Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-29
2001-09-11
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S515000, C280S494000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286854
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a folding trailer and more particularly to a folding trailer which may be attached to an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
2. Description of the Related Art
ATVs are gaining in popularity and are used extensively by farmers, gardeners, ranchers, sportsmen, etc. Most ATVs have a hitch secured to the rear end of the vehicle so that the vehicle may pull a trailer or the like. Many types of trailers have been provided for use with the ATVs. In fact, the assignee of the instant invention is the owner of design patent number Des. 417,172 issued Nov. 30, 1999, which illustrates a folding trailer. A collapsible portable trailer for all-terrain vehicles is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,090. Although the folding trailers disclosed in the above-identified patents apparently perform satisfactorily to some degree, neither of the folding trailers are as convenient to use as desirable and do not provide the necessary hitch connection for the trailer which enables the trailer to not only be conveniently folded for storage on the ATV itself, but which also provides the necessary flexibility between the trailer and the vehicle so that the trailer will not be damaged when the vehicle is traversing rough terrain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A folding trailer is provided for use with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The trailer includes a first frame portion which has ground-engaging wheels secured thereto which extend downwardly therefrom. A second frame portion is pivotally secured to the rearward end of the first frame portion and is pivotally movable between an operative position wherein it is parallel to the first frame portion to a second position where it is folded on top of the first frame portion. A rear frame portion is pivotally secured at its lower end to the rearward end of the second frame portion and is pivotally movable from an upstanding position to a folded position adjacent the upper surface of the second frame portion. A first elongated tongue is pivotally secured to the forward end of the first frame portion and is selectively prevented from pivotal movement with respect to the first frame portion during the times that the trailer is being used in its transport position. A second tongue member is pivotally secured, about a vertical axis, to the forward end of the first tongue member, and extends forwardly for connection to a unique hitch member which is secured to the hitch of the ATV. The forward end of the second tongue member is pivotally secured to a hitch adapter by means of a horizontally disposed removable pin. The hitch adapter is secured to the hitch of the ATV.
When it is desired to fold the trailer from its transport position to its folded position, the rear frame portion is folded onto the top of the second frame portion with the rear and second frame portions then being folded on top of the first frame portion. The pin which extends through the rearward end of the first tongue member, to prevent pivotal movement of the first tongue member with respect to the first frame portion, is removed. The folded frame portions are then pivotally moved upwardly to a substantially vertically disposed position and are supported upon a trailer support which is secured to the rack of the ATV. Preferably, straps are then used to maintain the trailer on the rack in the vertically disposed position. The hitch adapter is unique in that it compensates for different types of ATV hitches and for different heights of ATV hitches.
It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle wherein the trailer may be folded to a substantially vertically disposed position and supported on the rack of the ATV.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle which provides the necessary flexibility between the vehicle and the trailer to prevent damage to the trailer when the vehicle is traversing rough ground.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle including a unique hitch adapter which is adjustable and reversible to accommodate hitches of different configurations.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a folding trailer for an all-terrain vehicle which is convenient to use and which is economical of manufacture.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 376564 (1996-12-01), Mishoe
patent: D. 417172 (1999-11-01), Smith et al.
patent: 2254437 (1941-09-01), Marney
patent: 2706055 (1955-04-01), Nichols
patent: 2809046 (1957-10-01), Andersson
patent: 3953055 (1976-04-01), Stark
patent: 3989264 (1976-11-01), Lovendahl
patent: 4448439 (1984-05-01), Huffman
patent: 5295555 (1994-03-01), Strange
patent: 5354090 (1994-10-01), Grovom
patent: 5494309 (1996-02-01), Roy
patent: 5562298 (1996-10-01), Kass et al.
patent: 5647604 (1997-07-01), Russell
patent: 5658003 (1957-10-01), Jensen
patent: 5823560 (1998-10-01), Van Vleet
patent: 185 249 (1939-08-01), None
patent: 845 736 (1939-08-01), None
Cycle Country Accessories Corp.
Swann J. J.
Thomte Dennis L.
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
Zeender F.
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