US6273447B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer support with articulating, free castering wheels
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-12-24
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Granted: 2001-08-14
•
Expires: 2018-12-24
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is a trailer extension support dolly with a frame supported by a pair of articulating, free castering support wheels. The trailer extension support dolly attaches between a trailer and a tow vehicle to at least partially support the tongue weight of the trailer. The trailer extension support dolly is attached to the trailer via a conventional ball and socket and a pair of linkage arms extending from the trailer extension support dolly frame rearward to the trailer hitch bar. Each of the trailer extension dolly support wheels is mounted on a respective stub axle which is attached to an articulating axle support bracket via a swivel mount so that each wheel is allowed to caster during turning operations. In order to provide proper castering while going either in a forward direction or a reverse direction, the angle of each axle support bracket is adjustable so that the stub axle swivel connection can be selectively angled forward or rearward. With this adjustment, the support wheels can be alternatively, respectively positioned to freely caster during either forward or reverse steering operations. In an alternative embodiment, the axle support brackets are pivotably attached to a frame which forms an integral part of the trailer and are adjustable in angle to be freely caster in either forward or reverse directions.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Vande Berg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:10
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/01; B60D1/07; B60D1/075; B60D1/06; B60D1/14; B60D1/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A support which at least partially carries the tongue weight of a trailer, said support comprising: a. a frame; b. an axle support bracket connected to said frame and pivotable with respect to said frame about a first pivot axis; c. a knuckle including a stub axle, said knuckle being attached to said axle support bracket such that said knuckle is free to pivot with respect to said axle support bracket about a second pivot axis, said second pivot axis being oriented non-concentrically with said first pivot axis and at a caster angle with respect to vertical; d. a support wheel rotatably connected to said stub axis, said support wheel being free to caster about said pivot axis with said knuckle, and; e. an adjustment mechanism connected between said dolly frame and said axle support bracket, said adjustment mechanism being selectively operable to vary the caster angle of said knuckle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A support which at least partially carries the tongue weight of a trailer, said support comprising: a. a frame; b. an axle support bracket connected to said frame and pivotable with respect to said frame about a first pivot axis; c. a knuckle including a stub axle, said knuckle being attached to said axle support bracket such that said knuckle is free to pivot with respect to said axle support bracket about a second pivot axis, said second pivot axis being oriented non-concentrically with said first pivot axis and at a caster angle with respect to vertical; d. a support wheel rotatably connected to said stub axis, said support wheel being free to caster about said pivot axis with said knuckle, and; e. an adjustment mechanism connected between said dolly frame and said axle support bracket, said adjustment mechanism being selectively operable to vary the caster angle of said knuckle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A support as in claim 1 , wherein said frame forms a portion of a dolly which is removably connectable between a tow vehicle and the trailer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
A support as in claim 2 , wherein said dolly frame includes: a. a hitch receiver which is connectable to a hitch bar of the trailer; and b. a pair of link arms extending between the dolly frame and respective sides of the trailer hitch bar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A support as in claim 3 , wherein said dolly frame further includes: a. a hitch bar which is connectable to a hitch receiver of the tow vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A support as in claim 2 , wherein there are two of said support wheels, knuckles, and axis support brackets, said adjustment mechanism being selectively operable to simultaneously vary the caster angle of both said knuckles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A support as in claim 5 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a linear actuator which is connected to said dolly frame and to both axle support brackets via a leveraged linkage system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A support as in claim 5 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a pair of linear actuators, each of which is connected between a respective one of said side support brackets and said dolly frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A support as in claim 1 , wherein said frame is and an integral part of the trailer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A support as in claim 8 , wherein there are two of said support wheels, knuckles, and axle support brackets, said adjustment mechanism being selectively operable to simultaneously vary the caster angle of both said knuckles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A support as in claim 9 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a pair of linear actuators, each of which is connected between a respective one of said axle support brackets and said frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A support as in claim 8 , wherein said adjustment mechanism also varies the amount of tongue weight incident on the tow vehicle as it varies the caster angle of said knuckles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A support as in claim 8 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a linear actuator which is connected to said frame and to said axle support bracket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
166 words
A support dolly which at least partially carries the tongue weight of a trailer, said support dolly comprising: a. a dolly frame which is connectable between a low vehicle and a the trailer; b. an axle support bracket connected to said dolly frame and pivotable with respect to said dolly frame about a first pivot axis; c. a knuckle including a stub axle, said knuckle being attached to said axle support bracket such that said knuckle is free to pivot with respect to said axle support bracket about a second pivot axis, said second pivot axis being oriented non-concentrically with said first pivot axis and at a caster angle with respect to vertical; d. a support wheel rotatably connected to said stub axis, said support wheel being free to caster about said pivot axis with said knuckle, and; e. an adjustment mechanism connected between said dolly frame and said axle support bracket, said adjustment mechanism being selectively operable to vary the caster angle of said knuckle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
166 words
A support dolly which at least partially carries the tongue weight of a trailer, said support dolly comprising: a. a dolly frame which is connectable between a low vehicle and a the trailer; b. an axle support bracket connected to said dolly frame and pivotable with respect to said dolly frame about a first pivot axis; c. a knuckle including a stub axle, said knuckle being attached to said axle support bracket such that said knuckle is free to pivot with respect to said axle support bracket about a second pivot axis, said second pivot axis being oriented non-concentrically with said first pivot axis and at a caster angle with respect to vertical; d. a support wheel rotatably connected to said stub axis, said support wheel being free to caster about said pivot axis with said knuckle, and; e. an adjustment mechanism connected between said dolly frame and said axle support bracket, said adjustment mechanism being selectively operable to vary the caster angle of said knuckle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
A support dolly as in claim 13 , wherein said dolly frame includes: a. a hitch receiver which is connectable to a hitch bar of the trailer, and b. a pair of link arms extending between the dolly frame and respective sides of the trailer hitch bar; and c. a hitch bar which is connectable to a hitch receiver of the tow vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A support dolly as in claim 13 , wherein there are two of said support wheels, knuckles and axle support brackets, said adjustment mechanism being selectively operable to simultaneously vary the caster angle of both said knuckles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A support dolly as in claim 15 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a linear actuator which is connected to said dolly frame and to both axle support brackets via a leveraged linkage system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
A support dolly as in claim 15 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a pair of linear actuators, each of which is connected between a respective one of said axle support brackets and said dolly frame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
125 words
A support dolly as in claim 16 wherein said leveraged linkage systems comprises: a. a transverse control rod pivotally connected to said frame and having first and second ends; b. first and second levers fixedly secured to said first and second control rod ends respectively and extending radially outwardly therefrom; c. a control lever fixedly secured to said control rod intermediate said first and second ends and extending radially outwardly therefrom, said control lever being connected to said linear actuator; d. first and second connecting rods, said first connecting rod being pivotally connected to said first level and to one of said axle support brackets, said second connecting rod being pivotally connected to said second lever and to the other of said axle support brackets.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
156 words
A support which at least partially carries the weight of a trailer, said support comprising: a. a frame which forms an integral part of the trailer; b. an axis support bracket connected to said frame and pivotable with respect to said frame about a first pivot axis; c. a knuckle including a stub axle, said knuckle being attached to said axle support bracket such that said knuckle is free to pivot with respect to said axle support bracket about a second pivot axis, said second pivot axis being oriented non-concentrically with said first pivot axis and at a caster angle with respect to vertical; d. a support wheel rotatably connected to said stub axis, said support wheel being free to caster about said pivot axis with said knuckle, and; d. an adjustment mechanism connected between said frame and said axle support bracket, said adjustment mechanism being selectively operable to vary the caster angle of said knuckle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
156 words
A support which at least partially carries the weight of a trailer, said support comprising: a. a frame which forms an integral part of the trailer; b. an axis support bracket connected to said frame and pivotable with respect to said frame about a first pivot axis; c. a knuckle including a stub axle, said knuckle being attached to said axle support bracket such that said knuckle is free to pivot with respect to said axle support bracket about a second pivot axis, said second pivot axis being oriented non-concentrically with said first pivot axis and at a caster angle with respect to vertical; d. a support wheel rotatably connected to said stub axis, said support wheel being free to caster about said pivot axis with said knuckle, and; d. an adjustment mechanism connected between said frame and said axle support bracket, said adjustment mechanism being selectively operable to vary the caster angle of said knuckle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A support as in claim 19 , wherein there are two of said support wheels, knuckles, and axle support brackets, said adjustment mechanism being selectively operable to simultaneously vary the caster angle of both said knuckles.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A support as in claim 20 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a pair of linear actuators, each of which is connected between a respective one of said axle support brackets and said frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
A support as in claim 20 , wherein said adjustment mechanism also varies the amount of tongue weight incident on the tow vehicle as it varies the caster angle of said knuckles.
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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) | 2004-08-13 | 2005-02-12 | 2005-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-13 | 2009-02-12 | 2009-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-13 | 2013-02-12 | 2013-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |