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.

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.

Description

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.