LOADING DEVICE

Abstract

A device that may be mounted on a bed of a pickup truck to enable smaller vehicles, such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, or all-terrain vehicles to enter from the ground level upon a platform of the loading device. This is accomplished by the loading device having a ramp that can be pulled outwardly or rearwardly from said device, and a motorcycle can drive up the ramp to the platform. A dolly slide is pulled outwardly from the device, and extends above the tailgate. The ramp then extends downwardly from the dolly slide, so that no weight or load is displaced on the tailgate. An adjustable platform allows the width to be expanded.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from patent application Ser. No. 13/888,339 filed on 6 May 2013, titled LOADING DEVICE.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was not made with Government support. The Government does not have any rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Loading devices may be used to load, or unload things from one level, to a different level. For example, a loading device may be used to assist in loading motorcycles onto the beds of pickup trucks.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,125 (“the '125 patent”) illustrates one type of loading device, called a truck ramp assembly 10. This discloses a platform assembly having an dosed front end (no reference numeral); a pair of longitudinally extending track members (no reference numerals); evenly spaced transverse support members 40; a hollow interior 26; and a pair of wheels 70 on opposite sides thereof at a first end (no reference numeral). The '125 patent requires the use of a tailgate because a pair of wheels 70 rest on the tailgate. Further, wheels 82 also rest on the tailgate. Because the fore mentioned wheels rest on the tailgate of the pickup truck, the tailgate may encounter loads, which may damage the tailgate or the operation of the tailgate. The '125 patent also has apertured brackets 32 to secure the platform assembly 10 to a vehicle 12. The '125 patent does not disclose a way to accommodate for varied pickup truck bed lengths. The '125 patent does not disclose an apparatus by which a short bed pickup, such as 8 ft., can accommodate a load requiring a bed or platform length of a long bed, such as 11 ft.

As can be seen, there is a need for a loading device that does not cause weight to bear on the tailgate; that can accommodate for varied pickup truck bed lengths; and that can allow a short bed truck to receive a load requiring a truck bed or platform length of a long bed pickup truck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a loading device, comprising a housing (600) slidably disposed to a bed (500); a dolly slide (460) slidably disposed to said housing (600); and a ramp (40) slidably disposed to said dolly slide (460).

Another aspect is a loading device (10), comprising: an A-type platform side (22) secured to opposed sides of a ramp (40); a mounting bracket (60) secured to said A-type platform side (22) and a bed (500) of a vehicle; said A-type platform side (22) having an A-type decking channel (118); and an A-type ramp channel (120) disposed under said A-type decking channel (118).

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention in the stowed position.

FIG. 2 is a side pictorial view of an embodiment of the present invention in the deployed position.

FIG. 3 is a side pictorial of an embodiment of the present invention, used as a workbench.

FIG. 4 is another pictorial of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a pictorial of components of one embodiment of the present invention, used to secure the loading device to a bed.

FIG. 5B is a sectional pictorial of one embodiment of the B-type platform side and the sliding block.

FIG. 5C is a non-sectional pictorial of one embodiment of the B-type platform side.

FIG. 5D is a side view of the B-type platform side.

FIG. 6A is a pictorial of a front hinge plate on one side of the loading device.

FIG. 6B is a pictorial of a front hinge plate on the other side of the loading device.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial of the rear view from the stowed position.

FIG. 8 is a sectional pictorial of a side view of the stowed position.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of the ramp composed of decking.

FIG. 10 is a pictorial of a ramp extender

FIG. 11 is a pictorial view of the dolly slide, which allows the ramp to be pulled out from under the platform.

FIG. 12 is sectional pictorial of a closer view from FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is another sectional pictorial of a closer view from FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is a closer view of a portion from FIG. 7.

FIG. 15 is a pictorial of a platform side

FIG. 16 is a pictorial of a ramp channel

FIG. 17 is a pictorial of an A-type platform side.

FIG. 18 is a pictorial of the A-type platform side with the mounting bracket;

FIG. 19 is a pictorial view of a width extension of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a pictorial view of a bottom of an adjustable platform;

FIG. 21 is a top view of the adjustable platform of the present invention; and

FIG. 22 is a view of a winch plate locking means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to e taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 loading device

20 platform

22 platform side

30 member

32 decking

34 decking tongue

35 decking support member

36 decking groove

37 ramp side

40 ramp

50 hinge plate

52 hinge plate tongue

54 hinge plate groove

60 mounting bracket

70 mounting bracket slot

80 mounting bracket base

90 mounting bracket arm

100 mounting bracket finger

102 hook portion

110 platform top

112 first side surface

114 second side surface

116 finger securement catch

118 A-type decking channel

120 A-type ramp channel

121 wheel stopper

122 decking support

123 locking means

124 extension

126 ramp support

130 ramp-platform displacement wheel

140 leg

142 leg extension

150 ramp extender

218 B-type decking channel

220 B-type ramp channel

222 B-type platform side or side

240 sliding channel

241 sliding channel stop member

250 sliding blocks

255 sliding block extension

258 fixator bolt

340 second embodiment ramp

360 second embodiment platform

380 forward hinge plate

381 forward hinge plate leg

400 platform lock or platform locking means

404 locking pin

420 base frame

460 dolly slide

470 ramp wheel

480 carriage

500 bed

510 handle

520 hinge

132 stop member

550 ramp leg housing

560 leg top channel

570 dolly slide side

572 inside

574 inside lower member

580 ramp wheel stopper

600 housing

700 adjustable platform

710 width extension

720 displacing means

730 width extension stop block

740 adjustable platform wall

760 rod

770 rod aperture

780 traction surface

790 stored position

800 expanded position

810 means for locking winch

820 winch plate

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a loading device 10 installed on the bed 500 of a pickup truck. A motorcycle is illustrated with the front tire resting on the forward hinge plate 380. The rear tire is resting on the platform 20.

FIG. 2 illustrates a pictorial of a motorcycle on the ramp 40. The ramp 40 is pulled out; and the ramp extender 150 may also be deployed. The ramp 40 may be supported by a leg 140. The forward hinge plate 380 may be folded forward. The dolly slide 460 is pulled out; and the platform 20 is illustrated as pulled out rearwardly with respect to the truck bed 500. The forward hinge plate 380 may be folded rightwardly or rearwardly so that it rests on the platform 20. The platform 20 or loading device 10 may be locked in place by the locking means 400 in a stowed position, for example, when in transit. In one embodiment the locking means 400 may be a locking pin 404 that may engage with a locking hole 402 so that the loading device 10 or platform does not move. This may be preferred when the vehicle on which the loading device 10 is displaced is in transit.

FIG. 3 illustrates a pictorial of the loading device 10 used as a workbench by the ramp 40 being oriented in a substantially horizontal position by a leg 140, and a let extension 142 that may telescope and lock in place by any conventional means.

FIG. 4 illustrates another pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention 10. The loading device 10 is illustrated with the front hinge plate 380 or forward hinge plate 380 extended leftwardly or forwardly via a hinge 520. The dolly slide 460 is shown as disposed rearwardly. The rear hinge plate 50 is shown as flipped forwardly via a hinge 520. The rear hinge plate 50 may be flipped rearwardly also. The rear hinge plate 50 may also be removed. Removal of the rear hinge plate 50 may be useful when a motorcycle or other vehicle is on the platform 20, and an exhaust pipe extends in such a way to prevent the rear hinge plate 50 from flipping rearwardly on to the ramp 40. The ramp extender 150 is shown as deployed or flipped rearwardly from the ramp 40. The ramp extender 150 and the rear hinge plate 50 may both be flipped or folded to rest on the ramp 40 via a hinge 520. This way the ramp 40 may be pushed or displaced under the platform 20. This position may be referred to as the stowed position. The legs 140 may be removable so that the ramp 40 may be displaced in the stowed position.

FIG. 5A illustrates one embodiment of securing the loading device 10 to a pickup truck bed 500. A base frame 420 may be disposed on a pickup truck bed 500 in a location to not disrupt wiring a gas tank beneath. A sliding block extension 255 may be secured immediately above a pickup truck bed 500. A sliding block 250 may be disposed immediately above and secured to the sliding block extension 255.

A sliding channel stop member 241 may be disposed between said sliding block extension 255 and said sliding block 250. Two base frames 420 may be disposed on the bed 500 of a truck.

FIG. 5B illustrates on embodiment of the base frame 420 as illustrated in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5B illustrates an embodiment whereby a portion of the sliding block 250 may be disposed in a sliding channel 240. This allows the entire B-type platform side, also referred to as side 222 to move forwardly and rearwardly with respect to a pickup truck bed 500 to which it may be slidably disposed. The platform 20 may be secured to the B-type platform side 222 via the B-type decking channel. This relationship is illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 5C illustrates a pictorial whereby the B-type platform side 222 may be secured to a sliding channel stop member 241 via fastener, such as a bolt 258.

FIG. 5D illustrates an embodiment of the B-type platform side 222, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, having a locking means 400. The locking means 400 may be a locking pin 404 that may be removably disposed within a lock hole 402. When the locking pin 404 is removed from engagement with the lock hole 402, then the loading device 10 may slide forwardly and rearwardly via the sliding blocks 250, which may be secured to the bed 500 of a truck via a sliding block extension 255. This way the loading device 10 may be stowed entirely within the bed 500 of a truck when the front hinge plate 380 is folded rearwardly; or it may be pulled out from the bed, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. A bolt 258 may secure the B-type platform side 222 to a sliding channel stop member 241.

The platform 40 may be secured to a B-type platform side 222 on opposed sides, as seen in FIG. 7, to define a housing 600. The ramp dolly slide 460 may then be slidably disposed within the housing 600. The ramp 40 may also be slidably disposed within the housing 600.

FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment when a front hinge plate 380 is hingedly disposed on one side of the B-type platform side 222. This is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 6B illustrates another embodiment whereby a front hinge plate 380 may be disposed on the other side of the B-type platform side 222. In the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the front hinge plate 380 may flip rearwardly.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a rear pictorial showing the front hinge plate 380 hingedly disposed to the B-type platform side. Front hinge plate legs 381 may extend from the front hinge plate 380. The platform 20 may be securely disposed within the B-type decking channel 218. The platform 40 may be slidably disposed within a B-type ramp channel 220. The sliding block 250 may be slidably disposed within the sliding channel 240. The platform 20 may be securely disposed within the B-type decking channel 218. A handle 510 may be disposed on the end of the ramp 40. The sliding block 250 may be secured to a sliding block extension 255 and a bed 500 via a fastener, such as a bolt 258.

Although a sliding block 250 is disclosed as one means by which the loading device 10 may slide back and forth, other means may be used. Such as ball bearings or wheels.

FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional side view pictorial of an embodiment of the present invention 10. The front hinge plate 380 may be hingedly connected to the B-type platform side 222. The rear hinge plate 50 may be hingedly disposed to one side of the ramp 40. The ramp extension 150 may be hingedly disposed to the other side of the ramp 40. The ramp 40 may have a ramp wheel 470 slidably engaged with the dolly slide 460 as illustrated in FIG. 11. The dolly slide 460 may have a ramp-platform displacement wheel 130 that may rotatably engage and roll within the B-type ramp channel 220. This allows the loading device 10 to be pulled or displaced rearwardly by the sliding block 250 sliding relationship with the sliding channel 240 until a stop member 132 contacts a sliding block 250. This allows the loading device 10 to be pulled rearwardly with respect of a truck bed 500. Then the handle 510 can be pulled out or rearwardly to pull the ramp 40 dolly carriage 460 out from under the platform 40. Typically, the dolly carriage 460 extends out above a tailgate so that no load or weight is applied to the tailgate. Then the handle 510 can be further pulled to deploy the ramp 40, as shown in FIG. 2. The dolly carriage 460 may be limited from pulling entirely out by any conventional means that may stop the ramp-platform displacement when 130.

If the stop member 540 was not there, then the entire loading device 10 may be pulled from the bed 500 and fall upon the ground. However, other means for preventing the loading device from falling out may be utilized.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a ramp 40, constructed of decking 32. The decking 32 may be of a variety of lengths. The decking 32 may have a tongue 34 on one side that may engage with a groove 34 on a separate decking 32. This way the ramp 40 size may be constructed or altered by adding, removing, or replacing to existing decking 32. The decking 32 may have a decking support member 35 extending downwardly to support the decking 32 within a B-type decking channel 218. In one embodiment a ramp-leg housing 550 may be securely disposed to the ramp 40. The ramp-leg housing 550 may have a leg top channel 560 that is capable of receiving a leg 140 that may be removably disposed within the ramp-leg housing 550.

FIG. 11 is a pictorial of an embodiment of a dolly slide 460 of the present invention 10. The dolly slide 460 may be rollably engaged within the B-type ramp channel 220, as seen in FIG. 5B. The ramp-platform displacement wheel 130 may be rotatably disposed to a dolly slide side 570. The ramp-platform displacement wheel 130 may roll within the B-type decking channel 218. The ramp wheel 470 may be rollably disposed within the inside 572 of the dolly slide side 570. For example, the ramp wheel 470 may roll along an inside lower member 574. A ramp wheel stopper 580 (as seen in FIG. 13) may prevent the ramp wheel 470 from falling out of the inside 572.

FIG. 12 is a pictorial of a closer view of a portion of FIG. 8. The sliding block 250 may be secured to the bed 500 via a bolt 258 (as seen in FIG. 5D). The stop member 132 may be secured within the sliding channel 240 (as seen in FIG. 5B) to limit the displacement of the loading device 10, by contacting the sliding block 250 after a certain distance.

FIG. 13 is a pictorial of a closer view of the ramp 40 and the ramp leg housing 550.

FIG. 14 is a pictorial of a closer view of the bed 500, the B-type platform side 222, the sliding channel 240, the B-type ramp channel 220, the B-type decking channel 218, and other components.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrates an embodiment of an A-type platform side 22. In one embodiment the A-type platform side 22 may have cross-section shape of a “C.” The A-type platform side 22 is disposed on the left side of a bed, and the other on the right side. Only the left side is illustrated in FIG. 17. The A-type platform side 22 may have a decking channel 118 to receive decking 32. The decking may rest on the decking support 122. A ramp channel 120 may be disposed downwardly from said decking channel 118. The ramp channel 120 may be defined by an inside of a second side surface 114, an extension 124 extending inwardly from said second side surface 114, and a ramp support 126 disposed downwardly from said extension 124.

The A-type platform side 22 may have a finger securement catch 116, which mates with the hook portion 102 of the mounting bracket 60 to secure the platform side 22 to the bed, as seen in FIG. 18. This is another means of securing the loading device 10 to a bed 500. The A-type platform side 22 may be used with the mounting bracket 60.

FIG. 18 illustrates how the mounting bracket 60 may be secured to the A-type platform side 22 on the top of the bed of the pickup truck.

In the A-type platform side 22 the platform 20 may be secured in the A-type decking channel 118. In the A-type platform side 22, the dolly slide 460 may be slidably disposed within the A-type ramp channel 120 in the same way that it is disposed in the B-type ramp channel 220.

FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of the loading device 10 with the platform 20 being replaced with an adjustable platform 700. There can be one width extension 710 on the left and right side of the adjustable platform 700. Each width extension 710 may be slidably connected to the adjustable platform 700 via a displacing means 720. One type of displacing means 720 may be a rod 760 that is oriented substantially horizontal and is secured at one side to the width extension 710, and may extend inwardly through a rod aperture 770 of the adjustable platform 700 to a width extension stop block 730. The stop block 730 prevents the rod 760 from falling out of the rod aperture 770, as the stop block has a size larger than the rod aperture 770, as seen in FIG. 20. FIG. 20 also illustrates that the rod aperture 770 is disposed on the wall 740 of the adjustable platform 700.

FIG. 19 illustrates that there may be three rods 706 connected to the width extension 710 to slidably engage the width extension 710 to the adjustable platform 700. A traction surface 780 may be disposed on the top of the width extension 710 to increase friction with respect to a tire of a trike, four-wheeled vehicle, or other similar device. In one embodiment the traction surface 780 may be comprised of rubber or plastic.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, the width extension 710 may be in a stored position 790 or in an expanded position 800, or anywhere in between.

FIG. 21 also illustrates in one embodiment the displacing means 720 may allow each width extension to extend about 3.56 inches outwardly. In one embodiment the adjustable platform 700 may be about 74.30 inches in length and about 46 inches in width when both width extensions 710 are in the stored position 790.

FIG. 22 illustrates a means for locking winch 810, which locks the winch plate 820 when the adjustable platform 700 is in the stowed position as illustrated in FIG. 6B. When the adjustable platform 700 is deployed, as in FIG. 2, the winch plate 820 is able to swing forwardly.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A loading device, comprising:

a housing (600) slidably disposed to a bed (500);

a dolly slide (460) slidably disposed to said housing (600); and

a ramp (40) slidably disposed to said dolly slide (460), wherein said housing (600) is defined by a platform (20) having a side (222) on opposed sides.

2. The loading device of claim 1, further comprising:

a front hinge plate (380) pivotally disposed to said housing (600) whereby said front hinge plate (380) can fold forwardly.

3. The loading device of claim 1, further comprising:

a front hinge plate (380) pivotally disposed to said housing (600) whereby said front hinge plate (380) can fold rearwardly.

4. The loading device of claim 1, further comprising:

a rear hinge plate (50) removably and pivotally disposed on said ramp (40).

5. The loading device of claim 1, further comprising:

a ramp extender (150) is pivotally secured to the ramp (40);

a leg (140) that extends downwardly from said ramp (40).

6. The loading device of claim 1, further comprising:

a leg (140) that extends downardly from said ramp (40).

7. The loading device of claim 1, further comprising:

a base frame (420) secured to a bed (500); said base frame having a sliding block (250) secured to a sliding block extension (255);

side (222) slidably disposed on said sliding block (250);

a stop member secured in said side channel (240) to limit the displacement of the B-type platform side (222) when pulled rearwardly;

said sliding block (250) slidably disposed within said sliding channel (240).

8. The loading device of claim 1, wherein said housing (600) has a side (222) secured to opposed sides of said ramp (40);

said B-type platform side (222) having a B-type decking channel (218); a B-type ramp channel (220) disposed beneath said B-type decking channel (218); and a sliding channel (240 disposed beneath said B-type ramp channel (220);

said platform (40) disposed in said B-type decking channel (218);

said dolly slide (460) rollably disposed in said B-type ramp channel (220); said sliding block (250) slidably disposed in said sliding channel (240); and

a handle (510) disposed on said ramp (40) so that the ramp (40) can be pulled out by the handle (510).

9. A loading device (10), comprising:

an A-type platform side (22) secured to opposed sides of a ramp (40);

a mounting bracket (60) secured to said A-type platform side (22) and a bed (500) of a vehicle;

said A-type platform side (22) having an A-type decking channel (118); and an A-type ramp channel (120) disposed under said A-type decking channel (118).

10. The loading device of claim 11, wherein said ramp (40) is slidably disposed to said dolly slide (460).

11. The loading device of claim 11, wherein said housing (600) is defined by a platform (20) having a B-type platform side (222) on opposed sides.

12. The loading device of claim 11, further comprising:

a front hinge plate (380) pivotally disposed to said housing (600) whereby said front hinge plate (380) can fold forwardly.

13. The loading device of claim 11, further comprising:

a front hinge plate (380) pivotally disposed to said housing (600) whereby said front hinge plate (380) can fold rearwardly.

14. The loading device of claim 11, further comprising:

a rear hinge plate (50) removably and pivotally disposed on said ramp (40).

15. The loading device of claim 11, further comprising:

a ramp extender (150) is pivotally secured to the ramp (40);

a leg (140) that extends downwardly from said ramp (40).

16. The loading device of claim 11, further comprising:

a leg (140) that extends downardly from said ramp (40).

17. The loading device of claim 11, further comprising:

a base frame (420) secured to a bed (500); said base frame having a sliding block (250) secured to a sliding block extension (255);

a B-type platform side (222) slidably disposed on said sliding block (250);

a stop member secured in said side channel (240) to limit the displacement of the B-type platform side (222) when pulled rearwardly;

said sliding block (250) slidably disposed within said sliding channel (240).

18. A loading device (10), comprising:

an adjustable platform (700) slidably disposed within a housing (600);

said adjustable platform (700) having a width extension (710) able to displace from a stored position (790) to an expanded position (800) via a displacing means (720).

19. The loading device (10) of claim 20, wherein said displacing means (720) is a rod (760) that is secured at one end to said width extension (710), said rod (760) extends from said width extension (710) inwardly through a rod aperture (770) of said housing (600) to a width extension stop block (730).

20. The loading device (10) of claim 1, further comprising:

a means for locking winch (810) whereby when said dolly slide (460) is in a stowed position, said means for locking winch (810) prevents a winch plate (820) from swinging; and when said dolly slide (460) is displaced outwardly said winch plate (820) can swing forwardly.