ATV folding multi-purpose trailer

Abstract

A foldable trailer attachable to a vehicle, particularly an ATV, for hauling a load. The trailer includes a hitch assembly for attachment to the vehicle, a first bed rotatably attached to the hitch assembly, and a second bed rotatably attached to the first bed by an unique hinge. The trailer can be tightly folded and carried by the ATV so that the trailer can be brought through otherwise inaccessible terrain. Moreover, when in the folded position, a rear rail of the trailer can be opened to carry articles. When the trailer is deployed, the first bed is coplanar with the second bed to provide an enlarged area for holding articles. The hinge, joining the first bed to the second bed, allows the trailer to support a significant load.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A trailer for towing behind a vehicle, said trailer comprising: 
 a first bed;    a hitch assembly rotatably attached to said first bed, wherein said hitch assembly is provided with means for coupling to the vehicle;    a second bed rotatably attached to said first bed; and    wherein said first bed is adapted to rotate in a first direction and said second bed is adapted to rotate in a second direction, such that said trailer can be folded and supported above the ground by the vehicle while said hitch assembly remains coupled to the vehicle.    
     
     
         2 . The trailer according to  claim 1  further including a first hinge rotatably attaching said hitch assembly to said first bed, and a second hinge rotatably attaching said first bed to said second bed.  
     
     
         3 . The trailer according to  claim 2  further including a first rail pivotably connected to said first bed.  
     
     
         4 . The trailer according to  claim 3  further including a second rail pivotably connected to said second bed, wherein said second rail can be rotated generally perpendicular to said second bed while said trailer is folded and coupled to the vehicle.  
     
     
         5 . The trailer according to  claim 2  wherein said first bed comprises: 
 a fore member;  
 a pair of spaced apart side members attached to said fore member;  
 a center member disposed between said side members and attached to said fore member; and  
 a rear member attached to said side members and to said center member.  
 
     
     
         6 . The trailer according to  claim 5  wherein said rear member comprises: 
 a fore beam;  
 a pair of spaced apart side beams;  
 a center beam disposed between said side beams and attached to said fore beam; and  
 a rear bar attached to said side beams and to said center beam.  
 
     
     
         7 . The trailer according to  claim 6  wherein said side members are pivotally attached to said side beams.  
     
     
         8 . The trailer according to  claim 7  wherein said center member is pivotally attached to said center beam.  
     
     
         9 . The trailer according to  claim 8  wherein said fore beam abuts said side members when said trailer is in a deployed position.  
     
     
         10 . The trailer according to  claim 9  wherein said fore beam abuts said center member when said trailer is in the deployed position.  
     
     
         11 . The trailer according to  claim 10  wherein said fore beam abuts said rear member when said trailer is in the deployed position.  
     
     
         12 . The trailer according to  claim 2  further including a first floor attached to said first bed and a second floor attached to said second floor.  
     
     
         13 . The trailer according to  claim 12  where said first and second floors are rigid.  
     
     
         14 . A trailer for towing behind a vehicle, said trailer comprising: 
 a hitch assembly;    a first means for attaching said hitch assembly to a vehicle;    a first bed;    a second means for pivotally attaching said first bed to said hitch assembly;    a second bed;    a third means for pivotally attaching said second bed to said first bed; and    wherein said first bed is adapted to rotate in a first direction and said second bed is adapted to rotate in a second direction, such that said trailer can be folded and supported above the ground by the vehicle while said hitch assembly remains coupled to the vehicle.    
     
     
         15 . The trailer according to  claim 14  further including a first rail rotatably attached to said first bed and a second rail rotatably attached to said second bed, wherein said second rail can be rotated generally perpendicular to said second bed while said trailer is folded and coupled to the vehicle.  
     
     
         16 . The trailer according to  claim 15  wherein said third pivoting means comprises a lateral member and a plurality of longitudinal members attached to said first bed; and a lateral beam and a plurality of longitudinal beams attached to said second bed.  
     
     
         17 . The trailer according to  claim 16  wherein said lateral beam abuts said longitudinal members when said trailer is in a deployed position to provide load bearing for said trailer.  
     
     
         18 . The trailer according to  claim 17  wherein said lateral beam abuts said lateral member when said trailer is in a deployed position to provide load bearing for said trailer.  
     
     
         19 . The trailer according to  claim 18  further including pivoting means for rotatably connecting said longitudinal members to said longitudinal beams.  
     
     
         20 . A hinge for supporting a heavy load, said hinge comprising: 
 a lateral member;    a plurality of longitudinal members attached to said lateral member and extending therefrom;    a plurality of longitudinal beams pivotally connected to said plurality of longitudinal members; and    a lateral beam attached to said longitudinal beams and capable of engaging said lateral and longitudinal members when said hinge is in a supporting position.