Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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UTILITY TRAILER WITH EXTENDABLE CARGO BED
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of utility trailers, in
particular, utility trailers
with extendable cargo beds.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Utility trailers have cargo beds on which may be placed lading for
transport. It is the
case for many utility trailers that the size (i.e. footprint) of their
respective cargo beds is fixed.
Provided the nature of the cargo to be hauled does not exceed the available
footprint of the cargo
bed, utility trailers with fixed-size cargo beds tend to perform adequately.
However, such utility
trailers tend to be ill-equipped to handle cargo which exceeds the available
footprint of the cargo
bed. In some such circumstances, it may be necessary to have a portion of the
cargo extend
beyond the cargo bed footprint, unsupported. From a road safety perspective,
this tends to be
less than ideal. In other circumstances, it may not be possible to haul the
over-sized cargo using
such utility trailers. The inability to re-configure the cargo bed as needed
to extend its available
footprint tends to limit the versatility of such utility trailers.
[0003] To address the afore-mentioned drawbacks, some utility trailers have
been designed
with extendable cargo beds. One such utility trailer is shown and described in
U.S. Patent No.
6,378,893 of Jager, which is owned by Snowbear Limited of Guelph, Ontario,
Canada, also the
assignee of the subject application. U.S. Patent No, 6,378,893 (the disclosure
of which is hereby
incorporated by reference) describes front and rear, manually removable, gates
for a trailer. The
gates can be coupled to the trailer either in a wall-forming configuration or
a bed-extending
configuration. When in their respective wall-forming configurations, the gates
stand substantially
upright from the trailer bed. When in their respective bed-extending
configurations, the gates lie
generally in the same plane as the trailer bed. The front and rear gates are
coupled to the trailer
bed by a plug-in-socket sliding arrangement which for each gate consists of,
on the one hand, a
pair of spaced apart, angled female sockets formed in the support frame and on
the other hand, a
pair of male connector members projecting at an angle from the bottom of each
gate. The female
socket members are configured to slidingly receive therein the male connector
members.
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[0004] Utility trailers constructed in accordance with U.S. Patent No.
6,378,893 have been
well-received in the marketplace as they provide the user some flexibility to
configure the trailer
bed as required to suit a particular load carrying application. More
specifically, with such utility
trailers, the user can choose between four trailer bed configurations - one
most compact
configuration (wherein both the front and rear gates are in their wall-forming
configurations),
two partially extended configurations (wherein one of the front gate or the
rear gate is in its wall-
forming configuration while the other of the gates is in its bed-extending
configuration) and one
fully extended configuration (wherein both the front and rear gates are in
their respective bed-
extending configurations). However, when the front and/or rear gates is in its
bed-extending
configuration, there is no wall or guard rail to prevent the lading from
sliding off one or both
ends of the utility trailer.
[0005] It would be desirable to have a utility trailer which could offer to
the user even more
cargo bed configurations and allow the user the freedom to configure the cargo
bed as required,
with the option of deploying walls or guard rails in at least some of the
partially extended
configurations or in the fully extended configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to a broad aspect of an embodiment of the present invention,
there is
provided an extendable cargo bed including a support frame and a floor carried
by the support
frame. The floor defines at least partially the footprint of the cargo bed. A
gate connects to one of
the floor or the support frame. The gate includes a first gate portion
disposed adjacent the
support frame and a second gate portion movable relative to the first gate
portion. The gate is
deployable in first, second and third positions. When deployed in the first
position, the gate
extends upwardly from the floor. When deployed in the second position, the
gate is substantially
flush with the floor and the footprint of the cargo bed is extended by the
first and second gate
portions. When deployed in the third position, the first gate portion is
substantially flush with the
floor, the footprint of the cargo bed is extended by the first gate portion,
and the second gate
portion is oriented upwardly.
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[0007] In another feature, the gate is releasably attached to the support
frame. In an additional
feature, a portion of the gate slidingly engages a portion of the support
frame to attach the gate to
the support frame.
[0008] In an alternate feature, the gate is hingedly connected to the support
frame and the gate
may be pivoted between the first and second positions.
[0009] In yet another feature, the gate is a first gate and the extendable
cargo bed has a second
gate connected to one of the floor or the support frame. The first bed is
hingedly connected to the
support frame and the second bed is releasably attached to the support frame.
In a further
feature, the second gate includes a third gate portion disposed adjacent the
support frame and a
fourth gate portion movable relative to the third gate portion. The second
gate is deployable in
fourth, fifth and sixth positions. When deployed in the fourth position, the
second gate extends
upwardly from the floor. When deployed in the fifth position, the second gate
is substantially
flush with the floor and the footprint of the cargo bed is extended by the
third and fourth gate
portions. When deployed in the sixth position, the third gate portion is
substantially flush with
the floor, the footprint of the cargo bed is extended by the third gate
portion, and the fourth gate
portion is oriented upwardly.
[0010] In still another feature, the footprint of the cargo bed is most
compact when the first
gate is deployed in the first position and the second gate is deployed in the
fourth position. In an
additional feature, the footprint of the cargo bed is fully extended when the
first gate is deployed
in the second position and the second gate is deployed in the fifth position.
[0011] In a further feature, the footprint of the cargo bed is at least
partially extended when the
first gate is deployed in one of the first position, the second position and
the third position and
the second gate is deployed in one of the fifth position and the sixth
position. Additionally, the
footprint of the cargo bed is at least partially extended when the second gate
is deployed in one
of the fourth position, the fifth position and the sixth position and the
first gate is deployed in
one of the second position and the third position.
[0012] In yet another feature, the gate includes a frame having a back, and
first and second
spaced apart arms depending from the back. Each of the first and second gate
portions are
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mounted to the frame between the first and second arms. The second gate
portion is pivotally
connected to the frame. More specifically, the second gate portion is
pivotally connected to the
first and second arms at locations adjacent the back.
[0013] In still another feature, the second gate portion is pivotable between
fourth and fifth
positions. When in the fourth position, the second gate portion is oriented
upwardly. When in
the fifth position, the second gate portion has a substantially horizontal
orientation.
[0014] Additionally, the extendable cargo bed includes a first stop operable
to prevent
movement of the second gate portion beyond the fourth portion and a second
stop operable to
prevent movement of the second gate portion beyond the fifth position.
[0015] According to another broad aspect of an embodiment of the present
invention, there is
provided a utility trailer having an extendable cargo bed supported on wheels
for rolling motion
on the ground. The extendable cargo bed includes a support frame and a floor
carried by the
support frame. The floor defines at least partially the footprint of the cargo
bed. A gate connects
to one of the floor or the support frame. The gate includes a first gate
portion disposed adjacent
the support frame and a second gate portion movable relative to the first gate
portion. The gate is
deployable in first, second and third positions. When deployed in the first
position, the gate
extends upwardly from the floor. When deployed in the second position, the
gate is substantially
flush with the floor and the footprint of the cargo bed is extended by the
first and second gate
portions. When deployed in the third position, the first gate portion is
substantially flush with the
floor, the footprint of the cargo bed is extended by the first gate portion,
and the second gate
portion is oriented upwardly.
[0016] In one feature, the gate is hingedly connected to the support frame and
may be pivoted
between the first and second positions.
[0017] In another feature, the support frame includes front and rear ends, and
the utility further
includes a tow bar extending from the front end of the support frame. When the
gate is deployed
in one of the second and the third positions, the gate is at least partially
supported by the tow bar.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The embodiments of the present invention shall be more clearly
understood with
reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments of the
invention taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front right perspective view of a utility trailer in
accordance with an
embodiment of the invention showing the cargo bed in its most compact
configuration with the
front and rear gates shown in their respective fully raised positions;
[0020] FIG. 2a is a bottom plan view of the utility trailer illustrated in
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 2b is bottom left, isolated perspective view of the support frame
of the utility
trailer illustrated in FIG. 2, with the front and rear gates, the wheel axle,
the wheels and the
suspension system omitted for the purposes of clarity;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a view of the utility trailer similar to that illustrated in
FIG. 1 showing the
front gate and side panels exploded from the remainder of the utility trailer;
[0023] FIG. 4a is an enlarged, isolated, perspective view of the left side pin-
and-socket
arrangement of the front gate illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 4b is a view of the left side pin-and-socket arrangement
illustrated in FIG. 4a
showing the pin received within the socket;
[0025] FIG. 4c is a cross-sectional view of the left side pin-and-socket
arrangement illustrated
in FIG. 4b;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the utility trailer illustrated in
FIG. 1 showing the
cargo bed being configured to have a partially extended configuration with the
front gate of the
utility trailer being moved from its fully raised position to its fully
lowered position;
[0027] FIG. 6 is front right perspective view of the utility trailer shown in
FIG. 4;
[0028] FIG. 7 is view of the utility trailer similar to that illustrated in
FIG. 6 showing the
second movable panel of the front gate in its raised position;
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[0029] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the second movable panel
of the front
gate illustrated in FIG. 7 showing the second movable panel being moved from
its lowered
position to its raised position;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a view of the utility trailer similar to that illustrated in
FIG. 1 showing the
rear gate exploded from the utility trailer;
[0031] FIG. 10a is an enlarged, isolated, perspective view of the right side
stake member-and-
socket arrangement of the rear gate illustrated in FIG. 9;
[0032] FIG. 10b is a view of the right side stake-pocket arrangement
illustrated in FIG. 10a
showing the stake member received within the socket;
[0033] FIG. 10c is a cross-sectional view of the right side stake member-and-
socket
arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1Ob;
[0034] FIG. 11 is a rear left, perspective view of the utility trailer
illustrated in FIG. 1 showing
the cargo bed in another, partially extended configuration with the rear gate
of the utility trailer
its fully lowered position;
[0035] FIG. 12a is an enlarged, isolated, perspective view of the left side
stake-pocket
arrangement of the rear gate illustrated in FIG. 11, with the stake member
shown exploded from
the socket;
[0036] FIG. 12b is a view of the left side stake member-and-socket arrangement
illustrated in
FIG 11;
[0037] FIG. 12c is a cross-sectional view of the left side stake member-and-
socket
arrangement illustrated in FIG 11;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a view of the utility trailer similar to that shown in FIG.
1 showing the cargo
bed in yet another, partially extended configuration with the first panel of
the rear gate in its
lowered position and the second movable panel of the rear gate in its raised
position;
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[0039] FIG. 14 is rear left perspective view of the utility trailer
illustrated in FIG. 1 showing
the cargo bed in yet another, partially extended configuration with the first
movable panel of
each of the gates being shown in its respective lowered position and the
second movable panel of
each of the gates being shown in its respective raised position;
[0040] FIG. 15 is rear left perspective view of the utility trailer
illustrated in FIG. 1 showing
the cargo bed in yet another, partially extended configuration with the first
movable panel of
each of the gates being shown in its respective lowered position, the second
movable panel of the
rear gate being shown in its raised position and the second movable panel of
the front gate being
shown in its lowered position;
[0041] FIG. 16 is rear left perspective view of the utility trailer
illustrated in FIG. 1 showing
the cargo bed in yet another, partially extended configuration with the first
movable panel of
each of the gates being shown in its respective lowered position, the second
movable panel of the
front gate being shown in its raised position and the second movable panel of
the rear gate being
shown in its lowered position;
[0042] FIG. 17 is another view of the utility trailer similar to that
illustrated in FIG. 1 showing
the cargo bed in a fully extended configuration and the front and rear gates
in their fully lowered
positions;
[0043] FIG. 18 is a rear left perspective view of a utility trailer in
accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 19 is another rear left perspective view of the utility trailer
illustrated in FIG. 18
showing the front gate of the utility trailer in its fully lowered position
and the rear gate in its
declined (in-use) position); and
[0045] FIG. 20 is a front right perspective view of the utility trailer
illustrated in FIG. 18
showing the second movable panel of the front gate in its raised position and
the rear gate in its
raised position.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0046] The description, which follows, and the embodiments described therein
are provided by
way of illustration of an example, or examples of particular embodiments of
principles and
aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes
of explanation
and not of limitation, of those principles of the invention. In the
description that follows, like
parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same
respective
reference numerals.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, there is shown a utility trailer, designated
generally with
reference numeral 20. The trailer 20 is designed to be hitched to the rear of
a motor vehicle (not
shown) and towed. The trailer 20 has a cargo bed 22 whose boundaries are
defined by a pair of
spaced apart side panels 24 and 26, and front and rear gates 28 and 30. The
cargo bed 22 is
supported on a single axle 32 via a multiple leaf spring-type suspension
system 33 (visible in
FIG. 2). The single axle 32 carries a pair of spaced apart wheels 34 and 36.
Each wheel 34, 36
is provided with a protective wheel cover 38 that depends from the cargo bed
22. In an
alternative embodiment, the trailer could be configured as a dual-axle
trailer.
[0048] As will be explained in greater detail below, the cargo bed 22 can be
deployed in nine
different configurations, including a most compact configuration 40 (shown in
FIG. 1), a number
of partially extended configurations 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 51 and 52 (shown in
FIGS. 6, 7, 11, 13,
14, 15 and 16 respectively) and a fully extended configuration 53 (shown in
FIG. 17). When in
its most compact configuration 40, the cargo bed 22 has a generally square
shape and is defined
by a support frame 54 and a floor 56 mounted atop the support frame 54 upon
which cargo may
be placed. When in its partially extended configurations 42, 44, 46, 48, 50,
51 and 52 or fully
extended configuration 53, the cargo bed 22 has a generally rectangular
footprint with one or
more portions of the front gate 28 and/or the rear gate 30 further forming
part (i.e. one or more
extensions) of the cargo bed 22.
[0049] In this embodiment, the front gate 28 is pivotally connected to the
support frame 54 at
the front end thereof. The front gate 28 is movable between a first, fully
raised position 64
(shown in FIG. 1) and a second, fully lowered position 66 (shown in Fig. 6).
When the front
gate 28 is in the first, fully raised position 64, the gate 28 is in a
substantially upright position
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relative to the floor 56 and forms a wall which restricts access to the cargo
bed 22 from the front
end. When in the second, fully lowered position 66, the front gate 28 permits
access to the cargo
bed 22 to facilitate loading. The front gate 28 may also be moved to a third
position 68 (shown
in FIG. 7) whereat a first, fixed, gate panel member 70 remains in a lowered
position and a
second, movable, gate panel member 72 is in a raised (or upright) position 76.
As will be
explained in greater detail below, when the front gate 28 is in the second
position 66, the first
and second gate panel members 70 and 72 serve to extend the cargo bed 22
longitudinally (or
lengthwise) and when the front gate 28 is in the third position 68, only the
first gate panel
member 70 operates to longitudinally extend the cargo bed 22 in the forward
direction.
[0050] The rear gate 30 is removably mounted to the support frame 54 at the
rear end thereof.
The rear gate 30 can be deployed in a first, fully raised position 82 (shown
in FIG. 1) and a
second, fully lowered position 84 (shown in Fig. 11). When the rear gate 30 is
in the first, fully
raised position 82, the gate 30 is in a substantially upright position
relative to the floor 56 and
forms a wall which restricts access to the cargo bed 22 from the rear end.
When in the second,
fully lowered position 84, the rear gate 30 permits access to the cargo bed 22
to facilitate
loading. The rear gate 30 may also be moved to a third position 86 (shown in
FIG. 7) whereat a
first gate panel member 88 is in a lowered position and a second gate panel
member 90 is in a
raised (or upright) position 94. When the rear gate 30 is in the second
position 84, the first and
second gate panel members 88 and 90 serve to extend longitudinally (or
lengthwise) the cargo
bed 22 and when the rear gate 30 is in the third position 68, only the first
gate panel member 88
operates to longitudinally extend the cargo bed 22 in the rearward direction.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, in this embodiment, the floor 56 takes
the form of a
single, solid panel 57 of corrugated steel. The front and rear end portions 58
and 59 of the panel
57 are bent downwardly to form additional transverse support members for the
support frame 54.
The support frame 54 includes a generally H-shaped framework defined by a pair
of spaced
apart, first and second longitudinal members 100 and 102, a cross-member 104
extending
between and joining the first and second longitudinal members 100 and 102 and
a longitudinal
stringer 105. The cross-member 104 is disposed roughly midway between the
front and rear end
portions 58 and 59 of the panel 57. The longitudinal stringer 105 runs
parallel to the first and
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second longitudinal members 100 and 102 and is welded at one end to cross-
member 104 at its
midspan and at the opposite end to the front end portion 58 of panel 57.
[00521 Each longitudinal member 100, 102 is fabricated from a section of
generally
rectangular hollow structural steel (HSS), and has a front end 106 and a rear
end 108. Capping
each end 106, 108 of longitudinal members 100 and 102 is an angle member 110.
Each angle
member 110 includes a first leg portion 112 welded to the bottom face 115 of
each longitudinal
member 100, 102 in a horizontal orientation and a second leg portion 114
welded to the end 106,
108 (as the case may be) of each longitudinal member 100, 102 in a vertical
orientation. Each
first leg portion 112 has a relatively large, substantially oval bore 116 and
a relatively, smaller
aperture 118. When the angle member 110 is fixed to the longitudinal member
100, 102 (as the
case may be), the oval bore 116 is substantially aligned with the hollow of
longitudinal member
100, 102 so as to provide access thereto, and the smaller aperture is disposed
outwardly of the
lateral face 118 of the longitudinal member 100, 102. Similarly, the second
leg portion 114 is
also provided with a relatively large, substantially oval bore 120 and a
relatively, smaller
aperture 122. When the angle member 110 is fixed to the longitudinal member
100, 102 (as the
case may be), the oval bore 120 is substantially aligned with an aperture (not
visible) defined in
the bottom face 116 of longitudinal member 100, 102 so as to provide access
thereto, and the
smaller aperture 122 is disposed outwardly of the lateral face 118 of the
longitudinal member
100, 102.
[00531 The angle members 110 together with the front ends 106 of the
longitudinal members
100 and 102 define front sockets 132 and 133 that are configured to receive
portions of
connector or hinge pins 134 and 135. The hinge pins 134 and 135 serve to
pivotally attach the
front gate 28 to the support frame 54. Similarly, the angle members 110 in
cooperation with the
rear ends 108 of longitudinal members 100 and 102 define rear sockets 136 and
137 that are
configured to receive a portion of stake members 138 and 139 for attaching the
rear gate 30 to
support frame 54. Each of the sockets 132, 133, 136 and 137 has a socket axis
S oriented on a
decline relative to a horizontal plane H defined by the cargo bed 22.
Preferably, for each socket
132, 133, 136, 137 the angle of decline 0 (defined between the socket axis S
and the horizontal
plane H) is 45 degrees. While a preferred structure of the sockets 132, 133,
136 and 137 has
been described above, it will be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments,
the front and rear
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sockets could be configured differently. For instance, in another embodiment,
the front and rear
sockets could be made as described and shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,378,893.
[0054] Mounted to the panel 57 in a mirror-image arrangement is a pair of
spaced apart, first
and second wire tubes 140 and 142. The first wire tube 140 runs diagonally
from adjacent the
rear end 108 of the first longitudinal member 100 toward the midspan of the
cross-member 104.
Similarly, the second wire tube 142 runs diagonally from adjacent the rear end
108 of the second
longitudinal member 102 toward the midspan of the cross-member 104. Each wire
tube 140, 142
is intended to receive therethrough electrical wires running from a signal
light assembly 144, 146
(as the case may be) carried on the lateral face 118 of the longitudinal
member 102, 104 (as the
case may be) adjacent the rear end 108 thereof.
[0055] An elongate tongue (or tow bar) 150 centrally disposed between the
first and second
longitudinal members 100 and 102, projects from the front end of the support
frame 54. The
tongue 150 includes a first end 152 and an opposed second end 154 connected to
the cross-
member 104. At its first end 122, the tongue 150 carries a coupler 156 for
connecting the trailer
20 to the hitch (not shown) of a motor vehicle. Projecting longitudinally
from, and welded to,
the second end 154 is a first pair of mounting plates 158a and 158b. Each
mounting plate 158a,
158b has an aperture defined therein which is alignable with a corresponding
aperture formed in
a second pair of mounting plates 164a and 164b. The mounting plates 164a and
164b are
oriented downwardly and are fixed along their respective edges to the rear
face 166 of the cross-
member 104. A connector pin 168 received with the aligned apertures connects
the mounting
plates 158a and 158b to the mounting plates 164a and 164b. The tongue 150 is
also connected to
the front end portion 58 of the panel 57 at a location intermediate its first
and second ends 152
and 154. A pair of triangular gusset plates 170 is welded to the underside of
the panel 57 and
depends downwardly therefrom. Welded to each gusset plate 170 is a mounting
plate 172. The
mounting plates 172 are spaced apart to accommodate the tongue 150
therebetween. The tongue
150 is captively retained between the mounting plates 172 by a locking pin 174
received through
apertures defined in the mounting plates 172 adjacent their respective lower
ends.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the side panels 24 and 26 includes
a rectangular
panel member 180 supported on an inverted U-shaped frame 182. While in this
embodiment, the
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panel member 180 is fabricated from a sheet of steel, in other embodiments,
the panel member
could be made of expanded steel mesh. The frame 182 is built up of three frame
members - two
relatively short, spaced apart, vertically oriented, front and rear frame
members 184 and 186 and
a relatively long, horizontally oriented frame member 188. The long frame
member 188 joins
and is welded to the short, front and rear frame members 184 and 186. The free
end portions 190
of each front and rear frame member 184, 186 extends beyond the lower margin
192 of the panel
member 180 and are supported on angle members 110 disposed at the front and
rear ends 106
and 108 of the longitudinal member 100, 102 (as the case may be). More
specifically, each free
end portion 190 sits on the first leg portion 112 of an angle member 110 with
either its front face
194 or rear face 196 (as the case may be) abutting the second leg portion 114
of an angle
member 110. An aperture 198 defined in the front face 194 or rear face 196 of
the free end
portion 190 is aligned with the aperture 122 formed in the second leg portion
114 of angle
member 110. A fastener inserted into the aligned apertures 196 and 122 serves
to tie each side
panel 24, 26 to a respective longitudinal member 100, 102.
[00571 Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 7 and 8, the structure of the front gate 28 is
now described in
greater detail. The front gate 28 includes an inverted U-shaped frame member
210; the first,
generally rectangular, fixed gate panel member 70; and a second movable gate
panel member 72.
The panel members 70 and 72 are carried on the U-shaped frame member 210. The
U-shaped
frame member 210 is bent inwardly at two locations to define its U-shape
profile. More
specifically, the U-shaped frame member 210 includes a back portion 216 and
two opposed,
generally parallel, first and second arm portions 218 and 220, each joined to
the back portion
216. The back portion 216 is disposed intermediate the first and second arm
portions 218 and
220. The U-shaped frame member 210 is bent to form a first radiused corner
portion 222
whereat the back portion 216 transitions to become the first arm portion 218,
and a second
radiused corner portion 224 whereat the back portion 216 transitions to become
the second arm
portion 220. The arm portions 218 and 220 extend generally perpendicularly
away from the back
portion 216.
100581 The fixed gate panel member 70 is constructed sufficiently robust so as
to be capable of
bearing a load when the cargo bed 22 is deployed in its partially extended
configurations 42, 50,
51 or 52, or fully extended configuration 53. In this embodiment, the fixed
gate panel member 70
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is a sheet of steel. In alternative embodiments, the fixed gate panel member
could be made of
expanded steel mesh. The fixed gate panel member 70 is carried between the
first and second
arm portions 218 and 220. More specifically, it extends from the terminal or
free ends 226 and
228 of the first and second arm portions 218 and 220 toward the corner
portions 222 and 224, but
terminates roughly midway therebetween, such that there is a relatively large,
gap G1 (best
shown in FIG. 7) defined between the first horizontal edge 230 of the fixed
gate panel member
70 and the back portion 216. The gap G1 is sized to accommodate the second
movable gate panel
member 72. Welded along the second horizontal edge 232 of the fixed gate panel
member 70 is
a tubular member 234. The tubular member 234 has a passageway 236 defined
therein for
receiving a portion of connector or hinge pins 134 and 135. As will be made
clear below, the
tubular member 234 functions as a hinge knuckle, and in cooperation with the
hinge pins 134
and 135 permit the front gate 28 to be moved between its first, fully raised
position 64 and its
second, fully lowered position 66.
[00591 Projecting laterally outward from arm portion 216, 218 is a relatively
narrow flange
member 236, 237. The flange members 236 and 237 serve a dual purpose - first,
they function as
a stop preventing the rotation of the front gate 28 beyond the fully raised
position 64 and second,
they provide a connection site for releasably fastening the front gate 28 to
the side panels 24 and
26. Each flange member 236, 237 has a pair of spaced apart, first and second
apertures 238 and
240. Each aperture 238 is alignable with a eye bolt 242 attached to the front
faces of the front
frame members 184, so as to allow the eye bolt 242 to be received through the
aperture 238. As
best shown in FIG. 1, the front gate 28 is secured in the fully raised
position 64 by a locking pin
244 inserted through the eye bolt 242.
[00601 While in this embodiment, the arrangement of eye bolts 242, locking
pins 244 and
flange members 236 and 237 is used to maintain the front gate 28 in the fully
raised position 64,
it should be appreciated that this need not be the case in every application.
In alternative
embodiments, other means for maintaining the front gate in the fully raised
position could be
used to similar advantage.
[00611 The second movable panel member 72 is hingedly connected to the back
portion 216 of
the U-shaped frame member 210. The movable panel member 72 includes a
generally U-shaped
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frame 250 and a generally rectangular, steel panel 252 carried by the frame
250. The panel 252
is constructed sufficiently robust so to have at least some load bearing
capacity when the cargo
bed 22 is deployed in its partially extended configuration 42, 51 or fully
extended configuration
53. In an alternative embodiment, the steel panel could be replaced with a
steel expanded mesh
or a configuration of spaced apart (horizontal and/or vertical) slats.
[00621 The U-shaped frame 250 has a pair of spaced apart, first and second arm
portions 254
and 256 and a back portion 258 which joins the first arm portion 254 to the
second arm portion
256. An angle iron 260 is used to form the back portion 258. The first leg 262
of the angle iron
260 is welded to an edge of the steel panel 252, while the second leg 264 of
the angel iron 260
projects away from the steel panel 252 to form an abutment lip or flange 266.
This flange 266 is
configured to engage or abut a portion of the fixed panel member 70 adjacent
the first horizontal
edge 230 and operates as a stop preventing the second movable panel member 72
from moving
beyond its lowered position 268. While in this embodiment, the abutment flange
266 is carried
on the second movable gate panel member 72, it should be appreciated that this
need not be the
case in every application. In other embodiments, the abutment flange could be
carried on or
mounted to the fixed gate panel member 70 or even the U-shaped frame member
210. In still
other embodiments, different means for arresting movement of the second gate
panel member
beyond its lowered position could be employed to similar advantage.
[00631 Each arm portion 254, 256 extends from one end of the flange 266 and
terminates in a
dog-legged portion 270. Each dog-legged portion 270 is hingedly connected to a
tab 272 which
depends from the back portion 216 of the U-shaped frame member 210. This
arrangement
permits the second movable gate panel portion 72 to pivot between a lowered
position 274 and a
raised (or upright) position 76, as best shown in FIG. 8.
[00641 With specific reference to FIG. 3, 4a, 4b and 4c, the front gate 28 is
pivotally connected
to support frame 54 via the hinge pins 134 and 135. In this embodiment, each
hinge pin 134, 135
takes the form of a bent L-shaped rod having a first, relatively short leg
portion 280 and a
second, relatively long leg portion 282. The short leg portion 280 of each
hinge pin 134, 135 is
designed for insertion into one respective end of the tubular member 234 (see
FIG. 4a). As best
shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c, the long leg portion 282 of each hinge pin 134, 135
is configured to
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extend into one respective front socket 132, 133 (more specifically, through
the bores 116 and
120 of one respective angle member 110 disposed at the front end 106 of the
longitudinal
member 100, 102 (as the case may be)). A locking pin 284 engageable within an
aperture
defined in the long leg portion 282 adjacent its terminal end, is provided to
prevent each hinge
pin 134, 135 from accidentally disengaging from its respective front socket
132, 133. In
alternative embodiments, different locking means could also be employed.
[0065] Having described the structure of the front gate 28, its operation will
now be explained
in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8. FIG. 1 shows the
front gate 28 in its
fully raised position 64. In that position, the fixed gate panel member 70 is
substantially
perpendicular to the cargo bed 22 (i.e. the plane defined by the fixed gate
panel member 72
forms an angle of approximately 90 degrees with the horizontal plane H of the
cargo bed 22). To
move the front gate 28 from its fully raised position 64 to its fully lowered
position 66, the
locking pins 244 are disengaged from the eye bolts 242. With the locking pins
244 disengaged,
the flange members 236 and 237 move unimpeded by the eye bolts 242 and the
front gate 28 is
pivoted downwardly toward the ground until it reaches its fully lowered
position 66 (see FIGS. 5
and 6). In that position, a generally C-shaped handle 286 welded to the back
portion 216 of the
U-shaped frame member 210 comes to rest on the top face 288 of the tongue 150.
The handle
286 performs a stop function, arresting further downward movement of the front
gate 28. It will
be appreciated that, in this embodiment, by virtue of the handle 286 abutting
the tongue 150, the
front gate 28 is at least partially supported by the tongue 150. When the
front gate 28 is in the
fully lowered position 66, the fixed gate panel member 70 is substantially
flush with the cargo
bed 22 (i.e. the plane defined by the fixed gate panel member 72 forms an
angle of
approximately 180 degrees with the horizontal plane H of the cargo bed 22) and
the abutment
flange 266 which projects from the second movable gate panel member 72 comes
to bear against
a portion of the fixed gate panel member 70.
[0066] The cargo bed 22 is deployed to its partially extended configuration 42
when the front
gate 28 is its fully lowered position 66. In this embodiment, the cargo bed 22
measures
approximately 48 in. in length (measured between the front and rear end
portions 58 and 59 of
floor panel 57) when in its most compact configuration 40, and approximately
72 in. in length
(measured between from the rear end portion 59 and the outer edge of back
portion 216 of the
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U-shaped frame member 210) In other embodiments, the cargo bed could be
designed to have a
greater or lesser length in its most compact configuration 40 and/or in its
partially extended
configuration 42.
[0067] To move the front gate 28 to its third position 68 (shown in FIG. 7)
and deploy the
cargo bed to its partially extended configuration 44, the movable gate panel
member 72 is
pivoted upwardly until the edges 290 of the dog-legged portions 270 come to
bear against the
back portion 216 of the U-shaped frame member 210 and the movable gate panel
member 72
reaches the raised (or upright) position 76 (see FIG. 8). In this position,
the movable gate panel
member 72 forms a short wall which acts as a guard to prevent lading placed on
the cargo bed 22
from sliding off.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 3, 9, 11 and 13, the structure of the rear gate 30
is now described in
greater detail. The rear gate 30 is generally similar to the front gate 28 in
that it too includes an
inverted U-shaped frame member 300; the first, generally rectangular, gate
panel member 88;
and the second gate panel portion 90. The panel members 88 and 90 are carried
on the U-shaped
frame member 300. The U-shaped frame member 300 resembles the U-shaped frame
member
210 of the front gate 28. The frame member 300 is bent inwardly at two
locations to define its
U-shape profile. More specifically, the frame member 300 includes a back
portion 302 and two
opposed, generally parallel, first and second arm portions 304 and 306, each
joined to the back
portion 302. The back portion 302 is disposed intermediate the first and
second arm portions
304 and 306. The frame member 300 is bent to form a first radiused corner
portion 308 whereat
the back portion 302 transitions to become the first arm portion 304, and a
second radiused
corner portion 310 whereat the back portion 302 transitions to become the
second arm portion
306. The arm portions 304 and 306 extend generally perpendicularly away from
the back portion
302.
[0069] The fixed gate panel member 88 is constructed sufficiently robust so as
to be capable of
bearing a load when the cargo bed 22 is deployed in its partially extended
configurations 46, 50,
51 or 52 or fully extended configuration 53. In this embodiment, the fixed
gate panel member 88
is a sheet of steel. In alternative embodiments, the fixed gate panel member
could be made of
expanded steel mesh. The fixed gate panel member 88 is carried between the
first and second
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arm portions 304 and 306. More specifically, it extends from the terminal or
free ends 312 and
314 of the first and second arm portions 304 and 306 toward the corner
portions 308 and 310, but
terminates roughly midway therebetween, such that there is a relatively large,
gap G2 (best
shown in FIG. 7) defined between the first horizontal edge 320 of the fixed
gate panel member
88 and the back portion 302. The gap G2 is sized to accommodate the second
movable gate panel
member 90.
[0070] Contrary to the fixed gate panel member 70 of the front gate 28, the
fixed gate panel
member 88 of the rear gate 30 does not have a tubular member 234 welded along
one of its
horizontal edges. This is because, as will be made clear below, the rear gate
30 is not pivotally
connected to the utility frame 54 and thus does require a hinge knuckle and
hinge pin
arrangement. Instead, the fixed gate panel member 70 is provided with a pair
of first and second
stake members 138 and 139. Stake member 138 is welded to the free end 312 of
arm portion
304, while stake member 139 is welded to the free end 314 of arm portion 306.
In this
embodiment, each stake member 138, 139 has a first, relatively straight
portion 322 and a bent
portion 324 joined thereto and disposed at angle of approximately 45 degrees
relative to the
straight portion 322. The straight portion 322 of each stake member 138, 139
is almost entirely
received in the hollow of arm portion 304, 306 and welded in place. Each
straight portion 322
serves to securely fix the stake member 138, 139 to its respective arm portion
304, 206. As for
each bent portion 324, it is configured for insertion into one of the rear
sockets 136 and 137
defined by the angle members 110 and the rear ends 108 of longitudinal members
100 and 102,
and allows attachment of the rear gate 30 to the support frame 54.
[0071] Projecting laterally outward from arm portion 304, 306 is a relatively
narrow flange
member 330, 332. These flange members 330 and 332 provide a connection site
for securely
fastening the rear gate 30 to the side panels 24 and 26. Each flange member
330, 332 has a pair
of spaced apart, first and second apertures 334 and 336. Each aperture 334 is
alignable with an
eye bolt 338 attached to the rear faces of rear frame members 186, so as to
allow the eye bolt 338
to be received through the aperture 334. As best shown in FIG. 5, the rear
gate 30 is secured in
the fully raised position 82 by a locking pin 340 inserted through the eye
bolt 338.
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[0072] The second movable panel member 90 configured generally similar to the
movable
panel 72 of the front gate 28. The movable panel member 90 is hingedly
connected to the back
portion 302 of the U-shaped frame member 300. The movable panel member 90
includes a
generally U-shaped frame 350 and a generally rectangular, steel panel 352
carried by the frame
350. The panel 352 is constructed sufficiently robust so to have at least some
load bearing
capacity when the cargo bed 22 is deployed in its partially extended
configuration 46 or 52, or
fully extended configuration 53. In an alternative embodiment, the steel panel
could be replaced
with a steel expanded mesh or a configuration of spaced apart (horizontal
and/or vertical) slats.
[0073] The U-shaped frame 350 has a pair of spaced apart, first and second arm
portions 354
and 356 and a back portion 358 which joins the first arm portion 354 to the
second arm portion
356. An angle iron 360 is used to form the back portion 358. The first leg 362
of the angle iron
360 is welded to an edge of the steel panel 352, while the second leg 364 of
the angel iron 360
projects away from the steel panel 352 to form an abutment lip or flange 366.
This flange 366 is
configured to engage or abut a portion of the fixed panel member 90 adjacent
the first horizontal
edge 320 and operates as a stop preventing the second movable panel member 90
from moving
beyond its lowered position 368. While in this embodiment, the abutment flange
366 is carried
on the second movable gate panel member 90, it should be appreciated that this
need not be the
case in every application. In other embodiments, the abutment flange could be
carried on or
mounted to the fixed gate panel member or even the U-shaped frame member 300.
In still other
embodiments, different means for arresting movement of the second gate panel
member beyond
its lowered position could be employed to similar advantage.
[0074] Each arm portion 354, 356 extends from one end of the flange 366 and
terminates in a
dog-legged portion 370. Each dog-legged portion 370 is hingedly connected to a
tab 372 which
depends from the back portion 302 of the U-shaped frame member 300. This
arrangement
permits the second movable gate panel portion 90 to pivot between a lowered
position 374 and a
raised (or upright) position 94, as best shown in FIG. 8.
[0075] With specific reference to FIG. 9, 1Oa, IOb, IOc, 11, 12a, 12b, and
12c, the rear gate 30
is releasably attached to support frame 54 via the stake member 138 and 139.
When the rear gate
30 is in its fully raised position 82, the bent portion 324 of the stake
member 138 is received in
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the rear socket 136, while the bent portion 324 of the stake member 139 is
received within the
rear socket 137 (see FIGS 10a and 10c). However, this arrangement is reversed
when the rear
gate 30 is in its fully lowered position 84. In that case, the bent portion
324 of the stake member
138 is received in the rear socket 137, while the bent portion 324 of the
stake member 139 is
received within the rear socket 136 (see FIGS 12a and 12c).
[00761 A locking pin 376 engageable within an aperture defined in the bent
portion 324
adjacent its terminal end, is provided to prevent each stake member 138, 139
from accidentally
disengaging from rear socket 136, 137 (as the case may be). In alternative
embodiments,
different locking means could be employed. While for reasons of safety, it is
preferred that a
utility trailer constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention, in still other
embodiments, a utility trailer could be configured without any such locking
means. In such
cases, gravity and a relatively close, sliding fit between the stake members
and the sockets would
help to prevent accidental disengagement of the stake members from the
sockets.
[00771 A preferred configuration of the stake member-and-socket arrangement
for the rear gate
30 has been described in the preceding paragraphs. However, it should be
appreciated that, in
alternative embodiments, the stake member-and-socket arrangement could be
configured
differently. For instance, the stake member-and-socket arrangement for the
rear gate could be
configured as described and shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,378,893.
[0078) Having described the structure of the rear gate 30, its operation will
now be explained
in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 11 and 13. FIG. 1 shows the rear
gate 30 in its fully
raised position 82. In that position, the fixed gate panel member 88 is
substantially perpendicular
to the cargo bed 22 (i.e. the plane defined by the fixed gate panel member 88
forms an angle of
approximately 90 degrees with the horizontal plane H of the cargo bed 22). To
deploy the rear
gate 30 from its fully raised position 82 to its fully lowered position 84,
the locking pins 376 are
disengaged from the bent portions 324 so as to allow the stake members 138 and
139 to be
removed from within the rear sockets 136 and 137, respectively. The rear gate
30 (now no
longer connected to the support frame 54) is then flipped over (i.e. rotated
180 degrees). The
stake member 138 is inserted into the rear socket 137 while the stake member
139 is inserted into
the rear socket 136 (as shown in FIG. 12a, 12b and 12c). With the rear gate 30
in its fully
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lowered position 84, the rear gate 30 is mounted to the support frame 54 in a
cantilevered
fashion. The fixed gate panel member 88 is substantially flush with the cargo
bed 22 (i.e. the
plane defined by the fixed gate panel member 88 forms an angle of
approximately 180 degrees
with the horizontal plane H of the cargo bed 22) and the abutment flange 366
which projects
from the second movable gate panel member 80 comes to bear against a portion
of the fixed gate
panel member 88.
[0079] The cargo bed 22 is deployed to its partially extended configuration 46
when the rear
gate 30 is its fully lowered position 84. In this embodiment, the cargo bed 22
measures
approximately 6 ft. in length (measured between the front end portion 58 and
the outer edge of
back portion 302 of the U-shaped frame member 300) when in its partially
extended
configuration 44. In other embodiments, the cargo bed could be designed to
have a greater or
lesser length in its partially extended configuration 46.
[0080] To move the rear gate 30 to its third position 86 (shown in FIG. 13)
and deploy the
cargo bed 22 to its partially extended configuration 48, the movable gate
panel member 90 is
pivoted upwardly until the edges 380 of the dog-legged portions 370 come to
bear against the
back portion 302 of the U-shaped frame member 300 and the movable gate panel
member 90
reaches the raised (or upright) position 94. This is similar to the way the
front gate 28 may be
moved to its third position 68 as shown in FIG. 8. In the raised position 94,
the movable gate
panel member 90 forms a short wall which acts as a guard to prevent lading
placed on the cargo
bed 22 from sliding off.
[0081] FIG. 14 shows the cargo bed 22 deployed in its partially extended
configuration 50. In
this configuration, both the front and rear gates 28 and 30 are in their
respective third positions
68 and 86 and the cargo bed 22 is extended to a length of approximately 75 in.
(as measured
from the first horizontal edge 230 of the fixed gate panel member 70 to the
first horizontal edge
320 of the fixed gate panel member 88).
[0082] FIG. 15 shows the cargo bed 22 deployed in its partially extended
configuration 51. In
this configuration, the front gate 28 is in its fully lowered position 66 and
the rear gate 30 is in its
third position 86 and the cargo bed 22 is extended to a length of
approximately 87.5 in. (as
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measured between the outer edge of back portion 216 of the U-shaped frame
member 210 and
the first horizontal edge 320 of the fixed gate panel member 88).
[0083] FIG. 16 shows the cargo bed 22 deployed in its partially extended
configuration 52. In
this configuration, it is the rear gate 30 that is in its fully lowered
position 84 while the front gate
is in its third position 68 and the cargo bed 22 is extended to a length of
approximately 87.5 in.
(as measured from the first horizontal edge 230 of the fixed gate panel member
70 to the outer
edge of back portion 302 of the U-shaped frame member 300).
[00841 FIG. 17 shows the cargo bed 22 deployed in its fully extended
configuration 53. In this
configuration, both the front and rear gates 28 and 30 are in their respective
fully lowered
positions 66 and 84 and the cargo bed 22 is extended to a length of
approximately 96 in. (as
measured from the outer edge of back portion 216 of the U-shaped frame member
210 to the
outer edge of back portion 302 of the U-shaped frame member 300).
[0085] In the embodiment described and shown in FIGS. 1 to 17, the utility
trailer was
provided with a pivotable front gate and a removably attached rear gate. This
need not be the
case in very application. In alternative embodiments, a utility trailer
constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention could be configured to have the
front gate removably
attached to the support frame and the rear gate pivotally connected to the
support frame. In other
embodiments, both the front and rear gates could be either pivotally connected
(see the
embodiment shown in FIG. 18), or releasably attached, to the support frame.
Further still, both
front and rear gates could be configured with the plug-in-socket arrangement
described and
shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,378,893. In still other embodiments, a utility
trailer could be
configured with a single door only (e.g. a rear door). Such a door could be
either pivotally
connected, or releasably attached, to the support frame.
[0086] Other changes are also possible. In the embodiment described and shown
in FIGS. 1 to
17, both the front and rear gates have movable gate panel members which can be
deployed to
extend the cargo bed. In other embodiments, a utility trailer could be
designed to have only a
single movable gate panel member provided on either the front gate or the rear
gate. An example
of such an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 wherein an alternate
utility trailer is
identified generally with reference numeral 400. The utility trailer 400 has a
cargo bed 402
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whose boundaries are defined by a pair of spaced apart side panels 404 and
406, and front and
rear gates 408 and 410. The cargo bed 402 includes a support frame 412 and a
floor 420
mounted atop the support frame 412. In this embodiment, both the front and
rear gates 408 and
410 are pivotally connected to the support frame 412. But, only the front gate
408 is provided
with a movable door panel member 414 generally similar in structure and
operation to movable
door panel member 72.
[0087] In like fashion to front gate 28, the front gate 408 is movable between
a first, fully
raised position 416 (shown in FIG. 18) and a second, fully lowered position
418 (shown in FIG.
19). When the front gate 408 is in the first, fully raised position 416, the
gate 408 is in a
substantially upright position relative to the floor 420 of the cargo bed 402
and access to the
cargo bed 402 is at least partially restricted. When in the second, fully
lowered position 418, the
front gate 408 permits access to the cargo bed 402 to facilitate loading. The
front gate 408 may
also be moved to a third position 422 (shown in FIG. 20) whereat the movable
gate panel
member 414 is in a raised (or upright) position 424.
[0088] In this embodiment, the rear gate 410 is a landscape-type gate which
can be deployed in
a first raised (out-of-use) position 426 (shown in FIG. 18) and in a second,
declined (in-use)
position 428 (shown in FIG. 19). When in the first raised position 426, the
rear gate 410 is in a
substantially upright position relative to the floor 420 and access to the
cargo bed 402 is at least
partially restricted. Locking bars 432 mounted to the support frame 412 and
engageable with
the rear gate 410 are operable to maintain the rear gate 410 in the raised
position 426. When in
the second declined position 428, the rear gate 410 forms a ramp 430 which
permits access to the
cargo bed 402 and facilitates loading (in particular, loading of operator
driven lawnmowers or
the like).
[0089] In this embodiment, the cargo bed 402 can be configured to have a most
compact
configuration 434 (shown in FIG. 18), a partially extended configuration 436
(shown in FIG. 20)
and a fully extended configuration 438 (shown in FIG. 19). When in its most
compact
configuration 434, the cargo bed 402 is defined by the support frame 412 and
the floor 420 and
measures approximately 92 in. in length. When in its partially extended
configuration 436, a
portion of the front gate 408 extends the length of the cargo bed 402, such
that it measures
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approximately 109.75 in. in length. When in its fully extended configuration
438, the cargo bed
402 measures approximately 111 in. in length.
[0090] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the provision of
movable gate panel
members on the front and/or rear gates allows the cargo bed to be deployed in
a plurality of
configurations quickly and easily, and affords the user with greater freedom
to configure the
cargo bed to suit a particular application or specific cargo to be
transported. As a result, a utility
trailer constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention
tends to be very
versatile. The manufacture of the movable gate panel member and its assembly
to the front gate
and/or rear gate tends not to be difficult and tends not to significantly add
to the cost of the utility
trailer. Moreover, the addition of a movable gate panel member does not
significantly increase
the overall weight of the utility trailer, such that the utility trailer may
still remain relatively
light-weight. Deployment of the movable gate panel member in the field tends
to be simple and
fast, and requires no additional hardware or tools.
[0091] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 18, the cargo bed could
be extended
longitudinally (or lengthwise) by selectively deploying movable gate panel
members on one or
both of the front and rear gates of the utility trailer. In other embodiments,
an alternate utility
trailer could be provided with one or more gates in place of corresponding one
or more side
panels. In such embodiments, the cargo bed could be extended laterally (or
widthwise) by
deploying movable gate panel members on one or both these (side) gates.
[0092] While it is generally preferred for reasons of ease of deployment that
the movable gate
panel member be hingedly connected to portions of the gate, this need not be
the case in every
application. In other embodiments, one or both of the front and rear gates
could be designed
such that the second gate panel member can be deployed in its raised or
lowered position by
detaching it from its respective gate and reattaching it to the gate in the
desired orientation (i.e.
raised or lowered position).
[0093] While the foregoing discussion has focused on the application of the
principles of the
present invention to utility trailers, it should be appreciated that these
principles could be applied
to similar advantage to vehicles which incorporate cargo beds. For instance,
in other
embodiments, the rear of a pick-up truck, van or other like vehicle could be
outfitted with a rear
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gate configured in accordance with the principles of the present invention, so
that its cargo bed
too could be extended by selective deployment of rear gate with a movable gate
panel member.
[0094] Although the foregoing description and accompanying drawings relate to
specific
preferred embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated by
the inventor, it will
be understood that various changes, modifications and adaptations, may be made
without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
DM TOR/263490-00001/3506415.2
