초록 ▼

A trailer of the type adapted to be folded from an expanded state to a compact state. The trailer includes a central chassis portion with pivot means at longitudinal ends thereof, as well as a front and rear chassis portion pivotably connected to the central chassis portion through respective front

A trailer of the type adapted to be folded from an expanded state to a compact state. The trailer includes a central chassis portion with pivot means at longitudinal ends thereof, as well as a front and rear chassis portion pivotably connected to the central chassis portion through respective front and rear pivot means. When the trailer is in the expanded state, the front chassis portion, rear chassis portion and central chassis portion extend in a substantially horizontal plane, and when the trailer is in the compact state, the front chassis portion and rear chassis portion extend substantially perpendicularly to the central chassis portion. In this state, at least one of the front or rear chassis portions extends at least partially below the central chassis portion to thereby assist in stabilizing the trailer in the compact state.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A trailer adapted to be folded between an expanded state and a compact state, said trailer characterised by: at least one wheel axle; a longitudinal chassis supported above said at least one wheel axle, said chassis having a central chassis portion, a front chassis portion and a rear chassis port

1. A trailer adapted to be folded between an expanded state and a compact state, said trailer characterised by: at least one wheel axle; a longitudinal chassis supported above said at least one wheel axle, said chassis having a central chassis portion, a front chassis portion and a rear chassis portion configured such that when said trailer is in the expanded state, the front, central and rear chassis portions extend in a substantially horizontal plane;said central chassis portion being substantially H-shaped and comprising a transverse cross member and two elongate side members each of which includes front and rear pivot means at longitudinal ends thereof, the distance between the rear pivot means and the transverse cross member being different to that between the front pivot means and the transverse cross member, said front and rear pivot means adapted to pivotably connect respective front and rear chassis portions to the central chassis portion;said rear chassis portion including side members extending along and substantially parallel with an inside of a rearward extension of the central chassis side members and being of a length such that a front member thereof extends substantially parallel with and alongside the rear of the central chassis transverse cross member, said rear chassis portion being rotatable about a pivot axis extending through said rear pivot means, said rear chassis portion being adapted to be folded about the rear pivot means in a forwards direction such that said rear chassis front member rotates downwardly and rearwardly to a position in which the rear chassis portion extends in a substantially upright configuration;said front chassis portion including side members extending along and substantially parallel with an inside of a forward extension of the central chassis side members and being of a length such that a rear member thereof extends substantially parallel with and alongside the front of the central chassis transverse cross member, said front chassis portion being rotatable about a pivot axis extending through each of said front pivot means, said front chassis portion being adapted to be folded about the front pivot means in a rearwards direction such that said front chassis rear member rotates downwardly and forwardly to a position in which the front chassis portion extends in a substantially upright configuration; andwhereby such folding causes at least one of said front member of said rear chassis portion to extend further below the central chassis portion than the rear member of the front chassis portion and to a position adjacent a ground surface to thereby provide a support for said trailer in the compact state when the distance between the rear pivot means and transverse cross member is greater than that between the front pivot means and transverse cross member, and said rear member of the front chassis portion to extend further below the central chassis portion than said front member of the rear chassis portion and to a position adjacent the ground surface to thereby provide a support for said trailer in the compact state when the distance between the front pivot means and transverse cross member is greater than that between the rear pivot means and transverse cross member. 2. A trailer as characterised in claim 1 wherein the front chassis portion includes an A-frame fixed thereto and extending in the forwards direction, said A-frame adapted to removably attach the trailer to a towing vehicle when the trailer is in the expanded state. 3. A trailer as characterised in claim 1, wherein the front member of the rear chassis portion has associated therewith at least one wheel adapted to assist in moving the trailer while in the compact state. 4. A trailer as characterised in claim 1, wherein said trailer further includes a first retaining means for preventing upward rotation of the front member of the rear chassis portion and rear member of the front chassis portion, and a second retaining means for preventing upward rotation of the rear member of the rear chassis portion and front member of the front chassis portion, when the trailer is in the expanded state. 5. A trailer as characterised in claim 4, wherein the first retaining means is in the form of a lip associated with the transverse cross-member of the central chassis portion, said lip adapted to prevent rotation of the rear member of the front chassis and the front member of the rear chassis upwardly beyond the transverse cross member. 6. A trailer as characterised in claim 4, wherein each of the front and rear chassis portions includes at least one respective upright projection, and wherein said second retaining means is in the form of a moveable insert which serves to maintain respective front and rear projections in a spaced apart relationship. 7. A trailer as characterised in claim 6, wherein the moveable insert forms part of a side wall of the trailer, the side wall being associated with the central chassis portion such that it is moveable with respect thereto from a first position in which said insert is positioned between the respective front and rear projections, and a second position in which the insert is not positioned between the respective front and rear projections. 8. A trailer as characterised in claim 7 wherein the side walls are pivotably associated with the central chassis portion. 9. A trailer as characterised in claim 7 wherein the side walls are threadably associated with the central chassis portion. 10. A trailer as characterised in claim 7 wherein the side walls are associated with the central chassis portion by way of a lever mechanism. 11. A trailer as characterised in claim 7 wherein the side walls are associated with the central chassis portion by way of a rack and pinion mechanism. 12. A trailer as characterised in claim 7 wherein the side walls are associated with the central chassis portion by way of a spring mechanism. 13. A trailer as characterised in claim 1 wherein the front chassis portion, rear chassis portion, and central chassis portion include respective trays mounted there above such that when the trailer is in the expanded state, the trays become aligned substantially parallel with the horizontal plane to thereby form a single flush surface upon which items may be supported. 14. A trailer as characterised in claim 1 wherein the front chassis portion includes a front wall and front chassis side walls, and the rear chassis portion includes an accessible rear wall and rear chassis side walls, whereby each wall extends substantially upright from the corresponding chassis portions. 15. A trailer adapted to be folded between an expanded state and a compact state, said trailer characterised by: at least one wheel axle;a longitudinal chassis supported above said at least one wheel axle, said chassis having a central chassis portion, a front chassis portion and a rear chassis portion configured such that when said trailer is in the expanded state, the front, central and rear chassis portions extend in a substantially horizontal plane;said central chassis portion including pivot means at longitudinal ends thereof and a transversely extending cross member, said pivot means adapted to pivotably connect respective front and rear chassis portions to the central chassis portion, said rear chassis portion being adapted to be folded about the rear pivot means in a forwards direction to a position in which the rear chassis portion extends in a substantially upright configuration, and said front chassis portion being adapted to be folded about the front pivot means in a rearwards direction to a position in which the front chassis portion extends in a substantially upright configuration;whereby in the expanded state, a front end of each of the front and rear chassis portions extend a predetermined distance forwardly of their associated pivot means, and a rear end of each of the front and rear chassis portions extend a predetermined distance rearwardly of their associated pivot means; andwhereby the transverse cross member is positioned at the centre of the chassis and the at least one wheel axle is rearwardly offset from said centre such that folding of the trailer causes the rear end of the front chassis and the front end of the rear chassis to extend an equal distance below the at least one wheel axle to a position adjacent the ground surface to thereby provide support for said trailer in the compact state. 16. A trailer as characterised in claim 15 wherein the front chassis portion includes an A-frame fixed thereto and extending in the forwards direction, said A-frame adapted to removably attach the trailer to a towing vehicle when the trailer is in the expanded state. 17. A trailer as characterised in claim 16, wherein the rear end of the front chassis portion and the front end of the rear chassis portion include respective castor wheels positioned to elevate the trailer when in the compact state to thereby assist in moving the compact trailer upon the castor wheels. 18. A trailer adapted to be folded between an expanded state and a compact state, said trailer characterised by: at least one wheel axle;a longitudinal chassis supported above said at least one wheel axle, said chassis having a central chassis portion, a front chassis portion and a rear chassis portion configured such that when said trailer is in the expanded state, the front, central and rear chassis portions extend in a substantially horizontal plane;said central chassis portion including pivot means at longitudinal ends thereof and a transversely extending cross member, said at least one wheel axle being rearwardly offset from the centre of the chassis, said pivot means adapted to pivotably connect respective front and rear chassis portions to the central chassis portion, said rear chassis portion being adapted to be folded about the rear pivot means in a forwards direction to a position in which the rear chassis portion extends in a substantially upright configuration, and said front chassis portion being adapted to be folded about the front pivot means in a rearwards direction to a position in which the front chassis portion extends in a substantially upright configuration;whereby in the expanded state, a front end of each of the front and rear chassis portions extend a predetermined distance forwardly of their associated pivot means, and a rear end of each of the front and rear chassis portions a predetermined distance rearwardly of their associated pivot means;whereby said trailer further includes a first retaining means for preventing upward rotation of the front end of the rear chassis portion and rear end of the front chassis portion, and a second retaining means for preventing upward rotation of the rear end of the of the rear chassis portion and front end of the front chassis portion, when the trailer is in the expanded state;whereby each of the front and rear chassis portions includes at least one respective upright projection, and wherein said second retaining means is in the form of a moveable insert which serves to maintain respective front and rear projections in a spaced apart relationship; andwherein the moveable insert forms part of a side wall of the trailer, the side wall being associated with the central chassis portion such that it is moveable with respect thereto from a first position in which said insert is positioned between the respective front and rear projections, and a second position in which the insert is not positioned between the respective front and rear projections. 19. A trailer as characterised in claim 18 wherein the first retaining means is in the form of a lip associated with the transverse cross member of the central chassis portion, said lip preventing upward rotation of the front end of the rear chassis and rear end of the front chassis upwardly beyond the transverse cross member.