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Collapsible utility trailerRelated Patent Categories: Land Vehicles, Wheeled, Running Gear, Specific Vehicle Frame, Trailer TypeCollapsible utility trailer description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070182150, Collapsible utility trailer. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/199,320, filed Aug. 8, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/409,674, filed Apr. 7, 2003, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,370, issued Nov. 8, 2005, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/370,453 filed Apr. 5, 2002, each hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the field of trailer technology, and more specifically, to light duty utility trailers of modular construction. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Conventional trailers typically include a substantially flat bed and a wheel assembly that is attached to the bed. Trailers are typically assembled by the manufacturer and shipped to dealers where the trailers are held in inventory by the dealers until sale to the end-use customer. [0004] Because the wheel assembly extends from the bed, it is not possible to densely stack the trailers during the distribution process. The inability to densely stack the trailers during distribution thereby increases the cost of the trailers. This factor becomes especially important when the trailers must be transported long distances during the distribution process. Reductions in shipping size of the trailer and the elimination of assembly will result in dealer cost reductions and savings to the customer. [0005] It is also common to stow or store a trailer when not in use, rather than leave it attached to a vehicle. Unfortunately, conventional trailers are bulky and difficult to store, typically taking up an equivalent amount of space as the towing vehicle. This factor especially raises problems for residential end users desiring a light duty trailer for home remodeling or landscaping use. Such a user has limited storage space, usually only a garage. The lack of available storage usually forces the consumer to rent a trailer as needed, which, over time, is less efficient and more expensive. [0006] There have been various trailer designs that attempt to meet the preceding needs. For example, Chepa, U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,092, describes a trailer having a modular configuration. Bed sections may be attached to or detached from the trailer depending on the intended use. [0007] Dodson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,134 and Davis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,142, each disclose a trailer with a bed formed from two sections that are pivotally attached to each other. Pivoting the bed sections toward each other creates a recess that is adapted to retain the other portions of the trailer such as the wheels and the handle. [0008] Harper, U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,073, and Burris, U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,258, both describe a trailer having a front bed section, a middle bed section and a rear bed section. The front and rear bed sections are pivotally attached to the middle bed section to reduce the size of the trailer for storage. [0009] Tetreault, U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,806, discloses a trailer with a two-part bed. The two sections of the bed pivot upwardly along the center of the trailer, which permits the wheels to move towards each other to reduce the size of the trailer for storage. [0010] Therefore, there is a need of the average consumer for a light duty trailer with lower production costs. Such a trailer would be shipped in manageable pieces and assembled by the end user after purchase, resulting in savings associated with assembly, shipping, and storage. Furthermore, there is a need for a trailer of modular design so that elements can be removed when not in use, or, be completely dismantled by the user if required. Finally, the trailer should be of a general design easily adaptable to various load requirements of the consumer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The collapsible utility trailer of the present invention substantially meets the aforementioned needs. The present invention comprises a modular design shipped from manufacturer to dealer in boxes sized for convenient handling. Moreover, shipping costs are reduced by sizing the boxes to maximize the number of unassembled trailers that fit within the weight and volume constraints of a standardized shipping container. These reductions result in lower overall costs to the end user. [0012] The present invention is a four-wheeled steerable trailer having a modular rectangular frame on which an elevated flatbed is disposed. The bed is defined by three separate modular steel mesh sections secured by threadable connectors. The bed is defined on all four sides by steel mesh side walls that are selectively removable or pivot to lie along the sides of the trailer. The four corners of the frame are further defined by a protruding axle to which each wheel is secured by a cotter pin. A tongue member coupled to the trailer tie rod assembly allows for pivoting of the front wheels. The tongue member is capable of coupling with a tractor or like vehicle. The trailer bed is elevated above the frame by metal posts to provide space for free tire rotation, space for the side walls to hang when lowered, and to minimize vehicle width. [0013] The modular design is formed by integrally formed frame and body sections connected by threaded fasteners and pins. The trailer is therefore easily assembled and maintained by the user without the need for special tools or sophisticated equipment. When not in use, many storage configurations are possible. In one scenario, for example, the wheels, tongue, and side walls are removed and stacked while the trailer frame and bed can set upright against a wall. Fully assembled, the trailer is used in a conventional manner wherein objects are placed on the bed with the user having the further option of lowering or removing side walls depending on the load. [0014] In one embodiment, the trailer frame can comprise a front axle, a rear axle, and at least one longitudinal frame element that extends between the front axle and the rear axle, wherein the front axle, the rear axle and the at least one longitudinal frame element each have a length and a width that are less than the length and the width of the bed sections, respectively, and wherein the trailer bed is attached to the trailer frame. The trailer can further comprise a handle that is operably attached to the front axle. In some embodiments, the trailer can comprise a pair of side wall panels operably attached to the trailer bed, a front wall panel operably attached to the trailer bed and a rear wall panel operably attached to the trailer bed. In these embodiments, the pair of side wall panels, the front wall panel, and the rear wall panel can be fabricated from at least one wall section, wherein the at least one wall section has a length and a width that are less than the length and the width of the bed section. [0015] In some embodiments, the length of the trailer bed can be increased by attaching an additional bed section, wherein the additional bed section has a length and a width that are approximately the same as the length and the width of the bed sections. [0016] In some embodiments, the bed sections, the rear axle assembly, the front axle assembly and a plurality of support brackets can be packaged in a container having a length and width that substantially corresponds with the length and width of the bed sections. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible utility trailer of the present invention being towed by a tractor. [0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the collapsible utility trailer. [0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower side of a bed for the collapsible utility trailer. Continue reading about Collapsible utility trailer... Full patent description for Collapsible utility trailer Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Collapsible utility trailer patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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