Trailer maneuvering mechanism

Claim 1

A retractable trailer-drive system for close-quarter maneuvering in combination with a trailer having a drawbar at its front end and running wheels remote from the drawbar, said trailer drive system comprising: a. a reversible electric motor mounted on the underside of said trailer, b. means for providing a source of electric current to said motor, c. a maneuvering wheel supported beneath the underside of said trailer at a position remote from the drawbar and spaced adjacently in front of the running wheels, d. means connecting said maneuvering wheel to said motor for driving said maneuvering wheel, e. retractable mounting means secured to the underside of said trailer for raising and lowering said maneuvering wheel between a raised traveling position and a lowered working position, said mounting means having first and second suspension arms each having one end thereof axially engaged with said maneuvering wheel, said first suspension arm having a separated end pivotally engaged on the underside of said trailer, and said second suspension arm having a separated end pivotally engaged with a transfer member movably mounted on the underside of said trailer, f. extension means mounted to said trailer for engaging and moving said transfer member toward said first suspension arm separated end to force the ends of said suspension arms engaged with said maneuvering wheel downwardly, and for moving said transfer member away from said first suspension arm sparated end to lift the suspension arm ends engaged with said maneuvering wheel upwardly, and g. a pivotal support depending from said drawbar for supporting and steering the front end of said trailer.