Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-27
2001-05-01
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3619)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S405100, C180S209000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224083
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a multi-functional towing and load bearing apparatus to allow a vehicle to carry or tow heavy loads. More particularly, the invention relates to a multi-functional towing and load bearing apparatus that provides functionally at least one additional detachable wheel axle assembly, usable with or without a trailer being towed. The device enables a vehicle to carry a load in excess of its original safe driving limits, carry extra long loads, and/or tow a trailer heavier than the tow vehicle could otherwise safely tow according to the tow vehicle's manufacturer's specifications. All the while, the tow vehicle is enabled to maintain the driving and steering capability by removing the majority of the weight of the load from the rear portion of the tow vehicle. The apparatus is securely connectable to the frame of a tow vehicle, whether directly, or by way of using a universal hitch mechanism.
BACKGROUND
Trailer dollies that carry most of the weight of the front end of a trailer have long been known. Trailers such as mobile homes, campers, and livestock carriers are quite heavy in tongue-weight and they place a great load on the rear end of the tow vehicle. This excessive weight on the rear of the tow vehicle puts a great deal of strain on the rear tires, axle, springs, and shocks of the tow vehicle. In addition, having a heavy load attached to the rear of the tow vehicle may actually cause weight to be removed from the front of the tow vehicle, resulting in control deficiencies, including breaking and steering problems, especially at highway speeds.
In addition, especially when the control of the front end of the vehicle is compromised, wind from weather or passing vehicles may cause the trailer to sway. When the trailer is connected directly to the tow vehicle, the sway of the trailer can push and pull the tow vehicle or trailer or both, and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and trailer.
Most conventional trailer dollies save wear and tear on the tow vehicle, promote safe traction even at highway speeds, and equalize and balance the load of the trailer. In addition, many conventional dollies also serve as a stand for the trailer when unhitched from a tow vehicle, eliminating the necessity of jacking up the trailer when unhitched.
While the conventional dollies all, to one degree or another, stabilize and equalize the load of the trailer to provide increased control and safety for the tow vehicle, all of the known dollies are designed exclusively to be used with the trailer. None is capable, by itself, of relieving and redistributing a load carried in or by the tow vehicle, as opposed to a load being pulled by a tow vehicle.
Many people today, including “do-it-yourselfers” or construction contractors, routinely load their passenger cars and trucks with very heavy and/or long loads that weigh down the back of the vehicle. Loading the vehicle in this way presents many of the same problems presented when towing a heavy trailer. Strain is put on the rear of the vehicle and there may be a consequential loss of steering and breaking control in the front of the vehicle, and, with today's front wheel drive cars, even a loss of power, if significant weight is taken off the front wheels.
Thus, there is a need for a support mechanism to take the weight of excessively loaded vehicles and redistribute it to provide safety, control, and additional carrying capacity to a vehicle. In addition, there is a need for a device that can function in multiple ways, as a load bearing attachment, as a trailer connection, an attachment capable of connecting to a towed trailer, and capable of carrying its own load or portion of a vehicle load for those who do not own trailers to carry heavy and/or long materials that do not fit entirely in their car or truck.
SUMMARY
In accordance with the present invention, a multi-functional load bearing apparatus is provided which is comprised of a hitch extension member having a connection that (a) will receive a conventional style hitch (b) be connectable to the receiving opening of a conventional or universal receiver style hitch, or which may be attached directly to the frame of the tow vehicle, (c) has a receiving end that can receive the hitch ball portion of a conventional trailer hitch; (d) a frame member connected perpendicularly to the hitch extension member, and (e) a road engaging wheel assembly attached to the frame member and having at least one pair of axle members, each axle member mounting a wheel, the wheels being laterally spaced and having coincident axes of rotation.
The apparatus has a spring support unit connected to each axle member and to its frame member, to absorb shock caused by travel over uneven surfaces. The springs used in the invention are adjustable to accept the weight of different load requirements. The compression and strength of the spring support members are adjustable by a mechanism disposed at the top of each spring support member on the road engaging wheel assembly. The mechanism may be rotatable and is adjustable to tighten or loosen the compression of each spring support member to adjust each spring to accommodate different weights. As an alternative to an adjustable spring, the type and strength of the spring support members may be optionally selected by changing spring support members depending on the type of load to be carried or towed, with different spring support members used depending on the different load requirements.
There is also a series of through holes or openings in the hitch extension member, at both the connection end and the hitch receiving end, and pins insertable in the holes, to attach the apparatus to a tow vehicle, and to attach a conventional hitch ball to the apparatus if it is desired to tow a trailer using the apparatus of the invention. In addition, there is a slidable sheath member that encloses, protects and strengthens the connection end of the hitch extension member that connects to the tow vehicle.
The frame member may have a jack stand attachment portion such that a jack stand is attachable to raise the apparatus if need be, for example to change a tire, and to enable the apparatus to be self supporting when not in use or hitched to a tow vehicle or trailer.
There may also be an extended trailer bed attachable to the connection end of the hitch extension member and which rests on the frame member such that the apparatus is effectively convertible into a trailer itself. In addition, there may be a height adjustable long load support member that is attachable to the receiving end of the hitch extension member to enable a vehicle to carry extra long loads. The long load support member is adjustable in height to support extra long loads at either the height of a van or truck bed, or station wagon bed, or at the height of a car or truck's roof or roof rack. The long load support is attachable at the hitch receiving end of the hitch extension member, in the receiving opening where a conventional trailer hitch would be attached. The long load support may be used with or without the extended trailer bed.
The apparatus may also have protective fenders attached to the frame member to cover and protect a portion of each wheel. In addition, the apparatus may have a braking mechanism installed at each wheel and controlled by the tow vehicle and may have tail reflectors, mud flaps, license plate holder, and/or tail lights electrically connected to the tow vehicle.
The invention is not a tow bar, or solely a hitch, a trailer or solely an extra axle, but rather is a multi-function apparatus. Thus the invention provides a multi-purpose load bearing apparatus that is relatively small and easy to handle, and is significantly less expensive to manufacture and purchase than a trailer dolly, trailer, and additional rear support mechanisms would be to purchase separately.
The invention provides an apparatus that carries and redistributes the weight of a load, whether the load is being carried in a vehicle, or being towed by a vehicle, su
Devine, Millimet & Branch
Hurley Kevin
JBT Manufacturing Corporation
Kohler Kristin
Remus Paul C.
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