초록 ▼

A foldable trailer is disclosed having the folding means provided by a winch that operates in conjunction with a lifting member enabling the trailer to be winched into an upright position for storage. The load bearing surface can be made of one section or two sections that fold together to allow for

A foldable trailer is disclosed having the folding means provided by a winch that operates in conjunction with a lifting member enabling the trailer to be winched into an upright position for storage. The load bearing surface can be made of one section or two sections that fold together to allow for more compact storage. Through the lifting member the winch provides upward motion of the front of the load bearing surface while simultaneously causing the hingeably attached tongue to fold downward; continued winching will result in a vertically folded and storable position. The invention may be applied to a tilting trailer.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A foldable trailer, comprising: a load carrying deck having a forward edge, a rearward edge, an upper surface and a lower surface;a pair of coaxial wheels rotatably attached to an axle mounted to said lower surface of said deck between said rearward edge and said forward edge;a cable attachment m

1. A foldable trailer, comprising: a load carrying deck having a forward edge, a rearward edge, an upper surface and a lower surface;a pair of coaxial wheels rotatably attached to an axle mounted to said lower surface of said deck between said rearward edge and said forward edge;a cable attachment member mounted to said lower surface of said deck between said rearward edge and said forward edge;a tongue having a rearward end and a forward end, wherein said rearward end is pivotally mounted to said lower surface of said deck, wherein said forward end is operable to pivot forward of said forward edge of said deck for engagement to a tow vehicle, and wherein said forward end is further operable to pivot rearward of said forward edge of said deck toward said rearward edge of said deck;a winch mounted to said tongue, wherein said winch includes a cable having an attachment end operable to be secured to said cable attachment member; anda lifting member mounted to said forward edge of said deck, wherein said lifting member has a non-rotatable cable guide mounted to a lower end thereof, wherein said lifting member is movable between a first position whereby said cable guide is retracted proximal to said deck and a second position whereby said cable guide is extended below said deck proximal to the ground, wherein said cable guide is operable to engage said cable when said cable guide is in said second position;wherein winding said cable about said winch when said attachment end of said cable is attached to said cable attachment member and said cable guide is extended into said second position to engage said cable exerts an upward force against said lifting member and thereby vertically lifts said forward edge of said deck; andwherein further winding said cable about said winch draws said rearward edge of said deck and said forward end of said tongue together, thereby folding said trailer into a generally vertical orientation whereby said trailer is resting on said rearward edge of said deck and said forward end of said tongue. 2. A trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of casters attached to said rearward edge of said deck to facilitate folding and moving said trailer. 3. A trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a caster attached to said forward end of said tongue to facilitate folding and moving said trailer. 4. A trailer according to claim 1, wherein said lifting member is vertically slidable between said first position and said second position. 5. A trailer according to claim 1, wherein said lifting member is pivotable between said first position and said second position. 6. A trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a rear deck section hingedly connected to said rearward edge of said deck. 7. A trailer according to claim 1, further comprising a standard jack with a swivel wheel attached to said tongue to facilitate folding and moving said trailer. 8. A trailer according to claim 1, wherein said cable attachment member is mounted to said axle. 9. A foldable trailer, comprising: a load carrying deck having a forward edge, a rearward edge, an upper surface and a lower surface;a pair of coaxial wheels rotatably attached to an axle mounted to said lower surface of said deck between said rearward edge and said forward edge;a cable attachment member mounted to said axle;a tongue having a rearward end and a forward end, wherein said rearward end is pivotally mounted to said lower surface of said deck, wherein said forward end is operable to pivot forward of said forward edge of said deck for engagement to a tow vehicle, and wherein said forward end is further operable to pivot rearward of said forward edge of said deck toward said rearward edge of said deck;a standard jack with a swivel wheel attached to said tongue to facilitate folding and moving said trailer;a winch mounted to said tongue, wherein said winch includes a cable having an attachment end operable to be secured to said cable attachment member; anda lifting member mounted to said forward edge of said deck, wherein said lifting member has a non-rotatable cable guide mounted to a lower end thereof, wherein said lifting member is movable between a first position whereby said cable guide is retracted proximal to said deck and a second position whereby said cable guide is extended below said deck proximal to the ground, wherein said cable guide is operable to engage said cable when said cable guide is in said second position;wherein winding said cable about said winch when said attachment end of said cable is attached to said cable attachment member and said cable guide is extended into said second position to engage said cable exerts an upward force against said lifting member and thereby vertically lifts said forward edge of said deck; andwherein further winding said cable about said winch draws said rearward edge of said deck and said forward end of said tongue together, thereby folding said trailer into a generally vertical orientation whereby said trailer is resting on said rearward edge of said deck and said forward end of said tongue. 10. A trailer according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of casters attached to said rearward edge of said deck to facilitate folding and moving said trailer. 11. A trailer according to claim 9, further comprising a caster attached to said forward end of said tongue to facilitate folding and moving said trailer. 12. A trailer according to claim 9, wherein said lifting member is vertically slidable between said first position and said second position. 13. A trailer according to claim 9, wherein said lifting member is pivotable between said first position and said second position. 14. A trailer according to claim 9, further comprising a rear deck section hingedly connected to said rearward edge of said deck.