Trash container trailer assembly

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to trailers and more particularly pertains to a new trash container trailer assembly for facilitating transport of a trash container using a vehicle.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] The use of trailers is known in the prior art. More specifically, trailers heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

[0006] Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,271; U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,138; U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,708; U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,420; U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,309; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 322,235.

[0007] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new trash container trailer assembly. The inventive device includes a main frame assembly with a hitch portion adapted for coupling to a vehicle, a support frame assembly pivotally coupled to the main frame assembly, a locking assembly for selectively engaging the support frame assembly to the main frame assembly, and a plurality of wheels.

[0008] In these respects, the trash container trailer assembly according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of facilitating transport of a trash container using a vehicle.

[0009] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of trailers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new trash container trailer assembly construction wherein the same can be utilized for facilitating transport of a trash container using a vehicle.

[0010] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new trash container trailer assembly apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the trailers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new trash container trailer assembly which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art trailers, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0011] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a main frame assembly with a hitch portion adapted for coupling to a vehicle, a support frame assembly pivotally coupled to the main frame assembly, a locking assembly for selectively engaging the support frame assembly to the main frame assembly, and a plurality of wheels.

[0012] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0013] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0014] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new trash container trailer assembly apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the trailers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new trash container trailer assembly which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art trailers, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new trash container trailer assembly which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new trash container trailer assembly which is of a durable and reliable construction.

[0018] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new trash container trailer assembly which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such trash container trailer assembly economically available to the buying public.

[0019] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new trash container trailer assembly which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

[0020] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new trash container trailer assembly for facilitating transport of a trash container using a vehicle.

[0021] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new trash container trailer assembly which includes a main frame assembly with a hitch portion adapted for coupling to a vehicle, a support frame assembly pivotally coupled to the main frame assembly, a locking assembly for selectively engaging the support frame assembly to the main frame assembly, and a plurality of wheels.

[0022] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new trash container trailer assembly that has a built in tie-down system for the trash container.

[0023] Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new trash container trailer assembly that reduces lifting and the probability of injury during the transport of trash containers.

[0024] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0025] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new trash container trailer assembly according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-section view of the present invention taken along line 2—2 of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic detail view of the locking assembly of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the present invention.

[0030] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new trash container trailer assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0031] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the trash container trailer assembly 10 generally comprises a main frame assembly 20, a support frame assembly 30, a locking assembly 60, and a plurality of wheels 56.

[0032] The main frame assembly 20 includes a hitch portion 22 designed for coupling to a vehicle.

[0033] The support frame assembly 30 is coupled to the main frame assembly 20. The support frame assembly 30 is designed for supporting a trash container for transporting the trash container using the vehicle. The support frame assembly 30 is pivotable relative to the main frame assembly 20 for facilitating coupling of the trash container to the support frame assembly 30.

[0034] The locking assembly 60 is coupled to the main frame assembly 20. The locking assembly 60 is for selectively engaging the support frame assembly 30. Thus the support frame assembly 30 is held in a transport position defined by the support frame assembly 30 supporting the trash can above a ground surface to permit transport of the trash container.

[0035] The plurality of wheels 56 is coupled to the main frame assembly 20 for permitting rolling of the main frame assembly 20 while the main frame assembly 20 is coupled to the vehicle.

[0036] The main frame assembly 20 includes a support leg 24 coupled to the hitch portion 22 proximate a distal end of the hitch portion 22 for supporting the distal end of the hitch portion 22 when the hitch portion 22 is disconnected from the vehicle.

[0037] The support frame assembly 30 includes a cross beam member 32 and a generally L-shaped member which includes a first flange 34, which is positionable in a substantially upright position when the support frame assembly 30 is in the transport position. The L-shaped member includes a second flange 36 which extends between a base of the first flange 34 and a medial portion of the cross beam member 32.

[0038] A generally U-shaped bracket 38 is coupled to an upper end of the first flange 34. The U-shaped bracket 38 is designed for receiving a handle of the trash container when the trash container is positioned on the support frame assembly 30.

[0039] The U-shaped bracket 38 includes a pair of outer portions 40. The outer portions 40 are substantially vertically aligned when the support frame assembly 30 is in the transport position. Thus the U-shaped bracket 38 is designed for preventing the trash container from moving laterally when the handle of the trash container is received in the U-shaped bracket 38.

[0040] The U-shaped bracket 38 includes a pair of aligned holes 42. Each of the holes 42 is positioned in associated one of the outer portions 40.

[0041] A handle locking pin 44 is insertable through the holes 42 and couplable to the U-shaped bracket 38 when the U-shaped bracket 38 receives the handle of the trash container. Thus the handle is engaged to the U-shaped bracket 38 for securing the trash container to the support frame assembly 30.

[0042] A central support member 52 includes outer edges which extend outwardly from the L-shaped member. The central support member 52 includes a first planar portion, which extends along the first flange 34 and a second planar portion, which extends along the second flange 36.

[0043] Each of a pair of generally L-shaped side support members 50 includes a planar base portion coupled to an associated end of the cross beam member 32. Each side support member 50 further includes a planar lateral support portion extending orthogonally upwards from the base portion such that the side support members 50 are designed for preventing lateral movement of the trash container on the support frame assembly 30 when the trash container is positioned on the support frame assembly 30.

[0044] A pair of spaced support bars 48 extend from the cross beam member 32. Each of the support bars 48 includes a distal end designed for contacting a ground surface when the support frame assembly 30 is pivoted into a loading position.

[0045] The support frame assembly 30 includes a locking aperture 54. The locking assembly 60 includes a pair of spaced side walls 62, a pivot pin 64 extending between the side walls 62, a handle 66 with a first end pivotally coupled to the pivot pin 64, a locking pin 68 with a proximal end pivotally coupled to a medial portion of the handle 66. Thus pivoting the handle 66 selectively extends and retracts the locking pin 68 such that a distal end of the locking pin 68 is selectively insertable into and retractable from the locking aperture 54.

[0046] The locking assembly 60 further includes a pair of alignment members 70. The alignment members 70 are positioned in spaced relationship to each other on the main frame assembly 20. Each of the alignment members 70 includes an associated alignment hole 72.

[0047] The locking pin 68 passes through the alignment holes 72 of the alignment members 70. Thus the locking pin 68 is aligned with the locking aperture 54 when the support frame assembly 30 is in the transport position.

[0048] A biasing coil 74 is positioned between the alignment members 70. The locking pin 68 is inserted through the biasing coil 74. The biasing coil 74 includes a first end for abutting a first one of the alignment members 70. The first one of the alignment members 70 is positioned between the handle 66 and a second one of the alignment members 70. A second end of the biasing coil 74 is coupled to the locking pin 68. Thus the biasing coil 74 urges the locking pin 68 into an extended position.

[0049] A first one of the outer portions 40 of the U-shaped bracket 38 includes an outwardly bent distal portion 46 such that the first one of the outer portions 40 is designed for facilitating positioning of the handle of the trash container between the outer portions 40 of the U-shaped bracket 38.

[0050] In use, the hitch portion of the main frame assembly is coupled to a vehicle. The locking assembly handle is positioned such that the locking pin is disengaged from the locking aperture of the support frame. The support frame is then pivoted to the loading position, and a handle of a trash container is engaged by the U-shaped bracket. The handle locking pin is inserted through each of the aligned holes in the outer portions of the U-shaped bracket. The support frame is then pivoted to the transport position and the locking pin is re-engaged with the locking aperture of the support frame.

[0051] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0052] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0053] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.