AU2003204843A1 - Mongo single wheel trailer - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT SINGLE WHEEL TRAILER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 SINGLE WHEEL TRAILER This invention relates to the improved handling and safety characteristics for carrying cargo behind motorcycles but not limited to just the motorcycle.

For many motorcyclists the thought of towing a trailer is daunting and distressing. The choice of trailers on the market is limited to a design that was intended for four wheeled vehicles and never two wheeled vehicles. The two wheeled motor car trailer has been cut down, modified and adapted to loosely suit the motorcycle, the main design problem is that a modified car trailer does not and cannot have the advanced handling characteristics that are required to lean into a comer as a motorcycle must do to negotiate a comer correctly and therefore limiting the safety and control of the rider and machine.

The towing of a two-wheeled trailer behind a motorcycle brings on an abundance of problems. Two wheeled trailers are wider than most motorcycles causing judgment problems when negotiating traffic and parking. The tow ball mounted on the motorcycles drawbar fouls and sometimes locks on the two wheeled trailer coupling itself when negotiating comers causing the loss of control of the machine, swivel couplings for two wheeled trailers eliminate this problem but create new ones.

Swivel couplings can allow the two-wheeled trailer to flip on its lid when negotiating tight corners or even when one wheel hits an obstruction such as a gutters edge. When travelling on the highway in a straight line the two wheeled trailer most often weaves from side to side this weave increasing dramatically to the point of dangerous as the motorcycle increases road speed. When negotiating winding mountain roads the two wheeled trailer will bounce from tyre to tyre as it fights and struggles to go around the comer reducing the safety and handling once again. Due to the low centre of gravity required by a two wheeled motorcycle trailer you are limited to 8" or 10" rims, this creates another problem on Australian roads "potholes". These small sized rims donl climb over the pothole but rather fall into the pothole; this usually causes the trailer to bounce violently.

These problems are overcome by the present invention, which provides a single wheeled cargo trailer. This trailer comprises a frame attached to a single 17" or greater rear wheel via a two sided swing arm design. Adjustable suspension mounted vertically behind the frame attached to the rear swing arm with adjustable suspension arms. A specifically designed trailer coupling to allow movement in the vertical and horizontal plains only for improved handling geometry and a quick release self-aligning hitch. The cargo compartment with an aerodynamic design to reduce wind resistance and improve handling mounted to the sub frame.

To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which will show an example of the invention; In the drawings: FIG.1-la Chassis Data Sheet shows one example of the single wheel trailer according to the invention.

FIG.2 Body Data Sheet shows one example of the single wheel trailer according to the invention.

2 Please refer to the FK3.lMla Chassis Data sheet.

1. Quick release coupling- This coupling is designed to slide into and lock onto the motorcycle draw bar (figure 1 -1 an extra safety feature on this coupling is a lock pin mounted above the coupling to stop accidental disengaging. This coupling is welded to the directional coupling figure 1-2) 2. The directional coupling.

This coupling (figure 1-2 ),joinsthe Quickseiease coupling (figure 1-1 to the trailer chassis (figure 1-3 and, limits the movement o.ft the chiassis to a horizontal and vertical plain only when the motorbike is on a straight road. This coupling (figure 1-2 also allows the chassis to lean with the motorcycle on left and ight road bends, thus complimenting the motorcycle handling characteuistics.

3. The chassis.

The chassis figure 1-1 having first and second end portions the first end portion having the Quick release coupling (figure 1-1 and the directional coupling (figure 1-2 is constructed of 43mm mild steel tube. The second end portion having the shock absorber figure 1-5 and cantilever linkage and mounting (figure and the body mounts (figure 1a) -11)2 4. The rear swing arm.

Is constructed of 50 x 25 mm box tube (figure 1-4 this attaches to the trailer by bolting onto the swing arm housing mounted on the chassis figure la-lu) The lower part of the swing arm (figure 1-4 attaches to the rear suspension figure 1-5) The swing arm is designed to accept multiple sized rims from 16', 17", 18" and up (figure 1-8) &Shock absodier/ Cantiver Linkage The shock absorber is mounted on a vertical plane figure 1-5 this shock absorber is a seven way adjustable mono tube gas charged unit. A mono tube gas shock absorber was selected because of it's excellent dampening performance and is also one of the few styles of shook absorber that wAil work correctly on any plane. The shock absorber is mounted to the chassis figure 1-1 at the top and mounted to a cantilever linkage figure 1-5 )at the bottom.

Rear suspension linkage Mie height and firmness adjustment The rear suspension linkage (figure 146) is equipped with three height adjustments. This will lower and raise the rear ride height of the chassis figure 1-1 )as well as soften (at the lowest set of adjustment holes) or firm up (at the highest set of adjustment holes) the rear suspension (figure 1-4).

Rear wheel The rear swing arm figure 1-4 )has been constructed to accept both wire anid mag type motorcycle rims figure 1-8 The size of the rims figure 1-8 )will vary depending on the motorcycle towing the trailer, therefore the rear swing arm (figure 1-4) has been designed to accommodate rims( figure 1-8 of 16" 17' 18" and up in diameter. The maximum allowable 'width ofthe rim (figure 1-8)Ns 4"IoMm=.mTis auowsfora large variety of rear rims (figure1-.

8 )tobe fitted to the chassis (figure 1-1 )so the cassiscan be tuned into suit alage varlty of motorcycles.

&.Reartyr.

The rear tyre figure 1-7 is a conventional design of motorcycle lyre cross-ply or radial. Car tyres are not suitable.

9. Rear wheel "xel bolt The rear axe] bolt figure 1 -9 must match the rim figure 148) supplied.

10. Swing arm housing and Swing arm boilt The swing arm bolt (figure 1-9) is high tensile 12 mm diameter.

11. Body mounts.

There are four body mounts (figure 1-11 that secure the body figure 2-1 to the frame- These mounts (figure 1-11) are situated one at the front, two in the centre and one in the rear.

S* 13. Front coupling boot This rubber concertina boot (figure la-13) protects the front coupling from the elements.

Please refer to the Body data sheet.

l. Body.

Body (figure 2-1 is of a reinforced multi layer fibreglass construction 2.Ud.

Lid figure 2-2 is of a reinforced multi layer fibreglass construction, hinged for forward opening, Inner lid holds housing for the trailer-manoeuvring handle( figure 2-6).

3. Indicator housing.

Indicator housing (figure 2-3 is of a reinforced multi layer fibreglass construction. This is attached to the body (figure 2-1 with metal fasteners 4. Indicator.

Amber indicator( figure 2-4 is a press and lock fit into the indicator housing(figure 2-3) 5. Stop &tail lights.

Red stop taillight( figure 2-5) is bolted to the rear of the body( figure 2-1) 6. Manoeuvring handle.

Manoeuvring handle (figure 2-6 is constructed of tubular steel, complete with 2 handgrips and fits into trailer chassis( figure 1-1 for manoeuvring the chassis when it has been removed from the motorcycle.

Claims (4)

1. A trailer apparatus comprising: a) an mandrel bend chassis having first and second end portions, the first end portion having a de- tachable hitch attachment for attaching the chassis to the rear end of a motorcycle and or motor b) a single wheel cantied by the arm assembly wherein the wheel has an axle that is positioned be- hind the pivot during use; d) a shock absorber that extends betwsojrthe top of theqfann2'4rserM 2i a 'WemIN e) the shock absorber being VUiftldE the rear end $'ottn of the shock -absorber being -lower than the front end portion of the shock absorber.

2. The motorcycle trailer apparatus of claim 1 wherein the chassis includes one horizontal member and the wheel is positioned behind the horizontal member.

3. The motorcycle trailer apparatus of claims 2 wherein the shock absorber is positioned in between the mear arms and behind the horizontal member.

154. The motorcycle trailer apparatus of claim 2 wherein the arm comprises two rearward extending member that straddle the wheel and extend behind the chassis. The motorcycle trailer apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a pivot comprising of two sealed bearings mounted in a housing to the horizontal member to define said pivotal connection between the arm rearward extending members and the frame. 6. The motorcycle trailer apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shock absorber is an adjustable mono tube gas shock absorber. 7. The motorcycle trailer apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pivoting rear shaft positioned at the rear end portion of the chassis, said arms being attached to said rear shaft. 8. A motorcycle trailer apparatus comprising: a) a mandrel bend chassis having first and second end portions, the first end portion having a de- tachable hitch attachment for attaching the chassis to the rear end of a motorcycle; b) a single wheel carried by the arm assembly; c) a shock absorber that extends between the chassis and the arm assembly, and d) the shock absorber being vertical, the rear end portion of the shock being lower than the front end portion of the shock absorber 9. A motorcycle trailer apparatus comprising: a) a mandrel bend chassis having first and second end portions, the first end portion having a de- tachable hitch attachment for attaching the frame to the rear end of a motorcycle; b) an swing arm assembly pivotally attached to the chassis at the second end portion of the frame; c) a single wheel carried by the swing arm assembly; d) a shock absorber that extends between the chassis and the arm assembly, and e) the shock absorber being vertical, the rear end portion of the shock absorber being lower than the front end portion of the sliock absorber A motorcycle trailer apparatus comprising: a) a mandrel bend chassis having first and second end porions, the first end portion having a de- tachable hitch attachment for attaching the frame to the rear end of a motorcycle; b) a swing arm that extends away from the rear of the chassis; c) a pivot on the frame pivotally support the swing arm; d) the swing arm supporting a single wheel; e) a shock absorber that extends between the frame and the swing arm, the swing arm including an inclined portion that exends to the middle of the chassis and in front of the pivot during use;