COLLAPSIBLE CARGO TRAILER AND METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION
A cargo trailer having a frame assembly with pivotally mounted wall structures or frames. The frame assembly can be collapsed into a compact shipping configuration wherein the wall structures are positioned substantially parallel with the floor structure of the trailer. Various parts of the cargo trailer can also be stowed in the collapsed frame assembly for shipment of the frame assembly and stored parts. After shipment of the cargo trailer, the wall structures are pivoted into their upright positions and the final assembly of the cargo trailer is completed. Exterior panels may be shipped together in a compact stack with the frame to the final assembly location where the panels are attached to the cargo trailer.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/990,931, filed Nov. 17, 2004, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/544,631, filed Feb. 13, 2004, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cargo trailers and, more particularly, to a cargo trailer having a structure which is adapted for efficient shipping of the trailer.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of cargo trailers are known in the art. Commercially available cargo trailers include cargo trailers having one or two axles which support a generally rectilinear enclosure with a tongue extending from one end. A hitch is located on the end of the tongue and is engageable with a ball located on a tow vehicle such as a pick-up truck or automobile. The cargo trailer also typically includes at least one door that controls access to the interior of the cargo trailer. The potential uses of such cargo trailers are innumerable and such trailers are often used by small businesses. For example, construction contractors and landscapers often use such cargo trailer to transport equipment and materials between job sites.
Although known cargo trailers are effective for their intended purposes, the process used to manufacture and distribute such trailers is not without inefficiencies. For example, after completing the manufacture of the trailer, the trailer must be transported from the manufacturing location to a dealer location where the trailer is sold to the end user. The transporting of the assembled trailers to the dealer location must be accomplished by either towing individual trailers or otherwise transporting a small number of trailers.
The transport of the completed trailers between the manufacturing location and the dealer location is a source of significant expense in the ultimate cost of the trailer and a reduction in this expense is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a cargo trailer that has a frame which can be collapsed so that several frames can be stacked for shipment from the location of manufacture to the location of sale. The assembly of the cargo trailer is easily completed at the shipping destination point. By shipping the cargo trailers in a partially assembled and collapsed condition, the cargo trailers can be more efficiently shipped and shipping costs reduced.
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a cargo trailer that includes a frame assembly having a substantially planar floor structure with a substantially rectangular configuration defining two lateral edges and two longitudinal side edges. The frame assembly also includes an end frame pivotally secured to the floor structure proximate one of the lateral edges and first and second side frames. Each of the side frames are pivotally secured to the floor structure proximate a respective one of the longitudinal side edges. The frame assembly has a shipping configuration and an assembled configuration wherein, when the frame assembly is in the shipping configuration, the end frame, the first side frame and the second side frame are all disposed proximate and substantially parallel to the floor structure. When the frame assembly is in its assembled configuration, the end frame, the first side frame and the second side frame are all disposed substantially perpendicular to the floor structure and define an enclosed cargo space above the floor structure. The cargo trailer further includes an axle assembly attachable to the frame assembly when the frame assembly is in the assembled configuration, a hitch structure attachable to the frame assembly when the frame assembly is in the assembled configuration, and a plurality of panel members which are attachable to the end frame, the first side frame and the second side frame.
The invention comprises, in another form thereof, a cargo trailer kit. The cargo trailer kit includes a frame assembly having a substantially planar floor structure with a substantially rectangular configuration defining two lateral edges and two longitudinal side edges and a plurality of wall structures pivotally secured to the floor structure proximate a respective one of the edges. The frame assembly has a shipping configuration and an assembled configuration. When the frame assembly is in the shipping configuration, the plurality of wall structures are all disposed proximate and substantially parallel to the floor structure. The frame assembly defines two opposed and cooperating stacking surfaces when in the shipping configuration whereby the frame assembly is stackable upon on a similar frame assembly. When the frame assembly is in the assembled configuration, the plurality of wall structures are all disposed substantially perpendicular to said floor structure to define an enclosed cargo space above the floor structure. The cargo trailer kit further includes an axle assembly and a hitch structure both of which are attachable to the frame assembly when the frame assembly is in the assembled configuration.
The invention comprises, in yet another form thereof, a method of distributing a cargo trailer. The method includes pivotally attaching a plurality of frames to a floor structure to thereby provide a frame assembly, placing the frame assembly in a shipping configuration at a first location wherein the plurality of frames are disposed proximate and substantially parallel to the floor structure, shipping the frame assembly from the first location to a second location with the frame assembly in the shipping configuration and completing assembly of the cargo trailer at the second location including pivoting the plurality of frames into an upright position substantially perpendicular to the floor structure and securing the frames in the upright position.
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a cargo trailer that can be collapsed into a stackable and space-saving configuration for shipment from a manufacturing location to an assembly location positioned near the ultimate distribution point of the trailer. This reduces the space required for each trailer and allows the trailers to be stacked and shipped together and, thus, can provide a significant reduction in shipping costs. Once at the second location, e.g., a cargo trailer dealership, the final assembly of the cargo trailer can be easily accomplished.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the exemplification set out herein illustrates the invention in one form, the embodiment disclosed below is not intended to be exhaustive or to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise form disclosed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A cargo trailer 20 in accordance with the present invention is shown in
Frame assembly 22 is best seen in
Floor structure 24 has a frame defined by structural steel members 35. Axle brackets 36 and hitch reinforcement members 37 are secured to structural members 35. Plywood sheeting (not shown) is laid on top of frame members 35 to define the flat floor surface for the assembled cargo trailer 20. As seen in
The pivot axes of frames 26, 28, 30 are vertically separated by a distance that is at least as great as the thickness of the frames to allow each of the frames to lie parallel to the floor structure 24 in the shipping configuration shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, structural members 32 are larger than members 33 and each of the frames 26, 28, 30 is formed with perimeter members 32 having a common size. The vertical distance separating the pivot axes defined by hinges 34 of each of the frames 26, 28, 30 is substantially equivalent to this thickness of perimeter members 32 to allow frames 26, 28, 30 to lie on top of each other in the shipping configuration.
While
After the stowed items and frame assembly 22 have been secured in the shipping configuration (
Brackets 43 on axle assembly 42 are then secured to brackets 36 using bolts to secure axle assembly 42 to frame assembly 22. Axle assembly 42 utilizes a torsion bar suspension as is well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Wheels 50 are then attached to axle assembly 42. In the illustrated embodiment, wheels 50 are shipped in a deflated condition to allow them to more easily fit within frame assembly 22 in its shipping configuration.
Tongue or hitch structure 46 is then secured to frame assembly 22 by welding or other suitable method. Members 37 reinforce frame assembly 22 at the location where hitch structure 46 is secured. Hitch structure 46 includes a conventional hitch 47 that mates with a ball located on a tow vehicle and a conventional manually operated stand 45 that supports cargo trailer in a level position when cargo trailer is not hitched to a vehicle.
Separate panels 52 are attached to each of end frame 26 and side frames 28, 30.
Additionally, aluminum corner molding 60 is attached at the joints between panels 52, 58, 64. The vertically extending moldings 60 extend below the lower end of panels 52 and also cover the corners of aluminum skirting 62 mounted to floor structure 24 below panels 52. Fender wells 61 are attached to panels 52 and floor structure 24 over wheels 50 as shown in the fully assembled cargo trailer 20 depicted in
The ability to collapse frame assembly 22 into a compact shipping configuration allows several of the frame assemblies 22 to be stacked together when they are in their shipping configuration. A stack of panels 68 that contains each of the panels 52, 58, 64 necessary to complete the assembly of a cargo trailer 20 can also be secured together in a stack 68 for shipment. This allows for the efficient shipping of a kit of parts from a manufacturing and/or preliminary assembly location to a second location where the final assembly of cargo trailer 20 takes place. If desirable, the stack of panels 68 could be shipped to the final assembly location from a location that is different than the location from which frame assembly 22 is shipped.
Moreover, the compact nature of the frame assemblies 22 in their shipping configuration and of panel stacks 68 allows such frame assemblies 22 to be stacked together and for panel stacks 68 to be stacked together in a single truck trailer or shipping container. To facilitate the stacking of panel stacks 68 and frame assemblies 22 it may be necessary to wrap such assemblies in various packaging materials to protect the cargo trailer parts during shipment. It may also be necessary to use spacing objects to provide frame assemblies 22 with opposed and cooperating stacking surfaces 70 that provide for the level stacking of the frame assemblies 22. In the schematic illustration of
To take full advantage of the shipping efficiencies afforded by the present invention it will generally be desirable for the final assembly of the cargo trailers 20 to take place near the point of sale or final delivery of the cargo trailer. Thus, a single tractor-trailer could haul several cargo trailers 20 in their shipping configuration from a manufacturing site to a dealership or other retail sales location where the final assembly of the cargo trailers takes place thereby significantly reducing the cost of shipping.
While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles.
Claims
1. A method of distributing a cargo trailer, said method comprising:
- pivotally attaching a plurality of frames to a floor structure to thereby provide a frame assembly;
- placing the frame assembly in a shipping configuration at a first location wherein the plurality of frames are disposed proximate and substantially parallel to the floor structure;
- shipping the frame assembly from the first location to a second location with the frame assembly in the shipping configuration; and
- completing assembly of the cargo trailer at the second location including pivoting the plurality of frames into an upright position substantially perpendicular to the floor structure and securing the frames in the upright position.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of completing assembly of the cargo trailer at the second location includes attaching an axle assembly to the frame assembly.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein, during said step of shipping the frame assembly, the axle assembly is stowed within the frame assembly while the frame assembly is in the shipping configuration.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein a hitch structure is stowed within the frame assembly during the step of shipping the frame assembly in the shipping configuration and said step of completing assembly of the cargo trailer at the second location includes attaching the hitch structure to the frame assembly.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of completing assembly of the cargo trailer at the second location includes attaching a plurality of panels to the plurality of frames to thereby define an exterior surface of the cargo trailer.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising securing the plurality of panels together in a stack and shipping the stacked panels to the second location.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of frame assemblies are shipped from the first location to the second location and assembly is completed for a corresponding plurality of cargo trailers at the second location; and wherein said step of shipping the frame assembly from the first location to the second location includes stacking the plurality of frame assemblies, one upon the other, while the frame assemblies are in the shipping configuration.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
- shipping a plurality of panels to the second location; and
- attaching the plurality of panels to the plurality of frame assemblies to thereby complete the assembly of a plurality of cargo trailers at the second location.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 11, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 12, 2007
Inventors: Kevin Owens (Elkhart, IN), Scott Chapman (Bristol, IN), Ronald Williams (Granger, IN), Perry Stow (South Bend, IN)
Application Number: 11/609,204
International Classification: B62B 15/00 (20060101);