CA2134482A1 - Snowmobile carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

There are several basic requirements for snowmobile carriers for small trucks, including easy operation of the carrier and gentle movement from the inclined loading or unloading position. Because the vast majority of snowmobiles do not have a reverse gear, it must be possible to rotate at least a portion of the carrier so that the snowmobile can be driven from the carrier in a forward direction. A relative simple carrier for meeting these requirements includes a base for mounting in a pickup truck box, a ramp removably mounted in the base for releasable attachment to the rear end of the base, a frame pivotally mounted on the base for movement between a horizontal carrying position and an inclined position, shock absorbers for ensuring gentle movement of the frame between the carrying and the inclined positions, and a platform rotatably mounted on the frame for alignment with the ramp in each of two positions for loading and unloading of a snowmobile in the forward direction. The platform and the frame are releasably retained in the horizontal carrying position by a first latch which can easily be actuated by a user from the platform. The platform is releasably retained in one position by a simple second latch, which is operated from the side of the truck before an unloading operation.

Description

2134i~2 -This invention relates to a snowmobile carrier, and in particular to a snowmobile carrier for use on a pickup truck.
A major problem in the design of currently available snowmobile carriers intended for use on small trucks is that the carrier cannot be rotated. Because the vast majority of snowmobiles do not have a reverse gear, once the snowmobile has been driven onto the carrier it is difficult to remove the snowmobile. Thus, a rotatable platform is almost a necessity.
Another problem is that many carriers are designed for use on the bottom or floor of the box of a truck or trailer. Thus, it is necessary to elevate the platform carrying the snowmobile, and to provide a tiltable platform or an extremely long ramp. A third problem is that of controlling the tilting action. If the snowmobile is driven onto the platform, as soon as the vehicle passes the center of gravity of the platform, the latter rapidly tilts to the horizontal position.
Such rapid tilting can result in damage to the snowmobile or the carrier.
A surprisingly large number of patents have been granted for snowmobile carriers, including Canadian Patent No.
971,515, issued to F. Curvin on July 22, 1975; laid open Canadian Patent Application No. 2,076,255, published in the name of G.O. Alexander on February 18, 1994; and United States Patents Nos. 3,536,214, issued to R.P. Sorg et al on October 27, 1970; 3,604,579, issued to R.A. Jenkins on September 14, 1971; 3,720,335, issued to S.G. Ward on March 13, 1973;
3,720,336, issued to G.W. Murray et al on March 13, 1973;

213~14~2 3,726,423, issued to X. Miron on April 10, 1973 and 3,757,972, issued to H.G. Martin on September 11, 1973.
While the patents listed above offer partial solutions to the problems, none of them solves all of the problems in a satisfactory manner. Some of the patented devices are not designed for use on pickup trucks. None of the patents addresses the question of controlling the tilting, except by using a double acting cylinder. The use of a double acting cylinder in one of the carriers merely increases the complexity and consequently the cost of the device. The other apparatuses do not include either the requlsite tilt feature on a rotatable platform.
An object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above described problems in the form of a relatively simple snowmobile carrier for use on a pickup truck which controls tilting and enables a driver to load and unload in a forward direction.
Accordingly, the invention relates to a snowmobile carrier for a pickup truck having a rear box with side walls and a gate on a rear end thereof, said carrier comprising base means for mounting in the box of the truck; ramp means removably mounted in said base means; coupler means for releasably connecting one end of said ramp means to a rear end of said frame means; post means on each side of said base means for extending upwardly beyond the top of the side walls of the box; frame means pivotally mounted on said post means for rotation being a horizontal rest position and an inclined position; platform means for carrying a snowmobile rotatably 213~4~2 around a vertical axis on said frame means for alignment with said frame means in either of two positions permitting loading or unloading of a snowmobile from either end thereof, said frame means extending forwardly beyond said base means and S said platform means extending rearwardly beyond said frame means, the center of gravity of said frame and platform means being forward of the said post means, whereby when a snowmobile is driven onto the platform means beyond the center of gravity, the platform means and frame means automatically tilt from the horizontal to the inclined or from the inclined to the horizontal position; and shock absorber means connecting said frame means to said base means whereby tilting of said frame means and said platform means is controlled.
The invention is described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is an isometric view from above and the rear end of a snowmobile carrier in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded, isometric view from above and the front end of the snowmobile carrier of Fig. l;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a base used in the snowmobile carrier of Figs.1 and 2 mounted in a truck;
Figure 4 is a partly sectioned top view of the rear end of the base of Fig. 3 in the extended position;

2 1 3 ~ 2 Figure 5 is a perspective view of the front end of the base of Fig. 3 and a latch mechanism;
Figure 6 is a perspective view from above of one end of a ramp used in the carrier of Figs. 1 and 2;
5Figures 7 and 8 are front end views of the carrier of Figs. 1 and 2;
Figure 9 is an exploded view of the latch mechanism used on the carrier of Figs. 1 and 2;
Figure 10 is a rear view of the latch mechanism of Fig. 9 illustrating the operation thereof;
Figure 11 is an end view of most of the latch mechanism in the closed or latched position;
Figure 12 is an isometric view of a second latch mechanism used in the carrier of Figs. 1 and 2;
15Figure 13 is a top view of a platform used in the carrier of Figs. 1 and 2;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the front end of the platform of Fig. 13; and Figures 15 to 19 are schematic side views of the carrier illustrating the use thereof.
It will be readily apparent in what follows that parts have been omitted from several figures of the drawings.
This was done to simplify illustration of the apparatus.
~ ith reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the basic elements of the carrier of present invention include a skeletal rectangular base 1 for mounting in the box 2 of a small truck

3 (e.g. a pick-up truck), a frame 4 mounted on the base 1, a 213~482 platform 5 mounted on the frame 4 for carrying a snowmobile 6 (Figs. 15 to 19), and a ramp 7 removably mounted in the base 1.
As best shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the base 1 is defined by sides 8, a front end 9 and a rear end 10. Each side 8 includes longitudinally extending, tubular bottom and top rails 12 and 13, respectively and three posts 14, 15 and 16 interconnected by the rails 12 and 13. Crossbars 17 and 18 extend between the posts 14 at the rear ends of the sides 8.
A reinforcing crossbar 19 extends between the upper free ends of the posts 15, and diagonal braces 20 extend between the posts 15 beneath the top rails 13 and the crossbar 19. A crossbar 21 extends between the bottom rails 12 near the front end thereof. At the front end 9 of the frame 1, the bottom rails 12 extend beyond the posts 16 and are interconnected by a crossbar 22. Inclined braces 23 extend upwardly and rearwardly from the front ends of the rails 12 to the posts 16. Gussets 24 extend between the top ends of the braces 23 and the posts 16. The posts 16 extend upwardly beyond the top rails 13 and are interconnected by a crossbar 25 with inclined shoulders. A hard plastic (ultra high molecular weight nylon) slider 26 is provided on the top of the crossbar 25 for supporting the front end of the platform 5.
The carrier is securely mounted in a truck box 2 using eyebolts 27 and turnbuckles 28. A plurality of L-shaped brackets 29 (Fig. 5) are welded to the side rails 12 on each side 8 of the base. Rubber pads 30 (Figs. 5, 7 and 8) are 213~4~
inserted between the brackets 29 and the floor of the box 2 to prevent scrapping of the latter. A pair of parallel, spaced apart rails 31 extend longitudinally of the base 1 between the crossbars 17 and 21 for slidably receiving the ramp 7. An extensible support 32 is provided at the rear end 10 of the frame 1 for supporting the ramp 7 in an inclined position.
The ramp support 32 includes a bar 33 extending transversely of the bottom of the rear end of the base 1, and a pair of arms 34 extending into the bottom rails 12 of the base. Thus, the support can be moved between a retracted, non-use position ~Figs. 1 and 2) and an extended position (Figs.3 and 4). A
coupler for releasably connecting the ramp 7 to the base 1 includes a pair of fingers 35 extend upwardly from the bar 33, and plates 36 with openings 37 therein extend forwardly from the bar 33.
Referring to Fig. 6, the ramp 7 includes a central rectangular frame 38, and two side panels 39 connected to the central panel by hinges (not shown). The central frame 38 is defined by sides 41 and rungs 42 extending therebetween.
Triangular gussets 44 extend between one rung 42 and the sides 41 of the frame 38. The gusset 44 have sockets or openings 46 for receiving pins 47 - these elements completing the ramp coupler. When the gusset openings 46 are aligned with the openings 37 in the plates 36, the pins 47 are dropped through the openings 37 and 46 to retain the ramp 7 in position. In such position, the fingers bear against one of the rungs 42 to prevent further longitudinal movement of the ramp 7.

2:13t~2 The middle posts 15, which are closer to the rear than the front of the base 1, extend upwardly beyond the top rail 13. Clevises 48 are mounted on the top ends of the posts 15 for pivotally supporting the frame 4. The clevises 48 support the sides 50 of the rectangular frame 4 for rotation around a horizontal axis extending through the clevises 48.
The pivot point on the frame 4 is considerably rearwardly of the middle of the frame. The frame 4 is retained in the clevises 48 by bolts 51 and nuts 52 (Fig. 2).
The frame 4 includes the sides 50, which are interconnected by ends 54 and 55, and crossbars 57 and 58. A
pair of arms 59 extend between the crossbar 58 and the front end 55 of the frame 4. Clevises 60 extend downwardly from the arms 59 for pivotally supporting the top ends of shock absorbers 62. The bottom ends of the shock absorbers 62 are pivotally connected to the gussets 24 for controlling the speed of tilting of the frame 4 with respect to the base 1. A
fence 63 (a so-called headache rack) is telescopically connected to the front end of the frame 4. The fence 63 includes a skeletal, rectangular frame 65 with inclined shoulders 66. Screens 67 are mounted in each end 68 of the frame 65 for preventing damage to the rear window 69 (Fig. 3) of the truck if a snowmobile 6 moves too far forwardly on the carrier. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a pair of arms 72 extend rearwardly from the frame 65 into the open ends of the tubular sides 50 of the frame 4. The arms 72 are retained in position by bolts 73. Thus, the position of the fence 63 can be adjusted to suit truck bodies of different lengths.

213~82 The frame 4 is normally retained in the horizontal, transport position on the base 1 by a latch mechanism generally indicated at 74 mounted on the front end 9 of the base 1. As best shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the latch mechanism 74 includes a generally L-shaped actuating lever 75 which is pivotally mounted on the bottom end of an arm 76 (Figs. 7 and 8) extending downwardly from the top crossbar 25 on the front end 9 of the base 1. The outer end of the lever 75 is biased upwardly by a helical spring 77 extending between the lever and the arm 76. A disc-shaped pedal 78 is mounted on the outer free end of the vertical arm 79 of the lever 75. The inner end of the lever 75 is pivotally connected to one bottom corner 81 of a hook defined by a generally triangular latch plate 82 by a toggle linkage 83. The plate 82 is pivotally connected to a plate 84, which is fixedly mounted on a rectangular plate 85 by bolts 86. The plate 85 is welded to the bottom of the crossbar 25 on the front end 9 of the base 1. As best shown in Fig. 9, the bolts 86 extend through vertical slots 87 in the plate 85 into holes 88 in the plate 84. The slots 87 permit vertical adjustment of the movable elements of the latch mechanism 74 to ensure proper horizontal alignment with cooperating fixed elements on the frame 4. A
bolt 90 extends through the center of the plate 82 into an arm 91 extending outwardly from one side of the plate 84. A
spring 92 extends outwardly from the other bottom corner 93 of the plate 82 to an arm 94 extending downwardly from the fixed plate 84 at a location remote from the pivot point on the arm 91. The spring 92 biases the plate 82 to a latch position in 213~48~

which a deep notch 95 in the top of the plate 84 receives and retains a latch pin 96 (Figs. 7, 8 and 11) extending forwardly from the center of the front end 55 of the frame 4. Thus, in the horizontal, use position of the frame 4 and the platform 5, the latch mechanism 74 normally prevents tilting of the frame 4 and the platform relative to the base 1.
The latch plate 82 is maintained in the release position by a catch plate 97, one end 98 of which contains a V-shaped notch 99 for receiving the pointed top end 100 of the plate 82. The plate 97 is pivotally connected to the fixed plate 84 by a bolt 101. The plate 97 is blased to the latch position by a helical spring 103 which extends between the outer free end of a top horizontal arm 104 on the plate 84, and the generally chevron-shaped end 105 of the plate 97 opposite the notch 99. When the pedal 78 is pressed downwardly (by stepping on it), the outer end of the lever 75 moves downwardly and the inner end of the lever moves upwardly causing the plate 82 to pivot around the bolt 90 in a clockwise direction as viewed from the front end of the carrier (Figs. 7 and 8). The pointed end 100 of the plate 92 moves downwardly while the pointed end 98 of the plate 97 moves upwardly until the pointed end 100 of the plate 82 enters the notch 99. For such purpose, opposed cam surfaces 106 are provided on the plates 82 and 97. Such rotation of the plate 82 causes the release of the pin 96 so that the platform 5 is free to tilt.
The plate 82 is returned to a latch pin receiving position by a trip pin 107 defined by a bolt extending 2134~

forwardly from a slotted plate 108 on the bottom of the front end 54 of the frame 4. The use of slotted plate 108 permits adjustment to trip pin position. When the front ends of the frame 4 and the platform 5 start to move upwardly or tilt, the trip pin 107 engages one end 109 of a straight lever 110. The lever 110 is pivotally mounted on the same bolt 101 as the catch plate 97. A lug 111 (Fig. 9) on the end 109 of the lever 110 extends into the plane of the plate 97. The lug 111 is biased upwardly against a shoulder 112 on the bottom of the plate 97 by a helical spring 113 which extends from the other end 114 of the lever 110 to an opening 115 in the end 105 of the plate 97. When the trip pin 107 pushes the end 109 of the lever 110 upwardly, the lug 111 pushes the notched end 98 of the plate 97 upwardly, whereby the pointed top end 100 of the plate 82 is released. The spring 92 causes the latch plate 82 to return to the set position.
During downward movement of the frame 4 and the platform 5, the trip pin 107 pushes downwardly on the end 109 of the lever 110 until the pin moves past the lever. The spring 113 returns the lever 110 to a set position against the catch plate 97. The latch pin 96 moves downwardly against a second arcuate cam surface 116 on the top end 100 of the plate 82. Such movement causes rotation of the plate 82 around the axis of the bolt 90 until the latch pin 96 enters the notch 95. The spring 92 causes the plate 82 to pivot in the opposite direction to the latch position.
As best shown in Figs. 1 and 5, in the horizontal or down position of the frame 4 and the platform 5, the front end 213~48~

of the frame rests on resilient rubber bumpers 117 mounted on the top ends of L-shaped plates 118 at the front ends of the rails 13. In the inclined or tilted position, the platform 5 engages bumpers 119 mounted on the top crossbar 18 at the rear end of the base 1.
The platform 5 is rotatably mounted on rollers 120 (Figs. 1, 2 and 12) mounted on the frame 4. The rollers 120 are mounted in generally U-shaped brackets 121 on the sides 50, the rear end 54, and the crossbar 58 of the frame 4. As best shown in Fig. 1, the platform 5 is defined by a skeletal rectangular frame 122, which includes sides 124, ends 125 and 126, and center bars 127 extending longitudinally between the ends 125 and 126. Crossbars 129 extending between the bars 127, and diagonal bars 131 extending between the center bars 127 at each end of the crossbars 129 and the sides 124 for defining a track which rides on the rollers 120. A plate 132 extends between the center bars at the center of the platform frame 122. A threaded rod 133 (Figs. 1 and 2) is welded to the center of the frame crossbar 57. The rod 133 extends through a spacer sleeve 134 provided with a grease nipple and through the plate 132. The plate 132 and consequently the platform 5 are held on the rod 133 by a nut 135.
The platform 5 is normally maintained in one position by a second latch mechanism generally indicated at 138. As best shown in Fig. 12, the latch mechanism 138 includes a pin 139 slidably mounted in a sleeve 140 which is welded to the outer end of the frame crossbar 57. The bottom end of the pin 139 is connected to one arm of an L-shaped ~ 1 3 !~1 8 2 lever 142 which is pivotally mounted on a block 143 extending downwardly from the bottom of the crossbar 57. Vertical movement of the handle end 144 of the lever 142 results in a corresponding movement of the pin 139. A pentagonal latch plate 145 is mounted on the top end of the pin 139 and a helical spring 147 is sandwiched between the sleeve 140 and the plate 145 on the pin 139. A notch 148 in the top center of the plate 145 receives the bottom outer end of a generally S-shaped pin 149 extending outwardly and downwardly from the center of sides 124 of the platform frame 122. A pin 149 is provided on each side the platform 5 so that the platform can be latched in either of two positions at 180 to each other.
The inclined top edges 150 of the plate 145 on each side of the notch 148 in the plate 145 define cam surfaces for the pin 149. When the platform 5 is locked, the pin 149 is retained in the notch 148. When the pin 149 is retracted using the lever 142, the pin 149 and consequently the platform are released and can be manually rotated to the desired location, i.e. 180. Once rotation has started the lever 142 is released. The spring 147 causes the pin 139 to extend placing the plate 145 in the path of travel of the pin 149. After the platform 5 has rotated through almost 180 in either direction, the bottom end of the pin 149 encounters one of the cam surfaces 150 to push the plate 145 and consequently the pin 139 downwardly against the bias of the spring 147. When the pin 149 enters the notch 148, the spring 147 pushes the plate 145 upwardly and the platform 5 stops.

213~82 The platform 5 is completed by a planar deck 152 mounted on the frame . For such purpose, plates 153 (Fig. 1) are provided at the corners of the frame. As best shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the deck 152 includes a plywood panel 155 with a short railing 156 extending along each side thereof.
Thin ultra high molecular weight nylon strips 158 are attached to the plywood panel 155 along each side thereof for receiving the skis (not shown) of a snowmobile 6. A snowmobile ski hold down bracket 160 is provided on the front end of the deck 152.
The bracket 160 includes a crossbar 161 for engaging the front ends of the skis. The bracket 160 is connected to the deck 152 by a generally L-shaped arm 164 with holes 165 therein for receiving a generally T-shaped bolt 166 which extends through a hole 168 in the front end of the deck 152 into a transversely extending steel strip 169 beneath the panel 155.
The top 170 of the bolt 166 defines handles for tightening the bolt and for maintaining the crossbar 161 firmly engaged with the skis. As the bolt 166 is tightened, the arm 164 pivots downwardly with the crossbar 161 around the rear free end of the arm to cause the crossbar 161 to press against the skis.
A similar steel strip 169 and a hole 168 are provided at the other end of the panel 155 so that the hold down bracket 160 can be mounted at either end of the platform 5.
Referring to Figs. 15 to 19, during operation with all elements in the rest or non-use position (Fig. 15), the first step is to release the ramp support 32 and then move the latter to the extended position (Fig. 16) The ramp 7 is removed from the storage position in the base 1, opened by 21~4~82 folding the side panels outwardly, and placed in an inclined position on the support 32. The front latch mechanism 74 is released, and the frame 4 and the platform S are tilted to an inclined position aligned with the ramp 7. A snowmobile 6 is driven onto the platform 5 (Fig. 16) When the weight of the front end of the snowmobile 6 passes the pivot axis of the frame 4, the frame 4 and consequently the platform 5 rotate around such axis to the horizontal position (Fig. 17) . The shock absorbers 62 prevent sudden movement of the frame 4, platform 5 and the snowmobile 6 during loading or unloading.
The platform 5 is automatically locked in the horizontal position by the front latch mechanism 74. The ski hold down bracket 160 is tightened to retain the snowmobile 6 on the carrier during transport.
Upon reaching a destination, the latch mechanism 138 is operated to release the platform 5. The platform 5 is rotated through 180 and again automatically latched in the new position. The ramp support 32 is moved to the extended position (Fig. 18), and the frame 4 and the platform 5 are tilted to align the ramp 7 and the platform 5 in the inclined position (Fig. 19). The ski hold down bracket 160 is loosened, and the snowmobile 6 can then be driven off the carrier .

Claims (13)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:

1. A snowmobile carrier for a pickup truck having a rear box with side walls and a gate on a rear end thereof, said carrier comprising base means for mounting in the box of the truck; ramp means removably mounted in said base means;
coupler means for releasably connecting one end of said ramp means to a rear end of said frame means; post means on each side of said base means for extending upwardly beyond the top of the side walls of the box; frame means pivotally mounted on said post means for rotation being a horizontal rest position and an inclined position; platform means for carrying a snowmobile rotatably around a vertical axis on said frame means for alignment with said frame means in either of two positions permitting loading or unloading of a snowmobile from either end thereof, said frame means extending forwardly beyond said base means and said platform means extending rearwardly beyond said frame means, the center of gravity of said frame and platform means being forward of the said post means, whereby when a snowmobile is driven onto the platform means beyond the center of gravity, the platform means and frame means automatically tilt from the horizontal to the inclined or from the inclined to the horizontal position; and shock absorber means connecting said frame means to said base means whereby tilting of said frame means and said platform means is controlled.

2. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 1, including clevis means on said post means pivotally supporting said frame means on said post means; first resilient bumper means on a front end of said base means for supporting the front end of said frame means in the carrying position; and second resilient bumper means on the rear end of said base means for carrying a rear end of said platform means in the inclined loading or unloading position.

3. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 1, wherein said shock absorber means extend between a front end of said base means and a front end of said frame means.

4. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 1, including support means slidably connected to the rear end of said base means for movement between a retracted storage position and an extended, ramp supporting position.

5. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 4, wherein said coupler means includes plate means on said support means; openings in said plate means; socket means in said ramp means; pin means for insertion into said openings and said socket means; and stop means on said support means for retaining said ramp means in an inclined position.

6. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 1, including first latch means for releasably retaining said frame means and said platform means in the carrying position;
and second latch means for releasably retaining said platform means aligned with said frame means in one of said two positions permitting loading or unloading of a snowmobile.

7. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 6, wherein said first latch means includes frame latch pin means on the front end of said frame means; hook means pivotally connected to the front end of said base means for releasably retaining said frame latch means to hold the frame means and platform means in the carrying position; first spring means extending between said base means and said hook means biasing said hook means to a frame latch pin means engaging position;
and first lever means pivotally connected to the front end of said base means and to said hook means for actuation by the foot of a user from said platform means to rotate said hook means to a frame latch pin means release position, whereby the frame means and platform means are free to rotate from a horizontal to an inclined position.

8. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 7, including catch plate means for retaining said hook means in the release position, whereby a user can delay driving a snowmobile from said platform means for an indefinite period of time after said frame latch means has been released.

9. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 8, including trip pin means on the front end of said frame means beneath said latch pin means for disengaging said catch plate means from said hook means during tilting of the frame means, whereby said first spring means can return said hook means to a latch pin engaging position.

10. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 7, wherein said second latch means includes platform pin means extending outwardly and downwardly from each side of said platform means; latch plate means slidable on one side of said frame means for releasably retaining one said platform pin means at a time and consequently holding said platform means in one position of said two positions.

11. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 10, wherein said second latch means includes second spring means biasing said latch plate means to a platform pin means retaining position; second lever means pivotally connected to said frame means for moving said latch plate means to a platform pin means release position; notch means in said latch plate means for receiving said platform pin means; and cam surface means on said latch plate means normally disposed in the path of travel of said platform means during rotation thereof around said vertical axis for engagement by said platform pin means to move said latch plate means out of said path of travel until said platform pin means enters said notch means.

12. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 1, wherein said platform means includes planar deck means;
reinforcing plastic strip means on each side of said deck means for receiving the skis of a snowmobile; and bracket means for removable mounting on either end of said deck means for retaining the skis of a snowmobile on said deck means.

13. A snowmobile carrier according to claim 12, wherein said bracket means includes crossbar means for engaging the skis of a snowmobile; arm means connected to the center of said crossbar means; and bolt means for releasably securing said arm means and crossbar means to said deck means.