US3219217A - Boat trailers - Google Patents

Description

F. B. WHALEN Nov. 23, 1965 BOAT TRAILERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 18, 1959 INVENTOR Frank B. Who/en ATTORNEYS Nov. 23, 1965 F. B. WHALEN 3,219,217

BOAT TRAILERS Filed May 18, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR Fran/r B. Who/en Fig. 4 BY 22 M ATTORNEYS F. B. WHALEN Nov. 23, 1965 BOAT TRAILERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 18, 1959 INVENTOR Frank B. Who/en ATTORNEYS United States Patent This invention relates to new and useful improvements in boat trailers.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved boat trailer having novel cradle means for supporting a boat by engagement with its hull during transportation and which is so arranged that loading and unloading of the boat are facilitated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved boat trailer having coacting bolsters and rollers mounted on a frame for supporting engagement with the hull of a boat, one of the bolsters being pivotal relative to the frame for movement into and out of engagement with the boat hull to permit the shifting of the boat and distribution of its load.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved boat trailer, of the character described, having a pair of bolsters at the rear of its frame for coacting with rollers to support a boat on the frame, one of the bolsters being stationary and the other bolster being pivotally supported by a rotatable member so as to be raised and lowered relative to the rollers and stationary bolster upon rocking movement of the member whereby the boat may be tilted transversely into and out of engagement with the stationary bolster upon loading and unloading of the boat.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved boat trailer, of the character described, wherein the frame is pivotally attached to a tongue for tiltable movement relative thereto and has latch means for fastening the tongue and frame against relative movement, the rotatable member of the pivotally supported bolster having pivotal connection with the latch means whereby said member is rocked about its axis upon actuation of said latch means to pivot said bolster into and out of boat supporting position.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat trailer constructed in accordance with the invention and supporting a boat shown in broken lines,

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the trailer,

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the trailer with the boat being shown in broken lines,

FIG. 4 is a view, similar to FIG. 3, with the frame of the trailer tilted and one of its bolsters lowered for loading and unloading the boat,

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectional view showing the mounting of the pivoted bolster.

FIG. 6 is a view, similar to FIG. 5, showing the bolster in its lower position,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, bottom plan view of the latch for fastening the frame and tongue of the trailer against relative movement,

FIG. 8 is a view, similar to FIG. 7, showing the latch released,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the latch, its handle and connection to the pivoted bolster, and

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the mounting of the rotatable member for pivoting the bolster.

In the drawings, thenumeral 10 designates the frame of a trailer for transporting and launching boats and includes a pair of elongated, horizontal, main frame members of channels 11 extending longitudinally of the frame and connected in parallel, spaced relationship by horizontal, parallel cross bars orchannel memmbers 12, 13 and 14. Preferably, the webs of themembers 11, 12, 13 and 14 are disposed uprightly with the flanges of said members 11 extending inwardly and the flanges of the other members extending forwardly of the frame. The front end portions of the frame members 11 are bent inwardly upon themselves immediately forward of thefront cross bar 12 to provide a pair ofconverging legs 15. A pair of parallel, spaced channel members orbars 16 extend longitudinally from the medial portion of the front cross bar and have their front ends disposed between and secured to the front end of the forwardly-converginglegs 15. For connecting the front ends of thebars 16 in spaced relationship, as well as the front ends of the legs, anoverlying bridge 17 is secured to said front ends and may be of channel or U-shape in cross-section. Thebars 16 have their flanges directed outwardly and coact with thebridge 17 to provide a longitudinal, medial, tongue-receiving groove or recess 18 therebetween. A pair of diagonal brace members orbars 19 may extend from the longitudinal frame members adjacent theintermediate cross bar 13 to the medial portion of thefront cross bar 12.

Anaxle 20, having a pair ofground wheels 21, is disposed forwardly of and below theintermediate cross bar 13 and is suspended from the frame members 11 byleaf spring assemblies 22 having front andrear hangers 23 and 24 depending from the exteriors of said mem bers (FIGS. 1-4). The webs of the frame members have a multiplicity of openings 25 to permit movement of thehangers 23 and 24 forwardly and rearwardly of the frame and adjustment of the position of the axle longitudinally of said frame. If desired,suitable fenders 26 for thewheels 21 may be suspended bybrackets 27 from the members 11. It is pointed out that therear cross bar 14 connects the rear ends of the frame members.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 7 and 8, an elongated tongue orlongitudinal member 28 has its rear portion disposed in the front portion of therecess 18 and its rear extremity pivotally attached to the webs of thebar 16 by a horizontal, transverse bolt and nut orpivot pin 29. Preferably, a suitable tubular bearing 30 is carried by the tongue for receiving thepin 29. Thetongue 28 underlies thebridge 17 and is adapted to engage said bridge when the frame and tongue are in alinement as shown in FIGS. 13. Ashort chain 31 connects one of thelegs 15 to the tongue for limiting the rearward tilting or pivotal movement of the frame relative to said tongue. In addition to a tow hitch 32 andfoot 33, the tongue includes an upwardly and rearwardly inclinedbow bumper element 34 having awinch 35 and groovedroller 36 mounted on its upper end portion. Groovedkeel rollers 37 overlie and are mounted bysuitable brackets 38 on thetongue 28 andbars 16 adjacent and forwardly of thebridge 17 and immediately behind the rear extremity of said tongue. The medial portions of thecross bars 12, 13 and 14 carrysimilar keel rollers 39 which are adjustably mounted bybrackets 40 and which are adapted to coact with therollers 36 and 37 for supporting a boat, such as shown by the broken lines B in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

For locking the tongue in alinement with theframe 10 and in parallel relation to thebars 16, alatch assembly 41 is provided and includes a locking element orflat arm 42 having its medial portion pivotally attached at 43 to one of the frame legs adjacent thebridge 17 in underlying relation to said tongue and bars (FIGS. 7 and 8). Thelocking arm 42 is of such length that one of its end portions may extend inwardly from itspivot axis 43 to a point adjacent the other frame leg. An angular latch element orkeeper 44 is secured to the underside of the latter leg and extends rearwardly therefrom beneath and in spaced relation to theadjacent bars 16 for receiving the inner end of the locking arm. When the locking arm is engaged with itskeeper 44, the frame is prevented from tilting rearwardly and is held in alinement with the tongue. As shown most clearly in FIG. 9, the outer end of thearm 42 is pivotally attached at 45 to one end of alink 46 which has its other end pivoted at 47 to the inner end of an elongated flat bar or handle 48. One or more openings 49 are formed in the medial portion of thehandle 48 for receiving a pivot pin orbolt 50 to pivotally connect said handle to the front end of anelongated link 51 which extends longitudinally of the frame and which may be in the form of an angle bar. Since it is attached to the frame at 43, the locking arm is pivoted into engagement with thekeeper 44 upon inward or forward swinging of the handle and out of engagement with said keeper upon outward or rearward swinging of said handle. This movement of thehandle 48 causes longitudinal reciprocation of thelink 51 and actuation of abolster assembly 52 which is mounted at the rear end of the frame.

Thebolster assembly 52 includes a tubular member ortube 53, which may be rectangular in cross-section, ex tending transversely between the frame members 11 adjacent therear cross bar 14 and having a trunnion orpivot pin 54 secured in and projecting from each end thereof. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10,U-shaped bearings 55 are secured between the flanges of the frame members and have thepivot pins 54 journaled therein for rotatably supporting thetube 53. Thelifrk 51 has its rear end pivotally attached at 56 to an apertured ear orlug 57 depending from the tube whereby reciprocation of said link rocks said tube about its longitudinal axis. In order to limit counter-clockwise or forward pivoting of the bolster assembly, a lug orstop 58 is secured to the front surface of one or bothbearings 55 and projects inwardly therefrom contiguous the upper flange of the frame member for engagement by the front surface of the tube. Anupstanding bracket 59, which may be hat-shaped in crosssection, is adjustably secured to the rear surface of the left or one end portion of thetube 53 by bolts orfasteners 60 and has a bifurcatedupper portion 61 extending above the frame (FIGS. 5 and 6). The medial portion of a longitudinally-extending bolster orcradle element 62 is pivotally attached at 63 to the upper extremity of the bifurcatedportion 61 of thebracket 59, andseveral openings 64 may be formed a different elevations in said medial portion to permit small vertical adjustments of the bolster.Suitable cushioning material 65 may overlie the upper surface of thebolster 62 which is of such length that it extends forwardly of thecross bar 13 and rearwardly of thecross bar 14.

A similar stationary bolster orcradle element 66, havingsimilar cushioning material 67, extends longitudinally of the frame adjacent its right or opposite side for coacting with thebolster 62 to support a major .portion of the weight of the boat. Thecross bars 13 and 14 haveupstanding brackets 68 adjustably fastened thereto adjacent the right frame member 11 for rigidly supporting thestationary bracket 66 by its end portions. Preferably, the bolsters are identical except for their mountings and are adapted to support the stern portion of the boat by engagement with the longiudinal margins of its hull. A pair ofstern rollers 69 are adjustably mounted on the rear cross bar byupstanding brackets 70 for coacting with the bolsters and the keel rollers, particularly therollers 39, to facilitate loading and unloading of the boat. Thestern rollers 69 may be disposed outwardly of the bolsters adjacent the frame members, as shown, or may be positioned inwardly thereof. Due to the adjustability of thebrackets 70, the stern rollers may project above or be substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the bolsters in accordance with the contour of the boat and the elevation of said bolsters and the adjustment of thebolster brackets 59 and 68.

Although both stern rollers need not be used, such as when the boat is relatively small or of light-weight, the roller adjacent thepivoted bolster 62 is adapted to sustain the major weight of the boat stern when said bolster is lowered as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. Conversely, the load on the adjacent or right-hand stern roller as well as on the keel rollers is relieved when the pivoted bolster is raised (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5). In actual use, the weight is distributed between the bolsters and the rollers with a major portion of said weight being carried by said bolsters during transporting of the boat. When the various brackets are properly adjusted in accordance with the contour of the boat hull and relative to one another, the loweredbolster 62 permits the boat to lean into engagement with the adjacent stern roller and out of supporting engagement with thestationary bolster 66 whereby said boat rides on and a major portion of its weight is supported by said roller and the keel rollers during loading and unloading. In the event that the stern roller adjacent the pivoted bolster is not employed, the boat may lean out of supporting engagement with the stationary bolster upon lowering of said pivoted bolster and ride only on the keel rollers when loaded and unloaded by being held out of supporting engagement with said pivoted bolster. Since the bolsterassembly 52 is actuated by thelatch assembly 41, the pivoted bolster is raised when the frame is locked in alinement with thetongue 28 and is lowered when said latch assembly is released or unlocked. Due to its pivotal attachment at 63 to thebracket 59, the bolster 62 is free to pivot relative thereto and may swing downwardly and rearwardly to facilitate initial loading and terminal unloading of the boat. It is noted that the bolsters may remain in slight contact with the boat when not in supporting engagement therewith, since the pivoted bolster is moved ino and out of boat supporting position to shift a major portion of the weight of said boat between the rollers and bolsters.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without department from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A boat trailer including a frame, boat supportlng means on the frame, a pair of stern bolsters on said frame for engaging a boat resting on the boat supporting means to support a portion of the weight of the boat, one of the bolsters being rigid relative to the frame, the other bolster being pivotally mounted for vertical movement into and out of boat supporting position relative to the stationary bolster, and means for raising and lowering the movable bolster.

2. A boat trailer as set forth in claim 1 including means for pivotally mounting the movable bolster on the frame.

3. A boat trailer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the boat supporting means includes rollers, the bolsters extending longitudinally of the frame on opposite sides thereof.

4. A boat trailer as set forth in claim 1 wherein the boat supporting means is disposed at the longitudinal center of the frame for engagement by the keel of the boat, the bolsters being disposed at the rear portion of the frame on opposite sides thereof, and a stern roller on the rear end of said frame adjacent the movable bolster for supporting engagement with the boat upon lowering of said bolster.

5. A boat trailer including a tiltable frame, a tongue pivotally attached to the front portion of the frame, latch means for fastening the tongue and frame against relative movement, boat supporting means on said frame, a pair of bolsters on the rear portion of said frame at opposite sides thereof for engaging a boat resting on the boat supporting means to support a portion of the weight of the boat, one of the bolsters being stationary relative to said frame, means for pivotally mounting the other bolster on said frame for vertical movement into and out of boat supporting position relative to the stationary bolster, and means connecting the mounting means to the latch means for raising and lowering the pivoted bolster upon fastening and unfastening of said latch means.

6. A boat trailer as set forth in claim 5 wherein the bolsters extend longitudinally of the frame, the bolster mounting means including a member extending transversely of and rotatably mounted on said frame, and a bracket secured to one end portion of the member and pivotally attached to the medial portion of the pivoted bolster.

7. A boat trailer as set forth in claim 5 wherein the frame includes a pair of spaced longitudinal members at its front portion having the rear end portion of the tongue disposed therebetween, means pivotally attaching the rear end of said tongue to the members for movement about a horizontal axis, the latch means including an arm underlying and pivotally supported by the front portion of said frame for movement about an upright axis and into and out of underlying relation to said members and tongue; and a keeper secured to one of said members and having a portion spaced therefrom adapted to receive the arm.

8. A boat trailer as set forth in claim 5 including a stern roller on the rear end of the frame adjacent the pivoted bolster for supporting engagement with the boat upon lowering of said bolster.

9. A boat trailer including a frame, keel rollers on the frame, a pair of stern bolsters extending longitudinally of the rear portion of said frame at opposite sides thereof for engaging the hull of a boat having its keel resting on the keel rollers to support a portion of the weight of the boat, means for rigidly fastening one of the bolsters to said frame, means for pivotally mounting the other bolster on said frame for vertical movement into and out of boat supporting position relative to the rigid bolster, and means for raising and lowering the pivoted bolster.

10. A boat trailer as set forth in claim 9 including a stern roller on the rear end of the frame adjacent the pivoted bolster for supporting engagement with the hull of the boat upon raising and lowering of said bolster.

11. A boat trailer as set forth inclaim 10 wherein the frame includes a pair of longitudinal side members, the bolster mounting means including a cross member extending between and supported by the side members for rotation about a horizontal axis, and a bracket secured to one end portion of the cross member and pivotally attached to the medial portion of the pivoted bolster.

12. A boat trailer as set forth in claim 9 wherein the frame includes a pair of longitudinal side members, the bolster mounting means including a cross member extending between and supported by the side members for rotation about a horizontal axis, and a bracket secured to one end portion of the cross member and pivotally attached to the medial portion of the pivoted bolster.

13. A boat trailer as set forth in claim 9 wherein the frame member includes a pair of longitudinal side members, the bolster mounting means including a cross member extending between the side members forwardly of their rear ends, bearings on said side members supporting the cross member for rotation about a horizontal axis,

and an upright bracket connecting the pivoted bolster to said cross member.

14. A boat trailer including a tiltable frame, keel rollers on the frame, a pair of stern bolsters extending longitudinally of the rear portion of said frame at opposite sides thereof for engaging the hull of a boat having a keel resting on the keel rollers to support a portion of the weight of the boat, means for rigidly fastening one of the bolsters to said frame, means for pivotally mounting the other bolster on said frame for vertical movement into and out of boat supporting position relative to the rigid bolster, means for raising and lowering the pivoted bolster, a tongue pivotally attached to the front portion of said frame, and a latch for fastening the tongue and frame against relative movement, the means for raising and lowering the pivoted bolster having connection with the latch for actuation upon fastening and unfastening of said latch.

15. In a boat trailer the combination comprising a frame including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending side members; a plurality of brace members extending transversely between said side members; a plurality of longitudinally aligned keel rollers mounted between said side members; a pair of transom supporting cradles having an upper surface for supporting a transom of a boat on the trailer, said transom cradles being transversely spaced one from the other and mounted on the rear portion of said frame, a first of said transom cradles being fixed against vertical movement relative to said frame and a second of said transom cradles being mounted for selective vertical movement relative to said frame of at least one portion thereof; selectively operable lever means for effecting vertical movement of said last mentioned portion of said second transom cradle, the arrangement being such that when said portion of said second transom cradle is in a raised position at least a major portion of the weight of the boat is borne by the respective transom cradles and when said portion of said second transom cradle is in a lowered position at least a major portion of the weight of a boat on the trailer is borne by said keel rollers.

16. In a boat trailer the combination comprising a frame including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending side members; a plurality of brace members extending transversely between said side members; a plurality of longitudinally aligned keel rollers mounted between said side members; a pair of transom supporting cradles having an upper surface for supporting a transom of a boat on the trailer, said transom cradles being transversely spaced one from the other and mounted on the rear portion of said frame, a first of said transom cradles being fixed against vertical movement relative to said frame and a second of said transom cradles being mounted for selective vertical movement relative to said frame of at least one portion thereof; lever means for selectively moving said portion of said second transom cradles from a first raised position to a second lowered position, and to selectively reverse this movement, said last mentioned means being so arranged that a weight upon said port-ion of said second transom cradle will maintain the latter in a given of the two positions until its position is changed by the application of external forces to said means, the arrangement of all of said cradles and said keel rollers being such that when said portion of the second transom cradle is in the raised position the weight of a boat on the trailer is borne by the respective cradles and when the same is in the lowered position at least a portion of the weight of the boat on the trailer is borne by said keel rollers.

17. In a boat trailer the combination comprising a frame including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending side members; a plurality of brace members extending transversely between said side members; a plurality of longitudinally aligned keel rollers mounted between said side members; a pair of transom supporting cradles having an upper surface for supporting a transom of a boat on the trailer, said transom cradles being transversely spaced one from the other and mounted on the rear portion of said frame, a first of said transom cradles being fixed against vertical movement relative to said frame and a second of said transom cradles having one portion pivotally mounted to a pivot support means mounted on said frame, said pivot support means being selectively movable in a vertical plane relative to said frame; selectively operable leverage means for efifec-ting this movement; the arrangement being such that when the pivot support means is in a raised position the Weight of a boat on the trailer is borne by the respective cradles and when the first pivot support means is in a lowered position at least a major portion of the weight of a boat on the trailer is borne by said keel rollers.

ReferenceslCited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1958 Kindell. 5/ 1960 Funk.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

15 WILLIAM B. LABORDE, ERNEST A. FALLER,

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Examiners.

Claims (1)

14. A BOAT TRAILER INCLUDING A TILTABLE FRAME, KEEL ROLLERS ON THE FRAME, A PAIR OF STERN BOLSTERS EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF THE REAR PORTION OF SAID FRAME AT OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF FOR ENGAGING THE HULL OF A BOAT HAVING A KEEL RESTING ON THE KEEL ROLLERS TO SUPPORT A PORTION OF THE WEIGHT OF THE BOAT, MEANS FOR RIGIDLY FASTENING ONE OF THE BOLSTERS TO SAID FRAME, MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE OTHER BOLSTER ON SAID FRAME FOR VERTICAL MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF BOAT SUPPORTING POSITION RELATIVE TO THE RIGID BOLSTER, MEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE PIVOTED BOLSTER, A TONGUE PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO THE FRONT PORTION OF SAID FRAME, AND A LATCH FOR FASTENING THE TONGUE AND FRAME AGAINST RELATIVE MOVEMENT, THE MEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE PIVOTED BOLSTER HAVING CONNECTION WITH THE LATCH FOR ACTUATION UPON FASTENING AND UNFASTENING OF SAID LATCH.

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