US 6,439,545 B1 · Motorized jack for trailers

Abstract

A motor-driven trailer swivel jack is described that includes a detachable steering assembly. The steering assembly is fastened to the jack by both electrical and mechanical fasteners. The mechanical fastener allows the steering assembly to freely pivot in the vertical direction, which allows the user to maintain a grip on the steering as the jack moves over rough terrain. The mechanical fastener provides a rigid connection in the horizontal direction, which allows steering forces to be transferred to the jack without loss. The electrical connector is mounted between the motor and its power source. All the wiring necessary to connect the motor to the power source and the switch to control the motor is located in, or attached to, the removable steering assembly. When the steering assembly is removed, the de-energized motor effectively brakes the wheel of the jack, which complements the absence of a steering mechanism to make the jack difficult to accidentally move or tamper with.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A swivel jack for driving a trailer when the trailer is detached from a towing vehicle, the swivel jack comprising:

a ground wheel and supporting fork assembly;
a prime mover for the ground wheel that includes means for braking the ground wheel when power is removed;
an extension of the fork assembly for receiving a shaft of the fork assembly such that the shaft freely rotates along its longitudinal axis within the extension;
a steering assembly fastened at its one end to the fork assembly at a location below the shaft and free at its other end, where the free end is a handle for a user to apply a torque that is transmitted to the fork assembly, causing the fork assembly to rotate about the shaft's longitudinal axis;
and, a switch at the free end of the steering assembly for controlling the prime mover of the wheel.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Motorized jack for trailers

Life of this patent

Motorized jack for trailers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14