Material or article handling – Self-loading or unloading vehicles – Conveyor
Reexamination Certificate
1996-10-01
2001-01-23
Keenan, James W. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Self-loading or unloading vehicles
Conveyor
C414S462000, C414S494000, C414S500000, C414S813000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176674
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus and method for loading a vehicle having a cab employing a U-shaped frame carrying a winch and related apparatus forwardly in a carrying compartment which is especially useful for positioning a wheeled trailer on tracks above the carrying compartment wherein sides of the carrying compartment are partially isolated from road shocks and the trailer is fixed for transport without interfering with free access to the carrying compartment.
Wheeled trailers, for example, are customarily towed behind a pickup truck or other apparatus having a cab and a carrying compartment often utilizing a ball and socket hitch. The towing of the wheeled trailer precludes the towing of another vehicle such as a camper and the like because of the inability to properly tow more than one articulated vehicle utilizing ball and socket hitches and the like. Thus, if a camper as well as a boat and trailer are to be transported to a camping site it is necessary to utilize two vehicles, one for towing the boat and trailer and the other for towing the camper. The problem of loading pickup trucks has been addressed in the past, for example, wherein a boom carrying a power operated winch is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,585. An example of utilizing trackways for loading vehicles is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,671. U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,595 discloses a rigid frame carried by sides of a carrying compartment and utilizing a fixed guide rail extending centrally longitudinally of the carrying compartment for guiding a winch cable with trailer attached.
This invention deals with the problem of effectively facilitating the loading of bulky objects for transport on a pickup truck and the like. The difficulties of towing two wheeled loads as by a pickup truck is avoided by the provision of improved apparatus and method for loading and positioning a wheeled trailer on the pickup truck for transport leaving a towing hitch carried thereby free for towing a camper and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide a winch and related apparatus for loading a vehicle having a cab and a carrying compartment wherein a transverse frame is positioned forwardly within the carrying compartment so as to support a power operated winch on an upright support member. A rotatable guide member carried rearwardly thereof as by the tailgate may be utilized therewith.
Another important object of the invention is the provision of a winch with related apparatus for loading a wheeled trailer onto a vehicle having a cab and a carrying compartment utilizing a pair of trackways supported by the carrying compartment for positioning the wheeled trailer and its load in raised position above the carrying compartment and the cab.
Another important object of the invention is the provision of a winch for loading a wheeled trailer carrying a boat for recreational use utilizing a frame within the compartment for supporting a power operated winch while positioning a rotatable guide member on a lowered tailgate between a pair of tracks positioned upon the frame for supporting a trailer and its contents.
Another important object of the invention is the provision of a winch operated apparatus for use in a vehicle having a cab and a carrying compartment utilizing a frame and removable support or standard for carrying a power operated winch within the carrying compartment for utilizing a rotatable guide member carried between track members adjustably carried by a rearwardly positioned frame for loading bulky contents into the carrying compartment of the vehicle.
Still another important object of the invention is the provision of an intermediate rotatable member for guiding a forward portion of a wheeled vehicle for sequentially elevating the wheeled trailer to a position as upon spaced tracks carried above the carrying compartment of a vehicle.
Another important object of the invention is to provide a U-shaped flexible frame structure for carrying a mast supporting a front part of the trailer above the cab and adjustable tracks carrying trailer wheels above the carrying compartment in such a way as to isolate the sides of the carrying compartment from road shocks as result from uneven pavement and surfaces and sudden stopping and starting and the like.
Still another important object of the invention is to provide an upright support for lifting trailer and load which may be readily positioned above the carrying compartment of a pickup truck in such a way to automatically positively position the trailer while avoiding the use of cross members as would limit access to the carrying compartment.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3648866 (1972-03-01), Slown
patent: 3734321 (1973-05-01), Long et al.
patent: 3843002 (1974-10-01), Pihlgren
patent: 3900118 (1975-08-01), Kellogg
patent: 4274788 (1981-06-01), Sutton
patent: 5069595 (1991-12-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5108248 (1992-04-01), Murrill
patent: 5609462 (1997-03-01), Reimer
patent: 5921741 (1999-07-01), Heimgartner
Meeks Dixie M.
Meeks T. Wayne
Keenan James W.
Ralph Bailey, P.A.
LandOfFree
Apparatus for loading and transporting a trailer on a pickup... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for loading and transporting a trailer on a pickup..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for loading and transporting a trailer on a pickup... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2478912