Patent Application
20200108762
The present invention relates to a device utilized to connect various components. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cross frame connector and assembly system utilized to support the weight of a waterborne craft during trailer transportation.
The process of forming items from fiberglass is well understood and has applicability in storage tanks, boating, housing, piping and more. Fiberglass is a reinforced plastic fiber that becomes hardened when combined together with a boding agent forming a final composite material. The other component is a plastic resin, usually polyester, vinylester and sometimes epoxies are increasingly used these days. First, a male or female mold is created for the product being created. Then, final parts are built using the composite material formed from the above molds or intermediate molds created for this use.
Typical trailers are unpowered vehicles that are being towed by a powered vehicle such as an automobile or truck. Trailers are used to tow a wide range of property such as motorcycles, bicycles, livestock, boats and more. Trailers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and methods of construction.
However, this discussion is directed to those types of trailers that come in the form of a structural assembly made from various frame members either welded and or bolted together. In order to provide appropriate suspension for the trailer system, hangers are welded on tho the assembled frame for attachment of leaf springs. These springs prevent excessive shock and vibration during transport.
Further customizing the trailer to the needs of the implementation, bunks can be bolted or welded on the assembly for locating a jet ski or boat support. Alternatively, instead of the bunks, a utility trailer is created by attaching a deck to the top of the frame.
With all of these design choices, however, one of the problems with current industry standards is that the trailer once completed is a device designed for a discrete use. In other words, the trailer has one function, porting a jet ski, boat, canoe, kayak or utility trailer. Because of this a user has to spend a considerable sum of money to have a device that is used only for one type of service. This leaves no option for easily transferring items from one type of trailer system to another as the boat type of trailer does not lend itself to taking a motorcycle or vice versa. Thus, there needs to be some way for a user to transport a variety of items such as a boat, canoe, jet ski etcetera.
Another problem with trailers today is that steel or galvanized steel materials utilized in their construction easily corrode when exposed to the elements during ordinary use. The immersion of boat trailers into salt or fresh water during boat launchings causes electrolytic actions that along with the effect of salt and other corrosive elements grievously affect these materials. Thus, the life cycle of a modern trailer is greatly limited by the materials found in their construction to the point that they might last only 3-4 years of typical use.
One solution to the above corrosion problems has been to use aluminum in place of the steel materials. However, after several years the general appearance of the trailers are not necessarily commensurate with their promised performance. This because this aluminum frame has decay along where the frame members are bolted together or where U-bolts are used over frame members for trailer bunks.
Thus, there needs to be some solution that provide materials that are not only corrosion resistant but that are cost effective and strong as well.
A torsion axle has a main rod or bar and independent spindles on either side for mounting of a tire thereon; adjustable spindles, mounts, brackets and more are some of the common feature of these devices that are too numerous to mention in this limited space. Also, there are various types of attachments systems including U bolts and the like as well as others beyond the scope of this discussion.
Accordingly, there needs to be some solutions to overcome the aforementioned problems.
The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the known art and the problems that remain unsolved by providing a towable system as follows.
A towable connector system comprising:
a connector body having
a first pass through cavity proximally underneath the first top surface.
In another aspect, further comprising:
a second pass through cavity proximally underneath the second top surface.
In another aspect, further comprising:
a middle pass through cavity proximally underneath the intermediate portion.
In another aspect, wherein the intermediate portion further comprises:
an arch intermediate portion.
In another aspect, wherein the arch intermediate portion further comprises:
a concavity disposed such that
a first top portion parallel to and integrally attached to the first top surface and the intermediate portion and offset therefrom such that the first top portion is closer to the bottom portion than the first top surface.
In another aspect, further comprising:
a second top portion parallel to and integrally attached to the second top surface and the intermediate portion and offset therefrom such that the second top portion is closer to the bottom portion than the second top surface.
In another aspect, further comprising:
a first pass through hole in the first side surface
In another aspect, further comprising:
a second pass through hole in the second side surface.
In another aspect, further comprising:
a third pass through hole perforating a side wall of a first pass through cavity and perforating a first side wall of a middle pass through cavity.
In another aspect, further comprising:
a fourth pass through hole perforating a side wall of a second pass through cavity and perforating a second side wall of a middle pass through cavity opposite the first side wall of the middle pass through cavity thereof.
In another aspect, wherein the intermediate portion further comprises:
an arch intermediate portion.
In another aspect, wherein the arch intermediate portion further comprises:
a concavity disposed such that
a first offset portion such that the first offset portion is integral with the first top portion and the intermediate portion wherein the intermediate portion is situated closer to the bottom portion then the first top portion.
In another aspect, further comprising:
a second offset portion such that the second offset portion is integral with the second top portion and the intermediate portion wherein the intermediate portion is situated closer to the bottom portion then the second top portion.
In another aspect, further comprising:
a pass through rod inserted within the first, second, third and fourth holes and attached to the connector body externally thereto.
In another aspect, further comprising:
a hitching device attached to the middle pass through cavity.
A towable connection system comprising:
a first connector device attached to
a second connector device having a first and a second leaf spring attached thereto such that the leaf springs float freely in a first and second cavity in the first connector device such that the first and second leaf springs are mounted on the second connector device using a pass through rod attached to and inserted therein.
A towable connection system comprising:
a first connector device attached to
a second connector device having
a first pass through rod inserted within the first connector device and within the first and second attachment devices and the second pass through rod inserted within the second connector device and within the first and second attachment devices.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in each figure.
Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
It should be made apparent by a close inspection of the drawings that there are two main types of Structural Cross Frame Connectors taught herein. Namely, one that has vertical rectangular portions 3A as shown in
A first right side top surface 2 is a square or rectangular shaped portion having four studs placed within holes equidistantly from the edges thereof; these holes proceed down through the connector body perforating it until they reach the top of pass through cavity 6A; nuts are used with washers to attach the studs; it should be appreciated that corresponding holes for those above in top surface 2 are also cut from the bottom portion 6C into cavity 6A. The right edge of the first right side top surface 2 integrally meets the square or rectangular right vertical side 5 of the connector 1 along a first edge thereof. This right vertical side 5 has a bottom edge that meets the rectangular bottom portion 6C of connector 1. The rectangular bottom portion 6C similarly integrally forms into the left vertical side 5 and so on.
A slightly curved or linearly slanted right portion 2A (interchangeably right portion 2A) is integrated to right side top surface 2 along an edge opposite the edge connecting right side top surface 2 to right vertical side 5 such that it integrally proceeds downwards from the first right side top surface 2 towards the left of connector 1. Integrally formed along right portion 2A at an inner left edge thereof is a right horizontal rectangular portion 3. Four holes are formed equidistantly in right horizontal rectangular portion 3 from the edges thereof for insertion of studs 3B to bolt to the bottom or top thereof for a variety of configurations herein described; these holes proceed down through the entire connector body perforating it through the rectangular bottom portion 6C.
Integrally formed along right horizontal rectangular portion 3 at an inner left edge thereof is a right vertical rectangular portion 3A that also has a bottom edge. This bottom edge of right vertical rectangular portion 3A is integrally attached to an edge of a concave arch 4; further, this arch 4 has its curvature downwardly directed so that it obtains a radius from some imaginary center located above the connector 1 in the drawing and the arch is directed deeper inwards to the connector 1.
From this point a mirror image of the device is formed thus, one has a left vertical rectangular portion 3A integrally connected to a left horizontal rectangular portion 3 that in turn integrally forms with a slightly curved or linearly slanted left portion 2A. This in turn forms into a left side top surface 2 that is a square or rectangular shaped portion also integrally formed with a left vertical side 5 that has an edge meeting a rectangular bottom portion 6C. It should be understood that front and back surfaces 6 are integrally formed with the rest of the surfaces 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4, 5 herein described to meet along front and back edges thereof forming a completed connector 1.
Of course, the left side top surface has four studs 2B within holes that are situated equidistantly from the edges thereof; these holes proceed down through the connector body perforating it until they reach the top of pass through cavity 6A; nuts are used with washers to attach the studs; it should be appreciated that corresponding holes for those above in top surface 2 are also cut from the bottom portion 6C into cavity 6A. Similarly, the left horizontal rectangular portion 3 has four holes that are formed equidistantly from the edges thereof for insertion of studs 3B to bolt to the top or bottom thereof for a variety of configurations herein described. These holes of left horizontal rectangular portion 3 proceed down through the entire connector body perforating it through the rectangular bottom portion 6C.
A first and second pass through cavities (typically circular, rectangular or square) 6A are formed in the body of the right and left wings of the connector 1 approximately under the rectangular right and left side top surfaces 2 and optionally a portion of these cavities 6A are formed under the right and left portions 2A. A middle pass through cavity 6B (typically circular, rectangular or square) is centrally formed under the concave arch 4.
Two separate perforations 7 cut through the structure of the right and left side vertical sides 5 into the first and second pass through cavities 6A. Similarly, two separate perforations 7A cut through the wall of the first and second pass through cavities 6A closest to the center of connector 1. These perforations 7A open into the middle pass through cavity 6B at 7B.
Further, this view shows a two leaf springs 12 are attached to the connector 1 using a pass through rod 9. The pass through rod 9 is inserted within perforation 7 on the right side of connector 1 entering right pass through side cavity 6A and mounting right leaf spring 12 on the rod 9 through a hole in the leaf spring. After this the rod 9 enters perforation 7A in the left inner wall of right pass through cavity 6A; then the rod 9 enters middle pass through cavity 6B (though hole 7B) and engages hitch 11 using a hole therein; next it exits cavity 6B through a similar perforation 7B on its opposite left side wall and proceeds therethrough. The rod 9 is inserted into this second perforation 7B and enters into the left pass through cavity 6A and through hole 7A and mounts a left leaf spring 12 thereon through a hole in the leaf spring. The rod proceeds through the left pass through cavity 6A into a perforation 7 on the left side wall of the left pass through cavity 6A and exits on the left side of connector 1. Both the inside step down (3) and outside step (2) can hold a boat bunk or the cross frame connector 1 can use four boat bunks at once if desired.
Leaf springs 12 are inserted one each in pass through cavities 6A on either side of inverted connectors 1. Because the leaf springs 12 are formed from fiberglass materials they provide robust strength and excellent weight savings for the implementation. Both leaf springs 12 have a hole 12A perforating one end thereof; proceeding forwards the springs 12 curve downwards and then upwards in a shallow S configuration. When placed in the connector they are held in place by a pass through rod that threads through the holes 7, 7A, & 7B in connectors 1 pass through cavities 6A and middle pass through cavity 6B and through the holes 12A in each spring 12 disposed within the cavities 6A of the left connector 1. The leaf spring 12 has a hole 12A at one end and another end opposite this hole that is free to move within pass through cavities 6A in the right connector 1 as it sits atop a horizontal surface therein; of course, this motion is only enough to facilitate the springing activity.
Aluminum channel or I Beam 13 are inserted one each in pass through cavities 6A on either side of inverted connectors 1. Both aluminum channel or I Beam 13 have support holes perforating a lateral side thereof for insertion of the pass through rod 9. When placed in the connectors they are held in place by a pass through rod that threads through the holes 7, 7A, & 7B in connectors 1 pass through cavities 6A and middle pass through cavity 6B and through the holes in each aluminum channel or I Beam 13. Next, an aluminum channel or I beam is attached to each top surface 2 of the dual set of connectors; a torsion axle set 14 is attached to each aluminum channel or I beam using U bolts for each side of the axle along with nuts, washers and other connectors unique to the U bolt system being used. Similarly the rods 9 are connected to an external portion of connectors 1 using washers, nuts and similar fasteners.
Integrally attached to a top portion of the metal mounting plate 15A through welding, is a metal strip 15B having two ends that is attached at an end thereof to a suitable location on the mounting plate 15A. This metal curved strip 15B of material acts as a curved spring device. The curved strip 15B further has a spindle 15D at the free end thereof for rotation of the tire thereon. As before in other implementations an aluminum channel or I Beam 13 are inserted one each in pass through cavities 6A on either side of inverted connectors 1. Both aluminum channel or I Beam 13 have support holes perforating a lateral side thereof for insertion of the pass through rod 9. When placed in the connectors they are held in place by a pass through rod that threads through the holes 7, 7A, & 7B in connectors 1 pass through cavities 6A and middle pass through cavity 6B and through the holes in each aluminum channel or I Beam 13; the pass through rod is held in place with appropriate fasteners such as nuts and washers. Finally, either square tube (shown), or I-beam can be used.
Next, constructing a shorter width torsion axle to the aluminum channel or I beam 13. U bolts attach about the I beam or aluminum channel 13 and on into a mounting plate of the torsion axle having several holes therein for this purpose. Suitable bolts, stud, washers, nut or other fasteners finish the connection. A similar setup is found on the other side of the torsion axle where an identical mounting plate having holes for mounting of U bolt attachments to the I beam or aluminum channel 13.
In this implementation however, it should be understood that these leaf springs have a hole at an end thereof to grasp the pass through rod of one of the bottom connectors 1. The other end of the two leaf springs 12 floats free (typically in the rear bottom connector 1 shown having the wheel connected to a pass through rod in the drawing) within the pass through cavity of the dual connector system connector 1 opposite to the connector 1 in the first dual connector system having the leaf spring hole threaded in a pass through rod. Two middle wheels are attached to a torsion axle using U bolt attachments one to each leaf spring on either side of the vehicle thereof. Another set of two wheels is attached to a pass through rod of the bottom connector 1 in one or both of the two dual connector systems one on each side of each connector 1. Appropriate use of fasteners such as nuts, washers or similar fasteners to the rod 9 is understood.
Also, a second carabiner strap using another carabiner attached to the second strap by doubling over the strap and sewing it to itself through another carabiner end is similarly attached to a second mounting point and U point on the opposite side of the connector 1. Thus, the other end of the second carabiner strap is attached to another mounting point at the left vertical side 5. The inner portion as understood of the carabiner straps are attached to each other using another carabiner device attached by doubling the strap material through the respective carabiners and sewing it to themselves thereby attaching a carabiner to its respective strap end. A second set of dual carabiner straps is attached to the rear connector 1 forming holding devices for the retention of a barrel therein loaded in the central curved arch 4 of the connectors 1. It should also be understood that a pair of planks one to either side are optionally inserted on the right and left top portions between the forward and rear connectors 1 to stabilize the barrel depending on its size.
It should be appreciated that the particular use described in any embodiment is descriptive of the use and should not be viewed as limiting the implementation. For example, the statement that this is a jet ski, trailer, bunk, boat or oil drum or any other type of specific implementation should not be intended to limit the use of these particular structures to that specific implementation. Rather, the implementation use description is only a statement to assist in describing how the various components are put together. Thus, any embodiment herein described can be utilized for any of the uses herein described as a jet ski, boat, trailer, bunk carrier etcetera.
Also, it should be readily apparent that appropriate connection of connectors 1, rod 9, wheels, I beams, hollow members, hitches and more are through the use of typical fasteners bolts, nuts, washers and similar fasteners through appropriate holes described in the various embodiments herein described. If a specific embodiment does not describe the hole it should be found in another similar embodiment and that for simplicity is assumed for the given embodiment. This general rule applies for the other features taught herein.
Another option permits the openings that hold the I-beam or square tube can be adjusted higher—to allow the trailer to lower/closer to the ground—in a boat use application. In other words, there are other perforations in I-beam or square tube for changing its height in the pass through cavities. Another alternative is that there are multiple holes 7, 7A, 7B for the pass through rod to pass through cavities.
The system and connectors 1 described herein has an internal hanger that no other trailer has; this internal hanger location in the mid pass through cavity 6B is a place for the tow bar hitch to be attached thereto. No other trailer has this feature. Additionally, the trailer has the tow bar hitch going the whole length of the trailer through all of the other components such as connectors 1 down the line.
Further, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15399910 | Jan 2017 | US |
| Child | 16706649 | US |
