GB2466064A

GB2466064A - Slide mounting for on-board mover to engage trailer tyre

Info

Publication number: GB2466064A
Application number: GB0822671A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Darren Shaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-12
Filing date: 2008-12-12
Publication date: 2010-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-12
Also published as: GB2466064B; GB0822671D0

Abstract

A caravan or trailer mover includes a tube and bar sliding mechanism. The mover assembly uses a tubular bar slider method to place the upper assembly including roller and motor, closer to the tyre, so that a drive roller becomes engaged onto the tyre. The same slider mechanism can also be used to disengage the upper assembly away from the tyre. The lower assembly remains fixed to the underside of the caravan or trailer. A twin cam arrangement also links the upper assembly to the lower assembly and provides means for pushing the upper assembly tube. The invention assists with alignment and efficiency.

Description

CARAVAN/TRAILER MOVER WITH A TUBULAR/BAR SLIDING

MECHANISM

Background

Caravan/Trailer Movers (propulsion unit for non self-driven vehicles) are well known in the caravan industry and comprise of a friction roller placed against a tyre to manoeuvre the vehicle, which comprises of a steel fabrication to support a roller and motor with reduction gearbox, which fixes onto the chassis of the caravan. The mover is usually separated into two separate assemblies, the upper assembly and the lower assembly. To allow the mover to operate, the upper assembly slides closer to the lyre by using a manual or automatic engaging mechanism, which is also used to disengage the unit away from the lyre, while the lower assembly is fixed on to the caravan chassis.

As the motor rotates clockwise or anticlockwise the roller turns and hence the lyre rotates moving the trailer or caravan. When the trailer is being towed by a car or the caravanltrailer mover is not being used, the upper assembly is disengaged so that the rollers are away from the lyre.

Essential Technical Features * The present invention comprises of a motor, reduction gearbox, roller and tube which are all mounted on the upper assembly, the lower assembly comprise of a twin-CAM, * ** hexagonal shaft and bar. As the hexagonal shaft is rotated, the twin-CAM pushes and slides the upper assembly tube on the lower assembly bar, closer or away from the * :* lyre. To increase the efficiency of the complete caravan/trailer mover assembly the roller, roller guard, and motor are centrally mounted between the tubes of the upper * : assembly, the roller guard may also be supported at any part along its length, but :. central to the mechanics of the assembly.

* The roller may be larger and extend further than any other part of the caravanltrailer * : * mover and hence no other part of the mover can come into contact with the lyre. The essential features are defined in claim 1, preferable and optional features may be provided in claims which are appended to claim I. The upper assembly tube slides on the lower assembly bar which acts as a guide, the concept could be rotated, where the upper assembly bar slides on the lower assembly tube.

The lower assembly may be fixed to the cross-bar or chassis of the caravan or trailer by a clamp, nut and bolt, screw, etc. The assembly may also incorporate a grease nipple/s and other standard engineering additions that may enhance the overall assembly.

The benefits of the Caravan/Trailer mover with TubularIBar Sliding Mechanism': * ihe Tub& or Bar prevents any excess movement in the X, Y or Z axis, the limited movement will make the caravan/trailer mover more efficient.

* The upper assembly can be easily disassembled from the lower assembly to allow better packaging and transportation.

* The design allows the product to be manufactured easily, out a variety of different materials, including metal, nylon or plastics * The design also reduces the weight of the caravan mover. Thus reducing the overall fully laden weight of the trailer/caravan.

* The caravan mover is fixed onto the chassis of the caravan/trailer and has to withstand the wet, salt spray, and all weather conditions. The design allows plastic or nylon components to be used which will reduce the amount of corrosion of the unit.

* The motor and twin-CAM (actuator) are both mounted centrally to the sliding tube allowing all forces to remain inline and hence add to the efficiency of the unit. * ** * S S * *5 * *** * * **S. ** S * * S * S.

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* 5S5 S. * . Diagrams A Specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example SSr+l% rofsara...flc. tt% tI,a nnnnrnnnn,inn ClrOS,iflt'r ifl WV Attn Lt..L%#K tV_I tAAtAS.#bfl.JSAJt*SSJ tttb &t t Figure IA -Retracted Caravan Mover (Disengaged): Complete Assembly illustrates the assembled unit, comprising of a Motor, Roller, CAM, Hexagonal Shaft, Tube and Bar. The diagram shows the upper assembly Tube mounted on the Bar of the lower assembly. Note: the upper assembly slides on the tube or bar of the lower assembly, see the engaged position of figure 1 B Figure lB -Extended Caravan Mover (Engaged): Complete Assembly illustrates the assembled unit, comprising of a Motor, Roller, CAM, Hexagonal Shaft, Tube and Bar. The diagram shows the upper assembly Tube mounted on the Bar of the lower assembly. Note: the upper assembly slides on the tube or bar of the lower assembly, see the retracted position of figure 1A Figure 2A -Retracted Caravan Mover (Rear): As figure 1A (above) but showing the assembly from the rear.

Figure 2B -Extended Caravan Mover (Rear): As figure lB (above) but showing the assembly from the rear. * **

Figure 3A -Lower Assembly with CAM Mechanism: Lower assembly showing the *:* bars, hexagonal shaft, twin-CAM's and bar. The rectangular tube is also shown, which mounts against the caravan or trailer chassis. ** *

Figure 3B -Upper Assembly: Upper Assembly showing the motor, roller guard and :: tubes, in which the bars of figure 3A slide along. The diagram also shows the motor, the reduction gear box and roller guard.

*: Figure 4B -Upper Assembly from Below: Upper Assembly showing the motor, * : : roller guard and tubes, in which the bars of figure 3A slide along. The diagram also shows the motor, the reduction gear box and roller guard.

Claims

Claims 1. An assembly suitable for providing powered propulsion to the tyre of a wheel of an otherwise unpowered vehicle, the assembly comprising a propulsion 1)mt, a roller and a mounting arrangcmcnt for lilounting thc popuisiori unit to the chassis of a vehicle, the mounting arrangement comprising a first member having a tube therein, the portion of the tube having a measurement in diameter more than the measurement of the second member inline with the tube, the second member having a bar suitable for being received within and retained by the tube of the first member and for allowing relative sliding movement between the first and second members, whereby the sliding movement is for providing engagement and disengagement between the roller and the tyre.
2. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the invention concerns a drive-aid (mover) for not-self driven vehicles, in particular trailers and caravans.
3. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism as claimed in any previous claim, where the first member having a tube and the second member having a bar suitable for retaining the first member, could be rotated so that the first member has the bar which slides on the second member the tube.
4. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the assembly is manufactured from a variety of materials including plastic, resin, composite, steel etc...
5. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly may support the roller guard partly or completely along its length, where the motor may be mounted centrally or at either end of the roller guard to provide additional strength to the roller and subsidiary parts.*. : 6. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, * wherein the measurement of the diameter is not necessary round, as it could be * :: oval, square or any other shape and the overall length of the tube may be shorter than the bar.* 7. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B of the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. An assembly suitable for providing powered propulsion to the tyre of a wheel of an otherwise unpowered vehicle, the assembly comprising a propulsion unit, a roller and a mounting arrangement for mounting the propulsion unit to the chassis of a vehicle, the mounting arrangement comprising of the lower assembly having a bar where the diameter of the bar is less than the inner diameter of the tube of the upper assembly, where the tube fits over the bar and retained creating a sliding action between both assemblies, whereby the sliding movement is for providing engagement and disengagement between the roller and the tyre.2. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the invention concerns a drive-aid mover for not-self driven vehicles, in particular trailers and caravans.3. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism as claimed in any previous claim, where the tube inserts and slides on the bar, could be rotated so that bar slides on the tube, meaning the lower assembly would house the bar and the upper assembly the tube.4. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the assembly is manufactured from a variety of materials selected from plastic, resin, composite, steel etc...5. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly may support the roller guard partly or completely along its length, where the motor may be mounted centrally or at either end of the roller guard to provide additional strength to the roller and subsidiary parts.
6. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measurement of the diameter is not necessary round, as it could be oval, square or any other shape and the overall length of the tube may be shorter than the bar.
7. An assembly with tube and bar sliding mechanism substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1A, lB. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B of the accompanying drawings. a
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