AU2012265622A1 - A recovery device for trailers - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A recovery device (10) for a trailer (100), the trailer (100) comprising a trailer stand (105), the recovery device (10) comprising a load spreading means (20) for supporting the trailer stand (105) and spreading the load of the trailer stand (105) onto the ground and a mounting means (40) for mounting the load spreading means (20) in position relative to the trailer stand (105).

Description

1 A RECOVERY DEVICE FOR TRAILERS Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a recovery device and in particular to a recovery device for trailers. [2] The invention has been developed primarily for use in recovering trailers and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. Background of the Invention [3] In recent times, off-road camper trailers have increased in popularity. Trailers are now adapted to be taken on unsealed roads and many people are taking such trailers to places previously considered impossible. This has however given rise to an increase in trailers becoming stuck in off-road situations. Recovery of a bogged vehicle and trailer is difficult, sometimes impossible and potentially dangerous. Disconnecting the trailer and then first recovering the vehicle and then recovering the trailer appears to be a far safer option. [4] The vehicle and trailer when stuck is typically in mud, soft sand or other rough terrain. In order to disconnect the vehicle, the jockey wheel has to be used often resulting in the jockey wheel sinking into the ground. During recovery of the trailer using a vehicle with recovery straps and/or a winch, the jockey wheel is often unable to keep the trailer tow point off the ground. The trailer tow point will often dig into the ground and the trailer will sway dangerously if there is no support provided. There is thus usually some damage to the trailer during the recovery process, often to the jockey wheel or the jockey wheel mount to the trailer. Such damage often renders the jockey wheel inoperable. [5] The present invention seeks to provide a recovery device, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [6] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

2 Summary of the Invention [7] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a recovery device for a trailer, the trailer comprising a trailer stand, the recovery device comprising: a load spreading means for supporting the trailer stand and spreading the load of the trailer stand onto the ground; and a mounting means for mounting the load spreading means in position relative to the trailer stand. [8] Advantageously, the recovery device substantially prevents the trailer stand from sinking in soft ground. [9] Preferably, the load spreading means comprises a lower surface for engaging the ground. [10] Preferably, the lower surface comprises an upwardly curved front portion. [11] Preferably, the lower surface comprises an upwardly curved rear portion. [12] Preferably, the lower surface comprises upwardly curved side portions. [13] Preferably, the lower surface is generally convex. [14] Advantageously, the shaped lower surface prevents the load spreading means from sinking as the trailer is dragged during recovery. [15] Preferably, the load spreading means comprises an upper surface for supporting the trailer stand. [16] Preferably, the upper surface comprises at least one formation for maintaining the position of the trailer stand thereto. [17] Preferably, the at least one formation defines a slot or recess within which the trailer stand is positioned in use. [18] Preferably, the trailer stand comprises a jockey wheel held by a bolt and a nut, wherein the at least one formation comprises two spaced formations each having an aperture shaped to receive a respective one of the nut and a head of the bolt. [19] Preferably, the at least one formation comprises a lock means for substantially locking the trailer stand thereto. [20] Advantageously, the trailer stand is held in position on the upper surface. [21] Preferably, the load spreading means comprises a plate. [22] Preferably, the plate is curved.

3 [23] Preferably, the recovery device further comprises at least one tow attachment point extending from the load spreading means and/or the mounting means. [24] Advantageously, attachment straps can be attached to such tow attachment points. [25] Preferably, the trailer comprises a drawbar to which the trailer stand is attached, wherein the mounting means comprises a connecting member for mounting to the drawbar. [26] Advantageously, the connecting member braces the load spreading means. [27] Preferably, the connecting member further comprises a coupling means for coupling to the drawbar. [28] Preferably, the connecting member comprises an upper portion to which the coupling means is attached and a lower portion to which the load spreading means is attached. [29] Preferably, the length of the connecting member is adjustable. [30] Advantageously, the device can be used with various trailers having different dimensions. [31] Preferably, the upper portion is detachably attachable to the lower portion. [32] Advantageously, storage of the device is easier. [33] Preferably, the trailer further comprises a trailer coupler attached to the drawbar and the coupling means is adapted to couple to the trailer coupler. [34] Advantageously, the connecting member can be easily coupled to the drawbar. [35] Preferably, the coupling means comprises a tow ball. [36] Preferably, the coupling means is mounted to a mount plate. [37] Preferably, the coupling means is removable from the mount plate. [38] Advantageously, the coupling means is replaceable with another type of coupling means as desired. [39] Alternatively, the connecting member comprises a swivel mount mounted to the drawbar. [40] Preferably, the recovery device further comprises at least one tow attachment point extending from the connecting member. [41] Preferably, the recovery device further comprises at least one tow attachment point extending from the lower portion of the connecting member. [42] Preferably, the recovery device further comprises at least one tow attachment point extending from the mount plate.

4 [43] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings [44] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [45] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a recovery device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [46] Fig. 2 is a side view of the recovery device of Figure 1; [47] Fig. 3 is a view of the recovery device of Figure 1 with the upper and lower portions shown detached from each other; [48] Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the recovery device of Figure 1 attached to a trailer; [49] Fig. 5 is a side perspective view of the recovery device of Figure 1 attached to a trailer; [50] Fig 6 shows a single load sharing recovery strap attached to the tow attachment points of the recovery device of Figure 1; and [51] Fig 7 shows a closer view of the top recovery strap portion attached to the top attachment point in Figure 6. Description of Embodiments [52] Figures 1 to 7 show a recovery device 10 for a trailer 100 (see Figures 4 to 6). The trailer 100 comprises a body 101 supported by wheels 102. The trailer 100 includes a drawbar 103 at a front portion thereof to which a trailer coupler 104 and a trailer stand being a jockey wheel 105 are attached. The trailer coupler 104 is adapted to attach to a tow ball (not shown) mounted to a towing vehicle (not shown). The jockey wheel 105 as is known includes an extending/retracting assembly 106 which allows the distance of the jockey wheel 105 from the drawbar 103 to be adjusted as required. The jockey wheel 105 can thus be used to support the front end of the trailer 100 when the vehicle is uncoupled from the trailer and for lifting the trailer coupler 104 over the vehicle tow ball (not shown) when attaching or detaching the trailer coupler from the tow ball. The jockey wheel 105 is retracted toward the assembly 106 (and thus lifted off the ground) when the trailer 100 is coupled to the vehicle.

5 [53] The present embodiment is described below with reference to a jockey wheel. However, it is apparent that the embodiment described can also be used with other trailer stands, such as jack stands and trailer posts. [54] The recovery device 10 comprises a load spreading means 20, a coupling means 30, a connector member 40 (mounting means) connecting the load spreading means 20 to the coupling means 30, a tow attachment point 50a attached adjacent the coupling means 30 and a tow attachment point 50b attached to the connector member 40. [55] The load spreading means 20 comprises a curved plate having an upper surface 21 and a lower surface 22. The jockey wheel 105 rests on the upper surface 21 in use and the lower surface 22 has a surface area larger than the jockey wheel 105 for spreading the load of the jockey wheel 105 onto the ground. This substantially prevents the jockey wheel 105 from sinking into the ground. [56] The plate 20 can be generally flat but in the embodiment is curved and the lower surface 22 includes an upwardly curved front portion 23 and an upwardly curved rear portion 24. In other embodiments, the lower surface can also include curved side portions or a generally concave surface. [57] The upper surface 21 includes first and second spaced formations 25a and 25b extending generally upwardly therefrom. The first and second spaced formations 25a and 25b are spaced from each other to define a slot 26 therebetween within which the jockey wheel 105 is positioned in use. Each of the first and second spaced formations 25a and 25b also includes a shaped aperture 27 adapted to receive a bolt head or a nut of the jockey wheel 105. Thus, the first and second spaced formations 25a and 25b assist in maintaining the position of the jockey wheel 105 to the plate 20. The plate 20 can also comprise a lock means for locking the jockey wheel 105 to the formations 25 such as a u-shaped bracket. [58] The connector member 40 is generally a round cross-section bar having an upper portion 41 and a lower portion 42 which are detachably attachable to each other. The coupling means 30 is attached to an upper end 43 of the upper portion 41 and the plate 20 is attached to a lower end 44 of the lower portion 42. An upper end 45 of the lower portion 42 is insertable into a lower end 46 of the upper portion 41 for connecting the lower portion 42 to the upper portion 41. The upper end 45 can be lockable to the lower end 46, for example, via having locking apertures therebetween through which a lock pin is insertable when aligned. Further, the length of the connecting member 40 can be adjustable, for example via a telescoping motion between the upper portion 41 and the lower portion 42, and having a number of spaced locking apertures therebetween.

6 [59] The connector 40 extends from the front portion 23 of the plate 20. The tow attachment point 50b extends from the lower portion 42. [60] The coupling member 30 is a tow ball detachably attached to a mount plate 54. The mount plate 54 includes a rear end 51 attached to the connector member 40, and a front end 52 which defines the tow attachment point 50a. The tow attachment points 50a and 50b provide apertures into which D-ring shackles 120 can be attached. The coupling member (tow ball 30) is adapted to couple to the trailer coupler 104. The tow ball 30 is removable from the mount plate 54 and replaceable with other coupling members as desired, depending on the specific trailer coupler 104 used. [61] Use of the present invention will now be described, with primary reference to Figures 4 to 7. [62] When a vehicle (not shown) with the trailer 100 is stuck, the device 10 is assembled by attaching the connector member portions 41 and 42 to each other. The jockey wheel 105 is lowered onto the slot 26 of the plate 20 with the bolt head and nut of the jockey wheel 105 received in the shaped apertures 27. The plate 20 thus prevents the jockey wheel 105 from sinking and the formations 25a and 25b maintain the position of the jockey wheel on the plate 20. [63] The vehicle can then be detached from the trailer 100 and the vehicle is recovered first separately. The coupling member 30 is coupled to the trailer coupler 104 and this further maintains the plate 20 in position relative to the jockey wheel. [64] A D-ring shackle 120 is then attached to either one or both of the tow attachment points 50a and 50b. Either a (single) recovery strap and/or a load sharing strap having strap portions 121 are attached to the shackles 120 to recover the trailer 100. The plate includes the curved front portion 23 which assists in moving the trailer forwardly and the curved rear portion 24 which assists in moving the trailer rearwardly if required. [65] The present embodiments thus provide a recovery device which improves the ease and safety of trailer recovery by having the following features: a. a solid base plate for the jockey wheel to prevent it from sinking into soft terrain; b. locking the jockey wheel onto the base plate and provide extra strength to prevent the jockey wheel arm assembly from being bent or destroyed; c. locking the connector member of the recovery device into the trailer coupler of the trailer, to further reinforce the jockey wheel arm assembly; and 7 d. secure and safe attachment points to enable the trailer to be towed or winched out. [66] The connecting member is extendable to adapt to the different draw bars and variations in mounting positions for jockey wheels. Other suitable adjustable means of adjusting the length of the connecting member can also be provided. The upper and lower portions of the connecting member are detachable from each other which allows the device to be packed compactly for transport and storage. [67] The recovery device minimises sinking of the jockey wheel and thus maintains the trailer in a more upright state during the recovery process. Thus, the recovery device provides a method of recovering trailers in a far safer manner over less conventional or adhoc towing and winching. [68] It is also apparent that the recovery device above can be used for trailers with other trailer stands, such as trailer posts (permanent length stands), or jack stands which are retractable stands having a base plate and not a wheel attached to their lower end. The recovery device upper surface for example can include a recess for locating the base plate therein. [69] Also, two or more of the recovery devices can be used in recovering a trailer. If the trailer stand is attached to the trailer itself and not a drawbar, the recovery device can be adapted for example to mount or attach to the trailer via a suitable brackets. [70] Other modifications can be made to the device 10. For example, tow attachment points can also extend from the plate. Also, the connecting member can alternatively be mounted or attached to the drawbar and the trailer coupler can be used as the towing attachment point. In this embodiment, the connecting member can include a different coupling member for mounting to the drawbar, such as a bracket. [71] In another embodiment, the formations on the plate top surface can be adjustable to receive different jockey wheels with a range of sizes. As mentioned above, the tow ball 30 can be replaced with any other coupling member as required. [72] In another alternative, the plate can have a flat top surface and where only the lower surface is curved, by having a curved lower surface front portion, a curved lower surface rear portion or a generally convex lower surface. [73] The present device can be used with any trailer, including 4WD camper trailers, caravans, boat trailers, and normal trailers. [74] The device can also be used in other situations apart from trailer recovery, such as when parking the trailer over soft ground including sand or mud.

8 [75] An industrial or heavy duty version of the recovery device can also be made for use with heavy truck/trailer haulage recovery. [76] In another possible modification, the connecting member 40 can be permanently mounted to the drawbar 103 via a swivel mount. This would mean the recovery device 10 can be stored on the drawbar 103 of the trailer 101 and swung away when not in use and swivelled to an in use position when required. Alternatively, the connector member 40 can have a bracket mounting for detachably mounting to the drawbar 103 when not required. Interpretation Embodiments: [77] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [78] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. [79] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

9 Different Instances of Objects [80] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Specific Details [81] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology [82] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Comprising and Including [83] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. [84] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention [85] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further 10 modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. [86] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Industrial Applicability It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the off-road and on-road trailer industries, as well as recreation industries including camping, boating and other recreational pursuits (quad/motor bikes and jetski trailers).

Claims (28)

1. A recovery device for a trailer, the trailer comprising a trailer stand, the recovery device comprising: a load spreading means for supporting the trailer stand and spreading the load of the trailer stand onto the ground; and a mounting means for mounting the load spreading means in position relative to the trailer stand.

2. The recovery device of claim 1 wherein the load spreading means comprises a lower surface for engaging the ground.

3. The recovery device of claim 2 wherein the lower surface comprises an upwardly curved front portion.

4. The recovery device of claim 2 wherein the lower surface comprises an upwardly curved rear portion.

5. The recovery device of claim 2 wherein the lower surface comprises upwardly curved side portions.

6. The recovery device of claim 2 wherein the lower surface is generally convex.

7. The recovery device of claim 1 wherein the load spreading means comprises an upper surface for supporting the trailer stand.

8. The recovery device of claim 7 wherein the upper surface comprises at least one formation for maintaining the position of the trailer stand thereto.

9. The recovery device of claim 8 wherein the at least one formation defines a slot or recess within which the trailer stand is positioned in use.

10. The recovery device of claim 8 wherein the trailer stand comprises a jockey wheel held by a bolt and a nut, wherein the at least one formation comprises two spaced formations each having an aperture shaped to receive a respective one of the nut and a head of the bolt. 12

11. The recovery device of claim 8 wherein the at least one formation comprises a lock means for substantially locking the trailer stand thereto.

12. The recovery device of claim 1 wherein the load spreading means comprises a plate.

13. The recovery device of claim 12 wherein the plate is curved.

14. The recovery device of claim 1 further comprising at least one tow attachment point extending from the load spreading means and/or the mounting means.

15. The recovery device of claim 1 wherein the trailer comprises a drawbar to which the trailer stand is attached, wherein the mounting means comprises a connecting member for mounting to the drawbar.

16. The recovery device of claim 15 wherein the connecting member further comprises a coupling means for coupling to the drawbar.

17. The recovery device of claim 15 wherein the connecting member comprises an upper portion to which the coupling means is attached and a lower portion to which the load spreading means is attached.

18. The recovery device of claim 15 wherein the length of the connecting member is adjustable.

19. The recovery device of claim 17 wherein the upper portion is detachably attachable to the lower portion.

20. The recovery device of claim 16 wherein the trailer further comprises a trailer coupler attached to the drawbar and the coupling means is adapted to couple to the trailer coupler.

21. The recovery device of claim 20 wherein the coupling means comprises a tow ball.

22. The recovery device of claim 16 wherein the coupling means is mounted to a mount plate.

23. The recovery device of claim 22 wherein the coupling means is removable from the mount plate. 13

24. The recovery device of claim 15 further comprising at least one tow attachment point extending from the connecting member.

25. The recovery device of claim 17 further comprising at least one tow attachment point extending from the lower portion of the connecting member.

26. The recovery device of claim 22 further comprising at least one tow attachment point extending from the mount plate.

27. The recovery device of claim 15 wherein the connecting member comprises a swivel mount mounted to the drawbar.

28. A recovery device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.