Adjustable trailer tongue

Claim 2

A leveling system for a single axle trailer adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle comprising: a rigid drawbar having one end located beneath said trailer and pivotably connected to said trailer proximate said axle, said drawbar also including an opposite end adapted to be connected to said vehicle; and means operatively supported between said ends of said drawbar and said trailer for selectively leveling said trailer relative to the attitude of said drawbar.

Claim 3

The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said means includes a feed screw having a first and second portion rotatably supported by drawbar and said trailer, respectively.

Claim 4

The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said drawbar includes a pair of oppositely spaced sidewalls, and wherein said system includes a trunion element rotatably supported by said sidewalls and having a bore for threadably receiving said feed screw.

Claim 5

The system as recited in claim 1 which includes guide means connected to said trailer for preventing lateral movement of said drawbar relative to said trailer.

Claim 6

The system as recited in claim 4 wherein said guide means includes a pair of laterally spaced guide plates located on opposite sides of said drawbar.

Claim 7

The system as recited in claim 1 which includes shielding means for preventing the ingress of foreign particles to said means.

Claim 8

The system as recited in claim 6 wherein said shielding means includes a section of expandable hose.

Claim 9

A trailer having a load supporting frame and an axle arrangement located centrally between oppositely spaced front and rear ends of said frame and adapted for rotatably supporting opposite laterally spaced wheel means, in combination with a system for selectively maintaining said trailer in a substantially level attitude, said system comprising: a bracket located proximate said axle arrangement and fixedly connected to the underside of said frame; a rigid drawbar having a first end pivotably connected to said bracket and an opposite end adapted to be detachably connected to a towing vehicle; guide means connected to the front section of said frame and cooperative with said drawbar for preventing relative lateral movement, said guide means including a pair of parallel surfaces located on opposite sides of said drawbar; and actuating means coactive with said guide means and said drawbar for selectively raising and lowering the front end of said frame relative to the disposition of said drawbar.

Claim 10

A trailer having a load supporting frame and an axle arrangement located centrally between oppositely spaced front and rear ends of said frame and adapted for rotatably supporting opposite laterally spaced wheel means, in combination with a system for selectively maintaining said trailer in a substantially level attitude, said system comprising: a bracket located proximate said axle arrangement and fixedly connected to the underside of said frame; a rigid drawbar having a first end pivotably connected to said bracket and an opposite end adapted to be detachably connected to a towing vehicle; guide means connected to the front section of said frame and cooperative with said drawbar for preventing relative lateral movement, said guide means including a pair of parallel surfaces located on opposite sides of said drawbar; and actuating means coactive with said guide means and said drawbar for selectively raising and lowering the front end of said frame relative to the disposition of said drawbar.

Claim 11

The combination as recited in claim 8 wherein said guide means comprises a pair of downwardly extending, parallel spaced side plates and first and second spaced, laterally extending connecting members located across an upper portion of said side plates, said first and second members and said side plates defining a rectangular shaped passage.

Claim 12

The combination as recited in claim 9 wherein said actuating means includes a feed screw having an enlarged head supported in said passage and which includes a trunnion member rotatably supported by said guide means and having a threaded aperture threadably connected to said feed screw.

Claim 13

The combination as recited in claim 8 wherein said drawbar has a rectangular shaped cross-section and defines a continuous beam between said connection with said towing vehicle and said bracket, and wherein said trailer frame is pivotable relative to said drawbar.

Claim 14

The combination as recited in claim 11 which includes an adjustable front end stand connected to said drawbar and includinG means for selectively orienting said frame relative to said drawbar.