Land vehicles – Wheeled – Running gear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-16
2001-03-13
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Running gear
C280S656000, C296S181700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199909
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a trailer for towing behind a towing vehicle and, more specifically, to the connection between the body and frame of the trailer and the spring assembly for supporting the weight of the trailer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has long been known to tow a utility trailer behind a vehicle so as to allow one to haul loads of material that may be too large or otherwise ill-suited to be transported in the vehicle itself. For many individuals a small, compact trailer is desired since it may be effectively utilized for most any anticipatable application yet may be conveniently stored in a minimum amount of space when not in use. Examples of compact utility trailers of the type being described are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,918 to Strader; U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,096 to Lewis et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,568 to Campbell.
While utility trailer designs such as set forth in these patents are generally effective for their intended purposes overall improvements in design are still possible. For example, it is desirable to reduce the overall weight of the trailer while still maintaining a relatively high payload capacity. In this way full advantage is taken of the trailer's utility while handling convenience and ease of trailer manipulation during use and storage are enhanced. It is also desirable to increase the versatility of the trailer so that it is particularly well suited to handle various types of payloads including but not limited to (1) containers such as luggage, cartons, bags and boxes, (2) aggregates such as gravel, sand, mulch and other gardening supplies and materials and (3) relatively delicate items that cannot be stacked without risk of damage such as glassware, various types of artwork, certain food products and the like. Additionally, it is desirable to provide a trailer designed to furnish the utmost utility and ride stability that is also relatively simple and economical to manufacture. Only in this way is it possible to meet the needs and budgets of most consumers and thereby bring the benefits of trailer ownership to a larger segment of the population.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a relatively lightweight trailer of inexpensive construction adapted for towing behind a towing vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a trailer of unique construction wherein cargo tie downs provided in the storage compartment of the body of the trailer also effectively function as the connectors for securing the body to the frame of the trailer.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a trailer of lightweight, simplified construction which still provides a rigid, versatile platform for handling various goods and materials.
Yet another object is the provision of an inexpensive spring assembly for a lightweight trailer.
Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described herein, a lightweight trailer is provided. The trailer may be generally described as comprising a framework carrying ground engaging wheels, a body, preferably formed from molded plastic, having a corrugated bottom wall and a fastener for securing said body and framework together through said corrugated bottom wall. Preferably the fastener is a threaded eye bolt and cooperating nut. Advantageously, the eye bolt end of such as fastener projects into the storage compartment formed by the body of the trailer where it may be used as a tiedown point to secure cargo in place and prevent shifting movement during vehicle operation.
In the most preferred embodiment, the molded plastic body is mounted directly to the underlying framework. More specifically, the corrugated bottom wall includes a mounting aperture that receives the fastener. A drawn metal cup retainer receives the eyebolt and nut and directly engages the framework. A cooperating rubber washer serves to hold the body in place.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the trailer includes a top that is selectively secured to the body for closing the storage compartment defined by the body. Preferably, the top provides a watertight, weatherproof seal. Additionally, the trailer includes a tailgate that may be selectively secured to the body for closing a rear wall of the body. The top and tailgate are interchangeable. With the top in place the trailer may be utilized to carry materials, goods and cargo that it is desired to protect from the weather. Alternatively, when the tailgate is used the trailer may be utilized to carry, for example, aggregate or bulk materials (e.g. mulch, dirt, sand, gravel) that do not require weather protection.
As an additional feature, the opposing side walls of the body include aligned slots adapted to receive a reinforcing strut such as a wood 2×4 for supporting a second floor in the trailer spaced above the corrugated bottom wall. This substantially increases the versatility of the trailer when carrying certain cargos and goods. Thus, the trailer may be adapted for special applications as desired.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a spring assembly is provided for securing the ground engaging wheels to the framework. Preferably, the spring assembly includes a leaf spring having an anchoring aperture at a first end and an elongated mounting tongue at a second end, a pair of spring fasteners for securing the leaf spring to the framework and means for mounting the ground engaging wheels to the frame assembly. The associated method of mounting the leaf spring to the framework of the trailer comprises providing a leaf spring with an anchoring aperture at one end and a mounting tongue at the other, opposite end and securing a first fastener through the anchoring aperture of the leaf spring and the framework. This is followed by the securing of a second fastener to the framework so as to capture the mounting tongue between the framework and the fastener whereby the mounting tongue slides relative to the framework and the fastener as the leaf spring supports the trailer weight and absorbs shocks from the roadway during trailer towing.
Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 32647 (1988-04-01), Wilson
patent: D. 268101 (1983-03-01), Pope et al.
patent: 4126324 (1978-11-01), Browning
patent: 4165096 (1979-08-01), Lewis, Jr. et al.
patent: 4196918 (1980-04-01), Strader
patent: 4372568 (1983-02-01), Campbell
patent: 4502725 (1985-03-01), Wiant
patent: 4537441 (1985-08-01), McCleary
patent: 5249821 (1993-10-01), Ricketts et al.
Kass John J.
McCoy Richard W.
Dickson Paul N.
King and Schickli PLLC
Reese Products Inc.
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