Support Pivotal About Horizontal Axis Patents (Class 414/534)
  • Patent number: 11970253
    Abstract: A boat lift assembly includes a first base member having a central beam portion and first and second sloped beam portions, and a second base member having a central beam portion and first and second sloped beam portions. The assembly includes a first plurality of roller tubes coupled to the first sloped beam portions of the first and second base members, and a first plurality of rollers disposed on the first plurality of roller tubes. The assembly includes a second plurality of roller tubes coupled to the central beam portions of the first and second base members, and a second plurality of rollers disposed on the second plurality of roller tubes. The assembly includes a third plurality of roller tubes coupled to the second sloped beam portions of the first and second base members, and a third plurality of rollers disposed on the third plurality of roller tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Great Lakes Lift, Inc.
    Inventor: David John Sturtevant
  • Patent number: 11180068
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a vehicle having a cargo area and a cab area is provided, wherein the cargo area may include a conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly may include a conveyor assembly section and a pivotable conveyor assembly section. The conveyor assembly section includes at least one conveyor shelf panel which includes a support surface. The pivotable conveyor assembly section may include a bracket that supports a pivotable conveyor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: The Shyft Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Eichstedt, Spencer O. South, Glen R. Helmuth
  • Patent number: 10597241
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for palletizing cargo on a rack for shipment are provided. The system generally includes a tiered rack having a base tier, a support framework extending from the base tier, and a second tier adjustably attached to the support framework. The system may further include a plurality of lower frame support members positioned longitudinally across the bottom of the base tier, and a plurality of pneumatically actuated rollers spaced to cooperatively engage the plurality of lower frame support members, the rollers being selectively extendable from a plurality of raised tracks positioned longitudinally along a floor of the railcar, where the rollers are configured to pneumatically extend past an upper surface of the track when actuated and allow for linear motion thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: American Refrigerated Express, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Campbell, Art Shoener
  • Patent number: 7488149
    Abstract: A container for example for a seeder includes a filling conveyor mounted on one with a bottom hopper and an upper filling spout with the conveyor being movable in a direction inwardly and outwardly relative to the side of the container to different positions relative to the container for cooperation with a supply. This is achieved by mounting the conveyor on a swivel coupling at the outer end of an arm which can be raised and lowered by pivotal movement about an inner end at the container. The hopper is supported on two pairs of ground wheels, each pair being arranged on a respective side of the hopper for supporting the respective side and each pair comprising a respective one of a pair of castor wheels mounted at respective ends of a pivotal beam extending along the respective side of the hopper and pivotal about an axis transverse to the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Decker Colony Farms Ltd.
    Inventor: Samuel Waldner
  • Patent number: 5984615
    Abstract: A roller drive unit with a roller, a motor to drive the roller, a drive shaft coupled to the motor, and a gear system to couple the roller to the drive shaft. The gear system has a drive gear coupled in a non-rotating manner to the drive shaft, and a driven gear coupled to the roller on the one hand and to the drive gear on the other. The drive unit also includes a support element on which the roller is supported in a rotary manner and which is in turn rotatable about the axis of the roller, a device for limiting the angular range about which the support element rotates, and a supporting device for receiving the force acting by means of a load on the roller. The support element carries at least one eccentric cam supported on a cam support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Jarl Gailon Sundseth
  • Patent number: 5846043
    Abstract: A cart and caddie system for storing and transporting standard, multi-gallon water bottles, and for inverting each bottle so that its neck is received in an open well at the top of a water dispenser to feed water therein. The wheeled cart includes a lower deck loaded by depleted bottles taken from the dispenser and an upper roller deck loaded by filled water bottles and having an outlet end. The wheeled caddie which is provided with a swiveled cradle is movable from a position adjacent the cart in which the cradle lies in registration with the outlet end of the upper deck whereby a filled bottle can then be transferred from the upper deck to the cradle and then to a position adjacent the dispenser at which the cradle can then be swung to invert the bottle to cause its neck to be received in the open well and thereby renew the water supply of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: John J. Spath
  • Patent number: 5738199
    Abstract: A roller assembly is removably mounted on the floor of a vehicle. The assembly has a floor unit which is mounted on the vehicle floor and an erectable unit pivotally supported on the floor unit. This assembly has a retracted configuration in which the erectable unit is retracted in abutment against the floor unit. In the retracted configuration the assembly is adapted for moving cargo therelong in a first direction. The assembly further has an erected configuration in which the erectable unit is retained in a position normal to the floor unit. In this second configuration the assembly is adapted for moving cargo in a second direction at an acute angle relative to the first direction. To facilitate movement of the cargo, a first set of rollers is mounted on the floor unit of the assembly for universal movement and a second set of rollers is mounted on the erectable unit of the assembly for rotational movement about a single axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ancra International Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Moradians
  • Patent number: 5636902
    Abstract: An attachable dumping device is presented which allows for dumping rock, sand, or other materials from a pick-up truck. The device has three main parts, a bin which is attached to a bin frame which in turn is attached to a bottom frame. The bottom frame is bolted to the truck bed and pivots near the tailgate portion of the truck. The bin and bin frame are attached to the bottom frame by means of rollers. The device has a tailgate and latch for loading and unloading the material. In use, one simply opens the tailgate and causes the bin to move along the rollers until the bin is approximately one-half of the way out of the bed of the truck. The bed frame then rotates about its pivot point and the entire device is tilted to dump the material onto the ground. In repositioning the device, the bin is pushed forward until the entire device pivots back to a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Steven A. Norbury
  • Patent number: 5360226
    Abstract: The Grab and Center Boat Loading System is a centering guide system which helps one person load a boat on a boat trailer with no other person assisting. The system consists of two side mounted, spring loaded, rotating guides and one front mounted fixed standing guide which may be mounted on most boat trailers. Because each side mounted guide is designed to rotate forward and down if struck from the aft or stand and hold if struck from the side direction, this system helps a person safely load even large boats without any assistance. If, while being loaded, the boat rams one of the guides from the aft direction, the guide will rotate forward and down rather than damage the boat or itself. It will then begin to raise back up and begin to center the boat over the trailer. Once both side guides are standing with the boat confined between them, the boater then simply points the bow toward the front mounted guide and drives the boat slowly and safely to the front of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventors: Ova L. Gussler, Jr., Ova L. Gussler, III
  • Patent number: 5316329
    Abstract: A sliding boat trailer roller mount is used when loading or unloading a boat from a boat trailer. The roller mount includes a mounting arm with an arch, a saddle with a curved groove in which the mounting arm rocks and slides, and a roller at each end of the mounting arm. A pair of saddles are attached to the ends of a pivot arm. A plurality of pairs of pivot arms are pivotally mounted on a boat trailer. The curvature of the mounting arm is such that it slides and pivots within the curved groove of the saddle, allowing the rollers to follow the compound curvature of a boat hull during loading or unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventor: Charles J. MacKarvich
  • Patent number: 5299903
    Abstract: A pivoting keel guide for boat trailers which can be used with most boats, can be easily field added to existing trailers, and which will provide excellent centering action for crosswinds when the trailer is submerged. A base plate attaches to a cross-member of the trailer. Pivotally attached to the base plate is a U-channel guide arm, with a pair of guide rollers supported on roller arms mounted on the end of the guide arm opposite the pivot. The guide arm is biased into a raised position using resilient elements such as springs, so that the guide rollers can contact the bottom of the boat while the trailer is submerged. The guide arm pivots along the length of the trailer as the boat settles onto the trailer, exerting a constant centering force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventor: Harry N. Kesselring
  • Patent number: 5158315
    Abstract: In a boat trailer having a frame including a crossbar, and a pair of bunks for supporting a boat thereon, a support assembly for vertically adjustably supporting the bunks on the crossbar including a post unit connected to the crossbar, a bracket unit connected to the bunk, fastening means releasably connecting the post unit and the bracket unit for relative movement therebetween, and a jack screw unit connected between the post unit and the bracket unit for effecting incremental movement therebetween for adjustment of the bunks relative to the frame without the need of effecting a complete separation of the post unit and bracket unit by removal of the fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Inventor: Byron L. Godbersen
  • Patent number: 5152656
    Abstract: A trailer for carrying a small boat and simultaneously carrying one end of a small automobile, so that the boat and automobile can be towed behind a motor home or other large motor vehicle without the combination of vehicles being so long as to be unduly difficult to handle. A boat support platform carries a boat with its bow forward, and a movable arch frame is pivoted about a transverse axis to raise the rear portion of the boat support frame high enough above the main frame of the trailer that the road wheels of one end of an automobile can be carried by the trailer within the space defined by the arch frame. The automobile can then be towed with the boat extending rearwardly above a portion of the automobile. When the automobile is not in position on the trailer the boat support frame is lowered to permit water launch and recovery of the boat as with a conventional boat trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: S & G Trailer, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Potter
  • Patent number: 5152657
    Abstract: An attachment for use with a boat trailer previously equipped with an upstanding post secured to a trailer tongue, and a winch with a rope mounted near the upper end of said post. The attachment includes a third class lever pivotally connected at the forward end to a shackle secured to the trailer tongue, and further supported and horizontally restained near the rearward end of the lever by a support shackle also secured to the trailer tongue, the free rearward end of the lever terminating in a bracket with a roller supporting the forward keel of a boat in transit. The winch rope end may be secured between ends of the lever so that operation of the winch causes the lever to move vertically upwards, from its support position, in an arc centered at the lever pivotal connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Lewis F. Kehne
  • Patent number: 5133571
    Abstract: A boat trailer is described which combines the advantages of previously available hydraulic and roller-type trailer constructions. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the trailer bed is of a U-frame construction, with a plurality of side rollers and an adjustable roller member for supporting the keel of a boat to be carried about a marina, boat yard, or boat showroom or area. The trailer, at the same time, is arranged to couple to any appropriate towing vehicle by a pivotable tongue, on which a hydraulic cylinder or some other means is secured to tilt the trailer bed and to assist in the loading and unloading of the boat for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Inventor: Vincent A. Urbank
  • Patent number: 5082417
    Abstract: The difficulty in loading a load carrying body (26) onto or removing it from an elevated surface (48) with a standard hydraulic loader arm (30) is avoided through the use of a lifting frame (70) adapted to be mounted to the bed (20) or frame (10) of a vehicle. Pivots (80) mount the frame (70) to the vehicle adjacent one end of the bed (20) and a pair of spaced rollers (42) are journaled on the frame (70). Cylinders (100) selectively move the frame (70) about the pivots (80) between upper and lower positions respectively above and below the vehicle bed (20) enabling a load carrying body (26) to be loaded onto or unloaded from an elevated surface (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Stellar Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James Vlaanderen
  • Patent number: 5024312
    Abstract: A roller assembly for supporting a boat on a trailer which has a hub with a resilient surface, and wherein the hub rotates on a cat's eye-shaped bushing which allows limited swivel and acts as a positive guide to the boat hull for providing straight line loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Byron L. Godbersen
  • Patent number: 5007791
    Abstract: There is described a load handling device for a vehicle which enables the vehicle to pick up and set down standard ISO containers. The device has a mast pivotally mounted at one end adjacent the rear of the vehicle for movement about a horizontal axis, and a cross-member mounted for movement along the length of the mast, the cross-member including elongate flexible tension elements extending from its ends and provided with load-engaging fixtures at their respective free ends, the device further including apparatus to vary the effective lengths of the flexible tension elements independently or in unison. This apparatus for varying the effective length of the flexible tension elements is advantageously mounted within the cross-member. In use, the load-engaging fixtures are attached to the corner fittings of a container while the mast is vertical and the cross-member is at the lower end of the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: T. T. Boughton & Sons Ltd.
    Inventor: T. Trafford Boughton
  • Patent number: 5002299
    Abstract: A glide system for boat trailers provides ease of loading and launching in an economical manner. The glide system comprises a plurality of glides for supporting a boat hull. Each glide comprises a support member made of a relatively soft and low-friction material. Brackets for mounting the support member to a trailer cross member provide pivoting of the support member relative to the trailer cross member and adjustments in at least two planes to obtain optimum support for the boat. The support members have curved sections at least in their transverse planes for contacting the boat hull with maximum contact area. The support members may be fabricated as single piece components. Alternately, the support members may be composed of structural members covered with respective bearing members that are made of a low-friction and relatively soft material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Soaring Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Firehammer, Douglas L. Case
  • Patent number: 4997332
    Abstract: A boat trailer which is characterized by laterally spaced longitudinally extending booms or side frame members and cross members which are supported from the side frame members at their ends on axially aligned pivots. The cross members laterally space the booms and have provision for selectively mounting thereon either pairs of transversely spaced longitudinally extending bars which carry assemblies of boat hull engaging members mounted thereon so as to pivot on longitudinally extending axes, or vertically extendable posts with the longitudinal bars and associated boat hull engaging members mounted thereon in elevated relation above the side frame members. The boat trailer eliminates the necessity of rigid cross frame members structurally interconnecting the side frame members, or booms, and enables the trailer structure to be readily adapted to carry either shallow draft, shoal draft, or deep keel boats having various hull configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: EZ Loader Boat Trailers, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4979536
    Abstract: A portable tire washing apparatus is mounted on a towable trailer bed or on a platform and has drivable rollers for rotating truck tires while they are sprayed by jets of water. Additional roller assemblies or bumpers are provided to prevent sideway movement of the tires. The platform-mounted apparatus may be installed on level ground or in a depression dug in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Marking Designs Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Midkiff
  • Patent number: 4955778
    Abstract: A boat trailer having a pair of laterally spaced frame members, a cross member unit disposed between the frame members, a keel support assembly mounted on the cross member unit intermediate thereof and including a first bracket unit with one portion pivotally mounted to and disposed below the center of the cross member unit, with flanges extended forwardly and rearwardly of the cross member, and with a roller unit pivotally mounted on the forwardly and rearwardly extended flanges of the bracket unit, each roller unit having one or more rollers arranged in a plane common with each other and with the center of the cross member, and whereby the central keel rest upon the rollers and the keel to the sides thereof rest upon the cross member unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: Byron L. Godbersen
  • Patent number: 4902189
    Abstract: A vehicle for carrying a container or platform has a lifting mechanism for loading the container or platform onto the vehicle. There are roller devices (10,12) rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and located at the rear of the vehicle. A gathering and guiding device, preferably a rotatable roller (16), is located at each side of the vehicle forwardly of the roller device and positioned to be encountered by and to guide and centralize the container during a loading operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Multilift Limited
    Inventor: Reijo J. Raisio
  • Patent number: 4900216
    Abstract: A boat trailer having a frame, a pair of wheels, a mechanism for connecting the trailer to a prime mover, and a roller arrangement rearwardly on the frame for loading, unloading and supporting a boat: the improvement comprising a novel roller arrangement mounting device for a pair of roller assemblies each of which has a pair of rollers, and wherein a single non-metal mounting block provides independent rotatable engagement with the roller assemblies and with a frame connected mounting arm, whereby the roller assemblies are simultaneously rotatable about axes transverse to the frame longitudinal axis and within normally vertical planes to maintain the rollers in constant engagement with the boat hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Byron L. Godbersen
  • Patent number: 4900051
    Abstract: A trailer for hauling a boat having a wheel and axle supported frame including a pair of frame members extended rearwardly from a tongue connection in a laterally spaced relationship, a cross member assembly supported on upper surfaces of the frame members, and bunk-type units mounted on the cross member assembly for engageable with a portion of the hull of the boat, the cross member assembly having a non-load bearing pivotal connection with the frame members while supported thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Byron L. Godbersen
  • Patent number: 4893828
    Abstract: A boat trailer having a frame, a wheel and axle unit supporting the frame, a front keel and hull supporting unit mounted on the frame, and a rear cross member, a roller bunk apparatus having a pair of identical roller bunk units each mounted on a side of the longitudinal axis of the trailer; with each roller bunk unit comprising an elongated tubular member disposed parallel an adjacent frame member, and a pair of elongated tubular elements mounted on each member in longitudinal alignment, with the rear element pivotally mounted, and with a plurality of roller units mounted on each element in longitudinal spacing and alignment, and with plate units movably mounted at a rear end of each element for engagement with a trim tab portion of the boat hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Inventor: Byron L. Godbersen
  • Patent number: 4875700
    Abstract: A boat trailer frame has front cross rails spanning the parallel portions of longitudinal rails with forwardly convergent front ends. The cross rails carry sets of boat hull-engaging members arranged to conform to the shape of the hulls of boats to be transported. Transversely extending pivots, in hanger cradles carried by longitudinally adjustable hangers depending from the longitudinal rails, mount the ends of the cross rails for pivoting movement in a fore and aft direction and pivot restricting stops interact between the hangers and cross rails to limit the arc of fore and aft pivot thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Magline, Inc.
    Inventor: George E. Monroe
  • Patent number: 4875701
    Abstract: A boat trailer having a frame, a wheel unit supporting the frame, a rear cross member between elements of the frame for supporting a plurality of roller units, and a front cross member between other elements of the frame for supporting a hull supporting unit comprised of an elongated, resilient pad secured to the upper surface of the cross member, and with a plastic or like cover for the pad; and the front cross member having also mounted thereon a keel supporting unit with openings formed in an upper plastic-like element engageable with the front portion of the keel of a boat being transported by the trailer wherein foreign material such as sand and gravel on the keel front portion is removed by said keel supporting unit by passage through the openings, and thereby preventing scouring and scratching of the keel front portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Inventor: Byron L. Godbersen
  • Patent number: 4858943
    Abstract: A boat trailer having a frame with a forwardly extending tongue and a paddle cradle for a boat hull has a pair of longitudinally disposed arms pivotally hinged forwardly to each side element of the frame. Each independently pivoted arm includes a float attached at its rearwardly extending distal end. An outrigger guide arm is attached to the distal end of each arm and extends outwardly and upwardly such that the floats cause each guide arm to extend above the water level during launching and recovery of a boat. A line attached to a boat bow fed over a post and hook on the tongue and aft to a slot in a guide arm permits launching and recovery of a boat by one person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Inventor: Warren E. Cote
  • Patent number: 4820111
    Abstract: A boat trailer having a frame, wheel unit, an adjustably mounted winch unit including a keel engaging member, an elongated second keel engaging member pivotally mounted on the frame rearwardly of the winch unit and self-centering to engage a longitudinal length of the keel, a pair of fender units each of which is reversibly mountable on either side of the frame for protecting a wheel, a pair of unitary post load guide brackets slidably engaged with the rear of the frame members and each supporting both a post guide and a rear taillight, a cross member pivotally and longitudinally adjustably mounted at each end to a frame member, and a pair of bunks and a pair of aligned, resiliently mounted roller units interchangeably mounted on said cross member for providing an automatic, full line engagement of either the bunks or the roller units with the bottom of the hull, when loaded, in combination with the second keel engaging member, forming a self-adjusting three point support of the boat hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: Byron L. Godbersen
  • Patent number: 4781515
    Abstract: There is provided a pivotally mounted hull-engaging roller system for a roller trailer for facilitating loading and unloading a boat and assuring efficient support of a boat loaded thereon. The pivotal mounting permits the hull contacting elements or rollers to tilt inwardly without the need for any particular tilting capability. The hull-engaging rollers of the invention are supported on the trailer crossbars by an improved bracket having the capability of effectively supporting the crossbars for pivotal movement relative to the trailer side booms. The improved roller mounting structure disclosed herein accommodates a variety of various designed craft hulls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventor: Lawrence N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4765794
    Abstract: This boat loader is designed to aid in the loading of a boat on a trailer. Primarily, it consists of a second frame mounted to a trailer frame, and the second frame includes a hydraulic unit to elevate one end, which is necessary for controlled height when loading a boat, and the second frame is pivotally attached to the trailer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Inventors: Cecil L. Stephens, Frank G. Stephens
  • Patent number: 4755097
    Abstract: A device for handling a container on a vehicle to permit the container to be tipped about an axis at the rear of the vehicle or to be loaded or unloaded. The device has a reciprocable frame which carries the tipping axis and is caused to reciprocate along the chassis of the vehicle by a horizontally extending hydraulic jack. The device includes hooks to secure the container in a fixed position before the vehicle is used for transporting the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Bennes Marrel
    Inventor: Antoine Corompt
  • Patent number: 4717165
    Abstract: A boat trailer having the parallel boat supporting portions of the trailer frame free of any fixed cross frame members rigidly connected to the trailer side booms. The parallel spacing between this portion of the trailer frame is effected by a downwardly curved cross bar member pivotally connected at each end to the trailer side frames. The ends of the pivotally connected cross bar are supported from the trailer side frames in a manner which eliminates the necessity of any side frame-to-cross bar mounting bracketry, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the trailer and simulating a welded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Inventor: Lawrence N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4684145
    Abstract: A boat guide for use in loading a boat from a body of water onto a trailer. There is one upright post on each side of the boat trailer near the rear end thereof each of which is of sufficient height to extend above the water when loading the boat. A cross-member having a cradle in the center connects the upper ends of these two posts. The posts are each pivotally connected to the floor or frame of the trailer and are held by a spring in an upright position. When the boat is to be loaded, the keel of the boat is directed toward the cradle and as the boat moves over the trailer, the guide rotates but the keel still follows the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Inventor: William C. Tingley
  • Patent number: 4647110
    Abstract: A cargo retaining and dumping device for mounting to a load-bearing platform is disclosed, comprising a cargo bin slidably mounted through a retaining guide connection to a track which is bifurcated in the lengthwise direction, the rearmost portion of which is upwardly pivotable about its rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Inventor: David J. McKee
  • Patent number: 4620716
    Abstract: A boat trailer having a pair of spaced guide roller assemblies between which the bow of a boat is located upon boat retrieval. Each guide roller assembly comprises a base member secured to the trailer chassis, a post which can pivot in a generally fore-and-aft direction, a spring which urges the post to an upstanding position, a rocker arm which can pivot in a general transverse direction on the upper end of the post, and a pair of rollers which engage the boat undersurface and help to centralize it as the boat is retrieved from the water and onto the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Inventor: Luigi Carbone
  • Patent number: 4592694
    Abstract: A boat trailer which is characterized by laterally spaced longitudinally extending booms or side frame members and cross members which are supported from the side frame members at their ends on axially aligned pivots. The cross members laterally space the booms and have provision for selectively mounting thereon either pairs of transversely spaced longitudinally extending bars which carry assemblies of boat hull engaging members mounted thereon so as to pivot on longitudinally extending axes, or vertically extendable posts with the longitudinal bars and associated boat hull engaging members mounted thereon in elevated relation above the side frame members. The boat trailer eliminates the necessity of rigid cross frame members structurally interconnecting the side frame members, or booms, and enables the trailer structure to be readily adapted to carry either shallow draft, shoal draft, or deep keel boats having various hull configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: EZ Loader Boat Trailers, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4549844
    Abstract: A roller bed vehicle is provided which includes selectively elevatable rollers positioned in openings in a vehicle load carrying bed. A roller actuator mechanism array selectively raises and lowers the rollers so that a load may slide across the raised rollers to load and unload onto the bed and the rollers may be lowered below the bed top surface to facilitate the load resting on the bed when transported by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Inventor: Thomas P. Miller
  • Patent number: 4530634
    Abstract: A boat trailer having at least one pivotally mounted crossbar member facilitating loading and unloading a trailer and assuring efficient support of a boat loaded thereon. The crossbar member of the invention is provided with a dropped or curved configuration which supports the hull of a boat at a lowermost position for stability and for effective loading and unloading. The pivotal mounting and curved form of the crossbar member not only maintains the keel or hull as low as possible but naturally permits the hull contacting elements to tilt inwardly without the need for any particular tilting capability. The crossbar member is supported on the trailer booms by an improved bracket having the capability of effectively supporting the crossbar member for pivotal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Inventor: Lawrence N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4500249
    Abstract: A boat trailer cradle comprising a stationary supporting framework adapted to be mounted to the frame side members of a boat trailer chassis, a two-shafted cradle vertically adjustable with respect to the supporting framework and carrying four rubber-tired wheels and two keel rollers, and two rubber-wheeled lateral supporting arms pivotally connected between the cradle and the supporting framework in a manner such that upon depression of the cradle through the load of a boat hauled up onto it, the arms are swung upwards with their rubber-tired wheels laterally supporting the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Inventor: Lars Johansson
  • Patent number: 4484853
    Abstract: A system for carriage of a shelter such as a garage in erected form with a trailer or truck adapted to readily mount and carry such shelter on it such that the truck or trailer may be conveniently used to carry loads on a work site; the shelter forms a garage for the trailer or truck, and the latter is also used to readily move the shelter or garage to another site whenever desired. The trailer includes laterally extending arms to engage under the lateral sills of the shelter and the latter has a front wall with portions folding away for the passage of the arms upon loading and unloading of the shelter on the trailer or truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Inventor: Bernard Desourdy
  • Patent number: 4464092
    Abstract: A utility boat trailer for towing a boat which is capable of carrying a number of different sizes of boats and a number of different hull configurations has a plurality of adjustments on various of its members including position and angle adjustment in order for load bearing rollers used on the trailer to conformably support most boat hulls loaded and carried thereon, thereby minimizing stress on the hull and enhancing the ease of loading and unloading, said trailer also including height and position adjustments for a winch which effects the loading and unloading, the configuration of various of the trailer structural members having reduced mass and enhanced strength design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Inventors: J. Bruce Chambers, Donald D. Paul
  • Patent number: 4453881
    Abstract: A roller assembly for a boat trailer is provided which does not call for careful alignment of the boat with respect to the trailer. The assembly is inclusive of a frame and, on the frame, a roller, a mounting member and a coupling member. The mounting and coupling members are such that a limited rocking movement of the assembly is permitted, this movement coming into play in response to an offset load bearing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Inventor: Keith Cowley
  • Patent number: 4448438
    Abstract: A boat trailer for loading, transporting and launching a boat includes a wheel-supported frame having a pair of longitudinally-extending frame rails. A transversely-extending aft support cradle is connected to the frame rails and is arranged to pivot relative to the rails in forward and rearward directions to facilitate loading and launching of a boat. The cradle is of a U-shaped configuration, having a pair of support arms which extend upwardly at opposite ends of a cross-beam. The support arms overlie side portions of the frame rails and are pivotally connected to the frame rails near upper surfaces thereof. The cradle carries at least one longitudinally extending rocker arm which supports hull engagement rollers. The pivotal connections between the support arms and the frame rails are located relatively high with respect to the locations of the hull engagement rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: The Tee Nee Trailer Company
    Inventor: Arnold R. DeWalk
  • Patent number: 4429893
    Abstract: A boat trailer composed of a metal frame with cross members constructed of metal box beams or I beams, a padded board parallel to the sides of the frame and located about five inches above the wheels resting on the frame, four automotive leaf springs bent 90 degrees at one end and attached to the beams of the frame with U bolts, the unattached end being tilted slightly inward and attached with bolts to padded wooden blocks which urge the boat toward the center of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Inventor: Anthony Palamara
  • Patent number: 4416579
    Abstract: A cargo guide assembly includes a base which is mountable to the floor of a cargo hold in a transport vehicle such as an aircraft. A guide rail is pivotally attached to the base for swinging movement between a first position in which the guide rail contacts the side of a cargo container in the cargo hold, thereby restraining movement of the cargo and a second position in which the guide rail lies below the cargo floor, thereby permitting cargo to pass over it. A powered actuator is mounted on the base and is coupled to the guide rail by actuation linkage operable to move the guide rail from its first to its second position. Preferably, the assembly includes a latch for latching the guide rail in its second position and a biasing device associated with the base to bias the guide rail toward its first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John Alberti
  • Patent number: 4411349
    Abstract: A conveyor device useful also as a bulkhead in a storage compartment for trucks, railroad cars and cargo holds in airplanes, boats and the like. The conveyor device comprises a frame having adjustable bar means carried by the frame, to be pressed against the walls of the storage compartment to secure the frame as a bulkhead across the width of the storage compartment. Article conveyor track means are removably carried by the frame. Typically, in the bulkhead mode the track means serve as part of the bulkhead wall, while during loading or unloading the track means may be used to convey articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Walgreen Co.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Stedman, Ronald A. Voyda
  • Patent number: 4371299
    Abstract: A transporter or trailer for endwise transport of combine headers and the like, consists of a standard four-wheel wagon running gear carrying an elongated generally rectangular frame providing support surfaces compatible with a variety of sizes and types of header. A pair of longitudinally spaced fixed pockets at the left-hand side of the adapter frame receives heel portions adjacent the rear of headers of the corn head or row-crop head type while a somewhat elevated, swingably adjusted, rail may be set to an appropriate contact and support forward portions of a particular header. In alternative embodiments, an auxiliary laterally adjustable rail may support a second front portion of a header, or additional support "cradles" may be attached along the left-hand side of the frame to accommodate headers with elongated transverse beam members such as grain platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Darryl F. Cain, Kevin L. Ehrecke
  • Patent number: 4329108
    Abstract: An adjustable length boat trailer has a rigid framework mounted on an axle supported by wheels. The framework has a rearward U-shaped portion and a pair of converging arm sections at its forward end. A T-shaped elongated tongue member is slideably and releasably secured to the framework. The tongue member has a forward elongated shaft portion having a hitch connection and rearward outwardly disposed crosspiece arms. The shaft portion is slideably and releasably secured between the converging arm sections while the crosspiece arms are adjustably and releasably secured to the U-shaped portion of the framework. Each of the crosspiece arms pivotally supports a roller assembly which is moveable along the length of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Inventor: Byron L. Godbersen