Patent Application
20220105857
The present invention relates generally to outdoor equipment, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a convertible utility trailer that is configured to receive, store and transport items such as but not limited to camping gear and further be configured to transition between a trailer and a boat configuration.
Many individuals routinely engage in recreational activities such as but not limited to outdoor recreation. There are numerous popular outdoor recreation activities that include but are not limited to hiking, camping and boating. For the latter two of the aforementioned it is often popular that individuals will explore remote areas wherein the individual will camp in areas that have small bodies of water. Many people that explore for remote camping and other general wilderness areas will do so utilizing a vehicles such as but not limited to all-terrain vehicles. These vehicles are utilized to assist in traversing the terrain and reaching a desired remote location. The all-terrain vehicles further are utilized to tow utility trailers that are configured to store and transport camping gear and the like.
One challenge for individuals traversing to remote areas is the ability to bring all of the desired gear for their trip. For extended camping trips often individuals must utilize a conventional small utility trailer to transport all of the required camping gear. When a small utility trailer is utilized, this eliminates the ability for an individual to additionally transport items such as but not limited to a boat. It is often desirable for an individual to be able to transport both camping gear and a small boat to explore bodies of water. Modifications to trailers and boats have been attempted but have fell short of achieving the desired objective. Additionally, for many individuals storage space in their garage or other similar area is very limited and as such many do not have storage room for both a utility trailer and a small boat.
Accordingly, there is a need for a convertible utility trailer and boat apparatus wherein the apparatus of the present invention is a towable trailer capable of storing items in a first configuration and in a second configuration be configured as a functional boat.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a convertible utility trailer and boat apparatus that can be transitioned between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein the present invention includes a body having a first portion and a second portion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configurable as a boat and a utility trailer that is towable with an all-terrain vehicle wherein the first portion and second portion of the body are hingedly secured.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a convertible utility trailer and boat apparatus that can be transitioned between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein the second portion of the body is releasably superposed a frame.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configurable as a boat and a utility trailer that is towable with an all-terrain vehicle wherein the frame includes a wheel assembly.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a convertible utility trailer and boat apparatus that can be transitioned between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein the frame further includes a vertical support member.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configurable as a boat and a utility trailer that is towable with an all-terrain vehicle wherein in the first configuration the first portion is superposed the second portion so as to form an interior volume.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a convertible utility trailer and boat apparatus that can be transitioned between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein the first portion and second portion of the body includes a bottom contiguously formed with a plurality of sidewalls forming an interior volume having an opening.
An alternate object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configurable as a boat and a utility trailer that is towable with an all-terrain vehicle that further includes at least one over center latch locking member.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a utility trailer boat apparatus 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.
Referring in particular to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the utility trailer boat apparatus 100 includes a body 10 wherein the body is comprised of a first portion 15 and a second portion 30. The body 10 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to aluminum. The first portion 15 includes a bottom 17 that is contiguously formed with walls 18 so as to define an interior volume 20 wherein the interior volume 20 is accessible via opening 21. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first portion 15 includes four walls 18 defining the shape thereof. The first portion 15 includes a seat member 25 that is operably disposed within the interior volume 20 and is intermediate opposing sidewalls 23,24. The seat member 25 is secured utilizing suitable techniques such as but not limited to welding. While one seat member 25 is illustrated in the embodiment herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first portion 15 could have more than one seat member 25. Secured to the exterior surface of the sidewall 24 is rail member 28. Rail member 28 is proximate the perimeter edge 14 of the first portion 15 and extends substantially the length of the sidewall 24. The rail member 28 is manufactured from durable material such as but not limited to aluminum tubing. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the rail member 28 could be provided in alternate sizes and shapes and further be present on both sidewalls 23,24.
The second portion 30 of the body 10 is manufactured similarly to the first portion 15. The second portion 30 includes a bottom 32 and a plurality of walls 35 that are contiguously formed so as to create an interior volume 38. The bottom 32 includes a curved section 39 wherein the curved section 39 provides a desired performance when the utility trailer boat apparatus 100 is being utilized as a boat. The second portion 30 is sized so as to be equivalent in size to the first portion 15 in order to facilitate a mateable coupling when the utility trailer boat apparatus 100 is placed in its second configuration so as to function as a utility trailer. In the second configuration, the perimeter edges 14,29 are adjacent each other so as to form an enclosure as is illustrated herein in
The utility trailer boat apparatus 100 further includes a frame member 50. The frame member 50 is comprised of a plurality of support members 52 that are operably coupled utilizing suitable techniques such as but not limited to welding or mechanical fasteners. The support members 52 are manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to metal. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the support members 52 could be provided in alternate sizes and arranged in alternate arrangements and still achieve the desired objective of the present invention of receiving and transporting the body 10 in its second configuration. The frame member 50 includes a wheel assembly 60 wherein the wheel assembly 60 is a conventional wheel assembly having an axle and two wheels operable to rollably move the utility trailer boat apparatus 100.
The frame member 50 further includes a vertical support member 75 that is positioned near the tongue member 77. The vertical support member 75 is secured utilizing suitable techniques and is operable to provide an element to secure and transport items such as but not limited to small outboard motors. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the vertical support member 75 could be provided in alternate sizes, locations and quantities.
It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 is secured in its first configuration wherein the body 10 functions as a small boat. The securing of the body 10 in its first configuration can be accomplished with fasteners such as but not limited to an over center latch. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the first portion 15 and second portion 30 can be hingedly secured utilizing various types of hinge mechanisms. Additionally, the body 10 can be secured to the frame member 50 utilizing various techniques.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
