This invention concerns a collapsible trailer. More particularly, it concerns a collapsible trailer which, by means of the invention, has been made safer in operation as compared to other collapsible trailers.

Hereinafter, conditions concerning the collapsing of a trailer are described, the trailer of which may be connected to a vehicle. Use of a vehicle for illustrative purposes does in no way imply a restriction to the scope of protection of the application.

There are a number of types of collapsible trailers in the market. These are generally made in such a way that they occupy little space when not being used. For example, trailers may be set up on edge by removing the drawbar between the cargo surface and the vehicle. In another known method, the drawbar is articulated and is folded-in underneath the cargo surface. In Norwegian Patent 326802, a strut is connected to a jointed spacer between the wheels, allowing a jointed spacer to be pushed backwards upon folding-in of the strut. By so doing, the hinged wheels are rotated in underneath the cargo board during storage.

The different solutions frequently have in common that they may be cumbersome to handle and/or may represent a challenge to safe handling. This is particularly relevant in context of collapsing requiring that a fastener be released, and which allows the drawbar to be folded until the drawbar finally is parallel to the cargo board when the car trailer is collapsed. The problem may arise when the car trailer is to be returned to the normal operational position, and the user forgets the safety device or it is not functioning. In this case, and upon vigorous braking of the vehicle, this may cause it to instigate a collapse of the trailer. The drawbar pushes backwards on a jointed spacer between the hinged wheels. During such an event, the wheels may start to fold underneath the cargo surface and, hence, lose the road gripping power. The object of the invention is to remedy or reduce at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

The object of the invention is to provide a safer system which, upon vigorous braking of a car, prevents the trailer from collapsing.

In accordance with the invention, the object is achieved by virtue of the features disclosed in the following description and in the subsequent claims.

Based on the invention, the device will obtain a simpler functionality and, hence, increased safety. The invention maintains the high safety requirements posed on such trailers.

The invention will bring about a great flexibility with respect to service and handling of trailers. Further, the device is designed to allow it to be produced with a relatively small consumption of material.

Hereinafter, a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment is described and is depicted on the accompanying drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective of a trailer in a prepared position;

Fig. 2 shows a side elevation within which the drawbar is folded downwards;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective of a trailer with no dimensions having the wheels retracted underneath the cargo surface as the drawbar is lifting it up;

Fig. 4 shows the trailer in an exploded sketch within which the trailer is collapsed ;

Fig. 5 shows the trailer in an exploded sketch showing that the jointed spacer between the wheels is retracted toward the drawbar;

Fig. 6 shows the trailer in an exploded sketch showing the jointed spacer for the wheels and the drawbar in a prepared position ; and

Fig. 7 shows a side elevation within which the drawbar is folded and the wheels are parallel to the cargo surface.

In the drawings, reference number 1 denotes a trailer with a cargo surface 2 comprising a frame 3, a drawbar 6 and wheels 10. The wheels 10 and the drawbar 6 are locked in the position by means of a device, which may be a threaded strut 7 and/or a winch system 7. The threaded strut 7 and/or the winch system 7 is/are connected to the drawbar 6 at a fastener 8, see fig. 3.

At the opposite end of the threaded strut 7, see fig. 6, or the winch system 7, a fastener 8 to a jointed spacer 5 is present. It is connected to the wheels 10 and keeps them in normal positions. In fig. 2, the device, which may be a threaded strut 7 and/or a winch system 7, is screwed/cranked by means of a crank device 11. By so doing, and by means of the fastener 8 on the drawbar 6, it starts to lift the cargo surface 2 by folding the jointed 12 drawbar 6 by virtue of it being connected to the cargo surface 2 with a hinge device 12. Upon continuing to move the threaded strut 7, or by means of the winch system 7, it will pull the jointed spacer 5 toward the drawbar 6 by means of a fastener 8a, see fig. 6. By so doing, the wheels 10 will start to align underneath the cargo surface 2 by means of a rotatable joint 13, see fig. 3.

In the operational position of the trailer 1, see fig. 1, it will not be possible to force the jointed spacer 5 between the wheels 10 backwards by means of a locking device 9 on the spacer 5, this in order to prevent braking of the vehicle to cause a collapse of the wheels 10.