower right horizontal support member and one rotatable vertical support member, and an up/down controller;
- a front tongue assembly consisting of an upper front horizontal cross support member, a lower front horizontal cross support member, a front vertical support member, left and right vertical stop members, a front horizontal support member with a trailer coupler secured thereto, and a slanted support member;
- left and right rear vertical supports with integrated brake lights;
- bumper brackets with bumpers secured to said rotatable vertical support members and to rear ends of said upper left and upper right horizontal support members;
- and
- wherein said hydraulic cylinders pivot said upper rail frame sub-assembly to convert the trailer between a raised position and a lowered position, and wherein watercraft load is transferred directly to said lower frame sub-assembly and said ground-engaging wheels in said raised position.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.