Jack assembly for stabilizing house trailer

Claim 2

Means to stabilize a parked trailer that has a frame and ground wheels, comprising the combination of: a jack to engage one side of the trailer frame to cooperate with a similar jack on the opposite side of the trailer frame; shoe means carried by the jack to exert pressure against at least one wheel of the trailer to serve as brake means to immobilize the wheel; and a mechanism on the jack operable to advance said shoe means into pressure contact with the wheel.

Claim 3

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the trailer has four ground wheels; in which said shoe means comprises a pair of shoes to engage two wheels on one side of the trailer; and in which said advancing means lifts the pair of shoes upward between the two wheels into wedging engagement with the two wheels.

Claim 4

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the trailer has four ground wheels; in which said shoe means comprises a pair of separate shoes; in which each of the two shoes is mounted on a corresponding expansible link means; and in which said mechanism is operatively connected to the two link means for expansion thereof to urge the two shoes into pressure engagement with two wheels respectively on said one side of the trailer.

Claim 5

A combination as set forth in claim 3 in which each of said expansible link means comprises a two-link toggle linkage.

Claim 6

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said jack includes a rack bar with teeth thereon; which includes a first lifting assemblage on the rack bar to engage said teeth to exert lift force on the trailer frame; and which includes a second lifting assemblage on the rack bar to advance said shoe means into pressure contact with said wheel.

Claim 7

A combination as set forth in claim 5 in which the trailer has four ground wheels; in which the shoe means comprises two separate shoes; in which each of the two shoes is mounted on a corresponding expansible link means; and in which the second lifting assemblage is operatively connected to said two link means.

Claim 8

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said shoe means comprises a single shoe; in which link means carries said shoe, said link means being expansible laterally of the jack from one side of the jack to force said shoe into pressure contact with a ground wheel of the trailer.

Claim 9

A combination as set forth in claim 7 which includes fixed means on the trailer frame positioned for abutment against the other side of the jack to oppose lateral shift of the jack in reaction to the force exerted by the link means.

Claim 10

A combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes means to releasably connect the upper end of the jack to the trailer frame to temporarily suspend the jack from the frame to facilitate manual adjustment of the jack for exerting lifting force on the frame.

Claim 11

A combination as set forth in claim 9 which includes hook means on one of said jack and said trailer frame and loop means on the other of said jack and said trailer frame to engage the hook means to temporarily suspend the jack from the trailer frame.

Claim 12

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said jacks includes: an elongated support scew; a tube slidingly mounted on the upper end of the screw and longitudinally extendible therefrom to exert lift force on the trailer frame; means operable to rotate the screw; a nut on the screw to travel longitudinally of the screw in response to rotation of the screw, said tube being in the path of the nut to permit the tube to be raised by the nut; and link means carrying said shoe means, said link means being connected both to said tube and said nut and being expansible by upward movement of the nut relative to the tube thereby to advance the shoe means.

Claim 13

A combination as set forth in claim 11 in which said tube is adjustable downward in effective length to vary the point in the upward travel of the nut at which the nut abuts the lower end of the tube to lift the sleeve.

Claim 14

A combination as set forth in claim 12 in which said tube is adjustable downward in length by screw action.

Claim 15

A combination as set forth in claim 13 in which said tube carries a downward extension sleeve said extension sleeve screw-threadedly engaging the tube for downward adjustment of the effective length of the tube.

Claim 16

A combination as set forth in claim 11 in which the trailer has four ground wheels; in which the shoe means comprises two separate shoes for braking action against two corresponding ground wheels on one side of the trailer; and in which said two shoes are carried by two corresponding expansable linkages, each linkage being operatively connected both to the tube and the nut.

Claim 17

A combination as set forth in claim 11 in which said shoe means comprises a single bore; in which said single shoe is mounted on a corresponding linkage which expands laterally of one side of the jack to advance the shoe into pressure contact with a ground wheel of the trailer.

Claim 18

A combination as set forth in claim 16 in which fixed means on the trailer frame is positioned to abut the opposite side of the jack to resist lateral shift of the jack in response to expansion of the link means.

Claim 19

A combination as set forth in claim 11 which includes means to releasably connect the upper end of the sleeve to the trailer frame for temporary suspension of the jack from the trailer frame to facilitate manual adjustment of the jack in preparation for the lifting action of the jack against the trailer frame.

Claim 20

A combination as set forth in claim 11 in which said means operable to rotate the screw comprises a manually operable reversible rachet mechanism.

Claim 21

A combination as set forth in claim 11 in which said means operable to rotate the screw comprises a nut integral with the screw for reversible rotation by wrench means.

Claim 22

A combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said jack includes: an elongated screw; a tube slidingly mounted on the upper end of the screw for extension therefrom against the trailer frame to exert lift force on the trailer frame; means operable to rotate said screw; a nut on the screw to travel up and down thereon in response to rotation thereof, said tube being in the path of upward travel of the nut to be lifted by the nut; and means responsive to upward travel of the nut relative to the tube to advance said shoe means.

Claim 23

A combination as set forth in claim 21 in which said tube is adjustable downward in effective length to vary the point in the upward travel of the nut at which the nut exerts lifting force on the tube.

Claim 24

A combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes a bracket for mounting on one side of the trailer frame to receive the lifting thrust of the jack.

Claim 25

A combination as set forth in claim 23 in which said bracket is made in two sections adjustable relative to each other to vary the effective length of the bracket.

Claim 26

A combination as set forth in claim 24 in which said bracket includes means to engage a spring stirrup on one side of the trailer frame and further includes means to thrust against the trailer frame above the spring stirrup.

Claim 27

A combination as set forth in claim 23 in which the upper end of the jack and said bracket are provided respectively with cooperative means to suspend the jack from the bracket in preparation for operating the jack.

Claim 28

A combination as set forth in claim 26 in which the upper end of the jack and said bracket are provided respectively with cooperative means for mutual abutment to hold the suspended jack in a position tilted towards the trailer.

Claim 29

In an assembly for stabilizing a parked trailer wherein the trailer has a plurality of ground wheels and a frame with a forward tongue for connection to a powered vehicle, the combination of: two jack means for use on the opposite sides respectively of the trailer to bear part of the weight of the trailer frame to prevent rocking of the trailer frame about its longitudinal axis; shoe means carried by at least one of said jacks; a mechanism on said one jack to advance said shoe means into pressure contact with a ground wheel of the trailer to immobilize the ground wheel; and additional means effective between the ground and said tongue of the trailer frame to prevent lateral movement of the forward extension and to bear a portion of the weight of the trailer frame to cooperate with said two jacks to prevent rocking of the trailer frame about an axis extending transversely of the trailer frame.

Claim 30

In an assembly for stabilizing a parked trailer wherein the trailer has a plurality of ground wheels and a frame with a forward tongue for connection to a powered vehicle, the combination of: two jack means for use on the opposite sides respectively of the trailer to bear part of the weight of the trailer frame to prevent rocking of the trailer frame about its longitudinal axis; shoe means carried by at least one of said jacks; a mechanism on said one jack to advance said shoe means into pressure contact with a ground wheel of the trailer to immobilize the ground wheel; and additional means effective between the ground and said tongue of the trailer frame to prevent lateral movement of the forward extension and to bear a portion of the weight of the trailer frame to cooperate with said two jacks to prevent rocking of the trailer frame about an axis extending transversely of the trailer frame.

Claim 31

A combination as set forth in claim 28 in which the tongue of the frame is provided with an auxiliary jack to raise and lower the forward end of the frame; and in which said additional means is an auxiliary support frame for positioning transversely of the longitudinal axis of the trailer frame to receive a portion of the weight of the trailer frame, whereby the tongue of the trailer frame may be lifted by the auxiliary jack and they may be lowered onto the auxiliary support frame.

Claim 32

A combination as set forth in claim 29 in which said auxiliary support frame has a pair of spaced legs with pads thereon to transmit to the ground the weight imposed on the auxiliary support frame, said legs being adjustable in length to level the auxiliary support frame on uneven ground.

Claim 33

A combination as set forth in claim 30 in which said auxiliary support frame has a pair of tubular legs; in which a pair of elongated scews are telescoped into the lower ends of the tubular legs respectively in screw threaded engagement therewith; and in which said pads are on the lower ends of said elongated screws.

Claim 34

A combination as set forth in claim 29 in which said auxiliary support frame is mounted on said forward extension of the trailer frame for movement relative to The forward extension between an upper retracted position and a lower effective position.

Claim 35

A combination as set forth in claim 32 in which said auxiliary support frame is swingably mounted on the forward extension and which includes means to releasably hold the auxiliary support frame in its upper retracted position.

Claim 36

In a trailer having a frame mounted on ground wheels, the combination of: a tongue on the forward end of the trailer frame for hitching to a towing vehicle; an auxiliary jack carried by the tongue for raising and lowering the tongue; an auxiliary support frame for positioning transversely under the tongue to hold the tongue at an elevation to level the trailer frame longitudinally and to prevent lateral shift of the tongue, said auxiliary support frame being adjustable in vertical dimension and being adjustable to compensate for unevenness in the ground on which it rests, whereby the opposite sides of the trailer frame jacked up to keep the trailer frame from rocking on its longitudinal axis, the forward extension of the trailer frame may be elevated by the auxiliary jack and then lowered to rest on the auxiliary support frame with the auxiliary support frame adjusted in height for longitudinally leveling of the trailer frame and adjusted as necessary to compensate for unevenness of the ground under the auxiliary support frame.

Claim 37

In a trailer having a frame mounted on ground wheels, the combination of: a tongue on the forward end of the trailer frame for hitching to a towing vehicle; an auxiliary jack carried by the tongue for raising and lowering the tongue; an auxiliary support frame for positioning transversely under the tongue to hold the tongue at an elevation to level the trailer frame longitudinally and to prevent lateral shift of the tongue, said auxiliary support frame being adjustable in vertical dimension and being adjustable to compensate for unevenness in the ground on which it rests, whereby the opposite sides of the trailer frame jacked up to keep the trailer frame from rocking on its longitudinal axis, the forward extension of the trailer frame may be elevated by the auxiliary jack and then lowered to rest on the auxiliary support frame with the auxiliary support frame adjusted in height for longitudinally leveling of the trailer frame and adjusted as necessary to compensate for unevenness of the ground under the auxiliary support frame.

Claim 38

A combination as set forth in claim 34 in which said auxiliary support frame has opposite side legs, said legs being individually adjustable in length to vary the effective height of the auxiliary support frame and to compensate for unevenness of the ground under the auxiliary support frame.

Claim 39

A combination as set forth in claim 35 in which the upper portion of each of said legs is in the form of a tube; in which the lower portion of each of said legs is an elongated screw telescoped into the tube in screw-threaded engagement therewith.

Claim 40

A combination as set forth in claim 36 which includes a pad at the lower end of each of said elongated screw for contact with the ground, the elongated screw being rotatable relative to the pad and being provided with handle means for manual rotation.

Claim 41

A combination as set forth in claim 35 in which said auxiliary support frame is mounted on the said tongue for movement relative thereto between an upper retracted position and a lower effective position.

Claim 42

A kit for stabilizing a parked trailer, including: a pair of jack means for use on opposite sides of the trailer frame to take on a portion of the weight of the trailer to stabilize the trailer against lateral shift and against oscillation about the longitudinal axis of the trailer frame; and means on at least one of the said jack means to engage at least one wheel on the corresponding side of the trailer to immobilize the wheel said means on at least one of the said jack means comprising; show means for pressure engagement with at least one wheel of the trailer; and a lifting assemblage on said one jack means to actuate said show means.

Claim 43

A kit for stabilizing a parked trailer, including: a pair of jack means for use on opposite sides of the trailer frame to take on a portion of the weight of the trailer to stabilize the trailer against lateral shift and against oscillation about the longitudinal axis of the trailer frame; and means on at least one of the said jack means to engage at least one wheel on the corresponding side of the trailer to immobilize the wheel said means on at least one of the said jack means comprising; show means for pressure engagement with at least one wheel of the trailer; and a lifting assemblage on said one jack means to actuate said show means.

Claim 44

A kit as set forth in claim 39 in which each of the two jack means is equipped with shoe means together with a lifting assemblage to actuate the shoe means.

Claim 45

A kit as set forth in claim 39 which includes an auxiliary frame for positioning under the tongue of the trailer frame transversely thereof to support the front end of the trailer frame and to immobilize the trailer frame against oscillation about a vertical axis.

Claim 46

A combination as set forth in claim 41 which includes means to pivotally mount the auxiliary frame on the trailer tongue to permit the auxiliary frame to be carried by the trailer tongue and to permit the auxiliary frame to be folded upward out of the way when it is not needed.

Claim 47

A kit as set forth in claim 42 which includes means to releasably hold the auxiliary frame in its upper folded position.

Claim 48

A kit as set forth in claim 43 in which the auxiliary frame is journaled on a cross bar and Which includes pin means insertable into a bore of the transverse bar in engagement with the auxiliary frame to releasably hold the auxiliary frame in its proper folded position.

Claim 49

Means for use with a parked trailer having a frame and ground wheels to immobilize and stabilize the trailer frame to bear part of the weight of the trailer frame to prevent rocking of the trailer frame about its longitudinal axis; shoe means on at least one of said two jack means; mechanism on said one jack means operative to place said shoe means against at least one wheel of the trailer to prevent longitudinal shift of the trailer; and auxiliary means for use at one end of the trailor to act between the ground and the trailer frame to cooperate with said two jack means to prevent rocking of the trailer frame about a transverse axis.

Claim 50

Means for use with a parked trailer having a frame and ground wheels to immobilize and stabilize the trailer frame to bear part of the weight of the trailer frame to prevent rocking of the trailer frame about its longitudinal axis; shoe means on at least one of said two jack means; mechanism on said one jack means operative to place said shoe means against at least one wheel of the trailer to prevent longitudinal shift of the trailer; and auxiliary means for use at one end of the trailor to act between the ground and the trailer frame to cooperate with said two jack means to prevent rocking of the trailer frame about a transverse axis.

Claim 51

A combination as set forth in claim 45 in which the auxiliary means anchors the trailer frame against oscillation about a vertical axis.

Claim 52

Means to stabilize a parked trailer that has a frame and ground wheels, including the combination of: a jack to rest on a ground surface and to engage one side of the trailer frame to exert lifting force thereon; shoe means carried by the jack to exert pressure against at least one ground wheel of the trailer to serve as brake means to immobilize the ground wheel; and a mechanism on the jack operable to advance the shoe means against the ground wheel, said mechanism being responsive to the load imposed on the jack by the trailer frame to exert pressure on the wheel in response to the load.

Claim 53

Means to stabilize a parked trailer that has a frame and ground wheels, including the combination of: a jack to rest on a ground surface and to engage one side of the trailer frame to exert lifting force thereon; shoe means carried by the jack to exert pressure against at least one ground wheel of the trailer to serve as brake means to immobilize the ground wheel; and a mechanism on the jack operable to advance the shoe means against the ground wheel, said mechanism being responsive to the load imposed on the jack by the trailer frame to exert pressure on the wheel in response to the load.

Claim 54

A combination as set forth in claim 47 in which said jack includes a longitudinally expansible support structure which includes expansible link means carrying said shoe means for actuation thereof; and which includes a single mechanism operable both to expand the support structure longitudinally and to expand said link means to advance said shoe means.