Patent Application
20220355769
The present invention relates generally to a trailer crank extension device for automated raising and lowering of a trailer. More so, the present invention relates to a trailer crank accessory that automates raising and lowering of a trailer by detachably coupling to the rotatable drive shaft of a trailer crank, and receiving a rotary tool that transfers torque, through the extension device, to the rotatable drive shaft in the crank of the trailer for raising and lowering the trailer.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Typically, a trailer includes a crank, or jack, such as a crank style drop leg jack. Such a trailer crank is used to manually raise and lower the trailer, often with a rotatable motion by the trailer user. However, this type of manually operated jack is often disfavored because of the amount of time and effort it takes to raise and lower the trailer. It is also possible to install an electric assist trailer jack. However, often times this is problematic because of the substantial time it may take to lift and lower the trailer in such a manner.
It is known in the art that the original manufacturer jack can be removed and replaced with a hydraulic jack. However, there are problems with doing so. For example, the time and expense of the install and rework necessary to install a hydraulic jack and the possibility of weakening the tongue or frame of the trailer as a result of the install are problematic. Such a retrofit involves cutting into the trailer, damaging the powder coating, paint or other finish of the trailer. Thus, this solution is particularly disfavored when the trailer is new or in good condition. Trailer manufacturers often provide trailers with the crank style drop leg jacks and provide an option of hydraulic jacks. However, the hydraulic option has issues with leaking hydraulic fluid after a duration.
Known drill chucks generally include a chuck body, gripping jaws, ring nut, nut sleeve, bearing, front sleeve, rear sleeve, etc. The gripping jaws are fitted to the three corresponding inclined holes on the chuck body. The ring nut is fitted inside the ring nut groove of the chuck body and the thread of the ring nut and gripping jaw combine to form a screw gear. The nut sleeve and the nut are generally fixed to each other. The front sleeve is fitted to the nut or the nut sleeve. The rear sleeve is fitted to the chuck body permanently or otherwise. At the rear part of the chuck body there is a threaded hole or a taper hole. The threaded hole of the chuck body is connected to the shaft of a power drill, so that when the drill shaft turns, it will drive the chuck jaws to turn together as well as the drill tool clamped by the jaws.
Other proposals have involved device that raise and lower trailers by engaging the trailer crank. The problem with these trailer crank devices is that they do not magnify the force applied to the rotary crank, and they are not compactable for all types of trailers. Also, the handle used to control the trailer crank device does not securely remain fixed to the trailer crank. Even though the above cited device that raise and lower trailers meets some of the needs of the market, a trailer crank extension device for automated raising and lowering of a trailer automates raising and lowering of a trailer by detachably coupling to the rotatable drive shaft of a trailer crank, and receiving a rotary tool that transfers torque, through the extension device, to the rotatable drive shaft in the crank of the trailer for raising and lowering the trailer, is still desired.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a trailer crank extension device for automated raising and lowering of a trailer. The trailer crank extension device serves to automate the raising and lowering of a trailer by detachably mounting to a trailer crank, and receiving a rotary tool that transfers torque, through the rod, to the rotatable drive shaft in the crank of the trailer. This negates the need for manual labor to raise and lower the trailer.
In some embodiments, the extension device includes a rod having a male end and an opposing female end. The female end of the rod has a channel that receives and detachably fastens to a rotatable drive shaft of the trailer crank. The male end of the rod comprises a geometric-shaped terminus, and projects out, so as to engage and grip the chuck of the rotary tool. The geometric-shaped terminus can have multiple angular sides designed to receive different types and styles of chucks and rotary tools, i.e., automatic drills. Once the rotary tool couples to the male end of the rod, the rotary tool can be rotated so as to transfer torque to the rotatable drive shaft of the trailer crank, through the rod.
A cylindrical clamp removably encapsulates the female end of the rod, with the rotatable drive shaft of the trailer crank. The cylindrical clamp enables universal attachment to various types of rotatable drive shafts, including vertical drive rods, horizontal drive rods, and drive rods for different companies and sizes. In this manner, the extension device provides an automated and efficient means to raise and lower trailer jacks, without stooping over, using muscles, or requiring excessive tools.
In one aspect, a trailer crank extension device, comprises:
In another aspect, the geometric-shaped terminus comprises a hexagonal shape.
In another aspect, the cylindrical clamp comprises a pipe clamp or a C-clamp.
In another aspect, the device further comprises multiple fasteners configured to fasten the free ends of the strap together.
In another aspect, the device further comprises a rotary tool, the rotary tool comprising a chuck having multiple jaws.
In another aspect, the rotary tool includes at least one of the following: a cordless drill, a benchtop drill press, a cordless drill, a hammer drill, a rotary hammer drill, and an impact drill, a mini drill, and a two-headed drill.
In another aspect, the chuck includes at least one of the following: a keyed chuck, a double-sleeve keyless chuck, a single-sleeve keyless chuck, an SDS chuck, and a hex connection.
In another aspect, the rod is configured for interposition between the chuck and the rotatable drive shaft.
In another aspect, the male end of the rod is configured to at least partially enter the chuck of the rotary tool.
In another aspect, the jaws are configured to grip the male end of the rod with radial symmetry.
In another aspect, the geometric-shaped terminus of the male end is configured to register with the jaws of the chuck in a snug relationship.
In another aspect, the rod has sufficient strength to transfer torque from the rotary tool to the rotatable drive shaft.
In another aspect, the trailer crank is operable to enable raising and lowering a trailer when the rod rotates the rotatable drive shaft.
In another aspect, the device further comprises multiple screws or bolts configured to press the sections of the cylindrical clamp together.
In another aspect, the rod includes at least one of the following materials: titanium, steel, iron, metal alloys, aluminum, and composite graphite.
One objective of the present invention is to automate the task of raising and lowering a trailer with a trailer crank.
Another objective is to provide an extension to the rotary drive shaft of the trailer crank that has a cross shape, so as to improve grip with the jaws of the chuck.
Yet another objective is to enable the extension device to be universal for mounting to multiple types and sizes of trailer cranks.
Additional objectives are to reduce stooping, bending over, and torque on the back while lowering and raising a trailer.
An exemplary objective is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture trailer crank extension device.
Other devices, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional devices, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various 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
A trailer crank extension device 100 for automated raising and lowering of a trailer is referenced in
Looking initially at
In some embodiments, the male end 300a of the rod 108 comprises a geometric-shaped terminus 302, and projects out, so as to engage and grip the chuck 106 of the rotary tool 104. In some embodiments, the geometric-shaped terminus 302 may be a hexagonal shape. However, other shapes, including irregular shapes may also be used, such as an octagon, a square, and a triangle. The geometric-shaped terminus 302 can have multiple angular sides designed to receive different types and styles of chucks and rotary tools, i.e., automatic drills. Once the rotary tool 104 couples to the male end 300a of the rod 108, the rotary tool 104 can be rotated so as to transfer torque to the rotatable drive shaft 200 of the trailer crank 102, through the rod 108.
As shown in
The device 100 also includes a cylindrical clamp 600 that removably encapsulates the female end 300b, or the male end 300a, or both, of the rod 108 with the rotatable drive shaft 200 of the trailer crank 102.
In one possible embodiment, the cylindrical clamp 600 is configured to releasably fasten the female end 300b of the rod 108 to a rotatable drive shaft 200 of a trailer crank 102. The cylindrical clamp 600 comprises two sections that are adapted to at least partially encapsulate the female end 300b of the rod 108 and the rotatable drive shaft 200. In one non-limiting embodiment, a male end section 602a extends to the male end 300a, and a female end section 602b extends to female end 300b.
In another embodiment, the male end section 602a comprises a texture for enhancing grip of the cylindrical clamp 600. This can include a swirling pattern that helps the hand of the user in manipulating and fitting the cylindrical clamp 600 to the rod 108. In other embodiments, the female end section 602b defines a slot 604 adapted to enable passage of at least a portion of the trailer crank 102. A tunnel 606 may form concentrically through the cylindrical clamp 600 to enable passage of rod 108 and rotatable drive shaft 200 (See
As
Looking again at
In some embodiments, the rotary tool 104 includes a chuck 106 having multiple jaws. The rod 108 is configured for interposition between the chuck 106 and the rotatable drive shaft 200. The male end 300a of the rod 108 is configured to at least partially enter the chuck 106 of the rotary tool 104. The jaws are configured to grip the male end 300a of the rod 108 with radial symmetry. The geometric-shaped terminus 302 of the male end 300a is configured to register with the jaws of the chuck 106 in a snug relationship. Thus, by rotating the rotary tool 104, in an automated manner, the trailer crank 102 is operable to enable raising and lowering a trailer when the rod 108 rotates the rotatable drive shaft 200.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
