Bumper pull trailer conversion to fifth wheel pull

Abstract

The invention mounts directly to the bumper pull trailer, converting it to a gooseneck pull. The system provides a plurality of mounting brackets, such that the brackets may be easily bolted and pinned to the user's trailer. The system further provides a 7-way trailer plug which may be connected to the trailer harness of the towing vehicle, and a 7-way socket for the corresponding plug from the user's trailer. A gooseneck coupler, which may be installed on the existing bumper hitch of the towing vehicle, is also provided.

Description

[0001] This application relates back to, and claims the priority of Provisional Patent Application No. 62/578,459 filed on Oct. 29, 2017.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[0004] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention relates generally to trailer hitching equipment, and in particular to a bumper pull trailer conversion to fifth wheel pull. Millions of Americans have enjoyed the freedom of vacationing with a travel trailer. A conventional trailer, which may be hitched to a standard bumper hitch on most vehicles, provides the comfort of housing with all compartments on the same level. Fifth wheel trailers, which must be towed by a specially equipped pickup truck or similar vehicle, provide an elevated sleeping compartment above the hitch, and also provides greater stability while being towed, at the expense of single level living. A device which combines the best features of both types of trailers would be useful, and would be well received.

[0006] A search of the prior art reveals various devices which have been developed to address this set of problems, or related problems. None are closely related to the present invention, but several include features which resemble those of the present invention. Each has proven to be less than satisfactory for the present purpose in its own way.

[0007] Compact fifth wheel locking mechanism, U.S. Pat. No. 7,735,849 (priority Mar. 7, 2006), provides a locking mechanism for retaining a trailer kingpin within a fifth wheel slot in a fifth wheel hitch. The locking mechanism includes a jaw assembly comprised of two opposing jaw members pivotally attached at one end to the underside of the hitch plate, a longitudinally sliding cam interposed between the jaw members with a tip that contacts a bumper. The bumper is pivotally attached to tie bar that has its rear most end pivotally attached to the underside of the hitch plate. The mechanism also includes a wedge member and a secondary lock member pivotally attached thereto, where the lock member has a guide extension inserted through a guide hole in the tie bar. Rotation of the tie bar inward causes the wedge member and secondary lock to move inward until the wedge member is seated to the rear of the closed jaw assembly and the secondary lock rotates to engage a detent. (See also U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,113.)

[0008] Lock and release mechanism for fifth wheel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,138 (priority Dec. 29, 1994), provides a mechanism for locking and unlocking of a king pin of a fifth wheel. The mechanism includes a jaw member, a wedge member, a bumper member and a lever member interconnecting the jaw member, the wedge and the bumper member. A handle member includes a handle extension member. The system may be operated by a two-way air cylinder, a one-way air cylinder or in an alternate embodiment, may be incorporated into an existing manually operated fifth wheel system as a retrofit assembly so as to convert existing fifth wheel locking mechanisms to the arrangement of the present invention. (See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,484.)

[0009] Fifth wheel locking mechanism, U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,665 (priority May 15, 1995), provides an interconnection of the jaw, wedge and operating handle in a fifth wheel, facilitating the provision of a secondary locking mechanism which further insures the security of the system. In the invention, the jaw is connected to the operating handle by a pivoting timing lever which pivots off a pin on the jaw such that the jaw remains engaged with the fifth wheel until the wedge is substantially removed from engagement with the jaw. In cooperation with the primary locking mechanism, a secondary lock is provided at the end of the operating handle such that a pin arrangement engages a stop on the fifth wheel assembly until positively released by the operator. (See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,174.)

[0010] Fifth wheel coupling assembly with removable locking mechanism, WIPO Patent Appl. No. WO2010132798A1 (priority May 14, 2009), provides a removable locking mechanism for a fifth wheel hitch is provided which includes a mounting plate removably attachable within a fifth wheel chassis formed to support a fifth wheel hitch plate that has an aperture in the load surface thereof. The mounting plate is formed with a u-shaped throat dimensioned to receive a trailer kingpin and a top surface configured to be co-planar with the fifth wheel hitch plate load surface when seated within the chassis. A locking mechanism for retaining the kingpin against said closed end of the throat is mounted to the underside of the mounting plate and includes a cam arm; and a bumper arm pivotally attached to the cam arm configured to engage a bumper stop formed in the mounting plate underside; a sliding jaw member slidably mounted to the cam arm; and a secondary lock member for preventing unintended disengagement of the lock mechanism. (See also WIPO Patent Appl. No. WO2011068510A1.)

[0011] Fifth wheel locking mechanism, U.S. Pat. No. 9,738,333 (priority Feb. 7, 2014), provides a fifth wheel which includes a top plate having a throat that is adapted to receive a kingpin of a trailer. A pair of locking jaws are pivotally connected to the top plate and pivotal between a closed configuration where the pair of locking jaws block passage of a kingpin out of the throat and the locking jaws are held primarily in compression and an open configuration where a kingpin may pass into and out of the throat. Each of the pair of locking jaws has an engagement surface adapted to engage a kingpin positioned in the throat when the pair of locking jaws are in the closed configuration. A locking member is movably attached to the top plate and a mechanism urges the locking member into engagement with the pair of locking jaws when the pair of locking jaws are in the closed configuration.

[0012] A device which combines the best features of both conventional, bumper pull trailers and fifth wheel trailers would be useful, and would be well received. A bumper pull trailer conversion to fifth wheel pull, which enables fifth wheel towing stability with a conventional trailer, would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Accordingly, the invention mounts directly to the bumper pull trailer, converting it to a gooseneck pull. The conversion provides a plurality of mounting brackets, such that the brackets may be easily bolted and pinned to the user's trailer. The system further provides a 7-way trailer plug which may be connected to the trailer harness of the towing vehicle, and a 7-way socket for the corresponding plug from the user's trailer. A gooseneck coupler, which may be installed on the towing vehicle, is also provided.

[0014] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the conversion 10, the mounting brackets 11, the frame 12, the ball hitch 13, the diagonal member 14, the horizontal member 15, the deadman switch 16, the gooseneck 17, the 7-way trailer plug 18, and the 7-way socket 19.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the conversion 10, the mounting bracket 11, the frame 12, the diagonal member 14, the horizontal member 15, the deadman switch 16, the gooseneck 17, and the 7-way trailer plug 18.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the conversion 10, the mounting brackets 11, the frame 12, the horizontal member 15, and the gooseneck 17.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the conversion 10, the mounting brackets 11, the frame 12, the diagonal member 14, the horizontal member 15, the deadman switch 16, the gooseneck 17, and the 7-way trailer plug 18.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the conversion 10, the mounting brackets 11, the frame 12, and the ball hitch 13.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the conversion 10, the frame 12, and the gooseneck 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is a bumper pull trailer conversion 10 to fifth wheel pull on the trailer of the user's choice.

[0023] The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a frame 11 which provides two mounting brackets 12 and a ball hitch 13. The mounting brackets 12 may be temporarily affixed to the lower leading edge of the user's conventional bumper hitch trailer with bolts and pins, which are provided in an arrangement which is well known to the art. The user's trailer may be further affixed to the ball hitch 13. The frame 11 is permanently affixed to a diagonal member 14 and a horizontal member 15, which extends forward from the frame 11 and terminates in a gooseneck 17.

[0024] The horizontal member 15 provides a deadman switch 16, which activates the brakes of the user's trailer if the towing vehicle becomes separated from the trailer. The horizontal member 15 further provides a 7-way trailer plug 18 which may be connected to the trailer harness of the towing vehicle, and a 7-way socket 19 for the corresponding plug from the user's trailer.

[0025] The first exemplary embodiment is further comprised of a gooseneck coupler, which may be installed on the existing towing vehicle. The user may affix the gooseneck 17 to the gooseneck coupler to tow the trailer.

[0026] The user may then affix the trailer to the ball hitch 13 and affix the mounting brackets 12 to the trailer. Finally, the user may affix the gooseneck 17 to the gooseneck coupler, insert the 7-way trailer plug 18 into the trailer harness of the towing vehicle, and insert the trailer plug of the trailer into the 7-way socket 19.

[0027] The mounting brackets 11, the frame 12, the ball hitch 13, the diagonal member 14, the horizontal member 15, the gooseneck 17, and the gooseneck coupler are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials which provide substantial structural strength, such as steel, brass, and aluminum alloy. The deadman switch 16, the 7-way trailer plug 18, and the 7-way socket 19 are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as steel and copper alloy. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

[0028] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A bumper pull trailer conversion to fifth wheel pull on the trailer of the user's choice, comprised of a frame which provides two mounting brackets and a ball hitch, such that the mounting brackets may be temporarily affixed to the lower leading edge of the user's conventional bumper hitch trailer with bolts and pins, which are provided in an arrangement which is well known to the art, and the user's trailer may be further affixed to the ball hitch.

2. The trailer conversion of claim 1, wherein the frame is permanently affixed to a diagonal member and a horizontal member, which extends forward from the frame and terminates in a gooseneck.

3. The trailer conversion of claim 2, wherein the horizontal member provides a deadman switch, which activates the brakes of the user's trailer if the towing vehicle becomes separated from the trailer.

4. The trailer conversion of claim 2, wherein the horizontal member further provides a 7-way trailer plug which may be connected to the trailer harness of the towing vehicle, and a 7-way socket for the corresponding plug from the user's trailer.

5. The trailer conversion of claim 2, wherein the conversion is further comprised of a gooseneck coupler, which may be installed on the existing towing vehicle, and such that the gooseneck of claim 2 may then be affixed to the gooseneck coupler to tow the trailer.

6. The trailer conversion of claim 2, wherein the user may then affix the trailer to the ball hitch and affix the mounting brackets to the trailer, then affix the gooseneck to the gooseneck coupler, insert the 7-way trailer plug into the trailer harness of the towing vehicle, and insert the trailer plug of the trailer into the 7-way socket.

7. The trailer conversion of claim 2, wherein the mounting brackets, the frame, the ball hitch, the diagonal member, the horizontal member, the gooseneck, and the gooseneck coupler are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials which provide substantial structural strength, such as steel, brass, and aluminum alloy.

8. The trailer conversion of claim 2, wherein the deadman switch, the 7-way trailer plug, and the 7-way socket are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as steel and copper alloy.