The invention relates generally to jockey wheels. More particularly, the invention relates to a jockey wheel assembly.

BACKGROUND

When a trailer is not connected to a towing vehicle, a front end of the trailer is usually supported by a jockey wheel resting on the ground. The vertical position of the jockey wheel relative to the trailer is typically adjustable so that the jockey wheel can support the trailer on different terrains such as sloping, uneven or flat ground. Additionally, when a trailer is connected to the towing vehicle, the jockey wheel may be raised above the surface of the ground so that the wheel is not damaged during transit. A trailer may be an unpowered vehicle which is towed by a powered vehicle. Jockey wheels are usually mounted to a drawbar of the trailer as part of a jockey wheel assembly. Known jockey wheel assemblies comprise an outer tubular sleeve for mounting the assembly to the drawbar. Axially moveable within the outer tubular sleeve is an inner tubular sleeve having the jockey wheel attached to one end which extends from the outer tubular sleeve. The inner tubular sleeve can be extended from or retracted into the outer tubular sleeve to adjust the vertical position of the jockey wheel relative to the trailer. To move the inner tubular sleeve, the jockey wheel assembly typically comprises an elongate winder member coaxially within the inner and outer tubular sleeves. The elongate winder member is rotatable relative to the outer tubular sleeve and the trailer, and has a thread which engages the inner tubular sleeve. In principle, a user rotates the elongate winder member relative to trailer to cause the inner tubular sleeve to travel along the thread thereby adjusting the position of the jockey wheel relative to the trailer. However, the inventors recognised that a problem with such jockey wheel assemblies is that as the elongate winder member is rotated the inner tubular sleeve rotates with the inner tubular sleeve. The inner tubular sleeve may rotate at substantially the same rotational speed as the elongate winder member so that the inner tubular sleeve does not travel along the thread. Thus, the position of the jockey wheel is substantially unchanged as the elongate winder member is rotated. A solution to this problem is for a user to hold the jockey wheel whilst rotating the elongate winder member to prevent the inner tubular sleeve from rotating with the elongate winder member. However, this provides an unsatisfactory solution which may reduce the efficiency of adjusting the jockey wheel position and can be difficult for a user to implement.

It is an object of embodiments of the invention to at least mitigate one or more problems associated with known arrangements. In particular, the present invention provides a jockey wheel assembly which may improve the ease and/or efficacy of adjusting the position of a jockey wheel.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a jockey wheel assembly. The jockey wheel assembly comprising: an outer tubular sleeve; an inner tubular sleeve received coaxially within and axially movable relative to the outer tubular sleeve, the inner tubular sleeve having a distal end extending from the outer tubular sleeve for attachment to a wheel; an elongate winder member extending coaxially within the inner and outer tubular sleeves, the elongate winder member being axially fixed relative to outer tubular sleeve and engaged threadably with the inner tubular sleeve; and a first collar radially disposed between the inner and outer tubular sleeves and frictionally engaged with the outer tubular sleeve to inhibit rotation of the inner tubular sleeve relative to the outer tubular sleeve such that rotation of the elongate winder member moves the inner tubular sleeve axially relative to the outer tubular sleeve. The jockey wheel assembly may improve the ease and/or efficacy of adjusting the position of a jockey wheel as the frictional engagement of the first collar with the outer tubular sleeves stops the inner tubular sleeve rotating at the same rotational speed as the elongate winder member. Thus, rotation of the elongate winder member moves the inner tubular sleeve axially relative to the outer tubular sleeve thereby enabling adjustment of the jockey wheel position.

In certain embodiments, the first collar may be rotationally fixed relative to the inner tubular sleeve. In certain embodiments, the first collar may be axially fixed relative to the inner tubular sleeve. Fixing the first collar rotationally or axially relative to the inner tubular sleeve may improve the frictional engagement between the first collar and the outer tubular sleeve as the inner tubular sleeve moves relative to the outer tubular sleeve.

In certain embodiments, the first collar may comprise two opposing first planar regions each engaging a corresponding second planar region on the inner tubular sleeve to rotatably fix the first collar to the inner tubular sleeve. Each of the second planar regions on the inner tubular sleeve may be formed within a radially extending recess. The engagement of the first and second planar regions may rotationally fix the first collar relative to the inner tubular sleeve. Providing second planar regions within a radially extending recess may axially fix the first collar relative to the inner tubular sleeve so that the first collar moves axially with the inner tubular sleeve. Rotatably fixing the first collar to the inner tubular sleeve by the first and second planar regions may be achieved at low cost because the second regions can be machined into an outer surface of the inner tubular sleeve without requiring re-design or modifications to the jockey wheel assembly.

In certain embodiments, the inner tubular sleeve may comprise a connection member, the first collar may be attached to the connection member and the elongate winder member may be engaged threadably with the connection member. Attaching the first collar to a connection member may enable the first collar to be included in a known jockey wheel assembly without requiring significant re-design or modifications to the assembly and may also enable the inner tubular sleeve to have an external diameter similar to the internal diameter of the outer tubular sleeve so as to reduce play between the tubular sleeves.

In certain embodiments, the first collar may comprise a first slit extending radially and axially through the collar so that the first collar is discontinuous. The first slit may enable the first collar to expand radially which may improve ease of assembly when disposing the first collar between the inner and outer tubular sleeve.

The jockey wheel assembly may comprise a second collar disposed between the elongate winder member and the outer tubular sleeve, wherein the first and second collars are configured to frictionally engage one another to inhibit rotation of the elongate winder relative to the outer tubular sleeve when the inner tubular sleeve is fully retracted within the outer tubular sleeve. By inhibiting rotation of the outer tubular sleeve relative to the elongate winder member reducing the chance of the inner tubular sleeve moving out of the fully retracted position accidentally or during transit of the trailer.

In certain embodiments, the first collar may comprise a first inclined surface at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the jockey wheel assembly and configured to frictionally engage the second collar. The first inclined surface may be serrated. As the second collar engages the first collar, the first inclined surface may cause the first collar to be pushed radially outwards towards the outer tubular sleeve and this may cause the second collar to be pushed inwards towards the elongate winder member, thus, inhibiting rotation of the elongate winder member relative to the outer tubular sleeve. The serration of the first inclined surface may increase the friction between the first and second collars improving the frictional engagement between the first and second collars.

In certain embodiments, the second collar may comprise a second inclined surface at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis and configured to frictionally engage the first inclined surface, wherein the obtuse angle and the acute angle combine to form 180°. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may be serrated. This arrangement of the actuate and obtuse angles may reduce the amount rotation of the elongate winder member between the second collar initially contacting the first collar and the second collar sufficiently engaging the first collar to inhibit rotation of the elongate winder member relative to the outer tubular sleeve. The serration of the first and second inclined surfaces may increase the friction between the first and second collars improving the frictional engagement between the first and second collars.

In certain embodiments, the second collar may comprise a second slit extending radially and axially through the collar so that the second collar is discontinuous. The second slit may enable the second collar to expand radially which may improve ease of assembly when disposing the second collar between the elongate winder member and the outer tubular sleeve.

In certain embodiments, the second collar may comprise an internal flange configured to form a snap-fit a shoulder of the elongate winder member. This connection of the second collar to the elongate winder member may enable the second collar to be included in a known jockey wheel assembly without requiring significant re-design or modifications to the assembly.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a trailer comprising the above-described jockey wheel assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-section of a jockey wheel assembly according an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a partial cross-section of the jockey wheel assembly of Figure 1 in a first axial position;

Figure 3 is a partial cross-section of the jockey wheel assembly of Figure 1 in a second axial position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first collar of the jockey wheel assembly of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a second collar of the jockey wheel assembly of Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a jockey wheel assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The jockey wheel assembly 1 may be for use with a trailer (not shown). The trailer may be an unpowered vehicle that is towed by a powered vehicle. The trailer may be a single, double or triple axle trailer. Non-limiting examples of trailers include flat-bed trailers, livestock trailers, horse-boxes and caravans.

The jockey wheel assembly 1 comprises an outer tubular sleeve 2. The outer tubular sleeve 2 may be mountable to a drawbar of the trailer. The outer tubular sleeve 2 defines a longitudinal axis 3 of the jockey wheel assembly 1. The longitudinal axis 3 extends along the centre of the outer tubular sleeve 2. Throughout this specification, including the appended claims, the use of the term ‘axial’ refers to directions parallel to the longitudinal axis 3 and the use of the term ‘radial’ refers to directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 3. An inner tubular sleeve 4 is receivable coaxially within the outer tubular sleeve 2 and axially movable relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2. When the outer tubular sleeve 2 is mounted to the trailer, axial movement of the inner tubular sleeve 4 within the outer tubular sleeve 2 changes the position of the inner tubular sleeve 4 relative to the trailer. Figure 2 shows the jockey wheel assembly 1 having the inner tubular sleeve 4 in a first axial position and Figure 3 shows the jockey wheel assembly 1 having the inner tubular sleeve 4, in a second axial position. In Figure 3, the inner tubular sleeve 4 is fully retracted within the outer tubular sleeve 2.

The inner tubular sleeve 4 may comprise a tubular member 5 and a connection member 6. The connection member 6 may comprise a threaded bore 28. The threaded bore 28 may extend axially through the connection member 6. As shown in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the external diameter of the tubular member 5 may be substantially the same as the internal diameter of the outer tubular sleeve 2 to reduce radial play between the inner and outer tubular sleeves 2, 4. The connection member 6 may have a smaller external diameter than the tubular member 5.

The inner tubular sleeve 4 has a proximal end 7 and a distal end 8. The proximal end 7 of the inner tubular sleeve 4 resides within the outer tubular sleeve 2. As shown in

Figure 1, the connection member 6 may be positioned at the proximal end 7 of the inner tubular sleeve 4. The distal end 8 of the inner tubular sleeve 4 extends from the outer tubular sleeve 2 and is attachable to a jockey wheel 9. The embodiment Figure

I shows the jockey wheel 9 attached to a distal end of tubular member 5 of the inner tubular sleeve 4. The jockey wheel 9 may be attachable to the inner tubular sleeve 4 by any suitable means.

An elongate winder member 10 extends coaxially within the inner and outer tubular sleeves 2, 4. The elongate winder member 10 is axially fixed relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2 and rotatable relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2. As shown in embodiment of the Figures 1 to 3, the jockey wheel assembly 1 comprises a bearing

I I to rotatably mount the elongate winder member 10 to the outer tubular sleeve 2. A handle 12 may be attachable at a proximal end of the elongate winder member 10. Rotation of the handle 12 may rotate the elongate winder member 10 relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2. Whilst the handle 12 facilitates rotation of the elongate winder member 10 by a user, any suitable means may be used to facilitate rotation.

The elongate winder member 10 engages threadedly with the inner tubular sleeve 4. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the elongate winder member 10 may comprise a threaded rod. The threaded rod may be configured to engage the threaded bore of the connection member 6 of the inner tubular sleeve 4. However, the jockey wheel assembly 1 is not limited to this arrangement, any suitable means for threadedly engaging the elongate winder member 10 and inner tubular sleeve 4 may be used.

The jockey wheel assembly 1 comprises a first collar 13 radially disposed between the inner and outer tubular sleeves 2, 4. That is, the first collar 13 extends from the inner tubular sleeve 4 to the outer tubular sleeve 2. The first collar 13 frictionally engages with the outer tubular sleeve 2 to inhibit rotation of the inner tubular sleeve 2 relative to the outer tubular sleeve 4.

As shown in the figures, the first collar 13 may be substantially tubular having an internal surface 14 and an external surface 15. The internal surface 14 of the first collar 13 fixes the first collar 13 to the inner tubular sleeve 4. At least a part of the external surface 15 of the first collar 13 frictionally engages with an interior surface the outer tubular sleeve 2. As shown in Figure 4, the external surface 15 of the first collar 13 may comprise a circumferentially extending ridge 16 for frictionally engaging with the outer tubular sleeve 2.

As shown in Figure 4, the first collar 13 may comprise two opposing first planar regions 17. The first planar regions 17 are provided on the internal surface 14 of the first collar 13 so that the internal surface 14 of the first collar 13 is non-circular. Therefore, the first planar regions 17 rotatably fix the first collar 13 to the inner tubular sleeve 4. The first planar regions 17 on the first collar 13 engages a corresponding second planar region 18 on the inner tubular sleeve 4. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first collar 13 is attached to the connection member 6. As such, the second planar regions 18 are provided on the connection member 6. The engagement of the first and second planar regions 17, 18 rotationally fixes the first collar 13 relative to the inner tubular sleeve 4. Therefore, during use, the first collar 13 rotates with the inner tubular sleeve 4. Attaching the first collar 13 to the connection member 6 may enable the first collar 13 to be accommodated within the jockey wheel assembly 1 without requiring any modifications to the tubular member 5 of the inner tubular sleeve 4 or the outer tubular sleeve 2.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the planar regions 18 on the inner tubular sleeve 4 may each be formed within a radially extending recess 27. The first collar 13 may extend into the recesses to engage the planar regions 18 of the inner tubular sleeve 4. Therefore, the first collar 13 may be axially fixed relative to the inner tubular sleeve 4 and, during use, the first collar 13 moves axially with the inner tubular sleeve 4.

As shown in Figure 4, a first slit 19 may extend radially and axially through the first collar 13 so that the first collar 13 is discontinuous. That is, the first slit 19 extends entirely through the first collar 13 in both the radial and axial directions. The first slit 19 enables the first collar 13 to expand radially. Therefore, during assembly, the first collar 13 may be expanded radially so that it can pass over the tubular member 5 and engage the connection member 6 of the inner tubular sleeve 4.

The jockey wheel assembly 1 may comprise a second collar 20 disposed between the elongate winder member 10 and the outer tubular sleeve 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second collar 20 may not extend from the elongate winder member 10 to the outer tubular sleeve 2. The second collar 20 is positioned so that the first collar 13 engages the second collar 20 when the inner tubular sleeve 4 is fully retracted within the outer tubular sleeve 2. The fully retracted position of the inner tubular sleeve 4 is shown in Figure 3. The first and second collars 13, 20 are configured to frictionally engage one another to inhibit rotation of the elongate winder member 10 relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2 when the inner tubular sleeve 4 is fully retracted within the outer tubular sleeve 2.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first collar 13 may comprise an inclined surface 21 for engaging the second collar 20. The first inclined surface 21 faces away from the distal end 8 of the inner tubular sleeve 4. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first inclined surface 21 may be at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis 3 of the jockey wheel assembly 1. Therefore, during use, when the second collar 20 engages the first inclined surface 21, the second collar 20 pushes the first collar 13 radially outwards towards the outer tubular sleeve 2 and the first collar 13 pushes the second collar 20 radially inwards towards the elongate winder member 10. Thus, inhibiting rotation of the elongate winder member 10 relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2 when the inner tubular sleeve 4 is fully retracted within the outer tubular sleeve 2.

The second collar 20 may comprise a second inclined surface 22 configured to frictionally engage the first inclined surface 21. The second inclined surface 22 faces towards the distal end 8 of the inner tubular sleeve 4. That is, the second inclined surface 22 faces towards the first inclined surface 21. The second inclined surface 22 is at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis 3 of the jockey wheel assembly 1. As shown in Figure 2, the obtuse angle of the second inclined surface 22 and the acute angle of the first inclined surface 21 combine to form 180°. This combination of the actuate and obtuse angles may reduce the amount of rotation required of the elongate winder member 10 to move the first collar 13 from initially contacting the second collar 20 to the first collar 13 sufficiently engaging the second collar 20 to inhibit rotation of the elongate winder member relative to the outer tubular sleeve. As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the first inclined surface 21 and/or the second inclined surface 22 may be serrated to improve the frictional engagement of the first and second collars 13, 20.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the second collar 20 may be attached to the elongate winder member 10. The second collar 20 may be attachable to the elongate winder member 10 towards the proximal end of the elongate winder member 10. The second collar 20 may comprise an internal flange 23 configured to form a snap-fit with a shoulder 24 of the elongate winder member 10. The second collar 20 may rotate with the elongate winder member 10.

The second collar 20 may comprise a second slit 25 extending radially and axially through the second collar 20 so that the second collar 20 is discontinuous. That is, the second slit 25 extends entirely through the second collar 20 in both the radial and axial directions. The second collar 20 may also comprise one or more third slits 26 extending radially through the second collar 20 but only partially axially through the second collar 20. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the second collar 20 comprises two third slits 26. The second and third slits 25, 26 allow the second collar 20 to expand radially which may improve the ease of attaching the second collar 20 to the elongate winder member 10. In particular, the third slits 26 may enable greater radial expansion than the second slit 25 alone whilst maintaining the integrity of the second collar 20 and the snap-fit connection with the elongate winder member 10.

The first collar 13 and/or the second collar 20 may comprise a polymer material. For example, the first collar 13 and/or the second collar 20 may comprise one or more of talc filled nylon, glass filled nylon, or polycaprolactam also known as PA6 nylon. The second collar 20 may comprise the same material as the first collar 13. Alternatively, the first collar 13 and second collar 20 may comprise different materials.

As described above, the outer tubular sleeve 2 of the jockey wheel assembly 1 of Figures 1 to 3 may be mounted to a trailer. As such, axially movement of the inner tubular sleeve 4 within the outer tubular sleeve 2 adjusts the height of the jockey wheel 9 relative to the trailer. Figure 2 shows the jockey wheel assembly 1 with the inner tubular sleeve 4 in a first axial position and Figure 3 shows the jockey wheel assembly 1 with the inner tubular sleeve 4, in a second axial position. In Figure 3, the inner tubular sleeve 4 is fully retracted within the outer tubular sleeve 2. To move the jockey wheel assembly 1 from the first axial position to the second axial position, a user may rotate the handle 12 in a first direction. The handle 12 causes the elongate winder member 10 to rotate relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2 and the trailer. As the elongate winder member 10 rotates, the first collar 13 frictionally engages with the outer tubular sleeve 4 inhibiting rotation of the inner tubular sleeve 4 relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2. However, the first collar 13 allows axial movement of the inner tubular sleeve 4 relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2. The frictional engagement of the first collar 13 stops the inner tubular sleeve 4 from rotating at substantially the same rotational speed as the elongate winder member 10. Therefore, due to the threaded engagement between the elongate winder member 10 and the inner tubular sleeve 4, rotation of the elongate winder member 10 moves the inner tubular sleeve 4 axially relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2. The first collar 13 may therefore improve the ease and/or efficacy of adjusting the position of a jockey wheel 9. It is not necessary for the first collar 13 to completely stop rotation of the inner tubular sleeve 4 relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2. Rather, the first collar 13 need only inhibit rotation of the inner tubular sleeve 4 relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2 so that the inner tubular sleeve 4 rotates at a lower rotational speed than the elongate winder member 10.

As the jockey wheel assembly 1 reaches the second axial position shown in Figure 3, the first inclined surface 21 of the first collar 13 frictionally engages the second inclined surface 22 of the second collar 20. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the second collar 20 pushes the first collar 13 radially outwards towards the outer tubular sleeve 2 and the first collar 13 pushes the second collar 20 radially inwards towards the elongate winder member 10. Thus, inhibiting rotation of the elongate winder member 10 relative to the outer tubular sleeve 4. The serrations on the first and second inclined surfaces 21 , 22 may improve the frictionally engagement between the first and second collar 13, 20 and help hold the first and second collars 13, 20 together. The second collar 20 may therefore hold the inner tubular sleeve 4 in the fully retracted position and may reduce the risk of the inner tubular sleeve 4 moving out of the fully retracted position accidentally or during transit of the trailer.

The jockey wheel assembly 1 may be moved from the second axial position towards the first axial position by rotating the handle 12 in a second direction to overcome the frictional engagement between the first and second collars 13, 20.

The skilled person would understand that various modifications can be made to the above described embodiments.

The figures show a non-limiting embodiment of the first collar 13. The first collar 13 is not limited to this arrangement, any collar suitable for frictionally engaging the outer tubular sleeve 2 to inhibit rotation of the inner tubular sleeve 4 relative to the outer tubular sleeve 2 may be used.

Whilst in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the first collar 13 is attached to the connection member 6, variations to this arrangement are contemplated. For example, the first collar may be attached to the tubular member 5 of the inner tubular sleeve 4 instead of the connection member 6. Alternatively, the first collar 13 may be attached to the interior of the outer tubular sleeve 2. Additionally, the first collar 13 may be rotationally and/or axially fixed relative to the inner tubular sleeve by alternative means that the planar regions, any suitable means may be used. In a similar manner, variations to the second collar 20 are contemplated. For example, the second collar 20 may be disposed at a proximal end of the outer tubular sleeve 2 rather than being disposed on the elongate winder member 10.

In certain embodiments, the frictional engagement between the first and second collars 13, 20 may be provided by alternative means than the first and second inclined surfaces 21 , 22. Any suitable means may be used to provide frictional engagement between the first and second collars 13, 20. For example, the second collar 20 may not comprise the second inclined surface 22. The second collar 20 may comprise a surface configured to frictionally engage the first inclined surface 21 having an alternative shape. This surface may be any suitable shape which may push the first collar 13 radially outwards.

Whilst the embodiment of the jockey wheel assembly 1 shown in the Figures comprises a first and a second collar 13, 20, the second collar 20 may be omitted form the jockey wheel assembly 1. The first collar 13 is sufficient for improving the ease and efficiency of adjusting the position of a jockey wheel 9. In such embodiments, the first collar 13 may not comprise the first inclined surface 21. The surface of the first collar 13 facing away from the distal end of the inner tubular sleeve 4 may have any suitable shape. For example, surface of the first collar 13 facing away from the distal end of the inner tubular sleeve 4 may be flat.

The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings). The claims should not be construed to cover merely the foregoing embodiments, but also any embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings) may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features are mutually exclusive. The invention is defined by the appended claims.