US4597585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer caravan
Assignee: ELLENBURG ML
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Filing: 1984-11-20
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Granted: 1986-07-01
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Expires: 2004-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A trailer caravan allows a motor home owner to tow a small automobile and boat in tandem relationship without exceeding overall length limitations. The tongue of a boat trailer is secured to the automobile trailer ahead of it by a pivot pin and a coacting tongue tie-down bar carrying two tongue radius adjusting bolts in opposing relationship to the opposite sides of the boat trailer tongue. Two tension springs are connected between the opposite sides of the boat trailer tongue and automobile trailer to assure proper tracking of the boat trailer while enabling the caravan to negotiate curves with safety.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Littlejohn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:45
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D63/00; B62D63/06; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/10; B60P3/1033; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/0807; B62D53/0828
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A trailer caravan comprising an automotive vehicle transport trailer adapted to be coupled to a towing vehicle, a boat transport trailer having a tongue arranged in overlapping relationship with a rear end portion of the automotive vehicle transport trailer, a vertical axis pivot and coupling pin engaged with said tongue and a member of the automotive vehicle transport trailer, a tie-down bar for said tongue fixed to a member of the automotive vehicle transport trailer and extending across the top of the tongue and restraining upward displacement of the tongue, a pair of adjustable tongue radius elements on said tie-down bar in opposing relationship to opposite sides of said tongue, and a pair of tracking springs connected between opposite sides of the tongue and said automotive vehicle transport trailer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A trailer caravan comprising an automotive vehicle transport trailer adapted to be coupled to a towing vehicle, a boat transport trailer having a tongue arranged in overlapping relationship with a rear end portion of the automotive vehicle transport trailer, a vertical axis pivot and coupling pin engaged with said tongue and a member of the automotive vehicle transport trailer, a tie-down bar for said tongue fixed to a member of the automotive vehicle transport trailer and extending across the top of the tongue and restraining upward displacement of the tongue, a pair of adjustable tongue radius elements on said tie-down bar in opposing relationship to opposite sides of said tongue, and a pair of tracking springs connected between opposite sides of the tongue and said automotive vehicle transport trailer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A trailer caravan as defined in claim 1, and said member closely underlying said tongue and restraining downward displacement thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A trailer caravan as defined in claim 2, and said tie-down bar including vertical webs spaced from the opposite sides of the tongue, and said pair of adjustable tongue radius elements comprising transverse horizontal axis adjusting screws mounted on said vertical webs substantially in coaxial alignment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A trailer caravan as defined in claim 3, and said tie-down bar including feet on opposite sides of the tongue, and fastener means anchoring said feet to said member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A trailer caravan as defined in claim 1, and said tie-down bar being spaced substantially rearwardly along the tongue from the location of said vertical axis pivot and coupling pin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A trailer caravan as defined in claim 5, and said tracking springs comprising substantially coaxial transverse horizontal axis tension springs adjacent to and spaced from opposite sides of the tie-down bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a trailer caravan, a first trailer and a second trailer in tandem relationship, the second trailer having a tongue overlying a rear end portion of the first trailer, a vertical axis coupling and pivot pin interconnecting the first trailer and said tongue of the second trailer, a tie-down bar on the first trailer near its rear end and spaced rearwardly of said coupling and pivot pin and extending across the top of said tongue and adjacent to the sides of the tongue in somewhat spaced relationship therewith, a pair of tongue radius adjusting elements on said tie-down bar substantially in alignment with the opposite sides of said tongue, and said tongue radius adjusting elements comprising a pair of substantially coaxial adjusting screws having locking means thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a trailer caravan, a first trailer and a second trailer in tandem relationship, the second trailer having a tongue overlying a rear end portion of the first trailer, a vertical axis coupling and pivot pin interconnecting the first trailer and said tongue of the second trailer, a tie-down bar on the first trailer near its rear end and spaced rearwardly of said coupling and pivot pin and extending across the top of said tongue and adjacent to the sides of the tongue in somewhat spaced relationship therewith, a pair of tongue radius adjusting elements on said tie-down bar substantially in alignment with the opposite sides of said tongue, and said tongue radius adjusting elements comprising a pair of substantially coaxial adjusting screws having locking means thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-30 | 1989-12-30 | 1990-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-30 | 1993-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-30 | 1997-12-30 | 1998-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |