AU761483B2 - Dual level transport apparatus - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 r COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: CHRIS VAN'T HOF CHRIS VAN'T HOF

AHEARNS

Patent Trade Mark Attorneys GPO Box 1149 Brisbane Queensland 4001 "DUAL LEVEL TRANSPORT APPARATUS" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 "DUAL LEVEL TRANSPORT APPARATUS" THIS INVENTION relates to dual level transport apparatus.

The invention has particular application to dual level transport apparatus for transporting two vehicles, particularly, two jet skis, one on each level, and more particularly, such apparatus in the form of a trailer adapted for being towed behind a motor vehicle. However, it will be appreciated that this invention may extend to transport apparatus for transporting other cargo.

In this specification, the term "level" is used to refer to a deck, tray, frame or the like adapted for transport and storage of vehicles. If the vehicle is a jet ski or boat, the term "level" may refer, for example, to a frame or deck with rollers commonly used in boat trailers and jet ski trailers.

eeoc .15 Jet skis are frequently transported on dual level, or twindecked, trailers or motor lorries with one jet ski on the upper level and one on the lower level. In order to load and unload the upper level of known trailers, the upper level is lowered at one end (usually the rear end), such that the upper level operates 20 as a ramp. However, the lower level of such apparatus must be loaded last and unloaded first such that the upper level can be lowered without damage to the ski on the lower level.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dual level transport apparatus which permits a vehicle, and particularly a jet ski, to be loaded onto and unloaded from the upper level whilst another vehicle, particularly another jet ski, is on the lower level. Other objects and advantages of the invention may hereinafter become apparent.

With the foregoing in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in dual level transport apparatus including: an upper cargo carrying deck and a lower cargo carrying deck, each cargo carrying deck being adapted for carrying a vehicle; forward support means operatively connected to the lower cargo carrying deck for pivoting movement about a lower forward axis transverse to the direction of travel of the transport apparatus and extending to and being connected to a forward portion of the upper cargo carrying deck for pivoting movement with respect to the upper cargo carrying deck about an upper forward axis substantially parallel to the lower forward axis, and rear support means operably connected to a rearward portion of the lower cargo carrying deck for pivoting movement about a lower rear axis substantially parallel to the upper and lower forward axes and extending to and being connected to a rearward portion of the upper cargo carrying deck for pivoting movement with respect to the upper cargo carrying deck about an upper rear axis substantially parallel to the lower rear axis, the upper rearward axis being spaced from the upper forward axis by a first predetermined distance which is greater than the distance between the lower forward axis and the lower rear axis, whereby the upper cargo carrying deck can be moved from a loading position in which the rearward portion of the upper cargo carrying deck contacts the ground or is in close proximity to it while the forward portion of the upper cargo carrying deck is 2Q spaced above the lower cargo carrying deck to a travelling position in which the upper cargo carrying deck is spaced above the lower cargo carrying deck and defines a cargo space of a size sufficient to accommodate the vehicle to be carried by the lower cargo deck between the two cargo carrying decks, characterised in that the upper forward axis is forward of the lower forward axis when the upper cargo carrying deck is in the travelling position by a second predetermined distance such that the locus of movement of the upper forward axis from the S• travelling position to the loading position is above the cargo oo 'J space for that portion of the angle of movement of the forward support means sufficient that the cargo deck remains clear of the vehicle to be supported by the lower deck whilst being moved between the loading position and the travelling position.

The arrangement of the upper and lower forward axes is such that the locus includes an over-centre point whereby when the dual level transport apparatus is supported on ground having a slope within a normal boat ramp range, the upper cargo carrying deck falls to the travelling position forward of the over-centre point thus allowing easy movement of the upper deck to the travelling position. Thus, the locus of movement of the upper forward axis includes an upward lifting portion when moving the *oo *O0* o* o* *Oo o* o• upper cargo carrying deck from the travelling position to the over-centre point, and also defines a tilting action of the upper cargo carrying deck as the tray is lowered from the travelling position wherein the tray is substantially level, to the loading position, wherein the rearward end of the tray is lower than the forward end by virtue of the tilting action.

Preferably, the forward support means is connected to a support post fixed to the lower cargo carrying deck and arranged in a generally upright attitude so that the lower forward axis is above the level of the lower cargo carrying deck. It is also preferred that the rear support means is connected to a lower support arm depending from the lower cargo carrying deck and arranged in a generally downward and rearward attitude so that the lower rear axis is below the level of the lower cargo o 15 carrying deck.

Preferably the forward and rearward support means are respective forward and rear struts or frames which are pivotally connected to the upper and lower cargo carrying decks at or near the ends of the struts or frames. The forward and rear frames preferably consist of respective pairs of support struts, the struts of each respective pair being disposed substantially parallel to one another. A bracing strut is preferably fixed to the lower cargo carrying deck forward of each forward strut, each bracing strut being arranged for supporting a respective forward 25 strut in the travelling position.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a dual level jet ski trailer shown in the travelling position; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the jet ski trailer of Fig. 1, but shown in the loading position.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same parts, but it will be appreciated that some reference numerals may be omitted from one or other of the drawings.

4 Referring to Figs.l and 2, a dual level jet ski trailer includes a trailer frame 11 with two road wheels shown typically at 12, a towing hitch 13, a jockey wheel assembly 14 and a winch assembly shown generally at The jet ski trailer 10 also includes an upper deck assembly and a lower deck assembly 21. The upper deck assembly is supported by a forward strut assembly 22 and a rearward strut assembly 23. The forward strut assembly includes two forward struts 24 and the rearward strut assembly includes two rearward struts 25, the respective forward and rearward struts being pivotally connected to the respective upper and lower deck assemblies at pivoting connections for pivoting movement about an upper forward axis 16, and upper rear axis 17, a lower forward axis 18 and a lower rear axis 19 respectively..

oo 15 When the jet ski trailer is in the travelling position as o. shown in Fig. 1, the respective forward struts are pivoted forward until they lean against two respective bracing struts 26.

The bracing struts 26 are each further strengthened by a respective supporting strut 27. This arrangement has an overcentre arrangement so that the forward struts lean against the bracing struts which also carry some of the weight of the upper deck assembly and (when loaded) the jet ski supported thereon.

It can be seen in Fig. 1 that the lower forward axis is rearward of the upper forward axis on the upper deck assembly. The lower 25 forward axis is rearward of the upper forward axis by the second predetermined distance hereinbefore described.

The upper deck assembly and the lower deck assembly also include an A-frame having two side rails and extending longitudinally and parallel to one another in spaced apart relationship from a V-shaped apex portion. For illustrative purposes, the top side rails are given the reference numeral 28 and the bottom side rails are given the reference numeral 29.

These reference numerals have only been used to indicate the left hand side rails of the upper and lower deck assemblies 20 and 21 so as to avoid cluttering the drawings with reference numerals.

Thus it will be appreciated that the corresponding side rails on the right hand side of the apparatus are constructed in similar manner to those described in respect of the left hand side.

The bottom side rails 29 connect to at a bottom apex portion The apex of the bottom apex portion is connected to a drawbar assembly 31 upon which is mounted the towing hitch 13, the jockey wheel assembly 14 and the winch assembly 15. The winch assembly may be of the type having a ratchet and pawl arrangement on a cable bobbin for winding the cable such as may be found on known boat trailers. A pulley arrangement (not shown) is provided to provide a mechanical advantage sufficient to accommodate the extra weight of the upper deck assembly with a jet ski being lifted from the loading position to the travelling position. The forward struts are pivotally mounted on respective support posts 32 which are in turn mounted on the respective bottom side rails as shown. The support post is substantially upstanding from the bottom side rail. The rearward strut is pivotally supported on the distal end of a lower support arm 33. It can be seen from the drawings that the support post is mounted rearward from the pivotal connection of the forward struts 24 to the top side rails 28.

When the jet ski trailer 10 is in the loading position as shown in Fig. 2, the respective top side rails 28 are supported intermediate the forward and rearward struts by a lower support arm 34. It can be seen that when the jet ski trailer 10 is in the travelling position as shown in Fig. 1, the respective rearward 25 struts also engage with the distal end of the upper support arm.

The forward and rearward struts are pivotally connected to the respective top side rails as shown. Further, to assist in the lifting of the upper deck assembly, a gas ram 39 is provided between the lower support arm and the forward struts, but the gas ram only provides an extending bias from the loading position until the forward struts are vertical (with respect to the jet ski trailer being supported on a level surface). The gas ram may be arranged to disengage from the forward struts when they are pivoted forward of vertical as shown, or a lost motion linkage may be provided between the gas ram and the forward struts.

A shock absorbing arm 35 is also provided in pivotal connection about each end between each respective forward strut and bracing strut. The shock absorbing arm is dampened to enable the upper deck assembly to be moved smoothly from the travelling position in Fig. 1 to the loading position shown in Fig. 2 and back again. In lowering the upper deck assembly from the travelling position to the loading position, a winch cable 36 is unwound from the winch assembly as shown. Thus, a jet ski shown in dotted outline at 37 may be loaded or unloaded from the upper deck assembly notwithstanding that the lower deck assembly may be laden with another jet ski shown in dotted outline at 38. In the travelling position, the upper jet ski is supported above the lower jet ski on the upper deck assembly.

In use, the dual level transport apparatus of the present invention may be used for transporting one or two jet skis. If only one jet ski is transported on the lower level, a second jet ski may be loaded to the upper level without unloading the jet ski from the lower level. Once the transport apparatus has been parked and made stable, the upper level may be lowered to receive the second jet ski. The position and rest angle of the forward struts when in the travelling position is such that movement to the loading position involves a lifting of the upper deck assembly between the travelling position and the over-center *e point. When the second jet ski has been loaded, the upper level may be raised. In the lowering and raising process, the upper level remains clear of the jet ski on the lower level. It will 25 be appreciated that it is more stable to transport a single jet ski on the lower level. Thus, an advantage of the present invention is that the upper level may be unloaded first and loaded last for transporting two jet skis. Of course, each cargo carrying deck may be adapted for carrying two or more vehicles is so desired.

It will be realised that while the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as claimed in the following claims.

Claims (7)

1. Dual level transport apparatus including: an upper cargo carrying deck and a lower cargo carrying deck, each cargo carrying deck being adapted for carrying a vehicle; forward support means operatively connected to the lower cargo carrying deck for pivoting movement about a lower forward axis transverse to the direction of travel of the transport apparatus and extending to and being connected to a forward portion of the upper cargo carrying deck for pivoting movement with respect to the upper cargo carrying deck about an upper forward axis substantially parallel to the lower forward axis, and rear support means operably connected to a rearward portion of the lower cargo carrying deck for pivoting movement about a lower rear axis substantially parallel to the upper and lower forward axes and extending to and being connected to a rearward portion of the upper cargo carrying deck for pivoting movement with respect to the upper cargo carrying deck about an upper rear 020 axis substantially parallel to the lower rear axis, Sithe upper rearward axis being spaced from the upper forward axis by a first predetermined distance which is greater than the distance between the lower forward axis and the lower rear axis, whereby the upper cargo carrying deck can be moved from a loading position in which the rearward portion of the upper cargo carrying deck contacts the ground or is in close proximity to it while the forward portion of the upper cargo carrying deck is spaced above the lower cargo carrying deck to a travelling position in which the upper cargo carrying deck is spaced above o3 the lower cargo carrying deck and defines a cargo space of a size sufficient to accommodate the vehicle to be carried by the lower cargo deck between the two cargo carrying decks, characterised in that the upper forward axis is forward of the lower forward axis when the upper cargo carrying deck is in the travelling position by a second predetermined distance such that the locus of movement of the upper forward axis from the travelling position to the loading position is above the cargo space for that portion of the angle of movement of the forward support means sufficient that the cargo deck remains clear of the vehicle to be supported by the lower deck whilst being moved between the loading position and the travelling position.

2. Dual level transport apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the upper and lower forward axes is such that the locus includes an over-centre point whereby when the dual level transport apparatus is supported on ground having a slope within a normal boat ramp range, the upper cargo carrying deck falls to the travelling position forward of the over-centre point.

3. Dual level transport apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the forward support means is connected to a support post fixed to the lower cargo carrying deck and arranged in a generally upright attitude so that the lower forward axis is above the level of the lower cargo carrying deck. S

4. Dual level transport apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear support means is connected to a lower support arm depending from the lower cargo carrying deck e. and arranged in a generally downward and rearward attitude so that the lower rear axis is below the level of the lower cargo carrying deck.

Dual level transport apparatus according to any one of the :*23 preceding claims, wherein the forward and rearward support means include respective forward and rear struts or frames which are pivotally connected to the upper and lower cargo carrying decks g at or near the ends of the struts or frames.

6. Dual level transport apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, and including a bracing strut fixed to the lower cargo carrying deck forward of each forward strut, each bracing strut being arranged for supporting a respective forward strut in the travelling position.

7. Dual level transport apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 19 t h day of March, 2003 CHRIS VAN'T HOF By His Patent Attorneys AHEARN FOX