Field of the invention

[0001] The invention generally relates to a trailer or towable vehicle for transporting bikes.

Background

[0002] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[0003] There are a variety of known trailers that are custom designed for the purpose of carrying bikes. The most common may be a modification of a regular trailer that has a flat bed, with the addition of various frames or racks to support the bikes. In these examples, the bikes are typically intended to be in a regular horizontal, upright position, facing either forward or laterally across the trailer. In some examples, the bikes may face in alternating directions, allowing them to be placed closer to one another without interference between the handlebars of adjacent bikes.

[0004] It has been recognised, however, that a more efficient use of space may be to arrange the bikes vertically, so that one wheel of the bike is above the other. Some known designs use a single row of bikes, leaving a narrow section down one side of the trailer for the storage of other items or equipment. Some other trailers are known to have two rows of bikes, however these can have problems with being excessively wide, risking damage to the bikes and/or limiting the use of the trailers to off-road use only.

[0005] While vertically mounted bikes may allow more bikes and/or other items to be carried on a trailer, there may be issues associated with loading and unloading the bikes. Because bikes come in different shapes and sizes, the user would need to carefully arrange the bikes, to the extent possible, to avoid any clearance issues between bikes. For example, there may be insufficient space on the trailer to accommodate two larger bikes side-by-side and so, there would be a one -bike spacing between the two larger bikes for a smaller-sized bike. [0006] Furthermore, short people and/or children may find it difficult to load the bikes onto the trailer because they are unable to raise the bikes sufficiently high onto the bike racks. Similarly, it would be difficult for short people and kids to unload the bikes from the trailer. Additionally, some types of bikes such as e-bikes are particularly heavy and can present a safety risk when loading or unloading from the trailer. The configuration of the trailer, such as needing to negotiate a tray or other structure of the trailer, can further exacerbate this issue.

[0007] In this context, there is a need for an improved trailer that overcomes one or more of the problems described above or that at least provides the public with a useful alternative to the trailers of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to one broad aspect of the invention, there is provided a trailer comprising: a chassis comprising a central portion in the form of a rigid elongate bar extending in a forward-rearward direction, and lateral portions extending outwardly from the central portion; a vehicle-coupling portion connected to the chassis, the vehicle-coupling portion being couplable to a vehicle; a carrier portion on which one or more bikes can be loaded, the carrier portion being mounted on the chassis; and at least two wheels, each of which is supported by a corresponding suspension assembly, wherein each suspension assembly is connected to one of the lateral portions of the chassis; wherein a length of the suspension assembly in the forward-rearward direction is greater than a width of the lateral portion in the forward-rearward direction, such that the chassis does not impede access by a person to at least part of a region located directly inwardly of the wheels.

[0009] In an embodiment, each of the lateral portions is a single beam.

[0010] In an embodiment, the carrier portion comprises an upper mounting portion and a lower mounting portion, each of which comprise an elongate bar located substantially above the central portion of the chassis.

[0011] In an embodiment, the carrier portion is supported by a brace extending between the carrier portion and at least one of the lateral portions.

[0012] In an embodiment, the upper mounting portion comprises a plurality of wheelreceiving portions to which a front wheel of a bike is mountable. [0013] In an embodiment, each of the wheel-receiving portions has an associated strap and hook.

[0014] In an embodiment, the position of each of the wheel-receiving portions is adjustable relative to the elongate bar of the upper mounting portion.

[0015] In an embodiment, each of the wheel-receiving portions is adjustable rotationally relative to the elongate bar of the upper mounting portion about a rotational axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate bar of the upper mounting portion.

[0016] In an embodiment, each of the wheel -receiving portions comprises: a first base portion and a second base portion spaced apart from each other, each of the first and second base portion being mounted or mountable to the elongate bar of the upper mounting portion; a front portion for receiving a first portion of the wheel, the front portion having a pair of spaced apart arm portions between which the first portion of the wheel is receivable, each of the spaced apart arm portions extending from the first and second base portions respectively; and a rear portion for receiving a second portion of the wheel, the rear portion having a pair of spaced apart arm portions between which the second portion of the wheel is receivable, each of the spaced apart arm portions extending from the first and second base portions respectively; wherein for at least one of the front portion and rear portion of the wheelreceiving portion the pair of spaced apart arm portions are tapered towards each other away from the first and second base portions so as to clamp edges of the respective wheel portion located therebetween.

[0017] In an embodiment, the at least one of the front portion and rear portion of the wheelreceiving portion has an end portion such that the pair of spaced apart arm portions and the end portion form a substantially U-shape profile, the arm portions being tapered towards the end portion.

[0018] In an embodiment, the wheel-receiving portions are arranged in a single row substantially above the central portion of the chassis.

[0019] In an embodiment, each wheel-receiving portion is a reflection about a vertical forward-rearward plane of the trailer when compared to adjacent wheel-receiving portions, thereby allowing for bikes to be mounted on alternating sides of the trailer when moving in a forward to rearward direction.

[0020] In an embodiment, the lower mounting portion comprises a plurality of frames to which a rear wheel of a bike is mountable.

[0021] In an embodiment, the lower mounting portion comprises a plurality of restraints configured to secure a pedal or crank of a bike when the bike is loaded on the carrier portion.

[0022] In an embodiment, the restraints each comprise a strap and a buckle, wherein a first end of the strap and the buckle are each attached to the lower mounting portion, the strap passing through the buckle such that pulling on a second end of the strap results in tightening of the strap over the pedal.

[0023] In an embodiment, the single beam of the lateral portion has an outer surface having a hexagonal cross section, the hexagonal cross section comprising a horizontal bottom surface, two vertical side surfaces extending upwardly from the bottom surface, and a horizontal top surface connected to the vertical side surfaces by two corresponding sloped surfaces.

[0024] In an embodiment, the lateral portion comprises a rectangular beam with a top hat, the top hat being shaped so that the lateral portion is taller at a region proximal to the central portion of the chassis when compared to a region proximal to the suspension assembly.

[0025] In an embodiment, the rectangular beam extends between the suspension assemblies, the central portion of the chassis being mounted to a top surface of the rectangular beams, and the top hat of each lateral portion extending between one of the suspension assemblies and the central portion of the chassis.

[0026] In an embodiment, the lateral portion extends between the two suspension assemblies.

[0027] In an embodiment, the suspension assembly extends forwardly and rearward from the lateral portion of the chassis.

[0028] In an embodiment, the suspension assembly comprises a leaf spring.

[0029] In an embodiment, the trailer is configured to carry at least 10 bikes, or at least 15 bikes, or at least 20 bikes, or at least 24 bikes, or at least 30 bikes. [0030] It will be appreciated that the broad forms of the invention and their respective features can be used in conjunction and/or independently, and reference to separate broad forms is not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that features of the method can be performed using the system or apparatus and that features of the system or apparatus can be implemented using the method.

Brief description of the drawings

[0031] The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a trailer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 shows a top view of the trailer from Figure 1;

[0034] Figure 3 shows a side view of the trailer from Figure 1;

[0035] Figure 4 shows a front view of the trailer from Figure 1:

[0036] Figure 5 shows an enlarged portion of Figure 1 as identified by Detail B;

[0037] Figure 6 shows an enlarged portion of Figure 1 as identified by Detail A;

[0038] Figure 7 shows a front cross sectional view of the trailer as identified by Section C-C in Figure 3;

[0039] Figure 8 shows a front upper right isometric view of a portion of the trailer from Figure 1; and

[0040] Figure 9 shows a front upper left isometric view of a portion of the trailer from Figure 1.

Detailed description

[0041] The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or embodiments. [0042] In the Figures, incorporated to illustrate features of an example embodiment, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the Figures.

[0043] An example of a trailer according to an embodiment of the invention will now be described. In this example, the trailer has a chassis with a central portion in the form of a rigid elongate bar extending in a forward and rearward direction, and lateral portions extending outwardly from the central portion. A vehicle-coupling portion is connected to the chassis, so that the trailer is couplable to a vehicle, allowing it to be towed by this vehicle.

[0044] The trailer also has a carrier portion on which one or more bikes can be loaded. For example, the bikes may be a mountain bicycle, road bicycle, hybrid bicycle, an e-bicycle, kids bicycle, or a fat bicycle. Throughout the specification, the terms “bike” and “bicycle” may be used interchangeably and are intended to be construed in the broadest reasonable sense of the terms.

[0045] The carrier portion is rigidly mounted on and supported by the chassis. At least two wheels are fitted to the trailer, which are each supported by a corresponding suspension assembly. The suspension assembly may include a leaf-spring, or alternatively any other suitable type of suspension system as will be known to those skilled in the art.

[0046] Each suspension assembly is connected to one of the lateral portions of the chassis, so as to be located at outward edges of the trailer. A length of the suspension assembly in the forward-rearward direction is greater than a width of the lateral portion in the forwardrearward direction, so that the chassis does not impede access by a person to at least part of a region located directly inwardly of the wheels. That is, an advantage of this trailer is that a person can easily access virtually any part of the carrier portion without being impeded by any chassis components.

[0047] By designing the trailer in a way that allows easy access to regions even inwardly of the wheels, this ensures that as much space as possible on the trailer is usable, thereby maximising the number of bikes that can be carried, for example. Further, it also encourages safety of any person who is loading or unloading a bike. That is, the person is able to stand in an appropriate location while lifting a bike, rather than potentially attempting to reach over a chassis component, for example. This is very important, as some bikes can be heavy, especially as e-bikes become more popular. [0048] A number of other features will now be described, which may be optional or advantageous aspects of some example embodiments.

[0049] In one example embodiment, each of the lateral portions of the chassis is a single beam. In this way, the lateral portions are as compact as possible, so as to maximise access to the carrier portion.

[0050] In another embodiment, the carrier portion preferably includes an upper mounting portion and a lower mounting portion. These may each have an elongate bar located substantially above the central portion of the chassis, so that they also extend in a forwardrearward direction along a centreline of the trailer. In this way, bikes can be mounted to the carrier portion so that they extend away from the carrier portion in lateral directions towards both sides of the trailer. Therefore, a single carrier portion can allow the trailer to be loaded with bikes on both sides, maximising the number of bikes that can be carried while limiting the structure and weight of the trailer.

[0051] In some embodiments, the carrier portion may be supported by a brace extending between the carrier portion and at least one of the lateral portions. This ensures that even if bikes are loaded only to one side of the carrier portion, or sideways forces are experienced during transport such as when cornering, the carrier portion will remain stable any risk of failure is minimised, all while once again limiting the weight of the structure of the trailer.

[0052] In another embodiment, the upper mounting portion has a plurality of wheel-receiving portions to which a front wheel of a bike is mountable. This allows bikes to be mounted or “hung” in a substantially vertical orientation, with the front wheel above the rear wheel. The wheel-receiving portions can support the bike in a manner that is secure, easy to mount and dismount, and is unlikely to damage the bike during transport. Preferably, each of the wheelreceiving portions has an associated strap and hook to secure the wheel in place.

[0053] In one specific example, the position of each of the wheel-receiving portions may be adjustable relative to the elongate bar of the upper mounting portion. For example, the wheelreceiving portion may include a bracket having a plurality of apertures, and the elongate bar includes a plurality of apertures. At least two of the apertures of the bracket can be aligned with at least two of the apertures of the elongate bar, so that a fastener can be inserted into the aligned apertures to secure a position of the hoop portion relative to the elongate bar. It will be appreciated, however, than other alternative means of securing and/or adjusting the wheelreceiving portion may be used.

[0054] Preferably, each of the wheel-receiving portions is adjustable rotationally relative to the elongate bar of the upper mounting portion about a rotational axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate bar of the upper mounting portion. This can be used to allow bikes of substantially different sizes or designs to be mounted on the trailer at the same time without interference.

[0055] In one example embodiment, each of the wheel-receiving portions may have a first base portion and a second base portion spaced apart from each other, where each of the base portions are mounted or mountable to the elongate bar of the upper mounting portion. There may also be a front portion for receiving a first portion of the wheel, where the front portion has a pair of spaced apart arm portions between which the first portion of the wheel is receivable, and each of the spaced apart arm portions extend from the base portions respectively. Similarly, a rear portion may be suitable for receiving a second portion of the wheel, where the rear portion has a pair of spaced apart arm portions between which the second portion of the wheel is receivable, and each of the spaced apart arm portions extend from the first and second base portions respectively.

[0056] At least one of the front portion and rear portion of the wheel -receiving portion may have the pair of spaced apart arm portions tapered towards each other away from the first and second base portions so as to clamp edges of the respective wheel portion located therebetween. In this way, the wheel-receiving portions can securely clamp the wheel and hold it in place while supporting the weight of the bike, without causing any rubbing or damage to the wheel or other parts of the bike during transport.

[0057] In some embodiments, the front portion and rear portion of the wheel-receiving portion may also have an end portion so that the pair of spaced apart arm portions and the end portion form a substantially U-shape profile, the arm portions being tapered towards the end portion. This can help to ensure that the wheel-receiving portion has sufficient strength, as well as removing the need for any bar ends, instead making the wheel -receiving portions into hoops.

[0058] In one preferred embodiment, the wheel-receiving portions are arranged in a single row substantially above the central portion of the chassis. While the wheel-receiving portions are in a single row, it may still be possible to arrange bikes in two rows, by alternating the side of the trailer on which the bikes are oriented.

[0059] To better understand this setup, a first bike may be mounted so that the seat of the bike is towards a left side of the trailer, while a second adjacent bike may be mounted so that the seat of the bike is towards a right side of the trailer. In this way, two rows of bikes can be mounted to the trailer in an overlapping fashion, maximising the number of bikes that can be mounted to the trailer while maintaining a more limited overall width of the bikes and trailer.

[0060] In one specific example, each wheel-receiving portion may be a reflection about a vertical forward-rearward plane of the trailer when compared to adjacent wheel-receiving portions. Again, this can allow bikes to be mounted on alternating sides of the trailer when moving in a forward to rearward direction.

[0061] More importantly, however, this design is advantageous for wheel-receiving portions that are configured to hold the front wheel of the bikes at an angle. In this way, all of the front wheels can be sloped at a similar angle, such as towards the rear of the trailer, even though the alternating positions of the bikes results in the angle of the wheel also alternating. That is, a first bike may have a steering angle to the right, while a second bike may have a steering angle to the left, which when mounting the bikes on opposite sides of the trailer results in the front wheels being substantially parallel. In this way, the bikes can be positioned as close as possible to one another without interference.

[0062] In some embodiments, the lower mounting portion comprises a plurality of frames to which a rear wheel of a bike is mountable. While the wheel-receiving portion may substantially support the weight of the bike via the front wheel, securing the rear wheel may still be advantageous in preventing unwanted movement or swinging of the bike during transport, which could result in bikes contacting and thereby damaging one another.

[0063] Preferably, the lower mounting portion comprises a plurality of restraints configured to secure a pedal or crank of a bike when the bike is loaded on the carrier portion. That is, the pedal or crank of a bike can be secured, either additionally or alternatively to securing the rear wheel. Securing the pedal or crank may be advantageous, as it can allow a downward force to be applied to the bike that more securely holds the bike in place in the wheelreceiving portion. [0064] In one example embodiment, the restraint may include a strap and a buckle. A first end of the strap and the buckle can each be attached to the lower mounting portion, with the strap passing through the buckle to form a loop. This loop can be placed over the pedal, so that pulling on a second or loose end of the strap results in tightening of the strap over the pedal or crank. Preferably, this buckle is a simple clasp that allows the strap to be pulled through in a tightening direction, but cannot be pulled back in an opposite direction without being released.

[0065] In one example embodiment, the single beam of the lateral portion may have an outer surface with a hexagonal cross section. This hexagonal cross section can be made up of a horizontal bottom surface, two vertical side surfaces extending upwardly from the bottom surface, and a horizontal top surface connected to the vertical side surfaces by two corresponding sloped surfaces. Such a shape can have a number of advantages, including good strength properties, pleasing visual appearance and/or reducing the angle of comers that may otherwise cause injury if knocked.

[0066] In another example embodiment, the lateral portion may have a rectangular beam with a top hat. In this case, the top hat can be shaped so that the lateral portion is taller at a region proximal to the central portion of the chassis when compared to a region proximal the suspension assembly. In this way, the top hat can provide increased structural rigidity to the lateral portion, which is important in supporting the remaining portions of the trailer, including the central portion, carrier portion and any bikes mounted thereon.

[0067] In one specific example, the rectangular beam may extend between the suspension assemblies across a full width of the trailer. The central portion of the chassis can then be mounted to a top surface of the rectangular beam, with the top hat of each lateral portion extending between one of the suspension assemblies and the central portion of the chassis. In this way, the lateral portions effectively cradle the central portion, providing strong and efficient support.

[0068] In another embodiment, the suspension assembly may extend forward and rearward from the lateral portion of the chassis. That is, the single beam of the lateral portion forms a T-shape with the suspension assembly. Small braces or brackets may be provided to strengthen this join, but the suspension assembly extending forward and rearward from even these braces means that these is significant room for a person to access the carrier portion inward of the suspension assembly.

[0069] In one embodiment, the trailer is configured to carry at least 10 bikes. However, preferably the trailer is configured to carry at least 15 bikes, at least 20 bikes, at least 24 bikes, or at least 30 bikes.

[0070] Various other example embodiments of the invention will now be described with specific reference to the figures.

[0071] Referring to Figure 1, a trailer 100 has a chassis 110 with a central portion 112 and lateral portions 113 extending outwardly from the central portion 112. At a forward end of the chassis 110 is a vehicle-coupling portion 115, which is couplable to a vehicle. An additional connector will typically be provided for connecting with a tow bar, for example, as well as an electrical connection, which are both not shown in this Figure.

[0072] Proximal to the vehicle-coupling portion 115 is a mounting 116, suitable for connecting a jack or third wheel for use when the trailer 100 is not coupled to a vehicle. This mounting 116 is designed to drop the height of the jockey wheel so that it has enough extension to position the coupling onto or off the tow ball of the vehicle, or otherwise to assist with coupling and decoupling from the vehicle when an alternative tow system is used.

[0073] At the rearward end of the trailer is a horizontal member 117 to which lights and/or number plate may be attached, as well as a mount 118 for a spare wheel.

[0074] A carrier portion 120 is mounted on the chassis 110 and is configured for a number of bikes 200 to be loaded thereon. In the embodiment shown, up to twenty bikes can be loaded at once, but it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention may provide for a fewer or a greater number of bikes.

[0075] Two wheels 122 are supported by corresponding suspension assemblies 123, with each suspension assembly 123 connected to one of the lateral portions 113 of the chassis 110. The suspension assembly 123 preferably includes a leaf-spring supporting an axle of the wheel 122 (not shown), but it will be appreciated that alternatively other suitable types of suspension systems could be used. Each of the lateral portions 113 is a single beam, which means that the chassis 110 does not impede access by a person to the carrier portion 120. That is, a person can access the space inwardly of the wheels 122 on either side of the lateral portion 113, so as to more easily lift a bike onto or from the carrier portion 120.

[0076] The carrier portion 120 has an upper mounting portion 125 that includes an elongate bar 126 and spaced apart wheel-receiving portions 128 to which a front wheel 201 of a bike 200 is mountable. Similarly, a lower mounting portion 130 has two elongate bars 131 and frames 132 to which a rear wheel 202 of a bike 200 is mountable.

[0077] A carrier frame 134 supports the upper and lower mounting portions 125, 130 so that they are arranged substantially vertically above the central portion 112 of the chassis 110. The carrier portion 120 is supported by a brace 135 extending between the frame 134 of the carrier portion 120 and the lateral portions 113 of the chassis 110.

[0078] Referring to Figure 5, a detailed view of part of one of the wheel-receiving portions 128 is shown, illustrating a strap 138 and a hook 139, which can be used to help secure the front wheel 201 in place in the wheel-receiving portion 128. The system shown uses a simple elastic strap 138, but it will be appreciated that alternative restraint systems could alternatively be used.

[0079] Referring to Figure 6, a detailed view of part of the lower mounting portion 130 is shown, illustrating a restraint 140 for securing a pedal 203 or crank 204 of a bike 200. The restraint includes a strap 141 with a first end 142 fixed to the bar 131 of the lower mounting portion 130, and a buckle 143 that is also fixed to the bar 131.

[0080] A second end 144 of the strap 141 passes through the buckle 143, forming a loop that can be placed over the pedal 203. Pulling on the second end 144 then makes the loop of the strap 141 smaller, tightening the strap over the pedal 203. This in turns pulls the bike 200 in a substantially downward direction, which serves to hold the front wheel 201 in the wheelreceiving portion 128, in addition to holding the rear wheel 202 in place against the lower mounting portion 130.

[0081] Referring to Figure 8, the lateral portions 113 of the chassis 110 are shown in more detail. The single beam of the lateral portion 113 has an outer surface with a hexagonal cross section, which includes a horizontal bottom surface 150, vertical side surfaces 151 extending upwardly from the bottom surface 150, and a horizontal top surface 152 connected to the vertical side surfaces 151 by corresponding sloped surfaces 153. [0082] In practice, as shown in Figure 9, the lateral portion 113 is made up of a rectangular beam 155 with a top hat 156 welded in place to create the overall hexagonal outer surface. By creating the lateral portion 113 in this way, it allows the top hat 156 to be shaped so that it is taller at a region proximal to the central portion 112 of the chassis 110 when compared to a region proximal the suspension assembly 123.

[0083] This construction method also allows for the rectangular beam 155 to extend all the way across the trailer between the suspension assemblies 123, as shown in Figure 7. The central portion 112 of the chassis 110 is then mounted to a top surface of the rectangular beam 155, and the top hat 156 of each lateral portion 113 extends between the suspension assembly 123 and the central portion 112 of the chassis 110.

[0084] Also shown in Figures 7 to 9, are a number of braces 160 used for strengthening the join between the suspension assembly 123 and the beam 155. These braces 160 are only relatively small, however, so that they do not impede access to the space between the suspension assembly 123 and the carrier portion 120. That is, the suspension assembly 123 still extends forward and rearward from the lateral portion 113 of the chassis 110, even with these braces 160. Similar braces 161 are also provided between the beam 155 and the central portion 112, but again they are small enough so as to not impede access to the region inward of the suspension assembly 123.

[0085] The wheel-receiving portions 128 will now be described in more detail with particular reference to Figures 2 to 4. In the embodiment shown, each of the wheel-receiving portions 128 has a first base portion 165 and a second base portion 166 spaced apart from each other, each of which is mounted to the elongate bar 126 of the upper mounting portion 125.

[0086] A front portion is designed for receiving a first portion of the wheel and has a pair of spaced apart arm portions connected by a U-shaped portion. Similarly, a rear portion is designed for receiving a second portion of the wheel and has a pair of spaced apart arm portions connected by a U-shaped portion. Each of the spaced apart arm portions extend from the first and second base portions 165, 166, resulting in a single hoop-like structure 168 for receiving the wheel 201.

[0087] The front and rear portions of the wheel-receiving portion 128 are shaped so that the arm portions taper towards each other away from the first and second base portions 165, 166. This allows the hoop-like structure 168 to clamp edges of the wheel 201 located therebetween when the bike is mounted to the carrier portion 120.

[0088] In the embodiment shown, the position of each of the wheel-receiving portions 128 is adjustable relative to the elongate bar 126 of the upper mounting portion 125. In particular, each of the wheel-receiving portions 128 is adjustable rotationally about a rotational axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate bar of the upper mounting portion, as well as being adjustable in a translational manner in a lateral direction. It will be appreciated, however, that in other alternative embodiments the wheel-receiving portions 128 may not be adjustable, or may be of a different design, provided they achieve the necessary purpose of securing a bike 200.

[0089] As shown particularly in Figures 2 and 4, the wheel-receiving portions 128 are arranged in a single row substantially above the central portion 112 of the chassis 110. Despite this, bikes 200 can be mounted on both sides of the trailer 100, with the bikes 200 facing in alternating directions with each adjacent wheel-receiving portion 128.

[0090] To help facilitate the alternating sides on which the bikes 200 are mounted, each wheel-receiving portion 128 is a reflection about a vertical forward-rearward plane of the trailer when compared to adjacent wheel-receiving portions. In this way, the front wheel 201 of all bikes 200 can be leaning in the same direction, such as towards the rear of the trailer 100 as shown, even though the bikes 200 are facing in different directions. It will be appreciated that the front wheels 201 could all alternatively lean towards the front of the trailer 100 in other embodiments.

[0091] In the foregoing description of preferred embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “front” and “rear”, “inner” and “outer”, “above” and “below” and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0092] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. As used herein and unless otherwise stated, the term “approximately” means ±20%.

[0093] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.