Extendable trailer mechanism

Claim 2

An extensible trailer mechanism adapted to be towed on a roadway by a tractor vehicle, said trailer mechanism comprising: first chassis means; a first wheel and axle assembly supporting said first chassis means; second chassis means having extension means carried thereby, said extension means being receivable in telescoping relation by said first chassis means in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism and being extendable from said first chassis means to extend the length of said trailer mechanism; a second wheel and axle assembly supporting said second chassis means and being in juxtaposed relation with said first wheel and axle assembly in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism and being disposed in spaced relation with said first wheel and axle assembly in the extended relation of said trailer mechanism; and means securing said second chassis means in pivotal relation to said first chassis means in the extended condition of said trailer mechanism and allowing articulation of said first and second chassis means about a generally horizontally disposed axis.

Claim 3

A trailer mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein: said first and second chassis means are disposed in generally rigid relation in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism.

Claim 4

A trailer mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein: said means securing said second chassis means in pivotal relation with said first chassis means comprises pin means being extendable through said first and second chassis means.

Claim 5

A trailer mechanism as recited in claim 3, including: pin actuator means being carried by one of said chassis means and being connected to said pin means, said pin actuator means being movable between a locked position, where said pin means secure said first and second chassis means in assembly, and an unlocked position, where said pin means is retracted and said first and second chassis means are free for extending and contracting Movement.

Claim 6

A trailer mechanism as recited in claim 4, wherein: said pin means secure said first and second chassis means in substantially rigid relation in the contracted relation thereof and secure said first and second chassis means in articulated relation in the extended relation thereof.

Claim 7

A trailer mechanism as recited in claim 1, wherein: said first and second chassis means are disposed in generally rigid relation in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism and are disposed in said pivotal relation in the extended condition of said trailer mechanism.

Claim 8

A trailer mechanism as recited in claim 6, including: pin actuator means being carried by one of said chassis means and being connected to said pin means, said pin actuator means being movable between a locked position, where said pin means secures said first and second chassis means in assembly, and an unlocked position, where said pin means is retracted and said first and second chassis means are free for extending and contracting movement.

Claim 9

An extendable trailer mechanism adapted to be towed by a tractor on a roadway, said trailer mechanism comprising: first chassis means; a first wheel and axle assembly supporting said first chassis means; a second chassis means having extension means carried thereby, said extension means being receivable in telescoping relation by said first chassis means in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism and being extendable from said first chassis means to extend the length of said trailer mechanism; a second wheel and axle assembly supporting said second chassis means and being in juxtaposed relation with said first wheel and axle assembly in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism and being disposed in spaced relation with said first wheel and axle assembly in the extended relation of said trailer mechanism; and means securing said first and second chassis means in generally rigid relation in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism and establishing a pivotal relation between said first and second chassis means in the extended condition of said trailer mechanism and allowing articulation of said first and second chassis means about a generally horizontally disposed axis.

Claim 10

An extendable trailer mechanism adapted to be towed by a tractor on a roadway, said trailer mechanism comprising: first chassis means; a first wheel and axle assembly supporting said first chassis means; a second chassis means having extension means carried thereby, said extension means being receivable in telescoping relation by said first chassis means in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism and being extendable from said first chassis means to extend the length of said trailer mechanism; a second wheel and axle assembly supporting said second chassis means and being in juxtaposed relation with said first wheel and axle assembly in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism and being disposed in spaced relation with said first wheel and axle assembly in the extended relation of said trailer mechanism; and means securing said first and second chassis means in generally rigid relation in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism and establishing a pivotal relation between said first and second chassis means in the extended condition of said trailer mechanism and allowing articulation of said first and second chassis means about a generally horizontally disposed axis.

Claim 11

An extendable trailer mechanism as recited in claim 8, wherein said first chassis means includes: a pair of generally tubular horizontal support elements disposed in generally parallel relation; said extension means of said second chassis means being telescopically receivable within said tubular elements; corresponding connector means being defined on both said tubular support elements and on said extension means and facilitating assembly of said first and second chassis means; and locking means being carried by some of said chassis means and being received in engagement with said connector means in both the extended and contracted conditions of said trailer mechanism for locking said chassis means in assembly.

Claim 12

An extendable trailer mechanism as recited in claim 9, wherein: said corresponding connector means comprises a locking aperture disposed in said first chassis means and at least a pair of spaced locking apertures disposed in said second chassism means; said locking means comprises locking pin means being movably supported by one of said chassis means and being receivable within said locking apertures of said first tubular support elements and said extension means; and lock actuating means being carried by one of said chassis means and being controllably connected to said locking pin means, said lock activating means, upon being moved, inducing selective locking and unlocking movement to said locking pin means.

Claim 13

An extendable trailer mechanism as recited in claim 10, wherein: first aperture means is formed in said tubular support elements intermediate the extremities thereof and is aligned with said locking aperture means of said second chassiS means in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism; and second aperture means is formed in said tubular support elements adjacent one of the extremities thereof and is aligned with said locking aperture means of said second chassis means in the extended condition of said trailer mechanism.

Claim 14

An extensible trailer mechanism as recited in claim 11, wherein: said tubular support elements prevent articulation of said first and second chassis means in the contracted condition of said trailer mechanism and allow articulation of said first and second chassis means in the extended condition of said trailer mechanism.