Compact multipurpose trailer tug

A compact trailer tug for carrying the cantilevered tongue of a trailer and comprising:

• a wheel assembly including laterally spaced wheels;
• a chassis mounted on said wheels;
• a post socket mounted on said chassis and arranged to, when weight is applied thereto, maintain said chassis in an upright position carried on said wheels;
• a gimbal interposed between said chassis and said post socket;
• a drive chain coupled on one end with said wheels and including on the opposite end a coupling for connection with a motor;
• a support post for mounting in said socket means;
• and
• control means coupled with said drive train for selectively controlling rotation of said wheels.

A light weight battery powered steerable tug for carrying a cantilevered tongue of a towable vehicle and comprising:

• a wheel assembly having a transverse axis and a pair of laterally spaced apart wheels;
• a chassis suspended from said wheel assembly;
• a pivot pin mounted on said chassis and projecting perpendicular to the axis of said wheels;
• a coupling post socket mounted centrally in the vertical plane of said axis on said pivot pin for supporting said tongue;
• at least one battery on said chassis;
• at least one direct current motor device on said chassis;
• a drive train coupling said motor device to said wheel assembly;
• and
• a control device coupled with said drive train for selectively controlling rotation of said wheels whereby said tug may be positioned under said tongue, the weight of said tongue transferred to said post socket, and said control device actuated to drive said motor to selectively drive one or both of said wheels to steer said tongue about.

A light weight battery powered steerable tug for carrying a cantilevered tongue of a towable vehicle and comprising:

• a wheel assembly having a transverse axis;
• a pair of laterally spaced apart wheels;
• a chassis suspended from said wheel assembly;
• a tongue post socket mounted centrally in the vertical plane of said axis on said chassis for supporting said tongue;
• at least one battery on said chassis;
• at least one direct current motor device on said chassis;
• a drive train coupling said motor device to said wheel assembly;
• and
• a control device coupled with said drive train for selectively controlling rotation of said wheels whereby said tug may be positioned under said tongue, the weight of said tongue transferred to said post socket, and said control device actuated to drive said motor and selectively drive one or both of said wheels to steer said tongue about;
• said wheel assembly includes a pair of spindles mounted on said wheels and that includes;
• a pair of clutch sprockets mounted in free-wheeling relationship on the respective said spindles adjacent to respective said wheels;
• and
• clutch devices for selectively engaging said sprockets with said wheels.

A light weight battery powered steerable tug for carrying a cantilevered tongue of a towable vehicle and comprising:

• a wheel assembly having a transverse axis and a pair of laterally spaced apart wheels;
• a chassis suspended from said wheel assembly;
• a tongue post socket mounted centrally in the vertical plane of said axis on said chassis for supporting said tongue;
• at least one battery on said chassis;
• at least one direct current motor device on said chassis and connected with said battery;
• a drive train coupling said motor device to said wheel assembly;
• and
• a control device including a radio receiver and coupled with said drive train for selectively controlling rotation of said wheels whereby said tug may be positioned under said tongue, the weight of said tongue transferred to said post socket, and said control device actuated to drive said motor and selectively drive one or both of said wheels to steer said tongue about.

A light weight battery powered steerable tug for carrying a cantilevered tongue of a towable vehicle and comprising:

• a wheel assembly having a transverse axis and a pair of laterally spaced apart wheels;
• a chassis suspended from said wheel assembly;
• a tongue post socket mounted centrally in the vertical plane of said axis on said chassis for supporting said tongue;
• a gimbal interposed between said chassis and said post socket;
• at least one battery on said chassis;
• at least one direct current motor device on said chassis connected with said battery;
• a drive train coupling said motor device to said wheel assembly;
• and
• a control device coupled with said drive train for selectively controlling rotation of said wheels whereby said tug may be positioned under said tongue, the weight of said tongue transferred to said post socket, and said control device actuated to drive said motor and selectively drive one or both of said wheels to steer said tongue about.

A light weight steerable tug apparatus for selectively carrying a cantilevered tongue of a towable vehicle supported at a selected height by an adjustable tongue jack, said tug apparatus comprising:

• a coupling device for mounting on said tongue and including an upright sleeve having an open bottom end disposed, when mounted on said tongue and said tongue is at said selected height, at a predetermined height above the ground;
• a tug device including a wheel assembly having a transverse axis and a pair of laterally spaced apart wheels, said tug device including:
• a chassis suspended from said wheel assembly;
• an upwardly opening post socket mounted on said chassis for supporting said tongue and having a top end disposed at a height less than said predetermined height and configured to be selectively aligned under said sleeve;
• a post slidably received in said sleeve and socket;
• a lock for locking said post in position relative to said sleeve;
• at least one battery on said chassis;
• at least one direct current motor device on said chassis and connected to said motor;
• a drive train coupling said motor device to said wheel assembly;
• and
• a control device coupled with said drive train for selectively controlling rotation of said wheels whereby said tug device may be positioned with said socket and said post inserted in said sleeve and nested on its bottom end in said socket, said lock activated to lock said post relative to said sleeve and said jack activated to said tongue and transfer the weight of said tongue to said post socket, and said control device actuated to drive said motor and selectively drive one or both of said wheels to steer said tongue about.