Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PORTABLE MOTORCYCLE TRAILER
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation of provisional Application Serial No. 60/074,601 filed
February 13, 1998.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
(Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of motor vehicle accessories. More
particularly, this
invention relates to a new and improved motorcycle trailer capable of being
easily assembled,
disassembled and stored.
2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Until recently, not only were motorcycle trailers heavy, they were also
permanently
t 5 assembled. These types of motorcycles trailers had several problems
including that of being
difficult to store. For example, in most northern climates, for only a few
months out of the
year is it possible for most people to ride a motorcycle. During the months
the motorcycle
cannot be ridden, the motorcycle and motorcycle trailer need to be stored,
preferably without
incurring storage fees. However, if the trailer cannot be stored, for example
in a sheltered
location, the trailer must be left out in the elements for many months. Not
only does this
expose the trailer to the detrimental effects of the elements, the trailer has
a much higher
chance of being stolen.
Another problem occurs when the trailer must be transported. Since the trailer
cannot
be broken down, a vehicle capable of towing is needed to tow the trailer.
Thus, simpler
methods of transporting the trailer, such as in the back seat of a compact car
or as check-in
luggage on an airplane are not possible.
Recently, however, lightweight trailers capable of being stored have been
introduced.
These trailers tend to be collapsible, tilting, or folding, and some have been
reputed to be small
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enough to be stored within the trunk of some, but not all vehicles. For those
trailers that can
be broken down, the trailer can now be stored in a garage, but not in such
locations as a
closet, attic, or under a bed. The ability to easily store the trailer also
facilitates transportation
because the trailer can now be placed into transport devices that were
impractical to be used
with a fully assembled trailer.
Notwithstanding their advantages over permanently assembled trailer, storable
trailers
still have problems. One such problem is that these trailers have been created
with a very
small distance between the wheels, i.e. wheel base. The small wheel base is
inherently less
stable than larger wheel bases as a trailer with a small wheel base becomes
increasingly
dangerous as towing speed increases.
Another problem associated with some storable trailers is that they require
special
tools to be assembled and disassembled. In the situation where these tools
have been lost or
are otherwise unavailable to the operator, the trailer cannot be assembled and
disassembled.
Consequently, what was once a storable trailer has now become a trailer
incapable of being
disassembled, and thus, stored. Therefore, a trailer that was once capable of
being
disassembled still faces the same problems as permanently assembled trailers.
A final problem occurs with a group of people on a trip in which all of them
are riding
motorcycles and they have no automobiles or trucks traveling along. In such a
situation, even
those motorcycle trailers that can fold up or be broken down into large pieces
cannot be
carried on a motorcycle. Thus, the trailer cannot be carried along with the
group so as to be
available for use by one motorcycle for towing another motorcycle in an
emergency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a motorcycle trailer capable of
being
disassembled and stored in a bag capable of being transported in the luggage
compartment of
any passenger vehicle, in the back seat of a passenger vehicle or in the back
of,a. pickup truck.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a motorcycle trailer
capable of being
disassembled into pieces which are small enough and light enough to be carried
collectively by
a number of motorcycles without inconvenience or risk to the riders.
It is another object of this invention to provide a motorcycle trailer capable
of being
assembled and disassembled without the use of any tools.
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It is yet another object of this invention to provide a motorcycle trailer
capable of
being disassembled into no more than five main pieces.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a motorcycle trailer
which can be
easily assembled and disassembled and which can be easily stored in small
spaces.
In accordance with the invention, these an other objects are accomplished by
providing
a trailer comprising a front member, a center member, two wheel members, and
an axle
member. The front member is adapted to be removably attached to a towing
vehicle. The
center member is detachably connected to the front member. Each of the two
wheel members
include a wheel, and the axle member is detachably connected to the center
member and to the
wheel members. Channel sections can be attached to at least two of the members
with the
channel sections combining to create a channel that is adapted for receiving a
cycle. The
trailer can also include a ramp rotatably attached to the axis member. When
the ramp is in a
lower position, the ramp defines a path for communicating the cycle from the
ground to the
channel.
The trailer can be adapted so that the largest inside dimension of a container
defines a
longest dimension of any of the members with the container being capable of
storing the
members when disassembled. The container, for example can be a bag of a
compartment
within the towing vehicle. Preferably, the largest inside dimension is
approximately 42 inches.
Each member also has a preferable weight not greater than approximately 30
pounds.
The trailer can also include quick disconnects to aid in the quick attachment
and/or
disassembly of the members to one another. One example of a quick disconnect
that does not
require tools for assembly is a combination of a pin and clip. The pin and
clip can be used
when the ends of two members interfit and overlap one another. These ends
provide two pair
of opposing holes that align when the members are connected. The pin can then
be inserted
through the holes with the clip later attached to the end of the pin to
prevent the pin from
being removed from the holes.
The trailer preferably has a wheel base distance at least greater than twice
the longest
dimension of any of the members. The wheel base distance is defined as a
greatest distance
between any two points on the wheels that are contacting the ground.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Presently preferred embodiments of the inventive arrangements are shown in the
drawings, it being understood, however, the inventive arrangements are not
limited to the
precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
FIG. 1 is a right front top perspective of a portable motorcycle trailer;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3a is a front elevation, partially in section, of an axle member within a
bag;
FIG. 3b is a front elevation, partially in section, of an axle member and
wheel assembly
within the bag; and,
FIG. 3c is a front elevation, partially in section, of an axle member, two
wheel
assemblies and additional structure within the bag.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a portable motorcycle trailer according to the
invention. The
trailer 10 comprises a front member 12, a center member 14, an axle member 16
and two
wheel members 38, 39. When connected, the axle member 16 and the two wheel
members 38,
39 form the wheel and axle structure of the trailer 10. Advantageously, by
using three
members 16, 38, 39 to form the wheel and axle structure instead of just one, a
longer distance
between the wheels can be achieved in an assembled trailer. This longer
distance allows the
trailer 10 to be towed more safely at higher speeds.
The members 12, 14, 16, 38 and 39 form the structure of the trailer 10, and
are
detachably connected to one another so as to facilitate quick assembly and
disassembly of the
trailer 10. Although in the presently preferred embodiment pins 22 and clips
24 are used to
detachably connect the members 12, 14, 16, 38, 39 to one other, the invention
is not limited in
this manner. These Pins 22 and clips 24 will be discussed in more detail with
the discussion of
each member 12, 14, 16, 38 and 39.
The front member 12 includes a coupler 26, a front tongue section 28 and a
front tie
down bar 30. The coupler 26 connects the trailer 10 to a towing vehicle, not
shown.
Couplers are well known in the art of towing. Required on all trailers, but
omitted from the
figures for purposes of clarity, are chains. Chains are attached to the front
member and are
detachably connected to the towing vehicle. The chains are a backup connection
for purposes
of safety, in case the coupler 26 fails.
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The coupler 26 is fixedly attached to the front tongue section 28. Any means
or
method, riveting or bolting for example, of fixedly attaching the coupler 26
to the front tongue
section 28 is acceptable. The presently preferred method of attachment is
welding the coupler
26 to the front tongue section 28. The front tongue section 28 is preferably
both lightweight,
for ease of portability, and strong, to support the weight of the motorcycle.
The front tie down bar 30 is transverse to the front tongue section 28 and is
detachably
connected to a set of support angles on the front tongue section 28. Any means
or method,
bolting or clipping for example, of detachably connecting the front tie down
bar 30 is
acceptable. The presently preferred means of connecting the front tie down bar
30 is with a
pin 20 and clip 24. The pin 20 extends through holes in the front tie down bar
30 and holes in
the support angles. A clip, not shown for purposes of clarity, is inserted
into a hole in the
distal end of the pin 20. Once the clip is inserted into the pin 20, the pin
20 is prevented from
moving in either direction.
The front member 12 can also include a resting member 33 extending below the
coupler 26 and contacting the ground when the trailer 10 is not attached to
the towing vehicle.
Use of the resting member 32 prevents the coupler 26 from being damaged after
being placed
or dropped onto the ground after the trailer 10 is detached from the vehicle.
Many types of
resting members 32 are well known in the art of trailers and can be used with
the invention.
The presently preferred resting member 32 is U-shaped with both distal ends
being welded to
the front of the front tongue section 28.
The center member 14 includes a center tongue section 34, a sleeve 35, and
front
stabilizer tabs 36. The center member 14 is detachably connected at one end to
the front
member 12 and at the other end to the axle member 16. Any means or method of
detachably
connecting, for example bolting or clipping, the center member 14 to the front
or axle member
12, 16 is acceptable. The presently preferred means of connecting the center
member 14 to
the front member 12 or axle member 16 is with a pin 22 and clip 24.
With the presently preferred means of connecting, assembling the center member
14
and the front member 12 requires the center tongue section 34 and the front
tongue section 28
each to be dimensioned to be partially slid into sleeve 35. The sleeve is then
permanently
attached to the center tongue section 34 and detachably connected to the front
tongue section
28. The presently preferred method of attaching the sleeve 35 to the center
tongue section 34
is by welding.
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To detachably connect the front tongue section 28 to the sleeve 35, the front
tongue
section 28 is slid into the sleeve 35 until four holes are all aligned, two
holes each in the sleeve
35 and the front tongue section 34. A pin 22 is then extended through the four
holes and a
clip 24 is inserted into a hole in the distal end of the pin 22. Once the clip
24 is inserted into
the pin 22, the pin 22 is prevented from moving in either direction. To
disconnect the front
tongue section 28 from the sleeve 35, the clip 24 must first be removed from
the pin 22, the
pin 22 must then be removed from the four holes, and finally, the front tongue
section 28 is
then able to be slid out of the sleeve 35.
In addition, with the presently preferred means of connecting, assembling the
center
member 14 and the axle member 16 requires an axle tongue section 47 of the
axle member 16
to be similarly dimensioned to that of the sleeve 3 5 such that the axle
tongue section 47 can be
partially slid over the center tongue section 34. After the axle tongue
section 47 is partially
slid over the center tongue section 34 and four holes are all aligned, two
holes each in both the
center and axle sections 34, 47, a pin 22 is inserted through the four holes
and a clip 24 is
inserted into a hole in the distal end of the pin. Once the clip 24 is
inserted into the pin 22 the
pin 22 is prevented from moving in either direction.
Fixedly attached to the center tongue section 34 are two front stabilizer tabs
36
disposed opposite each other. The front stabilizer tabs 36 are also transverse
to and extend
outwardly from the center tongue section 34.
Besides an axle tongue section 47, the axle member 16 also includes a cross
tongue
section 48. The axle tongue section 47 bisects and is fixedly attached to the
cross tongue
section 48. The cross tongue section 48 is used to detachably connect the axle
member 16 to
the two wheel members 38, 39.
The two wheel members 38, 39 are mirror images of each another and each
preferably
comprise a wheel 40 and strut 42 rotationally connected, a rear stabilizer tab
44, and a
stabilizer bar 46. Many means of rotationally connecting a wheel to a non-
rotating structure
are well known in the art and this invention is not limited to any of those
means. The stabilizer
bars 46 can be omitted provided that the connection between the axle member 16
and the
wheel members 38, 39 is otherwise reinforced. Examples of situations in which
stabilizer bars
46 can be beneficially used are when the cycle to be towed is heavy, when the
road to be
traveled is bumpy, or when the trailer 10 is to be towed at high speeds.
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If included, the stabilizer bar 46 is hingedly connected to the rear
stabilizer tab 44
which is fixedly attached to the strut 42. Any hinging connection between the
rear stabilizer
tab 44 and the stabilizer bar 46 is acceptable so long as the stabilizer bar
46 can pivot to be
substantially parallel to the strut 42 and can pivot to a position so as to be
connected to the
front stabilizer tab 36.
At the opposite distal end to where the stabilizer bar 46 connects to the rear
stabilizer
tab 44 the stabilizer bar 46 is detachably connected to the front stabilizer
tab 36. Any means
or method of detachably connecting, for example bolting or clipping, the
stabilizer bar 46 to
the front stabilizer tab 36 is acceptable. The presently preferred means of
connecting the
stabilizer bar 46 to the front stabilizer tab 36 is with a pin 20 and clip 24.
The pin 20 extends
through holes in both the stabilizer bar 46 and front stabilizer tab 36 and is
prevented from
being removed after the clip 24 is inserted into a hole in the distal end of
the pin 20.
Any means or method of detachably connecting, for example bolting or clipping,
the
wheel members 38, 39 to the axle member 16 is acceptable. The presently
preferred means of
connecting the wheel members 38, 39 to the axle member 16 is with a pin 22 and
clip 24.
With the presently preferred means of connecting, assembling wheel members 38,
39
and the axle member 16 requires that the strut 42 be dimensioned to be
partially slid into the
cross tongue section 48. The strut 42 is slid into the cross tongue section 48
until four holes
are all aligned, two holes each in both strut 42 and cross tongue sections 48.
A pin 22 is then
extended through the four holes and a clip 24 is inserted into a hole in the
distal end of the pin
22. Once the clip 24 is inserted into the pin 22 the pin 22 is prevented from
moving in either
direction.
Disposed on top of the front, center and axle members 12, 14, 16 and
traversing the
length of the trailer 10 is a channel 51. The channel 51 is U-shaped and
dimensioned to accept
the wheels of a motorcycle 58. For ease of disassembly, the channel 51 is
broken into four
sections: a front channel 50, a center channel 52, an axle channel 54, and a
rear channel 56.
Each channel 50, 52, 54 is then fixedly attached to a corresponding member 12,
14, and 16.
Any means, welding for example, of fixedly attaching the channel sections 50,
52 and 54 to the
members 12, 14 and 16 is acceptable. The presently preferred means of
connection is to rivet
the channel sections 50, 52 and 54 to support angles which are attached to the
members 12,
14 and 16.
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An optional feature of the trailer 10 is a ramp 18 detachably and/or pivotably
attached
to the axle member 16. The ramp 18 is formed by a channel section 56 affixed
to angle
brackets 49, for example by welding or rivets. The presently preferred method
of detachably
and pivotably attaching the ramp 18 to the rear member is with a pin 20 and
clip 24. When the
motorcycle 58 is to be loaded into or unloaded from the trailer 10, the ramp
18 is to be
positioned to incline downward from the axle member 16 to the ground. This
positioning
allows the motorcycle 58 to be easily loaded or unloaded. When the ramp 18 is
not needed,
the ramp 18 can either be removed and stored elsewhere, or the ramp 18 can be
positioned to
incline upward from the axle member 16.
Once the motorcycle 58 is within the channel 51, the motorcycle 58 is held in
place
with a wheel holder 60, front straps 62, and a rear strap 64. The wheel holder
60 is attached
to the front member 12 and is dimensioned to snugly hold the front wheel 59 of
the
motorcycle 58. The straps 62, 64 wrap around the motorcycle 58 and prevent the
motorcycle
58 from moving relative to the trailer 10. The straps 62, 64 are then
connected to the trailer
10. Any means of connecting the straps 62, 64 to the trailer 10 is acceptable.
The presently
preferred means of connection is with two strap rings 66 located on the front
tie down bar 30
and one strap ring 66 located on each strut 42. The front straps 62 are
connected to the front
tie down bar 30 and the rear strap 64 is connected to the struts 42.
The tongue sections 28, 34, 47, 48 and struts 42 are preferably made with
material that
is both lightweight and strong. The presently preferred tongue sections 28,
34, 47, 48 and
struts 42 are constructed using square, hollow stock material of steel or
aluminum, or a
combination of both, or siniilar material. However, the invention is not
limited to this
configuration or type of materials. Any materials that combine the qualities
of strength and
being lightweight are acceptable.
If constructed from steel, the trailer 10 preferably weighs less than 130
pounds and has
a load capacity of 1,500 pounds. The trailer 10 can now be moved easily
because it has such
little weight. Also, when the trailer 10 is disassembled, the total weight for
any one member is
less than 30 pounds. Thus, a single person can easily lift any one member for
transporting
purposes.
Holders for lights and license plates are required for all trailers in most
states;
however, the holders for the lights and the license have been omitted in the
figures for
purposes of clarity.
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FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate how the disassembled trailer 10 is fit within a
bag 68. In
FIG. 3a, the axle member 16 is shown positioned within the bag 68 such that
the long axis of
the axle member 16 is substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the bag
68.
In FIG. 3b the left wheel member 38 is shown positioned within the bag 68.
However,
before the left wheel member 38 is placed within the bag 68, the stabilizer
bar 46 must be
pivoted such that it is substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the
left wheel member 38.
After the left wheel member 38 is positioned within the bag 68, FIG. 3c
illustrates the
placement of the right wheel member 39 in the bag 68. As with the left wheel
member 38, the
stabilizer bar 46 on the right wheel member 39 must be pivoted to be
substantially parallel to
the transverse axis the right wheel member 39.
Once the axle member 16 and two wheel members 38, 39 are placed within the bag
68,
the remaining pieces are placed within the bag 68. Significantly, the size of
the bag 68 limits
the size of each piece being placed within the bag 68. Thus, if a larger bag
68 is used, the
pieces being placed within the bag 68 can also be larger. In the presently
preferred
embodiment of the invention, each piece has a longest dimension not greater
than 42 inches.
Thus, the interior transverse dimension of the presently preferred bag 68 need
not be more
than approximately 42 inches.
