Folding trailer gooseneck

A trailer of the type for securing to and following a bicycle comprising:

• a frame;
• a wheel rotatably mounted on said frame;
• an extension member having first and second ends, said first end hingedly connected to said frame such that said extension member is selectively positionable within substantially the same plane as said wheel between an extended position wherein said extension member extends outwardly from said frame and a folded position wherein said extension member is disposed adjacent said frame for compactness of storage and transport;
• a foldable connector assembly that hingedly connects said first end of said extension member to said frame comprising:
• a first hinge member having first and second ends with a tab formed on said first end of said first hinge member;
• a second hinge member having first and second ends;
• each of said first ends of said first and second hinge members having at least one knuckle formed thereon;
• each of said knuckles having a respective bore formed therethrough;
• a pin extending through each of said bores, whereby said first and second hinge members are relatively visible about said pin between a closed position and an open position, and wherein, one said first and second hinge members are in said closed position, a longitudinal axis is defined between said end of first hinge member and said second end of said second hinge member;
• a quick release mechanism operable to selectively secure said first and second hinge members in said closed position and to release said first and second hinge members into said open position comprising:
• a shank attached to said second hinge member and extending substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis and substantially transverse to said pin;
• a bearing surface slideably mounted on said shank;
• and
• a tighten mechanism for selectively positioning said bearing surface between an upper and a lower position whereby said first hinge member, said second hinge member, said tab, and said bearing surface are relatively arranged and configured such that when said first and second hinge members are in said closed position, said tab is disposed between said bearing surface and said second hinge member when said bearing surfaces in said upper position, said first and second hinge members may be transitioned between said closed and open positions and when said bearing surface is in said lower position and said first and second hinge members are in said closed position, said bearing position prevents relative rotation of said first and second hinge members about said pin.

A foldable connector assembly comprising:

• a first hinge member having first and second ends;
• a second hinge member having first and second ends;
• each of said first ends of said first and second hinge members having at least one knuckle formed thereon;
• each of said knuckles having a respective bore formed therethrough;
• a pin extending through each of said bores, whereby said first and second hinge members are relatively pivotable about said pin between a closed position and an open position, and wherein, when said first and second hinge members are in said closed position, a longitudinal axis is defined between said second end of said first hinge member and said second end of said second hinge member;
• and
• a quick release mechanism which includes a shank that extends through a bore formed in a said first hinge member, said bore being angled to said bores formed within said knuckles, and operable to selectively secure said first and second hinge members in said closed position and to release said first and second hinge members into said open position.

A foldable connector assembly conspiring:

• a first hinge member having first and second ends;
• a second hinge member having first and second ends;
• each of said first ends of said first and second hinge members having at least one knuckle formed thereon;
• each of said knuckles having a respective bore formed therethrough;
• a pin extending through each of said bores, whereby said first and second hinge members are relatively pivotable about said pin between a closed position and an open position, and wherein, when said first and second hinge members are in said closed position, a longitudinal axis is defined between said second end of said first hinge member and said second end of said second hinge member;
• and
• a quick release mechanism operable to selectively secure said first and second hinge members in said closed position and to release said first and second hinge members into said open position wherein
• a) said quick release mechanism includes:
• i) a shank;
• ii) a bearing surface movably mounted on said shank;
• and
• iii) a tightening mechanism for selectively positioning said bearing surface between an upper position and a lower position;
• b) a tab is formed on said first end of said first hinge member;
• c) said shank is attached to said second hinge member and extends substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis and substantially transverse to said pin;
• and
• d) said first hinge member, said second hinge member, said tab, and said bearing surface are relatively arranged and configured such that;
• i) when said first and second hinge members are in said closed position, said tab is disposed between said bearing surface and said second hinge member;
• ii) when said bearing surface is in said upper position, said first and second hinge members may be transitioned between said closed and open positions;
• and
• iii) when said bearing surface is in said lower position and said first and second hinge members are in said closed position, said bearing surface prevents relative rotation of said first and second hinge members about said pin.