GB2161119A

GB2161119A - One wheeled trailer for cycles etc

Info

Publication number: GB2161119A
Application number: GB08515599A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aloisius Theodorus El Testroet
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-07-04
Filing date: 1985-06-20
Publication date: 1986-01-08
Also published as: IL75563A0; BE902815A; IT1200649B; GR851462B; BR8503071A; IT8521287A0; PT80764A; PT80764B; IN165114B; GB2161119B; JPS6124677A; FR2567094A1; DE3523652A1; NL8501914A; ES295941Y; GB8515599D0; ES295941U

Abstract

A one-wheeled trailer 10 for a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle or motor cycle, is provided. The trailer 10 comprises a load carrying body member 12 with a trailing wheel 14 at the rear end of the body member 12. A connection member 16 is provided at the front end of the body member 12 extending generally upwardly and forwardly of the body member 12. The dimensions of the trailer 10 are such that certain critical ratios between the height of the trailing wheel axle, the length of the body member 12, height and forward extent of the connection member 16 are complied with. (Dimensions A, B, C, D and E in the Figure). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Trailer This invention relates to a trailer. In particular, it relates to a one-wheeled trailer for a twowheeled vehicie, such as a bicycle or a motor cycle.

Trailers having a single trailing wheel and adapted for use with a bicycle or motor cycle are known. However, such trailers have not been very successful due to the fact that they tend to become unstable when travelling at speed or when negotiating corners.

it is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a trailer which is stable even when travelling at relatively high speeds and which does not impair the manoeuvrability of the draught vehicle.

According to the invention there is provided a trailer for a two-wheeled vehicle comprising a body member capable of carrying a load and having a front end and a rear end; a wheel mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis at the rear end of the body member; a connection member at the front end of the body member extending generally upwardly and forwardly of the body member and provided, at its upper end, with means for coupling the trailer to a draught vehicle, which coupling means permits pivotal movement between the trailer and a draught vehicle about a first axis which is substantially horizontal and a second axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis; wherein the following ratios between the lengths indicated by "A", "B", "C", "D" and "E" in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings apply: (i) the ratio A :B is between about 1 : 4 and about 1 : 6; (ii) the ratio A : C is between about 1 : 3 and about 1 : 4; (iii) the ratio A : D is not greater than about 1 : 3; and (iv) the ratio E : A is between about 1 : 1.3 and about 1 1.7.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention the ratios between the lengths "A", "B", "C", "D" and "E" are as follows: (i) the ratio A : B is about 1 : 5; (ii) the ratio A : C is about 1: 4; (iii) the ratio A : D is about 1 : 3; and (iv) the ratio E: A is about 1 1.5.

The coupling means may be adapted so that, when coupled to a draught vehicle, the second pivotal axis of the coupling means is inclined to the vertical position so that the angle, indicated by the symbol "a" in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, between the second pivotal axis and an imaginary line (indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1) connecting the rotation axis of the wheel and the horizontal pivotal axis of the coupling means, is between about 70 and about 110".

According to one preferred embodiment the angle a is about 90".

It has been found that if the abovementioned ratios between the lengths A, B, C, D and E are not complied with, as is the case with conventional trailers, the trailer tends to become unstable when travelling at high speed and impairs the manoeuvrability of the draught vehicle. It has also been found that if the angle a is not within the above specified limits the wheel of the trailer is placed under undue strain which causes wobbling and even destruction of the wheel when travelling at relatively high speeds.

The inclined second pivotal axis also serves to stabilize the trailer when negotiating corners.

The invention will now be described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a trailer according to the invention, showing the trailer coupled to a bicycle; Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of the trailer of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side view of the coupling means of the trailer of Figure 1.

In Figures 1 and 2 reference numeral 10 generally indicates a trailer comprising a body member 1 2 having a wheel 1 4 at its rear end and a connection member 1 6 at its front end and extending generally upwardly and forwardly of the body member 1 2. The connection member 1 6 is provided with coupling means 1 8 at its upper end for coupling the trailer 10 to a two-wheeled draught vehicle, such as a bicycle 20 (only partially shown in Figure 1).

The body member 1 2 is substantially rectangular in shape and it is in the form of a receptacle to accommodate goods to be transported by the trailer 1 0. It may optionally be provided with a lid (not illustrated).

The wheel 1 4 is a conventional bicycle wheel and it is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis 22 at the rear end of the body member 1 2. As can be seen from Figure 2, the body member 1 2 is provided with a recess 1 2.1 at its rear end to accommodate the wheel 14. The wheel 14 is located along the longitudinal centre line of the body member 12.

The connection member 1 6 comprises a pair of spaced bars 1 6.1 and 16.2 converging towards the coupling means 1 8 and provided with a cross-member 16.3.

The coupling means 1 8 comprises a forkshaped member 1 8.1 on the end of the connection member 16, a bush 18.2 which is connected to the fork-shaped member 1 8.1 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis 24 with respect to the fork-shaped member 18.1, a pin 18.3 in the bush 18.2 and connecting arms 18.4 on a bracket 18.5 which is adapted for connection to the rear frame 20.1 of the bicycle 20.

This arrangement provides for pivotal movement between the bicycle 20 and the trailer 10 about a second axis 26, defined by the pin 18.3, and which is perpendicular to the horizontal pivotal axis 24. The coupling means 18 is, therefore, of the universal type, allowing pivotal movement about two mutually perpendicular axes.

As can be seen more clearly from Figure 3, the arrangement is such that the pin 18.3 and, therefore, the second pivotal axis 26, is inclined with respect to the vertical position when the bracket 1 8.5 is connected to the bicycle 20 so that the angle a (Figure 1) formed between the inclined axis 26 and an imaginary line 28 (indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1) connecting the rotation axis 22 of the wheel 14 and the horizontal axis 24, is about 90 .

As can be seen from Figure 1, the body member 1 2 extends downwardly from the rotation axis 22 of the wheel 14 through a vertical distance "A" and then forwardly through a horizontal distance "B". The outer or ground engaging rim of the wheel 14 is located at a vertical distance "E" below the lower end or base of the body member 12.

The horizontal pivotal axis 24 of the coupling means 1 8 is located at a vertical distance "C" above the base of the body member 1 2 and the horizontal pivotal axis 24 is located at a horizontal distance "D" forward of the front end of the body member 12, as indicated in Figure 1.

Although the absolute values of the abovementioned lengths "A", "B", "C", "D" and "E" are not necessarily critical, it has been found for the purposes of optimum stability of the trailer during use, that the following ratios between these lengths should apply, i.e.: the ratio A : B should be between about 1 4 and about 1 : 6 and preferably about 1 : 5; the ratio A : C should be between about 1 3 and about 1 :4 and preferably about 1 : 4; the ratio A : D should be not greater than about 1 : 3 and, in the case of a bicycle as draught vehicle, preferably about 1 : 3; and the ratio E : A should be between about 1 1.3 and about 1 1.7 and preferably about 1 :1.5.

The particuiar shape of the upward and forward curve of the connection member 1 6 is optional, provided that the abovementioned ratio of the lengths A : C and A : D are complied with.

The trailer 10 may be used with different sized bicycles and the diameter of the wheel 14 need not necessarily be the same as the diameter of the wheels of the draught vehicle.

Although the above description refers to use of the trailer 10 with a bicycle, it will be appreciated that the trailer 10 may also be used with a motor cycle, in which case the trailer 10 may be provided with suspension means, shock absorbers and brakes.

Claims

1. A trailer for a two-wheeled vehicle compris ing a body member capable of carrying a loac and having a front end and a rear end; a wheel mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis at the rear end of the body member; a connection member at the front end of the body member extending generally upwardly and forwardly of the body member and provided, at its upper end, with means for coupling the trailer to a draught vehicle, which coupling means permits pivotal movement between the trailer and a draught vehicle about a first axis which is substantially horizontal and a second axis which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis; characterized in that the following ratios between the lengths indicated by "A" "B" "C" "D" and "E" in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings apply: (i) the ratio A :B is between about 1 : 4 and about 1 : 6; (ii) the ratio A : C is between about 1 : 3 and about 1 4; (iii) the ratio A : D is not greater than about 1 : 3; and (iv) the ratio E : A is between about 1 1.3 and about 1 1.7.

2. A trailer according to claim 1, characterized in that the following ratios between the lengths "A", "B", "C", "D" and "E" apply: (i) the ratio A : B is about 1 : 5; (ii) the ratio A : C is about 1 : 4; (iii) the ratio A : D is about 1 : 3; and (iv) the ratio E : A is about 1 1.5.

3. A trailer according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the coupling means is adapted so that, when coupled to a draught vehicle, the second pivotal axis of the coupling means is inclined to the vertical position so that the angle, indicated by the symbol "a" in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, between the second pivotal axis and an imaginary line (indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1) connecting the rotation axis of the wheel and the horizontal pivotal axis of the coupling means, is between about 70 and about 110'.

4. A trailer according to claim 3, characterized in that the angle a is about 90 .

5. A trailer for a two-wheeled vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.