Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a trailer, particularly a modular trailer that can be readily assembled and disassembled and is easy to transport.

Background to the Invention

Trailers are useful for transporting various items and goods. However, when they are not being used, they take up a considerable amount of space, which can make them difficult to store. Furthermore, trailers are generally of a set size and so different trailers must be used for different loads. As a result, one may require several trailers, all of which need storing when not in use.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a modular trailer comprising:

a tubular central chassis spine constructed from at least one cross-shaped tubular section, wherein two of the limbs of the cross-shaped tubular section extend axially and the other two limbs extend transversely, each of the limbs being provided with connection sections at their ends; a plurality of tubular sections connected to the connection sections of the transversely extending limbs of the at least one cross-shaped tubular structure, wherein at least two of the tubular sections are provided with wheels; a tubular T-shaped end section connected to the connection section of one of the axially extending limbs of the central chassis spine; and a towing connection connected to the connection section at the opposite end of the central chassis spine from that of the end T-shaped tubular section, wherein the tubular sections are readily removable from the connection sections of the central chassis spine; and wherein the length of the modular trailer spine is extendible by attaching further cross-shaped tubular sections to the connection sections of the axial limbs of the tubular central chassis spine.

The user of such a trailer allows for it to be stored easily and for its size to be increased by attaching further elements, thereby enabling a user to have a single trailer for transporting loads of varying size.

Preferably, the connection section of each element of the trailer comprises a flange with apertures therein and the elements of the trailer are connected by way of retaining bolts with locking nuts passing through the apertures of the respective flanges. More preferably, a spacer with a flange is arranged between the connection section and each element is connected thereto.

In one arrangement, the wheels are provided with hydraulic brakes and/or the wheels are provided with suspension. Providing brakes and suspension to the trailer protects the load and makes towing the trailer safer.

The width of the modular trailer may be extended by attaching further tubular sections to the tubular sections connected to the tubular central chassis spine. Allowing the width and the length to be controlled by attaching and removing tubular parts enables the size and strength of the trailer to be adapted. This allows a single central chassis spine to be employed in a plurality of different trailer arrangements, thereby making the trailer flexible.

The invention extends to a kit comprising:

a plurality of cross-shaped tubular sections

a plurality of tubular sections;

a tubular T-shaped end section;

a towing connection; and

a plurality of wheels,

wherein each of the cross-shaped tubular sections, tubular sections; T-shaped end section and towing connection is provided with at least one connection section.

By being in kit form the trailer is readily assembled and disassembled and can be stored with a smaller footprint than the assembled trailer.

Preferably, the connection sections comprise a flange with apertures therein. Each tubular part, or at least some of them, may comprise a flange at each end so as to enable it to be connected to an adjacent part by aligning the flanges and providing connecting means, most likely in the form of bolts, to join them.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a tow bar of the present invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part of the tow bar of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the part of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a an exploded view of the framework of the trailer of the Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a further view of the framework of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view of a suspension module for use with the trailer of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a view of the suspension module of Figure 7 attached to the trailer of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a further view of the suspension module of Figure 7

Figure 10 is a view of a cross-shaped tubular for use in the trailer of Figure 1; Figure 11 is an end protector for use with the trailer of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a light holder unit for use with the trailer of Figure 1;

Figure 13 is a view of the tubular structure of a trailer in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 14 is a view of the tubular structure of Figure 13 with underslung suspension connectors attached;

Figure 15 is a view of the components for enabling underslung suspension;

Figure 16 is a view of a further trailer in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 17 shows a further embodiment of a trailer in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

The Figures show a trailer 10 comprising a tubular central chassis spine 12 that is made up from three central cross-shaped sections 14 connected in longitudinally, along with extending tubes 16 connecting the cross-shaped sections 14 to T-shaped end sections 18 and 20, which form the respective ends of the trailer 10.

The trailer 10 is provided with transverse extension tubes 28 at the first T-shaped end section 18 to extend its width and the ends of those extension tubes 28 are provided with end tubes 30, which are in turn provided with end protectors 32 at their 'free' end.

The first T-shaped end section 18 forms the front end of the trailer 10 and is connected to a tow bar assembly 22. The second T-shaped end second 20 forms the rear end of the trailer 10 and is provided with a light units 24 at each end of the respective transverse ends for holding lights. A number-plate receiving section 26 for receiving and holding a number-plate is attached to the rear.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, there are five transverse tubular structures, those being the front end (including first T-shaped end section 18), a first wheel-connecting spar section (including the first of the three cross-shaped section 14), a second wheel-connecting spar (including the second of the three cross-shaped section 14), a support spar (including the third of the three cross-shaped section 14) and the rear T-shaped end section 20. Each of the wheel-connecting spars 34 are provided with suspension modules 36 at their free ends, to which are connected wheels 38. The rotational orientation of the suspension modules 36 may be adjusted according to the requirements of the trailer 10, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

At each junction between two tubular parts, a top connector bracket 40 is supplied. The top connector bracket 40 may be used to connect a bed (not shown) to the chassis of the trailer 10. An exploded view of the connector 40 is shown in Figures 5 and 6, which also detail how it may be connected on an angle, if desired.

The tow bar assembly 22 may comprise an "A" draw-bar or an "I" draw-bar to connect the front end of the trailer 10. Additionally, the tow bar assembly 22 is provided with adjustment means 42 to change the angle and height of the tow bar connection. An exploded view of the adjustment mechanism is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 13 shows a further trailer 10a according to the present invention that comprises two end seconds 18a and 20a with a support spar therebetween. In such an arrangement, an underslung suspension system may be desirable, thus, underslung suspension supports 44 are provided, each having one end connected to a transverse spar or end of the trailer and the other ends connecting to form a V-shape to which a suspension module may be connected, as shown in Figures 14 and 15.

Figure 16 shows an enlarged trailer 10b, which comprises further cross-shaped sections 14b.

Figure 17 shows a further embodiment 10c, wherein the connector brackets are connected to ribs 46 that provide structural rigidity and strength to the trailer 10c. The ribs may be single sections that run the length of the trailer 10c, or, more preferably, they are shorter, individual units that reach (and connect) the spars and end sections.

Features of different trailers described and shown herein may be employed in other trailers described and shown herein. For example, the underslung suspension shown in Figure 14 may be employed in the trailer of Figure 17. Likewise, different tow bar assemblies may be interchanged. The tubular trailer system can be constructed using separate standard parts. These parts are able to be taken apart, re-positioned in many combinations so that the user has varying sizes of trailer height, length and width depending on the requirement use. Within the

construction, plates separate each tubular component so that other parts maybe be fixed to the chassis by way of bolting or fixing devices. The number of axles and their relationship to the centre line of the chassis spine, or backbone, can be changed so that the axles maybe inline or offset to the longitudinal axis.

Along the longitudinal and diagonal axes of the trailer is the main load carrying torsional frame spine from where the following may be mounted in varying formats and arrangements: outriggers; axles; drawbars; mounting plates; and extension tubes.

The lateral axis can be extended by way of fixing standard tubular parts with the option to fix the wheel station either on the same axis or by way of parts below the axis of the lateral plane.

The trailer may be readily disassembled and carried/transported with no component weighing more than 20kg or being longer than 1000mm.

The coupling of the parts element may be undertaken by way of pre-drilled flanges that are the same dimension throughout. The flanges may be connected by way of retaining bolts with locking nuts. Between each assembly is a connector bracket, or spacer, which is designed to be multi-functional. The connector bracket allows for an external device, object or assembly maybe fixed to the trailer. The bracket can be mounted in a varity of

orientations, or angles.

The ability to off-set and rotate the wheel station suspension system means that an awkwardly- shaped superstructures or loads are able to be fitted to the trailer chassis and still allow for evenly uninterrupted weight distribution.

The trailer may be used without a suspension module with the wheels simply attaching to the trailer.