Material or article handling – Vehicle attached auxiliary carriers
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-30
2001-01-23
Krizek, Janice L. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Vehicle attached auxiliary carriers
C414S477000, C414S538000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176672
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a telescoping, pivotal frame structure for loading, unloading and transporting a motorcycle in the bed of a pick-up truck, or onto a variety of transporting means.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is often desirable, and sometimes necessary, for motorcycle owners to transport their motorcycles from location to location. This is often accomplished by securing the motorcycle within the bed of a pick-up truck and driving the motorcycle to a desired location.
However, motorcycles are very heavy and it's often difficult to load and unload a motorcycle from the bed of a pick-up truck. As such, a need exists for a device facilitating the convenient, reliable and secure transport of a motorcycle within the bed of a conventional pick-up truck. The present invention provides such a device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a device for loading and unloading an object. The device includes a support frame having a front end and a rear end. The device further includes a ramp having a first ramp member with a rear end pivotally attached to the support frame and extending forward toward the front end of the support frame. The device also includes a second ramp member telescopically secured to the first ramp member permitting the second ramp member to travel the length of the first ramp member and to pivot therewith. A sled is mounted to the second ramp member for free movement along the length of the second ramp member. The sled is shaped and dimensioned for receiving the object thereon and moving the object along the length of the second ramp member. A winch system is mounted proximate the front end of the support frame. The winch system includes a cable for attachment to the sled. The winch system, with the first and second ramp members separated such that only a front end of the second ramp member overlies the rear end of the first ramp member with the first and second ramp members pivoted downwardly to facilitate loading of the object, pulls the sled forward up the second ramp member, the second slide member forward within the first ramp member, and the sled, the second slide member and the first slide member ultimately toward the front end of the support frame.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device wherein the sled includes a sled frame and a wheel well shaped and dimensioned for receiving the front wheel of a motorcycle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device wherein the wheel well is pivotally coupled to the sled frame for movement between a pivot loading position and a retained position.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device wherein the sled further includes means for selectively locking the wheel well in the retained position.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device wherein the sled further includes retaining straps for securing the front wheel of a motorcycle within the wheel well.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device wherein the support frame is shaped and dimensioned to be received within a vehicle to permit transport of the object.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device wherein the vehicle is a pick-up truck.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device wherein the second ramp member includes a wheel support for supporting the rear wheel of a motorcycle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device wherein the first ramp member includes a channel and the second ramp member includes a guide means secured within the channel.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device wherein the guide means includes a pair of spaced wheels.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4655671 (1987-04-01), Pratt
patent: 5556249 (1996-09-01), Heine
patent: 5603600 (1997-02-01), Egan et al.
patent: 5730577 (1998-03-01), Jones
patent: 5846047 (1998-12-01), Riekki
Egan Gordon
Egan Marshall
Aquilino, Welsh & Flaxman
Krizek Janice L.
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