Fire escape – ladder – or scaffold – Ladder with land vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-31
2001-09-18
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Fire escape, ladder, or scaffold
Ladder with land vehicle
C182S063100, C280S789000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290023
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to vehicles and, more particularly, to a trailer that converts to an observation stand.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of recreational activities provide people with time away from the workplace. Many people enjoy recreational activities with their families, friends, and co-workers. Popular recreational activities in the United States include outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, water sports, cycling, mountain biking, and the like. Americans spend a significant amount of money every year to participate in such outdoor recreational activities.
The average American has access to or knows someone with access to an automobile. The mobility of the average American has created the desire to travel in order to pursue their favorite recreational activities. In some cases, outdoor recreational activities require the use of large gear or bulky equipment in order to participate in the activity. Generally, the sports and recreation enthusiast is limited by the interior capacity of his automobile or by the ability of his automobile to carry equipment on the exterior of the automobile.
Some people have obtained trailers for their automobiles to carry recreational gear or equipment that ordinarily would not fit inside or cannot be secured safely to the exterior of their automobile. Trailers are useful in the art for their ability to hitch to the rear of an automobile, thus permitting an operator of the automobile to pull the trailer behind the automobile. Depending upon the size and capacity of the trailer, large or bulky items can be placed on board of the trailer for transport. Typically, trailers can carry boxes, luggage, firewood, tools, machinery, or other ordinary items. Some trailers are specially equipped to secure and to carry recreational equipment, such as motorcycles, mountain or dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, jet skis, or the like.
Recreational activities can involve the use of an observation stand. Observation stands are useful for elevating a person from the ground to a relatively higher position. From a higher position, the person gains a greater vantage point from which to observe the local surroundings, thus permitting the person to gather more information about the local surroundings within the person's line of sight. Typically, observation stands are used in military operations, forestry services, game and wildlife hunting, sporting events, and other outdoor recreational activities.
Generally, observation stands are stationary platforms supported above the ground. For example, hunters and gamesmen erect deer stands above the ground to increase their line of sight over their local surroundings. In another recreational example, a spectator in the infield of a race track during a NASCAR race may want to watch the race. However, the number of recreational vehicles and pickup trucks may block the spectator's view of the race.
A relatively large observation stand cannot be transported easily. In some cases, breaking down a relatively large observation stand can be cumbersome or impractical such that transporting the stand to a new location is not feasible. Sometimes, those stands that can be transported cannot be hauled safely in a trailer behind an automobile. The time expended in breaking down an observation stand to be transported on a trailer can be time consuming. Once the observation stand is secured to a trailer, the stand can be transported to a new location by automobile. When the stand reaches the new location, additional time is expended in setting up the observation stand. In some cases, more than one person may be needed to break down and to set up the observation stand.
Thus, there is a need for a system and apparatus for a portable observation stand.
There is a further need for a system and apparatus for converting a trailer into an observation stand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the needs described above in a sports utility trailer that can be converted from a trailer to an observation stand. The sports utility trailer provides a system and apparatus for a portable observation stand. Furthermore, the sports utility trailer provides a system and apparatus for converting a trailer into an observation stand.
Generally described, the invention is a sports utility trailer that converts from a trailer to an observation stand. The sports utility trailer contains removable components that are integrated into the structure of a trailer and can be used to erect an above-ground observation stand. A chassis frame forms the vehicular body for trailer mode of the sports utility trailer. One or more removable legs can be integrate into or carried by the chassis frame. At least one wheel supports the chassis frame above the ground while in the trailer mode. A removable tailgate platform mounts to the rear end of the chassis frame with a removable hinge pin and a hinge. A tongue guide mounts to the front end of the chassis frame and can be configured to mount a conventional ball hitch socket for towing or transporting the sports utility trailer behind a vehicle.
When the sports utility trailer is ready to be converted from a trailer to an observation stand, the removable legs are removed from the chassis body. The removable legs are mounted to the bottom side of the tailgate platform. A cable can then be attached to the free end of the rearmost leg, and a pulling force is applied to the cable. When the rear leg is pulled forward, the side legs act as a fulcrum as the tailgate platform is pulled upward and forward towards the pulling force. The rear end of the chassis frame will begin to be raised as the pulling force continues to pull the rear leg. The weight of the tailgate platform above the ground will force the rear leg downward to the ground as the pulling force continues to erect the observation stand. When the observation stand is erected, the legs and the chassis frame will be in a substantially upright position supporting the tailgate platform above the ground in a substantially horizontal position. The tailgate platform can then be used as an above-ground observation stand.
More particularly described, a sports utility trailer includes removable bowed supports and support struts mounted to the top side of the chassis frame to form a trailer enclosure on top of the sports utility trailer. The bowed supports and support struts can be removed from the top side of the chassis frame prior to erecting the observation stand. The bowed supports and the support struts can then be mounted on the top side of the tailgate platform to provide an enclosure on top of the platform.
A sports utility trailer can include a removable frontwall panel mounted to the front edge of the chassis frame. The frontwall panel can be removed prior to erecting the observation stand and the panel can be mounted on the front edge of the tailgate platform. The frontwall panel provides an access door through the panel for the user to pass through upon entry into the enclosure on top of the tailgate platform.
A sports utility trailer can include a ladder integrated into the chassis frame to provide a recess to install removable legs and leg struts within the frame. The ladder forms a portion of the chassis frame. When the frame is erected to support the tailgate platform above the ground, the ladder provides user access from the ground to the top of the platform.
A sports utility trailer can include a swivel seat mounted to the top of the tailgate platform. The swivel seat mounts substantially above the surface of the platform, providing the user with a raised position to sit or kneel upon.
A sports utility trailer can include a chassis covering to protect the top of the chassis frame from environmental elements. When the chassis frame has bowed supports and support struts mounted on the top side of the frame, different sized sections of a chassis covering can be tied down over the supports. Cords, ties, and ropes can be tied through grommets sewn into the edges of the chassis covering sections for easier
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Pratt, Esq. John S.
Stodola Daniel P.
Thompson Hugh B.
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