US 2011/0217137 A1Published application

Trailer for conveniently loading and transporting a four-wheel vehicle

OwnerScott Beneschinventor

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Abstract

A trailer is disclosed for conveniently loading and transporting a four wheel vehicle, such as an ATV. An ATV or other four-wheel vehicle can be loaded onto the trailer by being driven onto the trailer without requiring an additional ramp. Furthermore, the trailer is compact and uses less material than standard utility trailers, thereby reducing production cost, storage space, and gross weight. The trailer includes a bi-stable interactive ramp, a support bar enabling the ramp to tilt about the support bar's axis, a rear-wheels support frame for supporting the rear wheels of the ATV when loaded, a trailer wheel assembly, a ramp bar for urging the front-end chassis of the ATV upward as the ATV's rear wheels are guided up the ramp, a front-end chassis support frame for supporting the front-end chassis of the ATV when loaded, and a trailer hitch assembly attachable to a towing vehicle.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A trailer for conveniently loading and transporting a four wheel vehicle, the trailer comprising:

a bi-stable interactive ramp, the ramp in a first state being capable of guiding a pair of wheels of the vehicle upward as the vehicle is driven forward, and the ramp in a second state being capable of guiding the pair of wheels substantially horizontally as the vehicle is driven forward;
a support bar, the support bar being perpendicular to and supporting the ramp, so as to enable the ramp to tilt about the axis of the support bar between the first and second states;
a rear-wheels support frame, the rear-wheels support frame being attached to and supporting the support bar and the ramp, the rear-wheels support frame being capable of supporting rear wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle has been fully loaded onto the trailer;
a trailer wheel assembly attached to and supporting the rear-wheels support frame;
a ramp bar, the ramp bar extending longitudinally forward and upward from the rear-wheels support frame, the ramp bar being capable of supporting a front-end chassis of the vehicle, so as to enable the front-end chassis of the vehicle to be urged upward as the vehicle is driven forward, and at the same time that the rear wheels of the vehicle are being guided upward on the ramp;
a front-end chassis support frame, the front-end chassis support frame being attached to and extending substantially horizontally forward from a front end of the ramp bar, the front-end chassis support frame being capable of supporting and stabilizing a front-end chassis of the vehicle while the rear wheels of the vehicle are resting upon the rear-wheel support frame;
and
a trailer hitch assembly attached to and supporting the front-chassis support frame, the trailer hitch assembly being attachable to a tow vehicle.

5 more elements

A trailer for conveniently loading and transporting a four wheel vehicle, the trailer comprising:

a bi-stable interactive ramp, the ramp in a first state being capable of guiding a pair of wheels of the vehicle upward as the vehicle is driven forward, and the ramp in a second state being capable of guiding the pair of wheels substantially horizontally as the vehicle is driven forward, the bi-stable interactive ramp defaults to the second state when in an unloaded state;
a support bar, the support bar being perpendicular to and supporting the ramp, so as to enable the ramp to tilt about the axis of the support bar between the first and second states;
a rear-wheels support frame, the rear-wheels support frame being attached to and supporting the support bar and the ramp, the rear-wheels support frame being capable of supporting rear wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle has been fully loaded onto the trailer;
a trailer wheel assembly attached to and supporting the rear-wheels support frame;
a ramp bar, the ramp bar comprises a low friction surface, wherein an upper portion of the ramp bar is curved, the ramp bar extending longitudinally forward and upward from the rear-wheels support frame, the ramp bar being capable of supporting a front-end chassis of the vehicle, so as to enable the front-end chassis of the vehicle to be urged upward as the vehicle is driven forward, and at the same time that the rear wheels of the vehicle are being guided upward on the ramp;
a front-end chassis support frame, the front-end chassis support frame being attached to and extending substantially horizontally forward from a front end of the ramp bar, the front-end chassis support frame capable of supporting, centering and stabilizing a front-end chassis of the vehicle while the rear wheels of the vehicle are resting upon the rear-wheel support frame;
a trailer hitch assembly attached to and supporting the front-chassis support frame, the trailer hitch assembly being attachable to a tow vehicle and being telescopable;
and
a receiver mounted to the rear-wheels support frame, the receiver operable to support additional cargo or tandem trailer connections.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/717,795Filed 4 Mar 2010
Published: 8 Sep 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B62D 63/06
Motor vehicles or trailers not otherwise provided for: trailers
B60P 1/43
Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading: using a loading ramp…
B60P 3/06
Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects: for carrying vehicles
B60P 3/07
For carrying vehicles: for carrying road vehicles