Patent US4239258A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4239258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fold-up trailer assembly
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-12-11
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Granted: 1980-12-16
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Expires: 1998-12-11
Abstract
Abstract An improved retractable fold-up and extensible trailer typically for towing behind automotive vehicles, wherein the respective load accommodating sections of the trailer are interfittable and foldable into a compact configuration for storage and are extensible to form an enlarged trailer or bed for use. Essentially the trailer bed is in three sections, a center section attached to a wheel and axle assembly, and forward and rearward sections hingedly connected thereto. Latches are provided to retain the sections in either folded or unfolded positions, and a retractable tongue is provided on the front section for towing. The trailer may have nesting side portions or may be adapted to accommodate removable sides constructed in conventional stake body form.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank H. Burris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G11/00; B60G11/14; B62; B62D; B62D63/00; B62D63/06; B62D63/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A trailer being foldable for storage and being extendable for transporting loads over the ground, comprising: a forward bed portion; a rear bed portion; a center bed portion positioned between said forward and rear bed portions and generally parallel to the ground; first transverse hinge means connecting said forward bed portion to said center bed portion for rotation of said forward bed portion between a horizontal position planar with said center bed portion and a vertical position perpendicular to and generally above said center bed portion; second transverse hinge means connecting said rear bed portion to said center bed portion for rotation of said rear bed portion between a horizontal position planar with said center bed portion and a vertical position perpendicular to and generally above said center bed portion; first lock means connected between said center bed portion and said forward bed portion for selectively retaining said center and forward bed portions in planar orientation with respect to each other for transporting loads; second lock means connected between said center bed portion and said rear bed portion for selectively retaining said center and rear bed portions in planar orientation with respect to each other for transporting loads; and a wheel assembly connected to said center bed portion for supporting said trailer on the ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
A trailer being foldable for storage and being extendable for transporting loads over the ground, comprising: a forward bed portion; a rear bed portion; a center bed portion positioned between said forward and rear bed portions and generally parallel to the ground; first transverse hinge means connecting said forward bed portion to said center bed portion for rotation of said forward bed portion between a horizontal position planar with said center bed portion and a vertical position perpendicular to and generally above said center bed portion; second transverse hinge means connecting said rear bed portion to said center bed portion for rotation of said rear bed portion between a horizontal position planar with said center bed portion and a vertical position perpendicular to and generally above said center bed portion; first lock means connected between said center bed portion and said forward bed portion for selectively retaining said center and forward bed portions in planar orientation with respect to each other for transporting loads; second lock means connected between said center bed portion and said rear bed portion for selectively retaining said center and rear bed portions in planar orientation with respect to each other for transporting loads; and a wheel assembly connected to said center bed portion for supporting said trailer on the ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
The trailer defined in claim 1 wherein said forward bed portion includes: a trailer hitch tongue slideably attached thereto; and third lock means connected to said forward bed portion to engage said trailer hitch tongue in an extended position for towing and a retracted position for storage, said retracted position extending said tongue a distance beyond said first transverse hinge means generally equal to the distance said center portion is supported on the ground by said wheel assembly, whereby said retracted tongue provides a supporting contact with the ground when said forward bed portion is in a vertical position with respect to said center bed portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The trailer defined in claim 2 wherein said forward bed portion includes a box channel member at a right angle to said first hinge means and parallel to said forward bed portion, said trailer hitch tongue including a structural member sized and shaped to slide within said box channel member, said third lock means including a ball detent pin, and ball detent pin receiving orifices defined through said box channel member and said structural member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
The trailer defined in claim 1 wherein said first lock means includes: a first stop member positioned on said forward bed portion adjacent said first hinge means; a second stop member positioned on said center bed portion adjacent said first hinge means in position to engage said first stop member when said center and forward bed portions are in planar orientation; and overcenter latch means positioned between said center and forward bed portions to selectively retain said center and forward bed portions in planar relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
The trailer defined in claim 1 wherein said first lock means include: a first stop member positioned on said forward bed portion adjacent said first hinge means; a second stop member positioned on said center bed portion adjacent said first hinge means in position to engage said first stop member when said forward bed portion is rotated into planar orientation with respect to said center bed portion; at least one ball detent pin; and first receiving means on said center and forward bed portions for receiving said ball detent pin when said center and forward bed portions are in planar orientation so that said center and forward bed portions can be retained thereby in said planar orientation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The trailer defined in claim 5 wherein said center and forward bed portions include second receiving means for receiving said ball detent pin when said center and forward bed portions are in perpendicular orientation so that said center and forward bed portions can be retained thereby in said perpendicular orientation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The trailer defined in claim 6 wherein said first and second receiving means on said center and forward bed portions for receiving said ball detent pins each include a pair of spaced lock members on one bed portion and at least one lock member on the other bed portion defining orifices for receiving a ball detent pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The trailer defined in claim 1 wherein said bed portions each include upstanding body portions sized and shaped to nest together when said forward and rear bed portions are folded in said perpendicular orientation with respect to said center bed portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The trailer defined in claim 1 wherein said wheel assembly includes: a bearing shaft at a right angle to said first hinge means; a pair of axle assemblies each mounted to said bearing shaft at at least two separate locations for rotation thereabout; and at least one spring in engagement with each axle assembly on one end thereof and in engagement with said center bed portion on the other end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
The trailer defined in claim 1 wherein said wheel assemblies include wheels of a predetermined diameter and said structural member includes a trailer hitch on one end thereof and an abutment surface on the other end thereof, said ball detent pin receiving orifices having a position which maintains said structural member in position with said abutment surface in horzontal alignment with the bottom of said wheels when said bed portions are folded, said center bed portion being of a length similar to the diameter of said wheels which are generally centered therealong.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2080709A
Cited
US2809046A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-16 | 1984-06-16 | 1984-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-16 | 1988-06-16 | 1988-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-16 | 1992-06-16 | 1992-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |