Trailer Gear for Small Craft

This invention relates to a trailer gear for water-craft for towing such a craft on the ground. The invention further contemplates a cover assembly for the cockpit of a water-craft which can be used as a shelter over the cockpit to protect the craft occupants against bad weather and which can also be converted into a tent for camping.

Known trailers for towing a water-craft by a motor vehicle and consisting of a unitary frame including means to receive the hull on top of the frame stabilizing the same, together with wheels on each side of the frame and a towing bar at the front of the frame, have important drawbacks: they are of great weight, with the result that they are difficult to handle; they are quite expensive; and they take a large storage room.

It is known to provide a rigid removable cover for the open cockpit of a pressure craft. However, such a cockpit cover must be left on shore when using the water-craft and has no other use than to protect the inside of the craft hull when the latter is left unused.

It is therefore the main object of the invention to provide a trailer gear for a water-craft, which is made of light-weight detachable parts, using the craft hull itself as a frame for rigidly interconnecting the ground-engaging wheels and the towing bar.

It is another object of the invention to provide a trailer gear of the character described, the separate parts of which can have small individual dimensions to be easily stored within the boat hull itself when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a craft cockpit rigid cover which can be converted for the use either as a shelter for the cockpit when the boat is travelling on water, or as a tent for camping while on the ground.

Other objects of the invention will appear by referring to a detailed description of the invention.

There is disclosed a trailer gear for a water-craft, preferably of small size, such as a pleasure craft. The trailer gear comprises a separate tow bar and two separate wheel assemblies. The tow bar has one end adapted to be rigidly and detachably secured to the bow of the hull of the craft and has means as its opposite end for hitching the same to the back of a towing vehicle. Each of the wheel assemblies includes a rigid frame; means to detachably secure each frame to a respective side wall of the craft on the outside of the latter, each frame having a lower lateral flange adapted to overlap the bottom of the hull, a ground-engaging wheel and a spring suspension connecting the ground-engaging wheel to the same. Preferably, each frame is of triangular shape, with the flange disposed along the base edge of the frame and carrying a pair of upstanding locating pins adapted to engage blind bores made in the bottom of the craft hull. Preferably also, a separate reinforcing rod, of a length adapted to extend transversely within the hull between the side walls of the same and contacting the inside of said side walls, has its ends adapted to engage fastening bolts carried by the frame and which extend through holes made in the boat hull.

This reinforcing rod prevents lateral tilting of the frames and hull side walls. Preferably, the spring suspensions are detachably connected to the frame for repair or replacement. The invention is also directed to a cockpit cover assembly which includes means to use the cockpit cover as a shelter when travelling on water, raised above the cockpit opening, and also to use this cockpit cover as a camping tent while on the ground.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water-craft provided with the trailer gear of the invention in operative position and also with a cockpit cover in closing position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of FIG. 1 but with the cockpit cover in raised position above the cockpit opening, to be used as a shelter when the boat travels on water, the trailer gear then being removed.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the craft partially in cross-section, this cross-section being taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1, but with one wheel assembly being removed;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the underside of the cockpit cover according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the cockpit cover assembly, taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 but with the tent-supporting stays in operative position, together with one of the bed panels, the other bed panel being shown in intermediate folded position;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevation of one of the trailer wheel assemblies looking at the inside face thereof;

FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal section of the bow of the craft, taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 3, FIG. 8 also showing the tow bar about to be inserted within the bow;

FIG. 9 is a section of one of the frame assemblies taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 6 and also showing the hull of the water-craft;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section along line 10--10 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-section, partially in elevation, taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 7 but with the wheel and its bearing not shown.

In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1, 2, 3 show a conventional type of pleasure craft, the hull 1 of which is being generally made of molded, synthetic resin reinforced with glass fibers. The hull 1 includes a bow 2, a stern 3, a bottom 4, longitudinal side walls 5, a top deck 6 and a rear cockpit 7 having a generally rectangular opening 8, which is closed by a rigid cockpit cover 9 when the boat is not in use.

The trailer gear of the invention includes three separate assemblies adpated to be removably secured to the hull 1. These three assemblies include a tow bar 10 and two separate wheel assemblies 11. The tow bar 10, shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, consists of a straight bar having a transverse bore 12 at its inner end and a coupling socket assembly 13, of conventional construction, adapted to be fitted over a conventional hitching ball, not shown, and carried at the rear end of a towing vehicle. The ball and socket hitch is of conventional construction and need not be described.

The inner end portion of the tow bar 10 is adapted to be removably and detachably attached directly to the bow 2 of the hull 1, in such a manner that the towing bar will extend along the center line of the hull 1. The preferred manner of attaching the tow bar to the bow of the hull is shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. The bow 2 of the hull is preferably modified to include an integral tubular socket 14 closed at its inner end 15, longitudinally extending along the center line of the hull 1 and opening at the bow exteriorly of the hull. The tubular socket 14 is preferably of rectangular cross-section and the inner portion of the tow bar has a similar cross-section adapted to have a sliding fit with the tubular socket. With the tow bar inserted within the tubular socket 14 against the closed end 15, the transverse bore 12 is opposite a fastening bolt 16 threaded through the tubular socket 14 and adapted to engage the through bore and retain the tow bar in position. Preferably, the tubular socket 14 is reinforced by a bracket 14' fixed to the inside of the boat hull. Access to the fastening bolt 16 is readily obtained from the inside of the hull underneath the top deck 6. The tow bar can be easily removed and stored within the boat when the latter is travelling on water. For this purpose, there is provided a tight seal around the bolt 16 to prevent water within the tubular socket 14 from entering the hull 1.

Each wheel assembly 11 is adapted to be detachably secured to a respective side wall 5 of the hull 1 on the exterior of the hull and intermediate the bow 2 and stern 3. Each wheel assembly 11 is of similar shape, being a mirror image of each other. Each wheel assembly 11 comprises a triangular open frame 17, made of rigid and light weight material, such as suitable aluminum alloy. Each frame may be cast as a one-piece unit. Each frame includes at its base edge an inwardly-directed flange 18 adapted to underlap the marginal portion of the bottom 4 of the hull 1 and fit said bottom. This flange 18 is provided with a pair of longitudinally-spaced and upstanding integral locating pins 19 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) adapted to be inserted within a pair of corresponding locating blind holes 20 made in the bottom 4 of the hull 1 adjacent the side walls 5, said blind bores extending also through a reinforcing right angle member 21 embedded within the synthetic resin of the hull 1 at the lower corner edges of the boat. Said reinforcing angle irons 21 are not essential. The apex 22 of the triangular frame 17, opposite the base flange 18, carries a fastening means and, preferably, a bolt 23 extending through a hole of this apex 22 and having an inner threaded end and an outer end formed with an actuating knob 24. The bolt 23 and locating pins 19 form the means for detachably fastening the frames 17 to the boat hull.

A rigid reinforcing rod 25, preferably tubular but provided with threaded plugs at both ends, as shown at 26 in FIG. 9, has a length equal to the distance between the side walls of the boat hull, so as to extend within the hull transversely of the same with its two end plugs 26 adapted to contact the inside face of the side walls 5 opposite the bolts 23, so that the latter, when screwed in position, will extend through holes 27 made in both side walls 5 opposite the reinforcing rod 25 near the top edge of the side wall. With the bolts 23 firmly screwed within the plugs 26 of the reinforcing rod 25, it will be appreciated that the two frames 17 form a very rigid structure by being interconnected by the reinforcing rod 25, with each hull side wall 5 sandwiched between the frame 17 and the reinforcing rod 25 and with the frames being rigidly fastened on the hull by the locating pins 19 at the bottom edge of the frames. Thus, lateral tilting of the two frame assemblies with respect to the hull and possible breakage of the hull side walls, is completely prevented, even when the craft is towed on rough ground.

Means, not shown, are preferably provided to rotatably retain the bolt 23 on the frame 17.

Each frame 17 has an integral extension 28 protruding downwardly from the base flange 18 and extending along part of the length thereof. Extension 18 is adapted to carry one end of a pair of leaf springs 29, the outer end of said leaf springs carrying a ground-engaging wheel, generally indicated at 30.

An integral cylindrical stud 31 is formed at the outside face of extension 28 and the inner ends of leaf springs 29 are curved around said stud 31, being removable therefrom. These curved ends 32 of the leaf springs 29 are retained in place by a retaining plate 33 overlapping the said curved ends 32 and removably retained on the stud 31 by a bolt 34 screwed within the stud 31 (see FIG. 9).

A pair of integral leaf spring locating studs 35 also extend from the outside face of the extension 28, rearwardly of stud 31, with a vertical spacing therebetween, equivalent to the total thickness of the two leaf springs 29, which are removably inserted between the studs 35 and retained therebetween by a retainer plate 36 impinging the gap between the two studs and fixed to the outside face of said studs by bolts 37. The retainer studs 35 engage a portion of the leaf spring spaced from their curved end 32 to rigidly secure said portion to the frame and cause flexing of the external portion of the springs under load.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the leaf springs can be readily detached from the associated frame 17 for repair or part replacement.

Each wheel 30 is of normal construction and has a hub provided with tapered roller bearings, not shown, adapted to be mounted on a spindle 38 and retained thereon by the usual fastening nuts 39 (FIG. 11). The spindle 38 is of tapered shape but has an inner end portion of generally rectangular cross-section, as shown at 40, around which are wrapped the outer end portions of the leaf springs 29, as shown at 41, said outer end portions being rigidly retained on the square inner end 40 of the spindle 38 by means of bolt-and-nut assembly 42.

The trailer gear can be easily fitted to and removed from the hull 1 while the craft is in water. The trailer gear assembly can be easily stored within the hull when not in use, if so desired.

When fitted on the boat for use over ground, the leaf springs extend alongside hull 1 rearwardly from frame 17 towards the stern 3. The leaf spring mounting forms a good suspension for the wheels 30. It will be noted that the hull 1 serves as a framework for the tow bar 10 and the two wheel assemblies 11. Obviously, the trailer gear of the invention can be fitted to any type of pleasure craft, including completely-open boats.

Another feature of the present invention consists in providing a cockpit cover which can be used as a shelter while the boat is travelling on water, and has part of a tent assembly for camping. The cockpit cover 9, as shown, is of rigid construction, preferably made of fiberglass reinforced synthetic resin. It has a generally rectangular shape with a main wall 43 and a depending skirt 44 formed by end walls 45 and longitudinal walls 46 meeting at the four corners of the rectangular shape cover. The cockpit cover 9 is preferably provided with lateral handles 47 for carrying the same and with latches 48 to secure the cover in operative position over the cockpit opening 8 of the boat, as shown in FIG. 1. In this position, the boat not being used, the inside of the hull is protected against bad weather and against theft of contents therein. Locking means are preferably provided to lock the cover in closed position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cockpit cover 9 can be supported in raised position over the cockpit opening when the boat is travelling on water, the trailer gear being obviously removed. In this position, the cockpit cover serves as a shelter for the craft occupants.

For this purpose, four tubular legs 49 are pivoted at their inner ends at 50 (see FIG. 4) to a reinforcing corner web 51 formed at each of the four corners of the cockpit cover 9 inside the latter, said webs being parallel to and spaced from the main wall 43 of the cover 9, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The legs 49 are normally folded within the cover in overlapping pairs, as shown in FIG. 4, and they can be unfolded to take an upright position at right angles to the main wall 43 with each of their outer ends removably engaging a socket 52 formed integral with the bottom wall 4 of the hull 1 inside thereof (see FIG. 9), each socket 52 being in vertical register with a respective corner 53 of the cockpit opening 8, so that this corner 53 engages an intermediate portion of the cover leg 49. In this manner, the cockpit cover 9 is firmly maintained in raised position over the cockpit opening by the four legs 49, even in rough water.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the cockpit cover 9 carries means to form camper-type tent. For this purpose, a pair of bed panels 54 are provided. Each bed panel is of generally rectangular shape, with an L-shape cross-section defining a narrower leg 55 and a wider main leg 56, the free edge of the narrower leg 55 being pivoted inside the longitudinal walls 46 of the cover 9 by means, such as piano-hinge 57. The two bed panels 54 are thus pivoted to the opposite longitudinal walls 46 of the cover 9 to take a folded position, as shown in FIG. 3, wherein each bed panel overlaps each other within the cockpit cover, and an operative extended position, as shown in the left-hand side of FIG. 5, wherein the main leg 56 extends outwardly from the cover.

With the cover in inverted position and resting on the ground, the bed panel 54 is supported by a ground-engaging jack 58, or any other means, and is ready to receive a bed mattress 59, or any other type of bedding. A framework is provided to support a tent fabric, indicated at 60. This framework is collapsible and can be stored within the cockpit cover 9. This framework also includes the four above-noted legs 49 for holding the cover in the cockpit opening sheltering position shown in FIG. 2.

Apart from legs 9, the framework includes a pair of U-shape tent-supporting yokes 61, 62 with yoke 61 having longer legs 63 than the legs 64 of yoke 62. Legs 63 have an outer end of restricted cross-section adapted to slidably fit within the outer hollow end of tubular legs 49, so as to form a continuation thereof, as shown in FIG. 5. The same removable connection applies to legs 64 of yoke 62. Each yoke 61, 62 is adapted to fit the outer end of a pair of the longitudinally-opposite legs 49, so as to extend longitudinally of the cover when the framework is in erected position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The framework, consisting of unfolded legs 49 and yokes 61 and 62, is reinforced against lateral tilting by transverse stays 65, each having an eye 66 at both ends adapted to removably and slidably receive the ends of legs 63, 64.

An additional yoke 67 is provided for each of the bed panels 54. The transverse part of each yoke 67 is adapted to extend longitudinally of the bed panel vertically above approximately the outer edge thereof when the latter is in operative position, while the legs of each yoke 67 extends upwardly and outwardly at an angle, the outer ends of each yoke being removably retained within holes in the bed panel, as shown at 68 in FIG. 5.

The tent fabric 60 is removably retained on the yokes 61, 62, and 67 so as to form a relatively large enclosure, the tent fabric being provided with suitable snap means at their edges to be attached to the outer edges of the bed panels and also, if desired, to the free edges of the end walls 45, there being provided suitable door means in the tent fabric for access within the tent.

All of the framework just described, namely: the yokes, 61, 62, 67, together with the transverse stays 65, can be stored within the cockpit cover 9 and retained therein over the folded bed panels 54 by means of suitable retainer means including hooks 69, pivotable arms 70, and sleeves 71, the latter engaging the free ends of the legs 63, 64 of yokes 62, 63, respectively.

The stays 65 are retained in stored position by a double hook 72. Therefore, all the tent-supporting framework is stored within the cover when not in use and the cover can be in turn fixed to the deck 6 of the boat.