Trailer system and winch device

Abstract

To provide a trailer system capable of improving user's convenience.SOLUTION: This trailer system 1 is provided with a hitch coupler 2 arranged at the tip of a towing bar 21 of a boat trailer 2 towed with a boat (a personal watercraft 5) loaded thereon and capable of being coupled with a towing hitch ball of a towing vehicle in a changeable state, a separate frame 3 arranged separately from the boat trailer 2, a separate frame side hitch ball 3 arranged on the separate frame 3 and capable of being coupled with the hitch coupler 2 in a changeable state, a winch (an electric winch 3) mounted on the separate frame 3 and taking up a rope attached to the boat, and an angle regulating means (a hitch receiver 2) regulating a changeable angle between the separate frame 3 and the towing bar 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a trailer system and a winch device used on a trailer for transporting a boat, such as a motorboat, a rowboat, or a personal watercraft. [Background technology]

[0002] Marine sports using boats, such as motorboats, rowboats, and jet skis, have become increasingly popular. When not in use, these boats are often stored by mooring them on the coast or in rivers. However, there are limited mooring locations on Japan's coasts and rivers. To store a boat, it is common to store it in a warehouse at home, away from the coast or river. For this reason, boat trailers are used to transport boats overland from the coast or river to the home or warehouse. Boat trailers have tires on the left and right sides of the bottom of the body, allowing them to be towed by a car. Using a boat trailer, a heavy boat can be loaded onto the carrier and towed by a car, enabling long-distance travel.

[0003] As an example of a technology for loading a boat onto the bed of a boat trailer, Patent Document 1 describes a boat trailer with a crane mechanism that is equipped with a crane that can be assembled onto the boat trailer, and the slewing winch of this crane allows boats to be loaded onto and unloaded from the bed of the boat trailer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-277933 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technique for loading a boat onto the bed of a boat trailer described in Patent Document 1 requires many steps to assemble the crane, including the slewing winch unit, onto the boat trailer, making the work time-consuming.

[0006] In addition, a conventional technique for loading a boat onto the bed of a boat trailer has been to use a gently sloping sandy beach or a concrete landing area that slopes out into seawater or river water. This involves bolting a winch to the front of the boat trailer, moving the boat trailer in front of the jet ski with the rear of the boat trailer facing the front of the jet ski, attaching the winch rope to the front of the jet ski (a type of boat), and using the winch to reel in the rope, thereby lifting the boat from the back of the boat trailer onto the bed. However, even with this technique, the work of bolting the winch to the trailer is time-consuming.

[0007] The present invention provides a trailer system and a winch device that are convenient for users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The trailer system of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a hitch coupler that is attached to the tip of the tow bar of a boat trailer that is towed with a boat loaded thereon and that can be rotatably connected to the towing hitch ball of the towing vehicle; a separate frame formed separately from the boat trailer; a separate frame-side hitch ball that is attached to the separate frame and can be rotatably connected to the hitch coupler; a winch that is attached to the separate frame and the boat to wind up the rope; and an angle control means that controls the rotatable angle between the separate frame and the tow bar.

[0009] The angle control means is provided on the towing bar, and when the separate frame side hitch ball is coupled to the hitch coupler, the base end side of the separate frame is inserted into it, thereby controlling the angle that can be changed between the separate frame and the towing bar.

[0010] The winch device of the present invention is a winch device that is attached to the end of the tow bar of a boat trailer that is towed with a boat loaded on it, and is equipped with a separate frame formed separately from the boat trailer, a separate frame side hitch ball that is attached to the separate frame and can be connected in a rotatable manner to the hitch coupler of the tow bar, and a winch that is attached to the separate frame and is attached to the boat to wind up the rope, and is characterized in that when the separate frame side hitch ball is connected to the hitch coupler, the rotatable angle between the separate frame and the tow bar is regulated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, a trailer system and a winch device that can provide convenience to users can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing the main parts of a trailer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state before a winch device is attached to the tow bar of a boat trailer. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a main part of a trailer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a winch device is attached to the tow bar of a boat trailer. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tow bar of a boat trailer of a trailer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a rear view of a winch device. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a trailer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the tow bar of a boat trailer from diagonally below. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a winch device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a winch device is attached to a tow bar of a boat trailer of a trailer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7]1 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of using a trailer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the main part of a trailer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state before a winch device is attached to the tow bar of a boat trailer. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the main part of the trailer system according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a winch device is attached to the tow bar of the boat trailer. FIG. 3(a) is a cross-sectional view of a tow bar of a boat trailer of a trailer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3(b) is a rear view of the winch device of the trailer system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main part of the trailer system according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which the tow bar of the boat trailer is viewed obliquely from below. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a winch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a winch device is attached to the tow bar of the boat trailer of the trailer system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of using the trailer system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] <Configuration of the embodiment of the present invention> As shown in FIG. 1, a trailer system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is made up of a boat trailer 2 (see FIG. 7) and a winch device 3.

[0016] The tow bar 21 of the boat trailer 2 uses a square pipe 22 (see FIG. 3(a)) made of metal (for example, aluminum alloy).

[0017] A hitch coupler 23 is provided at the tip of the tow bar 21. As shown in Figure 2, the hitch coupler 23 can be coupled in a rotatable manner to a towing hitch ball provided at the rear of the towing vehicle.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, a hitch receiver 24 is attached and fixed to the underside of the tow bar 21, closer to the base end than the hitch coupler 23. The hitch receiver 24 (see Figure 3(a)) is made of metal (for example, aluminum alloy) and formed into a frame shape, with an inner diameter of 55 x 70 mm.

[0019] As shown in Figure 4, hitch coupler 23 is provided with a hitch ball holding bracket 23a for holding a towing hitch ball inserted from below. Hitch ball holding bracket 23a holds the hitch ball in a state where it can be turned by tilting lever 23b provided on the top surface of hitch coupler 23, and allows the hitch ball to be removed by lifting lever 23b.

[0020] The hitch receiver 24 has a frame-shaped portion 24a with an inner diameter of 55 mm x 70 mm and a plate-shaped bolt-fastening portion 24b welded to the upper side of the frame-shaped portion 24a. The bolt-fastening portion 24b is bolted to the underside of the tow bar 21 on the base end side of the hitch coupler 23.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5, the winch device 3 has a separate frame 31 formed separately from the boat trailer 2, to which a hitch ball 32, a lithium ion battery 33, a winch switch 34, and an electric winch 35 are attached.

[0022] The separate frame 31 is made of a metal (e.g., aluminum alloy) square pipe (see Figure 3(b)) with an outer diameter of 50 x 50 mm, and has a connection part 31b that connects to the towing bar 21 via a bent part 31a, and an inclined part 31c that inclines upward relative to the towing bar 21.

[0023] A hitch ball 32 is attached and fixed to the upper surface of the connecting portion 31b. A lithium ion battery 33 and a winch switch 34 are attached to the upper inclined surface of the inclined portion 31c in this order from the bottom.

[0024] The lithium ion battery 33 is detachable and is attached to the connection part 31b in a detachable manner by belts 33a and 33b.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5, a grip portion 36 that is gripped by a user when carrying or installing the winch device 3 is attached to the inclined portion 31c.

[0026] A control bar 37 that the user grips when loading the boat (personal watercraft 5) onto the boat trailer 2 is attached to the lower inclined surface of the inclined portion 31c.

[0027] The electric winch 35 is powered by a lithium ion battery 33, and when the winch switch 34 is pressed, it winds up the rope 35a.

[0028] The work of attaching the winch device 3 to the towing bar 21 of the boat trailer 2 will be described below.

[0029] First, with the lever 23b of the hitch coupler 23 raised, the connecting portion 31b of the separate frame 31 is passed through the hitch receiver 24 from diagonally below. Here, the connecting portion 31b is made of a metal square pipe measuring 50 x 50 mm, and the hitch receiver 24 uses a frame-shaped portion 24a with an inner diameter of 55 x 70 mm, so the angle of inclination of the connecting portion 31b of the separate frame 31 relative to the hitch receiver 24 can be adjusted to a certain extent in the vertical direction.

[0030] Thereafter, the hitch ball 32 of the winch device 3 is inserted from below into the lower side of the hitch coupler 23, and a lever 23b provided on the upper surface of the hitch coupler 23 is turned down, whereby the hitch ball holding metal fitting 23a holds the hitch ball 32 in a state in which it can be turned.

[0031] As a result, the winch device 3 is attached to the tow bar 21 of the boat trailer 2, as shown in Figure 6. Here, the hitch ball holding bracket 23a holds the hitch ball in a position where it can be turned, but the hitch receiver 24 restricts the angle at which the hitch ball can be turned between the separate frame 31 and the tow bar 21, so the winch device 3 will not move to an angle that would cause problems when pulling up the port.

[0032] The operation of removing the winch device 3 from the towing bar 21 of the boat trailer 2 will now be described.

[0033] First, lift the lever 23b of the hitch coupler 23, remove the hitch ball 32 of the winch device 3 from below the hitch coupler 23, and pull the connection part 31b diagonally downward from the separate frame 31 to the hitch receiver 24. This removes the winch device 3 from the tow bar 21 of the boat trailer 2.

[0034] Hereinafter, a method of using the trailer system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In Figure 7, the boat trailer 2 is assembled as a single unit, with the entire structure consisting of a large framework made up of the trailer section 25. The trailer section 25 supports rollers 26 and tires 27 and 28 at its bottom, allowing the boat trailer 2 to move.

[0035] A straight tow bar 21 is connected to the tip of the trailer section 25. A bow holder 41 is provided on the upper side of the tow bar 21. A hitch receiver 24, which is an essential part of the present invention, is provided on the lower side of the tow bar 21. A hitch coupler 23 is provided at the tip of the tow bar 21. A winch device 3 is attached to the tow bar 21 of the boat trailer 2.

[0036] On the upper surface of the trailer section 25, bottom rails 42, 43 serving as cushioning materials and rails are arranged in parallel.

[0037] When loading the personal watercraft 5 onto the boat trailer 2, the rear of the boat trailer 2 is positioned on the bow side of the personal watercraft 5, the rope 35a of the winch device 3 is attached to the towing fitting on the bow of the personal watercraft 5, and the rope 35a is wound up by pressing the winch switch 34. This causes the personal watercraft 5 to be pulled up along both bottom rails 42, 43 of the boat trailer 2, and by placing the bottom of the personal watercraft 5 on both bottom rails 42, 43 and bringing the bow of the personal watercraft 5 into contact with the bow holder 41, the personal watercraft 5 can be stably mounted and secured to the boat trailer 2.

[0038] When moving the personal watercraft 5 to another location, the winch device 3 is removed from the tow bar 21 of the boat trailer 2, the hitch receiver 24 is connected to a hitch ball (not shown) fixed to the rear of a towing vehicle (automobile), the rollers 26 are released from contact with the ground, and the boat trailer 2 is supported only by the tires 27, 28. The boat trailer 2 can then be towed by the towing vehicle, allowing the personal watercraft 5 to be moved over long distances.

[0039] <Summary of the configuration and operation of the embodiment of the present invention> The configuration and operation of this embodiment of the present invention will be summarized below. The trailer system 1 comprises a hitch coupler 23 that is attached to the tip of the towing bar 21 of the boat trailer 2 that is towed with a boat (jet ski 5) loaded on it and that can be rotatably connected to the towing hitch ball of the towing vehicle, a separate frame 31 that is formed separately from the boat trailer 2, a separate frame side hitch ball 32 that is attached to the separate frame 31 and can be rotatably connected to the hitch coupler 23, a winch (electric winch 35) that is attached to the separate frame 31 and winds up the rope attached to the boat, and an angle control means (hitch receiver 24) that controls the rotatable angle between the separate frame 31 and the towing bar 21.

[0040] The angle control means (hitch receiver 24) is provided on the towing bar 21, and when the hitch ball 32 on the separate frame 31 side is connected to the hitch coupler 23, the base end side of the separate frame 31 is inserted, thereby controlling the angle that can be changed between the separate frame 31 and the towing bar 21.

[0041] The winch device 3 is a winch device attached to the tip of the towing bar 21 of the boat trailer 2 that is towed with a boat loaded on it, and is equipped with a separate frame 31 formed separately from the boat trailer 2, a separate frame side hitch ball 32 attached to the separate frame 31 and that can be connected to the hitch coupler 23 of the towing bar 21 in a rotatable manner, and a winch (electric winch 35) attached to the separate frame 31 that winds up the rope attached to the boat, and when the separate frame side hitch ball 32 is connected to the hitch coupler 23, the rotatable angle between the separate frame 31 and the towing bar 21 is regulated.

[0042] According to this embodiment, the winch device 3 can be easily attached and detached from the towing bar 21 of the boat trailer 2, which eliminates the hassle of loading the boat (jet skiff 5) onto the boat trailer 2, shortens the work time, and provides convenience to the user. Furthermore, simply by providing angle restriction means (hitch receivers 24) to multiple boat trailers (including jet launchers), it becomes possible to raise and lower boats onto multiple boat trailers 2 with a single winch device 3.

[0043] In the explanation of FIG. 7, the jet ski 5 is used as the boat, but various boats such as a motor boat and a rowing boat are applicable. In addition, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, an angle control means (hitch receiver 24) that controls the angle that can be changed between the separate frame 31 and the towing bar 21 is provided on the towing bar 21, but the angle control means may also be provided on the winch device 3.

[0044] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the size and material of the trailer system 1 and the winch device 3 can be changed in various ways.

[0045] In this way, the structure, connections between components, chemical substances, and the like of the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0046] Materials can also be freely selected from metal, plastic, FRP, wood, etc. For example, it is possible to combine two or more components into one, or conversely, it is possible to configure one component from two or more separate components and connect them together.

[0047] Furthermore, the above embodiment is merely one of the best modes or modes close to the best mode at present. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Trailer System 2 Boat Trailers 3. Winch device 5 Jet Ski 21 Tow bar 22 Square Pipe 23 Hitch Coupler 23a Hitch ball retainer 23b Lever 24 hitch receiver 24a Frame-shaped part 24b Bolt fixing part 25 Trailer section 26 Coro 27, 28 Tires 31 Separate frame 31a Bending part 31b Connection 31c Slope 32 Hitch Ball 33 Lithium-ion battery 33a Belt 33b Belt 34 Winch switch 35 Electric winch 35a Rope 36 Gripping part 37 Control Bar 41 Bow Holder 42, 43 Bottom rail

Claims

1. a hitch coupler that is provided at the tip of the tow bar of the boat trailer to be towed with a boat loaded thereon and that can be coupled to a towing hitch ball of the towing vehicle in a turnable state; a separate frame formed separately from the boat trailer; a separate frame-side hitch ball attached to the separate frame and connectable to the hitch coupler in a rotatable manner; a winch attached to the separate frame for winding up a rope attached to the boat; An angle restricting means for restricting a changeable angle between the separate frame and the tow bar; A trailer system comprising:

2. The trailer system described in claim 1, characterized in that the angle restriction means is provided on the tow bar, and when the separate frame side hitch ball is coupled to the hitch coupler, the base end side of the separate frame is inserted into it, thereby restricting the angle that can be changed between the separate frame and the tow bar.

3. A winch device attached to the tip of a tow bar of a boat trailer that is towed with a boat loaded thereon, a separate frame formed separately from the boat trailer; a separate frame-side hitch ball attached to the separate frame and rotatably connectable to a hitch coupler of the tow bar; a winch attached to the separate frame for winding up a rope attached to the boat; Equipped with A winch device characterized in that, with the separate frame side hitch ball connected to the hitch coupler, the changeable angle between the separate frame and the towing bar is restricted.

Images