# US 7,407,361 B2 · Trailer for small vehicles

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- Number: US 7,407,361 B2
- Document ID: US7407361B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/350,116
- Filed: 2006-02-09
- Published: 2007-08-09
- Granted: 2008-08-05
- Earliest claimed: 2006-02-09
- Assignees: Rebell Innovation Inc.
- Inventors: René Bellerose; Alexandre Bellerose
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407361B2

## CPC

- B60P 3/1033: {on a loading frame, e.g. the vehicle being a trailer (B60P3/1008 takes precedence)}
- B60P 3/1066: {Arrangement of supports, rollers or winches on the vehicle}
- B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00)

## Abstract

A trailer of the type being connectable to a towing vehicle so as to tow a small vehicle comprises a structure supported by wheels. The structure has a connector portion, adapted to be connected to the towing vehicle. A pivoting mechanism connects a support frame to the connector portion in such a way that the support frame is pivotable about a first axis between a towing position in which the support frame supports the small vehicle for towing and a loading/unloading position in which the support frame is inclined with a loading/unloading end being adjacent to the ground. Springs are positioned between the support frame and the connector portion to bias the support frame to the loading/unloading position. A locking mechanism locks the support frame to the connector portion in the towing position of the support frame.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A trailer of the type being connectable to a towing vehicle so as to tow a small vehicle, comprising:
wheels;
a structure supported by the wheels, the structure having:
a connector portion, adapted to be connected to the towing vehicle;
a support frame having a support configuration with a loading/unloading end to support the small vehicle;
a pivoting mechanism connecting the support frame to the connector portion in such a way that the support frame is pivotable about a first axis between a towing position in which the support frame supports the small vehicle for towing and a loading/unloading position in which the support frame is inclined with the loading/unloading end being adjacent to the ground;
at least one plate spring positioned between the support frame and the connector portion to bias the support frame to the loading/unloading position, the at least one plate spring is pivotally connected at a first end to the connector portion, and pivotally connected at a second end to the support frame about a second axis offset and adjacent to said first axis of the pivoting mechanism; and
a locking mechanism to lock the support frame to the connector portion in the towing position of the support frame.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The trailer according to claim 1, comprising two of the plate springs, the pivot axes at both ends of the two plate springs being collinear.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The trailer according to claim 1, wherein said first axis of the pivoting mechanism is positioned forward of an axle axis of the wheels.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the support configuration of the support frame has a frame having a pair of parallel longitudinal members separated by V-shaped transverse members so as to support a watercraft.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The trailer according to claim 4, wherein the support frame receives a support on the transverse members for two-wheel small vehicles.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The trailer according to claim 4, wherein the support frame receives supports on the longitudinal members for four-wheel small vehicles.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The trailer according to claim 1, wherein the support configuration has a stand device, the stand device having a pair of plates spaced apart to receive a wheel of the small vehicle therebetween, a strap being positioned between the pair of plates and in alignment with the plates so as to automatically abut the wheel entering the stand device such that a pressure against the strap brings the plates laterally against the wheel.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The trailer according to claim 4, wherein the longitudinal members include at least one longitudinal pipe, the longitudinal pipe being sealable to form a floating member.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The trailer according to claim 8, wherein the longitudinal pipe has an opening at a bottom rear end to allow air to enter the longitudinal pipe, and an opening at a front upper end provided with a valve of the longitudinal pipe to retain/release air from the longitudinal pipe.