US4278375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-03-13
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Granted: 1981-07-14
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Expires: 2000-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle transport trailer, which is capable of carrying three to four vehicles and can be hauled by a pick-up truck. The trailer has two levels. The upper level has a rear end portion which is sloped towards the ground and is used as a ramp for loading and unloading. A hitch is attached to the front end of the upper level. A lower level is hinged to the main body of the trailer and is attached to the front end of the upper level by power activated telescoping members which are movable between a first position in which the trailer can be hauled at its hitch by a pick-up truck, and a second extended position in which the trailer is supported by the front end of the lower level and the rear end of the upper level, with the front end of the upper level and the hitch being pivoted upwardly to allow free access for loading and unloading of the lower level.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry D. Drake
- 👤 Thomas L. Drake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:24
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A trailer useful for transporting vehicles, said trailer comprising: (a) an upper track and a lower track, said upper track having a rear end ramp portion which is downwardly extending toward the ground; (b) hitch means for connecting said trailer to a transporting vehicle, said hitch means being attached to the front end portion of said upper track and extending downwardly therefrom; (c) a central body portion, including a wheel assembly; (d) said lower track being pivotally connected to said central body portion at the rear of said lower track; and (e) power actuated telescoping means for connecting the front end portion of said lower track with said upper track, said means being extensible between a first position in which said trailer can be towed at said hitch with said trailer riding on said wheel assembly, and a second, extended position in which said trailer is supported by the front end of said lower track and the rear end of said upper track, and in which said said upper track is pivoted upwardly, allowing free access to said lower track for loading onto and unloading off of said lower track.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A trailer useful for transporting vehicles, said trailer comprising: (a) an upper track and a lower track, said upper track having a rear end ramp portion which is downwardly extending toward the ground; (b) hitch means for connecting said trailer to a transporting vehicle, said hitch means being attached to the front end portion of said upper track and extending downwardly therefrom; (c) a central body portion, including a wheel assembly; (d) said lower track being pivotally connected to said central body portion at the rear of said lower track; and (e) power actuated telescoping means for connecting the front end portion of said lower track with said upper track, said means being extensible between a first position in which said trailer can be towed at said hitch with said trailer riding on said wheel assembly, and a second, extended position in which said trailer is supported by the front end of said lower track and the rear end of said upper track, and in which said said upper track is pivoted upwardly, allowing free access to said lower track for loading onto and unloading off of said lower track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
217 words
A trailer, said trailer comprising: (a) an upper track and a lower track, said upper track having a rear end ramp portion which is downwardly extending toward the ground; (b) hitch means for connecting said trailer to a transporting vehicle, said hitch means being attached to the front end portion of said upper track and extending downwardly therefrom; (c) a central body portion, including a wheel assembly; (d) said lower track being pivotally connected to said central body portion at the rear of said lower track; and (e) connecting means for connecting the front end portion of said lower track with said upper track, said connecting means including power actuated telescoping means for adjusting the distance between said front end portion of said lower track and said upper track, said power actuated telescoping means being extensible between 1. a first position in which said trailer can be towed at said hitch with said trailer riding on said wheel assembly, and 2. a second, extended position in which the front end of said lower track is pivoted to the ground, and said upper track and said hitch are pivoted upwardly, allowing free access to said lower track for loading onto and unloading off of said lower track and removing said hitch from a transporting vehicle without manual effort.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
217 words
A trailer, said trailer comprising: (a) an upper track and a lower track, said upper track having a rear end ramp portion which is downwardly extending toward the ground; (b) hitch means for connecting said trailer to a transporting vehicle, said hitch means being attached to the front end portion of said upper track and extending downwardly therefrom; (c) a central body portion, including a wheel assembly; (d) said lower track being pivotally connected to said central body portion at the rear of said lower track; and (e) connecting means for connecting the front end portion of said lower track with said upper track, said connecting means including power actuated telescoping means for adjusting the distance between said front end portion of said lower track and said upper track, said power actuated telescoping means being extensible between 1. a first position in which said trailer can be towed at said hitch with said trailer riding on said wheel assembly, and 2. a second, extended position in which the front end of said lower track is pivoted to the ground, and said upper track and said hitch are pivoted upwardly, allowing free access to said lower track for loading onto and unloading off of said lower track and removing said hitch from a transporting vehicle without manual effort.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
210 words
A trailer, said trailer comprising: (a) an upper track and a lower track; (b) hitch means for connecting said trailer to a transporting vehicle, said hitch means being attached to the front end portion of said upper track and extending downwardly therefrom; (c) a central body portion, including a wheel assembly; (d) said lower track being connected to said central body portion at the rear of said lower track; (e) hinge means for allowing relative pivotal movement between said lower track and portions of said upper track; and (f) connecting means for connecting the front end portion of said lower track with said upper track, said connecting means including power actuated telescoping means for adjusting the distance between the front end portion of said lower track and said upper track, said power actuated telescoping means being extensible between 1. a first position in which said trailer can be towed at said hitch with said trailer riding on said wheel assembly, and 2. a second position in which said upper track and said hitch are pivoted relatively away from said lower track, allowing free access to said lower track for loading onto and unloading off of said lower track and simultaneously removing said hitch from a transporting vehicle without manual effort.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
210 words
A trailer, said trailer comprising: (a) an upper track and a lower track; (b) hitch means for connecting said trailer to a transporting vehicle, said hitch means being attached to the front end portion of said upper track and extending downwardly therefrom; (c) a central body portion, including a wheel assembly; (d) said lower track being connected to said central body portion at the rear of said lower track; (e) hinge means for allowing relative pivotal movement between said lower track and portions of said upper track; and (f) connecting means for connecting the front end portion of said lower track with said upper track, said connecting means including power actuated telescoping means for adjusting the distance between the front end portion of said lower track and said upper track, said power actuated telescoping means being extensible between 1. a first position in which said trailer can be towed at said hitch with said trailer riding on said wheel assembly, and 2. a second position in which said upper track and said hitch are pivoted relatively away from said lower track, allowing free access to said lower track for loading onto and unloading off of said lower track and simultaneously removing said hitch from a transporting vehicle without manual effort.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
A trailer, said trailer comprising an upper level and a lower level; hitch means for connecting said trailer to a transporting vehicle, said hitch means being attached to the front end portion of said upper level and extending downwardly therefrom; hinge means for allowing relative pivotal movement between said lower level and portions of said upper level; and means for preparing said trailer for front loading and unloading of said lower level and for simultaneously removing said hitch means from a transporting vehicle, said preparing means including power actuated telescoping means for adjusting the distance between the front end portion of said lower track and said upper track, said power actuated telescoping means being extensible to a position in which the front end of said lower track is pivoted to the ground and the front end of said upper track and said hitch are pivoted upwardly away from said lower track.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
151 words
A trailer, said trailer comprising an upper level and a lower level; hitch means for connecting said trailer to a transporting vehicle, said hitch means being attached to the front end portion of said upper level and extending downwardly therefrom; hinge means for allowing relative pivotal movement between said lower level and portions of said upper level; and means for preparing said trailer for front loading and unloading of said lower level and for simultaneously removing said hitch means from a transporting vehicle, said preparing means including power actuated telescoping means for adjusting the distance between the front end portion of said lower track and said upper track, said power actuated telescoping means being extensible to a position in which the front end of said lower track is pivoted to the ground and the front end of said upper track and said hitch are pivoted upwardly away from said lower track.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-07-13 | 1985-01-12 | 1985-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-13 | 1989-01-12 | 1989-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-13 | 1993-01-12 | 1993-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |