GB2570099A

GB2570099A - Utility trailer, utility trailer system and methods of configuring utility trailers

Info

Publication number: GB2570099A
Application number: GB1718450.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Arrowsmith Mark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-08
Filing date: 2017-11-08
Publication date: 2019-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-08
Also published as: GB2570099B; GB201718450D0

Abstract

A utility trailer comprising a support trailer (12, figure 2) and an intermediate mount (14, figure 2) being reconfigurable in a number of different mounting configurations. A utility attachment (18, figure 2) may be mounted to the intermediate mount (14) in a releasable manner. The intermediate mount (14) may have first mounting configuration for mounting a first utility attachment (181) and a second mounting configuration for mounting a second utility attachment (182). The intermediate mount (14) may comprise a number of intermediate elements 80 which may be mounted to the support trailer (12) in a releasable manner. The intermediate elements 80 may be identical and may be reconfigurable to provide different mounting configurations. The mounting configurations may differ from each other in the number of intermediate elements 80 used or the spatial arrangement of the intermediate elements 80 relative to each other. The utility attachment may be for use in agricultural, horticultural, gardening or farming functions; or for containing, distributing or spreading liquids or materials such as seeds.

Description

UTILITY TRAILER, UTILITY TRAILER SYSTEM AND METHODS OF

CONFIGURING UTILITY TRAILERS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a utility trailer and utility trailer system and to a method of configuring utility trailers. The invention relates in particular to a modular utility trailer that can be assembled and disassembled by a user, and to a utility trailer system that is userreconfigurable to create different utility trailers for a plurality of utility functions.

BACKGROUND

A number of utility trailers are available for a variety of functions or tasks. Typically, a utility trailer is provided with features enabling the utility trailer to be used for a particular utility task or utility function. For example, one known utility trailer has a generally boxshaped open-topped trailer body within which items to be transported from one location to another can be placed. Another known utility trailer comprises a liquid container, and mechanism to discharge the liquid from the liquid container.

Users who wish to carry out a number of different utility functions may find it undesirable to purchase, store and maintain separate utility trailers for each utility function.

The present invention seeks to alleviate at least some of the disadvantages of previous utility trailers, and to provide novel utility trailers and methods of configuring utility trailers.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention are set out in the appended claims.

The invention provides a utility trailer system and method of reconfiguring the utility trailer system, as well as a utility trailer and method of configuring a utility trailer. A trailer chassis and a utility attachment for use in the utility trailer system are also provided.

The modular utility trailer is easily assembled when required to carry out a desired task or function, and can be stored away easily when not in use. A user is able to sequentially re-configure the disclosed utility trailer system as a plurality of trailers. The plurality of trailers may perform different utility functions, enabling the user to carry out a number of different utility tasks at different times without incurring costs in purchasing, storing and maintaining a number of utility trailers. As a result, the cost of equipment ownership is reduced. Since it is no longer necessary to obtain a new trailer to accomplish each additional task, users are able to more easily able to carry out desired tasks.

-2 Embodiments of the invention comprise an intermediate mount that is reconfigurable to engage with different utility attachments. This provides a mounting arrangement that can be adapted to mounting different utility attachments, resulting in a flexible adaptable system. Each attachment can be mounted in an optimal manner for that attachment owing to the adaptation of the intermediate mount to secure each attachment to the support trailer.

In some embodiments, the intermediate mount comprises a number of intermediate elements that can be secured to the trailer in different mounting configurations. In some embodiments, the intermediate elements can be sequentially mounted on and released from the support trailer at different mounting positions to support different utility attachments. In this way a simple yet powerful utility trailer system is provided, in which the trailer can be very flexibly and easily reconfigured as desired to support different utility attachments.

A utility attachment is releasable from the trailer, enabling another utility attachment to be mounted on the trailer. Since the utility attachments can be released from the trailer, the utility trailer system is easily re-configurable by a user as different utility trailers, by sequentially securing and releasing utility attachments having respective functions to the trailer. The availability of a number of different utility attachments, for example each having a different utility function, enables users to create a desired utility trailer by securing a selected utility attachment to the trailer chassis and therefore to the support trailer.

In some embodiments, each utility attachment has a utility function selected from, at least: a material spreader; a material container; a seed or other particulate material spreader; a liquid container; liquid distributor. The utility functions typically relate to: a gardening utility function; a farmyard utility function; a horticultural utility function; and agricultural utility function. As a result, users are able easily to carry out a variety of different tasks using the re-configurable trailer system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing elements of a utility trailer in accordance with an embodiment.

Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a method of configuring the utility trailer disclosed in Figure 1 to provide a utility function.

-3Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a utility trailer system in accordance with an embodiment.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a method of re-configuring the utility trailer system disclosed in Figure 3 sequentially to create different utility trailers.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a trailer chassis in accordance with embodiments.

Figure 6a) is a plan view of a partial construction of an embodiment.

Figure 6b) is a cross-section view along line XX in Figure 6a.

Figure 6c) is a cross-sectional view along line YY in Figure 6b, with an expanded view of a portion.

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a utility attachment in accordance with an embodiment.

Figure 8a) is a plan view of a partial construction of an embodiment with an expanded view of a portion.

Figure 8b) is a cross-section view along line XX in Figure 8a.

Figure 8c) is a cross-sectional view along line YY in Figure 8b, with an expanded view of a portion.

Figure 9a) is a plan view of a utility trailer in accordance with an embodiment.

Figure 9b) is a cross-section view along line XX in Figure 9a.

Figure 9c) is a cross-sectional view along line YY in Figure 9b, with an expanded view of a portion.

Figure 10a) is a plan view of a utility trailer in accordance with an embodiment.

Figure 10b) is a cross-section view along line XX in Figure 10a.

Figure 10c) is a cross-sectional view along line YY in Figure 10b, with an expanded view of a portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In a first aspect, the invention provides a trailer chassis, a utility trailer and method of configuring the utility trailer. In a second aspect, the invention provides a utility trailer system and method of re-configuring the utility trailer system. In the drawings, the same or corresponding features are given the same or corresponding reference numerals.

Elements of a utility trailer 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention are shown schematically in Figure 1. The utility trailer 10 is a modular utility trailer and comprises a trailer chassis, comprising support trailer 12 and intermediate mount 14, and

-4 a utility attachment 18. The intermediate mount 14 is secured to the support trailer 12 at first interface 22, and the utility attachment 18 is secured to the intermediate mount 14 at second interface 24, in order to mount the utility attachment 18 to the support trailer 12.

The first interface 22 is releasable so that the intermediate mount 14 is mounted on and secured to the support trailer 12 in a removable manner. In some embodiments, reconfiguration of the intermediate mount 14 is provided by the release and re-attachment of the intermediate mount 14 at a different position or a plurality of different positions on the support trailer 12. Typically, the first interface 22 comprises fastenings having an easy-release operation. For example, each of the intermediate mount 14 and the support trailer 12 may comprise corresponding mounting elements co-operating to form the first interface 22. In the disclosed embodiment, corresponding mounting elements are disposed at mounting points on the intermediate mount 14 and on the support trailer 12.

The second interface 24 is releasable so that the utility attachment 18 is secured to the intermediate mount 14 in a removable manner, enabling configuration of a plurality of utility trailers by mounting an appropriate utility attachment. Typically, the second interface 24 comprises fastenings having an easy-release operation. For example, each of the utility attachment 18 and the intermediate mount 14 may comprise corresponding securing elements co-operating to form the second interface 24. In the disclosed embodiment, corresponding securing elements are disposed at securing points on the intermediate mount 14 and on the utility attachment 18.

In more detail, the utility attachment 18 has an attachment configuration (AC) 26 that defines the number and spatial relationship of the securing elements provided by the utility attachment 18. The intermediate mount 14 has a mount configuration (MC) 28 that defines the number and spatial relationship of the securing elements provided by the intermediate mount 14.

The intermediate mount 14 is re-configurable to provide securing elements in a plurality of MCs 28. The number of securing elements and/or the spatial relationship between the securing elements may vary in different MCs 28. One of the plurality of MCs 28 corresponds with the AC 26 of the utility attachment 14, so that the utility attachment 14 can be mounted to the intermediate mount 14 using co-operating securing elements at the corresponding securing points defined by the MC 26 and the MC 28.

In some embodiments, the intermediate mount 14 can be mounted and secured to the support trailer 12 at a number of different mounting positions and/or in a number of different configurations. Typically, the support trailer 12 comprises mounting elements at a number of mounting points defining a number of available alternate or duplicated mounting positions. The intermediate mount 14 is mounted on the support trailer 12 at a

-5desired mounting position selected from the available positions. In the disclosed embodiment, the reconfiguration of the intermediate mount 14 to provide securing elements in different MCs 28 is provided by mounting of the intermediate mount at different mounting positions.

In some embodiments, the intermediate mount 14 comprises one or more of intermediate elements (for example, reference 80 in Figure 5). In some embodiments, each intermediate element 80 comprises one or more mounting elements for mounting the intermediate element 80 to the support trailer 12. In some embodiments, each intermediate element 80 comprises one or more securing elements for securing the utility attachment 18. In disclosed embodiments, the intermediate elements are identical.

The intermediate elements are re-configurable to provide different MCs 28. Typically, at different times intermediate elements are mounted to the support trailer 12 in different arrangements or at different mounting positions to provide securing elements in different MCs 28. Typically, the MCs 28 differ from each other in the number of intermediate elements used, and/or in the spatial arrangement of the intermediate elements relative to each other. In the disclosed embodiments, at least one intermediate element can be relocated at different mounting positions on the support trailer 12 to provide securing elements in different MCs 28. Each intermediate element used in a MC 28 is secured to the support trailer 12 at a respective mounting position using mounting elements on the intermediate element and selected mounting elements on the support trailer 12 corresponding to the desired mounting position.

The disclosed features of the intermediate mount 14 enable easy alteration of the trailer to support different utility attachments 18. The disclosed releasable interface 24 between the utility attachment 18 and the intermediate mount 14 enables different utility attachments 18 to be quickly secured and/or removed from the trailer.

The utility attachment 18 has one or more associated utility function(s), for example a gardening utility function; a farmyard utility function; a horticultural utility function; and agricultural utility function. The utility function may enable transport, storage or distribution of solids or liquids, for example and may be selected from, at least: a material spreader; material container; liquid container; seed spreader; liquid distributor. The utility trailer 10 shown in Figure 1 can be used to carry out tasks requiring at least one utility function associated with the utility attachment 18.

Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a method 40 of configuring utility trailer 10 to provide a utility function.

-6In a first step 42, the user selects a utility attachment 18 having a utility function desired by the user. The utility attachment 18 comprises securing elements at a plurality of securing points arranged in UAC 26.

In a second step 44, the trailer is prepared by configuring intermediate mount 14 to provide securing elements arranged in the IC 28 corresponding to the AC 26 of the selected utility attachment 18. Typically, corresponding mounting elements co-operate to mount the intermediate mount 14 to the support trailer 12. In disclosed embodiments the intermediate mount 14 comprises intermediate elements mounted to the support trailer 12 at selected mounting positions. When mounted on the support trailer 12, the intermediate elements together provide securing elements in an MC 28 corresponding to the AC 26 of the selected utility attachment 18.

In a third step 46, the utility attachment 18 is secured to the intermediate mount 14. In more detail, corresponding securing elements on the utility attachment 18 and on the intermediate mount 14 are secured to one another, resulting in the mounting of the utility attachment 18 to the support trailer 12.

The resulting utility trailer 10 is now ready for use to perform the desired utility function.

The modular nature of the disclosed utility trailer 10 enables separate utility trailers, having different utility functions, to be created by mounting different utility attachments 18 on the support trailer 12. Each of the separate utility trailers 10 is adapted to perform the utility function of the corresponding utility attachment 18.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating elements required to create two separate utility trailers, 101 and 102. Each of the utility trailers 101 and 102 are modular trailers having the structure described above with reference to Figure 1, and the same or corresponding reference numerals have been used for corresponding elements.

As will be understood, the elements shown in Figure 3 can be configured by the user as either a first utility trailer 101 or a second utility trailer 102.

In more detail, first utility trailer 101 comprises a first utility attachment 181 comprising securing elements arranged in a first AC 261, and a trailer, comprising the support trailer 12 and the re-configurable intermediate mount 14 configured to provide securing elements arranged in a first MC 281 corresponding with the first AC 261. The intermediate mount 14 is mounted to the support trailer 12, and is configured to secure the first utility attachment 181 to the support trailer 12.

The second utility trailer 102 comprises a second utility attachment 182 comprising securing elements arranged in a second AC 262, and a trailer chassis, comprising the support trailer 12 and the re-configurable intermediate mount 14 configured to provide

-7 securing elements arranged in a second MC 282 corresponding to the second AC 262. The intermediate mount 14 is mounted to the support trailer 12, and configured to secure the second utility attachment 182 to the support trailer 12.

The support trailer 12 provides a common support trailer, acting as the basis for utility trailers, and specifically for both utility trailer 101 and utility trailer 102.

Since the intermediate mount 14 is reconfigurable, the intermediate mount 14 is configured for each trailer 101, 102 to provide securing elements in an appropriate MC 281, 282 corresponding to the UAC 261,262 of the respective utility attachment 18.

The support trailer 12, intermediate mount 14, utility attachment 181 and utility attachment 182 together can be considered to be a utility trailer system that can be sequentially re-configured by a user as different utility trailers, specifically first utility trailer 101 and second utility trailer 102.

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a method 50 of re-configuring a utility trailer system sequentially to create different utility trailers. In the disclosed method, the utility trailer system shown in Figure 3 is configured to create first utility trailer 101 to carry out a first utility function, and is then re-configured to create second utility trailer 102 to carry out a second utility function.

In a first step 52, first utility trailer 101 is configured. The step 52 of configuring first utility trailer 101 comprises steps 42, 44, and 46 described above with reference to Figure 2 to configure first utility trailer 101 from support trailer 12, intermediate mount 14 providing securing elements in the first MC 281, and the first utility attachment 181 having first AC 261.

Once the user has configured the utility trailer system to create the first utility trailer 101 in step 52, the user is able to use the first utility trailer 101 to carry out tasks and to perform a utility function associated with the first utility attachment 181. Once the user has carried out the intended task, there may be no continuing requirement for first utility trailer 101.

Thereafter, in a second step 54, the first utility trailer 101 is disassembled. As a first stage, the fastenings of the second interface 24 are released, enabling the first utility attachment 181 to be unmounted from the intermediate mount 14. In a second stage, the fastenings of the first interface 22 are released, enabling the intermediate mount 14 to be unmounted from the support trailer 12. In this way, step 54 performs the opposite steps to step 52, and returns the first utility trailer 101 to its separate elements, in this embodiment the support trailer 12, the re-configurable intermediate mount 14, and the first utility attachment 181.

-8In a third step 56, second utility trailer 102 is configured. The step 56 of configuring second utility trailer 102 comprises steps 42, 44, and 46 described above with reference to Figure 2 to configure second utility trailer 102 from support trailer 12, intermediate mount 14 providing securing elements in the second MC 282, and the second utility attachment 182 having the second AC 262.

Once the user has configured the utility trailer system to create the second utility trailer 102 in step 56, the user is able to use the second utility trailer 102 to carry out tasks and to perform a utility function associated with the second utility attachment 182. Once the user has carried out the intended task, there may be no continuing requirement for second utility trailer 102.

Thereafter, in a fourth step 58, the second utility trailer 102 is disassembled. As a first stage, the fastenings of the second interface 24 are released, enabling the second utility attachment 182 to be unmounted from the intermediate mount 14. Ina second stage, the fastenings of the first interface 22 are released, enabling the intermediate mount 14 to be unmounted from the support trailer 12. In this way, step 58 performs the opposite steps to step 56, and returns the second utility trailer 102 to its separate elements, in this arrangement the support trailer 12, the re-configurable intermediate mount 14, and the second utility attachment 182.

Clearly, in some embodiments in which the first MC 281 for the first utility trailer 101 is the same as the second MC 282 for the second utility trailer 102 in whole or in part, the intermediate mount 14 can be merely partially re-configured and it is not necessary to fully unmount the intermediate mount 14 in step 54.

A useful utility trailer and corresponding method of configuring the utility trailer is thus disclosed, together with a utility trailer system and a method of sequentially reconfiguring the utility trailer system to provide a plurality of different utility trailers.

An embodiment of a utility trailer system in accordance with the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 5 to 10c. In the disclosed embodiment, the utility trailer system comprises a third utility trailer 310, a fourth utility trailer 410, and a fifth utility trailer 510.

Utility trailers 310, 410, 510 each comprise a support trailer 12 and a respective utility attachment 318, 418, 518 secured to the support trailer 12. As described above, the support trailer 12 and intermediate mount 14 are common to the utility trailers 310, 410, 510, but the utility attachments 318, 418, 518 have different respective utility functions.

In the disclosed embodiments the support trailer 12 comprises a support chassis 60 comprising a chassis frame 62, at least two wheels 64, 66 mounted on a common axle 68 secured to the chassis frame 62. Utility trailers are often pulled by vehicles, and in the

-9disclosed embodiments the support chassis also comprises a coupling 70, such as a conventional ball coupling, for coupling the support trailer 12 to a vehicle (not shown) in a releasable manner.

In the disclosed embodiments, the chassis frame 62 has a generally rectangular first frame portion 62a and a generally triangular second frame portion 62b secured to the first frame portion 62a. In the disclosed embodiment, the chassis frame 62 also comprises third frame portion 62c secured to and generally bisecting the first frame portion 62a along its longitudinal axis. The third frame portion 62c improves the stiffness and rigidity of the chassis frame 62.

The common axle 68 is mounted on the first frame portion 62a parallel to the edge on the first frame portion 62a on which the second frame portion 62c is mounted, and the coupling 70 is mounted on the second frame portion 62b. The common axle 68 supporting wheels 64, 66, and the coupling 70, are mounted on the chassis frame 62 such that the support trailer 12 can be pulled by a vehicle to which the support trailer 12 is coupled.

The support trailer 12 has a plurality of location holes, slots or openings 74. In the disclosed embodiment, location holes 74 are provided on outside laterally facing sides 76 of first frame portion 62a of chassis frame 62. As will be seen in the following description, fastening elements for the first interface 22 comprise location holes 74.

In the disclosed embodiments, intermediate mount 14 comprises a plurality of intermediate elements 80. The intermediate elements 80 are identical. Each intermediate element 80 has one or more first mounting portion(s) 80a, providing mounting point(s) for mounting the intermediate element 80 to the support trailer 12, or more specifically to the chassis frame 62 of the disclosed embodiment. Each intermediate element 80 has one or more second mounting portion(s) 80b providing securing points for securing one of the utility attachments 118, 218, 318 to the intermediate element 80.

The first mounting portion 80a is generally U-shaped, having a base 82 and two sides 84, 86 extending perpendicularly from the base 82. The length of the base 82 corresponds to the distance separating outside laterally facing sides 76 of the first frame portion of chassis frame 62. Intermediate elements 80 fit over the chassis frame 62 so that the sides 84, 86 of intermediate element 80 abut the sides 76 of chassis frame 62.

Lock handles 90 are supported on each side 84, 86 of first mounting portion 80a. The lock handles 90 co-operate with selected corresponding location holes 74 to securing intermediate element 80 to chassis frame 62 of support trailer 12. The intermediate elements 80 can be mounted to the chassis frame 62 at a number of different locations. In each location, a pair of lock handles 90 disposed on respective sides 84, 86 co-operate

-10with a pair of location holes 74 to mount the intermediate element 80 to the chassis frame 62.

Second mounting portions 80b are adjacent sides 84, 86 and extend laterally from sides 84, 86 in a manner generally perpendicular to sides 84, 86. The second mounting portions 80b support twist locks 92 that co-operate with corresponding locking stubs 98 of utility attachments, for securing utility attachments 318, 418, 518 to the intermediate element 80.

In the disclosed embodiments, each utility attachment 318,418, 518 provide locking stubs 98 at respective securing points.

A first utility trailer 310 is disclosed in Figures 5 to 8c. This embodiment provides a utility trailer able to transport livestock or solid materials and comprises a trailer, comprising support trailer 12 and intermediate mount 14 comprising three intermediate elements 80 described above, and utility attachment 318. The utility attachment 318 comprises a flat bed 304, a plurality of posts 306 and a plurality of trailer panels 308.

In the first embodiment, three intermediate elements 80 are secured to the chassis frame 62 of the support trailer 12 in a first position A, a second position B and a third position C, which are evenly spaced on the chassis frame 62. The intermediate elements 80 are secured in a releasable manner using respective lock handles 90 and appropriately positioned location holes 74.

The flat bed 304 is generally rectangular and is provided with six locking stubs 98: four of the locking stubs 98 are located each at a corner of the flat bed 304, and the remaining two locking stubs 98 are each located halfway along a longer side of the flat bed 304. The locking stubs 98 co-operate with the twist locks 92 to secure the flat bed 304 to intermediate mounts 80 in a releasable manner.

The flat bed 304 comprises a plurality of sockets 314 to receive posts 306. In the disclosed embodiment the flat bed 304 has six sockets 314 arranged at the periphery of the flat bed 304: four of the sockets 314 are located each at a corner of the flat bed 304, and the remaining two sockets 314 are each located halfway along a longer side of the flat bed 304. The sockets 314 are positioned at the periphery of the flat bed 304 to maximise the contained area.

Each post 306 is provided with at least two guide plates 320 arranged in parallel along the length of the post 306. In the disclosed embodiment posts 306 have a square cross-section. Some posts 306 are corner posts 306 having pairs of guide plates 320 on adjacent sides of the post 306, and other posts 306 are wall posts and have pairs of guide plates 320 on opposing sides of post 306.

-11 The trailer panels 308 are configured to slot between pairs of guide plates 320 of adjacent posts 306 to form trailer sides. The disclosed trailer panels 308 comprise a mesh panel through which light and/or air may pass. The disclosed trailer panels 308 are suitable for transporting livestock. In other embodiments, the trailer panels 308 may comprise solid panels or slotted panels or mesh panels or a combination thereof, and may comprise any suitable materials, such as metal, plastics or wood or a combination thereof, as selected by a skilled person. In some embodiments (not shown) one or more of the trailer panels 308 is omitted and/or is replaced by a movable door panel or ramp, to enable easier loading or unloading of utility trailer 310.

A second utility trailer 410 is disclosed in Figures 5 and 9a to 9c. This embodiment provides utility trailer 410 able to carry and dispense liquids. Utility trailer 410 comprises support trailer 12, intermediate mount 14 comprising two intermediate elements 80 described above, and utility attachment 418. The utility attachment 418 comprises a liquid container 404.

In the second embodiment, two intermediate elements 80 are secured to chassis frame 62 of the support trailer 12, one in first position A and one in a fourth position D spaced apart along the chassis frame 62. The intermediate elements 80 are secured in a releasable manner using respective lock handles 90 and appropriate location holes 74 of the plurality of location holes 74 along sides 76 of chassis frame 62 of the support trailer 12.

In the disclosed embodiment, the liquid container 404 is generally cylindrical and is provided with a tap 406 to enable liquid in the liquid container 404 to be drained. Four locking stubs 98 coupled to the liquid container 404 are provided to co-operate with twist locks 92 to secure the liquid container 404 to the intermediate mounts 80, and thus to the support trailer 12.

A third utility trailer 510 is disclosed in Figures 5 and Figures 10a to 10c. This embodiment provides utility trailer 510 able to carry loose solid materials, such as sand, gravel, seeds or grains, for example. Utility trailer 510 comprises support trailer 12, intermediate mount 14 comprising two intermediate elements 80 described above, and utility attachment 518. The utility attachment 518 comprises hopper 504.

In the third embodiment, two intermediate elements 80 are secured to chassis frame 62 of the support trailer 12, one in fifth position E and one in sixth position F spaced apart along the chassis frame 62. The intermediate elements 80 are secured in a releasable manner using respective lock handles 90 and appropriate location holes 74 of the plurality of location holes 74 along sides 76 of chassis frame 62 of the support trailer 12.

-12 In the disclosed embodiment, the hopper 504 is a truncated pyramid and is provided with discharge channels 506 to enable materials in the hopper 504 to be discharged. Four locking stubs 98 are coupled to the hopper 504 and arranged to cooperate with twist locks 92 to secure the hopper 504 to the intermediate mounts 80, and thus to the support trailer 12.

The present invention provides a utility trailer and utility trailer system, together with a trailer and utility attachment for the utility trailer system. The trailer chassis and utility attachments may be sold separately, or may be sold together as a utility trailer or utility trailer system.

A customisable utility trailer system is provided, enabling each user to create a bespoke utility trailer system that can be re-configured sequentially as a plurality of utility trailers having different utility functions. The user is able to carry out a user-specific set of desired utility functions at a reduced cost and increased convenience as compared with a plurality of separate trailers.

Since the disclosed utility trailer system is a modular system, a user is able to incorporate additional utility attachments into the utility trailer system, providing additional utility functions required by the user. This allows the user to respond in a flexible manner to changing requirements.

As will be understood by a skilled person, utility trailers generally have at least two wheels and a tow hitch or other coupling so that the utility trailer can be coupled with a vehicle to enable the vehicle to tow the utility trailer. Such details are well understood by a skilled person and are not relevant to the described invention, and have therefore been omitted for conciseness.

Although the first interface 22 is described above as releasable, such that the intermediate mount 14 is mounted on and secured to the support trailer 12 in a removable manner, the skilled reader will understand that in some embodiments the intermediate mount 14 can be fixedly coupled to or can be integral with the support trailer 12 while still being reconfigurable in a plurality of IMCs. The term “mounted” as used herein can therefore be interpreted as both fixedly or integrally mounted as well as releasably mountable.

In the embodiments described above with reference to Figures 5 to 10 the corresponding mounting elements comprise the location holes 74 and the lock handles 90, which co-operate together to mount the intermediate mount 14 to the support trailer

12. As will be appreciated, in other embodiments a skilled person may select any appropriate co-operating mounting elements.

In the embodiments described above with reference to Figures 5 to 10, the corresponding securing elements comprise the twist locks 92 and the locking stubs 98, which co-operate together to mount utility attachments to the intermediate mount of the trailer. As will be appreciated, in other embodiments a skilled person may select any appropriate co-operating securing elements.

In the embodiments described above, different utility attachments have the same securing elements. In some embodiments different types of securing elements or securing points may be provided together on a single utility attachment and/or different utility attachments of a set of utility attachments may be provided with different types of securing elements or securing points.

The terms “securing point” and “securing element” can be understood to be interchangeable in some cases, since generally securing elements can be located at securing points. In some embodiments the securing elements may comprise a simple surface or a simple opening so as to provide a securing point on either of the intermediate mount or the utility attachment.

In some embodiments each attachment configuration (AC) of a utility attachment is unique. In other embodiments, a utility attachment will have an attachment configuration corresponding to one of the plurality of configurations (MC) provided by the intermediate mount 14.

As will be appreciated, details of the utility trailers and utility trailer system described above are examples only and these details may be omitted or combined in any manner by the skilled person.

Claims

1. A utility trailer comprising:

a support trailer;

an intermediate mount mounted to the support trailer, the intermediate mount being re-configurable in a plurality of mount configurations, the mount configurations including a first mount configuration, and a first utility attachment having a utility function, the first utility attachment mounted in a releasable manner to the intermediate mount configured in the first mount configuration (MC).

2. The utility trailer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first utility attachment comprises first securing elements arranged in a first attachment configuration (AC);

the intermediate mount comprises second securing elements, and is reconfigurable to provide second securing elements in the plurality of mount configurations (MC), wherein the first mount configuration (MC) corresponds to the first attachment configuration (AC) of the first utility attachment, and the first utility attachment is mounted to the intermediate mount configured in the first mount configuration (MC) in a releasable manner using the first and second securing elements.

3. A trailer chassis for mounting in a releasable manner a selected one of a plurality of compatible utility attachments, each compatible utility attachment (18) having a utility function and providing first securing elements arranged in a respective attachment configuration (AC) selected from a plurality of attachment configurations (AC) supported by the trailer chassis, the trailer chassis comprising:

a support trailer (12); and an intermediate mount (14) mounted to the support trailer (12); the intermediate mount comprising second securing elements for securing one of the compatible utility attachments in a releasable manner, wherein the intermediate mount (14) is reconfigurable to provide second securing elements in a plurality of mount configurations (MC) (28) including a first and a second mount configuration, each mount configuration (MC) corresponding to one of the plurality of attachment configurations (AC) (26) supported by the trailer.

4. A utility trailer comprising the trailer chassis as claimed in claim 3, wherein the intermediate mount is configured to provide second securing elements in a first mount configuration (MC), and a first utility attachment having a utility function, the first utility attachment providing first securing elements arranged in a first attachment configuration (AC) corresponding to the first mount configuration (MC), the first utility attachment being mounted to the intermediate mount configured in the first mount configuration in a releasable manner using the first and second securing elements.

5. A utility trailer system comprising:

a second utility attachment having a utility function, and comprising first securing elements arranged in a second attachment configuration (AC) corresponding to a/the second mount configuration;

a utility trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein the plurality of mount configurations of the intermediate mount include a second mount configuration, wherein the utility trailer system is user-configurable as a first utility trailer comprising the first utility attachment mounted to the intermediate mount configured in the first mount configuration, and wherein the utility trailer system is user-reconfigurable as a second utility trailer comprising the second utility attachment mounted to the intermediate mount configured in the second mount configuration in a releasable manner.

6. A user-reconfigurable multi-attachment utility trailer system comprising:

a support trailer;

an intermediate mount mounted to the support trailer; the intermediate mount comprising second securing elements and being re-configurable to provide second securing elements in a plurality of mount configurations (MC) including a first mount configuration (MC) and a second mount configuration (MC), and a first utility attachment having a utility function, the first utility attachment providing first securing elements arranged in a first attachment configuration (AC) corresponding to the first mount configuration, a second utility attachment having a utility function, the second utility attachment providing third securing elements arranged in a second attachment configuration (AC) corresponding to the second mount configuration, wherein the utility trailer system is user-configurable as a first utility trailer comprising the first utility attachment mounted to the intermediate mount configured in the

-16 first mount configuration in a releasable manner using the first and second securing elements, and wherein the utility trailer system is user-reconfigurable as a second utility trailer comprising the second utility attachment mounted to the intermediate mount configured in the second mount configuration in a releasable manner using the second and third securing elements.

7. The utility trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 4, or a utility trailer system as claimed in claim 5 or 6, where the intermediate mount is mountable to the support trailer in a releasable manner.

8. The utility trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 4 and 7, or a utility trailer system as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the intermediate mount comprises a plurality of intermediate elements (80).

9. The utility trailer or utility trailer system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the intermediate elements are identical.

10. The utility trailer or utility trailer system as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the intermediate elements are re-configurable to provide different mount configurations.

11. The utility trailer or utility trailer system as claimed in one of claims 8 to 10, wherein each intermediate element is secured to the support trailer at respective one(s) of a plurality of mounting positions.

12. The utility trailer or utility trailer system as claimed in one of claims 8 to 11, wherein at least one intermediate element is re-locatable on the support trailer to provide different mount configurations.

13. The utility trailer or utility trailer system as claimed in one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the first and second mount configurations differ from each other in the number of intermediate elements used and/or in the spatial arrangement of the intermediate elements relative to each other.

14. The utility trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 to 13, or a utility trailer system as claimed in any one of claims 5 or 6 to 13, wherein the intermediate mount is mounted to the support trailer at different positions in different mount configurations (MC).

15. The utility trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 to 14, or a utility trailer system as claimed in any one of claims 5 or 6 to 14, wherein a securing point comprises securing element(s) of the intermediate mount and the utility attachment cooperable to secure the utility attachment to the intermediate mount in a releasable manner.

16. The utility trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 to 15, or a utility trailer system as claimed in any one of claims 5 or 6 to 15, wherein the support trailer comprises a plurality of mounting elements at different positions, so that the intermediate mount can be mounted to the support trailer at a respective position to provide different mount configurations (MC).

17. The utility trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 to 16, or a utility trailer system as claimed in any one of claims 5 or 6 to 16, wherein the support trailer and the intermediate mount comprise respective co-operating mounting elements (74, 90) for mounting the intermediate mount (14) to the support trailer (12).

18. The utility trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 to 17, or a utility trailer system as claimed in any one of claims 5 or 6 to 17, wherein a utility function is selected from, at least: a gardening utility function; a farmyard utility function; a horticultural utility function; and agricultural utility function.

19. The utility trailer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 to 18, or a utility trailer system as claimed in any one of claims 5 or 6 to 18, wherein a utility function is selected from, at least: a material spreader; material container; liquid container; seed spreader; liquid distributor.

20. The trailer chassis as claimed in claim 3 for use in the utility trailer system as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 19.

21. A utility attachment for use in the utility trailer system as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 19, wherein the utility attachment (18) has a utility function and comprises first securing elements arranged in a respective attachment configuration (AC) selected

-18from a plurality of attachment configurations (AC) supported by the intermediate mount of the utility trailer system.

22. A method of configuring a utility trailer using a support trailer and an intermediate mount, the intermediate mount being reconfigurable to provide second securing elements in a plurality of mount configurations (MC), the method comprising:

selecting a utility attachment having a utility function, the utility attachment comprising first securing elements arranged in a respective attachment configuration (AC);

preparing a trailer chassis comprising the support trailer and the intermediate mount mounted to the support trailer, comprising configuring the intermediate mount to provide second securing elements in a mount configuration corresponding to the attachment configuration of the utility attachment; and securing the utility attachment to the trailer in a releasable manner using the first and second securing elements.

23. A method of configuring a utility trailer system, comprising a support trailer, an intermediate mount reconfigurable to provide second securing elements in a plurality of mount configurations, and at least a first utility attachment and a second utility attachment, to create at least a first and a second utility trailer, the method comprising:

configuring a first utility trailer using the method as claimed in claim 22 using the first utility attachment, detaching the first utility attachment from the trailer, and creating a second utility trailer using the method as claimed in claim 22 using the second utility attachment.