BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of towed vehicular apparatus, including trailers and accessories and pertains particularly to methods and apparatuses for provision of a collapsible animal, child or cargo trailer that may be worn or carried.

2. Discussion of the State of the Art

Vehicle operators including motorcycle riders, and bicycle riders, and operators of other motorized or pedaled vehicles often take their pets like dogs, cats, or other cargo along with them during operation of the vehicle. In some instances, with bicycle riders for example, pets are leashed and may run alongside a cyclist. Problems may occur if a dog with a leash around its neck and running alongside a cyclist runs across the front of the bike's path. Injuries are possible if the leash becomes entangled with the moving parts of the bike, like pedals, sprockets or wheel spokes. In some cases, motorized vehicles that may be operated cannot safely contain pets on board.

A bike rider may in some cases attach a trailer to the rear of the vehicle (bike, motorbike, golf cart) and place pets or cargo in the trailer to overcome the danger of carrying them on the bike or having them run alongside. One drawback with this approach may be that the bike with the trailer cannot be easily parked due to regulations or for safety reasons and the biker needs to take the trailer along. The trailer may also be subject to theft if it must be locked up with the bicycle, such as if the rider must leave the bike at any point with pets, children or cargo. Therefore, what is clearly needed is a collapsible pet and or cargo trailer that may be made portable for carrying.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a trailer apparatus is provided and includes a first half form adapted as a trailer bed having a floor and a solid frame perimeter defining an internal volume. The first half form may be open on one side, a second half form having a floor and a solid frame perimeter defining an internal volume; the second half form open on one side, a frame joint having a first pivot bar and a second pivot bar, the pivot bars held spaced apart and fixed in parallel relationship by framing elements. In this embodiment, the first half form is mounted to pivot at one end over the first pivot bar, the second half form mounted to pivot at a like end over the second pivot bar on the frame joint producing a clam shell arrangement between the first and second half forms, a first pair of locking mechanisms for locking the half forms in a closed and parallel position with the open sides of the half forms facing each other doubling the internal volume defined within each half form for use as a secure storage apparatus for storing items within at least the internal volume of both half forms in closed position, a telescopic support frame having a base tubular portion and a telescopic portion thereof positioned within the tubular base portion, the telescopic portion thereof culminating at a pullout handle, the telescopic support frame positioned between the first and second half forms and connected to the first half form solid frame at one side and the second half form solid frame at the other side by a pair of sliding frame lock mechanisms, a pair of trailer wheels bracketed and mounted to pivot over a pair of wheel rods, the wheel rods mounted at one end to the frame joint on each side of the frame joint, the wheel rods spaced apart and held parallel at each side of the solid frame perimeter of the first half form, the wheels collapsible into recesses in the floor of the first half form, and a telescopic tow bar having a base tubular member and a telescopic tubular member set within the base tubular member, the tow bar mounted to pivot out from a recessed position in the floor of the second half form and be telescoped out further in length to connect the trailer apparatus to a vehicle.

In one embodiment, the half forms are locked closed to form a wearable backpack. In another embodiment, the half forms are locked closed to form a piece of hand carried luggage. In both of these embodiments, half forms are locked open to form a towed trailer. In one embodiment, the trailer apparatus further includes a tent structure attached at the base thereof to the open sides of the half forms, the tent structure is held taut by the telescopic support frame. In one embodiment, the trailer apparatus further includes an external pocket form removably attached to the floor of the first half form over the wheel recesses, the external pocket form provides additional volume for storing items in the closed form of the trailer apparatus. In one embodiment, the trailer apparatus further includes material to cover a natural gap created between the open sides of the first and second half forms when in a closed position.

In one embodiment, the pair of trailer wheels may be pivoted out from the recesses and be locked in position for towing the trailer on the wheels. In an embodiment with an external pocket form, the external pocket form may be removed by unzipping the form from the external surface of the first half form. In one embodiment, the pair of sliding lock mechanisms on the support frame locks the support frame and the first and second half forms into an open state for trailer use. In one embodiment, the towing vehicle is a bicycle. In another embodiment, the towing vehicle is a vehicle with at least a three wheels.

In one embodiment with a tent structure, the tent structure includes at least one pocket on an inside wall for stowing a laptop, thin electronic device, and office papers. In this embodiment, the tent structure includes tent flaps, windows, and at least one closeable tent opening for loading and unloading pets, children and cargo. In one embodiment of the present invention, the trailer apparatus is closed in the form of a wheeled piece of luggage. In a preferred embodiment, the floors of the first and second half forms are padded with a stiff moldable material. In one embodiment with a tent structure, the tent structure remains connected to the half forms in closed position serving as a canvas liner on the inside of the closed form of the trailer apparatus and pops out as a three-dimensional tent structure when the trailer apparatus is opened and locked into trailer form. In one embodiment, the solid frame perimeter of each half form includes extruded aluminum tubular frame members at each side held parallel and spaced apart by molded polymer-based material end caps that serve as protective bumpers, isolate frame components from the internal volume space of the half forms and serve as mounting support for electronics—like safety lights and safety reflectors. In a preferred embodiment, the telescopic support frame and telescopic tow bar are fabricated of a lightweight material like aluminum. In one embodiment, the tow bar is connected to a swivel hitch provided on the rear center portion of the vehicle.

