CA2292486C - Detachable trunk-mounted loading device - Google Patents
Detachable trunk-mounted loading device Download PDFInfo
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- CA2292486C CA2292486C CA 2292486 CA2292486A CA2292486C CA 2292486 C CA2292486 C CA 2292486C CA 2292486 CA2292486 CA 2292486 CA 2292486 A CA2292486 A CA 2292486A CA 2292486 C CA2292486 C CA 2292486C
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- storage compartment
- lift mechanism
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- Forklifts And Lifting Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A detachable truck-mounted loading device for loading and unloading freight from an elevated storage compartment in a truck comprises a base, which is removably mountable on the floor of a truck storage compartment adjacent an access opening, and a lift mechanism movably mounted on the base for movement between extended and retracted positions, wherein the lift mechanism is positioned outside and inside the storage compartment, respectively. The lift mechanism has a vertically movable lift member and a drive mechanism that reciprocates the lift member upwardly and downwardly between raised and lowered positions, the lowered position generally being at ground level below the floor. The lift member extends outwardly through the storage compartment access opening so as to be vertically movable between its raised and lowered positions when the lift mechanism is in its extended position. The lift mechanism is positioned in its raised position inside the storage compartment when the lift mechanism is in its retracted position.
Description
DETACHABLE TRUCK-MOUNTED LOADING DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Storage compartments for tricks and trailers are generally raised well above ground level and require either an elevated loading platform or some type of loading device to transfer freight to and from a raised floor in the truck storage compartment. A typical loading device is a fork lift track or the like that is located at the loading or unloading site. When the truck is transported to a remote location for unloading or loading freight, it is necessary to have a forklift truck or loading dock at that location as well. It is expensive and sometimes not possible to have a loading device at every location where freight is to be loaded or unloaded. Conventional tail gate mounted lifts are expensive and are difficult and time consuming to mount on a truck and are not easily movable from one truck to another.
An object of the present invention is to provide a detachable truck-mounted loading device that can be easily mounted and dismounted from the interior of a storage compartment of a truck so that freight can be loaded or unloaded at any location.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a detachable truck-mounted loading device for loading and unloading freight .from an elevated storage compartment in a truck comprises a base that is removably mountable on the floor of a tn~ek storage compartment in a predetermined mounting position. A lift mechanism is movably mounted on. the base for movement between extended and retracted positions, wherein the lift mechanism is positioned outside and inside the storage compartment, respectively. The lift mechanism has a vertically movable lift member and a drive mechanism that reciprocates the lift member upwardly and downwardly between raised and lowered positions, the lowered position generally being at ground level below the floor. The lift member extends outwardly through a storage compartment access opening so as to be vertically movable between its raised and lowered positions when the lift mechanism is in its extended position. The lift mechmism is positioned in its raised position inside the storage compartment when the lift mechanism is in its retracted position.
In the preferred practice of the present invention, the lift mechanism is pivotally mounted on the base for rotation about a vertical axis. The lift mechanism rotates through air angle of at least 90° in moving between extended and retracted positions. Freight can easily be loaded on the lift member when the lift member is positioned inside the truck, and freight can easily be transferred to the ground or other lowered position outside the truck by rotating the lift mechanism to its extended position and tlzen lowering the lift mechanism.
When the lift mechanism is in its retracted position, the lift mechanism is entirely within the storage compartment of the truck so as to permit any doors of the truck to be closed and to protect the lift mechanism from exposure to the elements.
The loading device can be detached from one truck and moved to another truck o.r Location as the. need arises by releasing fasteners that are used to mount the device to this truck storage compartment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Storage compartments for tricks and trailers are generally raised well above ground level and require either an elevated loading platform or some type of loading device to transfer freight to and from a raised floor in the truck storage compartment. A typical loading device is a fork lift track or the like that is located at the loading or unloading site. When the truck is transported to a remote location for unloading or loading freight, it is necessary to have a forklift truck or loading dock at that location as well. It is expensive and sometimes not possible to have a loading device at every location where freight is to be loaded or unloaded. Conventional tail gate mounted lifts are expensive and are difficult and time consuming to mount on a truck and are not easily movable from one truck to another.
An object of the present invention is to provide a detachable truck-mounted loading device that can be easily mounted and dismounted from the interior of a storage compartment of a truck so that freight can be loaded or unloaded at any location.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a detachable truck-mounted loading device for loading and unloading freight .from an elevated storage compartment in a truck comprises a base that is removably mountable on the floor of a tn~ek storage compartment in a predetermined mounting position. A lift mechanism is movably mounted on. the base for movement between extended and retracted positions, wherein the lift mechanism is positioned outside and inside the storage compartment, respectively. The lift mechanism has a vertically movable lift member and a drive mechanism that reciprocates the lift member upwardly and downwardly between raised and lowered positions, the lowered position generally being at ground level below the floor. The lift member extends outwardly through a storage compartment access opening so as to be vertically movable between its raised and lowered positions when the lift mechanism is in its extended position. The lift mechmism is positioned in its raised position inside the storage compartment when the lift mechanism is in its retracted position.
In the preferred practice of the present invention, the lift mechanism is pivotally mounted on the base for rotation about a vertical axis. The lift mechanism rotates through air angle of at least 90° in moving between extended and retracted positions. Freight can easily be loaded on the lift member when the lift member is positioned inside the truck, and freight can easily be transferred to the ground or other lowered position outside the truck by rotating the lift mechanism to its extended position and tlzen lowering the lift mechanism.
When the lift mechanism is in its retracted position, the lift mechanism is entirely within the storage compartment of the truck so as to permit any doors of the truck to be closed and to protect the lift mechanism from exposure to the elements.
The loading device can be detached from one truck and moved to another truck o.r Location as the. need arises by releasing fasteners that are used to mount the device to this truck storage compartment.
The loading device can be installed or removed from a truck in a short period of time.
The entire mechanism is placed in a. corner of a truck adjacent an access opening and is fastened to the floor with as few as two bolts. The hydraulic lift mechanism can be powered by a gas engine or a battery powered electric motor. When batteries are used, the batteries can be recharged with a S separate charger or by the charging system of the truck.
Desirably the lift mechanism has a fork assembly or a platform which serves as the lift member. The fork assembly or platform folds up against the lift mechanism in order to allow room to load and unload the truck with a forklift or pallet jack. When folded down and lowered to the tnGCk floor level, the lift member can be loaded or unloaded.
The mechansm includes a control mechanism that permits the load to be lifted and swung out the back of the truck, then lowered to the ground level, or loaded from ground level up into the truck. The control meclianism desirably is an electronic push button control when the mechanism is powered electrically and is a lever operated valve mechanism when gas engine powered hydraulics are used.
The entire truck loading device is mounted inside the truck storage compartment when in its retracted position. Thus, the unit can be installed in trucks with swing or overhead doors, and the mechanism is not exposed to elements of the road when the truck is operated.
An advantage of the present invention is that the truck contains its own loading and unloading mechanism at all times and is not handicapped by having to load or unload freight from a remote location where a forklift or loading dock is unavailable. Further, the expense of separate loading and unloading devices at each loading site is avoided. Also, with the mechanism being bolted to the truck flour, the entire mechanism easily can be moved from truck to truck as the need arses.
The entire mechanism is placed in a. corner of a truck adjacent an access opening and is fastened to the floor with as few as two bolts. The hydraulic lift mechanism can be powered by a gas engine or a battery powered electric motor. When batteries are used, the batteries can be recharged with a S separate charger or by the charging system of the truck.
Desirably the lift mechanism has a fork assembly or a platform which serves as the lift member. The fork assembly or platform folds up against the lift mechanism in order to allow room to load and unload the truck with a forklift or pallet jack. When folded down and lowered to the tnGCk floor level, the lift member can be loaded or unloaded.
The mechansm includes a control mechanism that permits the load to be lifted and swung out the back of the truck, then lowered to the ground level, or loaded from ground level up into the truck. The control meclianism desirably is an electronic push button control when the mechanism is powered electrically and is a lever operated valve mechanism when gas engine powered hydraulics are used.
The entire truck loading device is mounted inside the truck storage compartment when in its retracted position. Thus, the unit can be installed in trucks with swing or overhead doors, and the mechanism is not exposed to elements of the road when the truck is operated.
An advantage of the present invention is that the truck contains its own loading and unloading mechanism at all times and is not handicapped by having to load or unload freight from a remote location where a forklift or loading dock is unavailable. Further, the expense of separate loading and unloading devices at each loading site is avoided. Also, with the mechanism being bolted to the truck flour, the entire mechanism easily can be moved from truck to truck as the need arses.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention are described in detail and apparent frolil the preferred embodiment of the present invention described in detail below and show~~ in the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rear end of a storage compartment iii a track, showing the manner in which the loading device of the present invention is mounted in the truck, with the lift mechanism being shown in its retracted position.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the loading device of FIG. 1, with the lift mechanism being shown in its extended and raised position.
FIG. 3 is a vi ew of the loading device of FIG. 2, with the Lift member being shown in its extended and lowered positions.
FIG. 4 is a view of the loading device FIG. 3 showing a pallet being mounted on the lift member in its extended and lowered positions.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the loading device of FIGS. 1-4 with a wheeled rack mechanism being shown mounted on forks of the lift mechanism.
FIG. G is a side elevational view of the loading device showing the lift mechanism in its raised and extended positions.
FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the loading device of the present invention taken from the end of the truck.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rear end of a storage compartment iii a track, showing the manner in which the loading device of the present invention is mounted in the truck, with the lift mechanism being shown in its retracted position.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the loading device of FIG. 1, with the lift mechanism being shown in its extended and raised position.
FIG. 3 is a vi ew of the loading device of FIG. 2, with the Lift member being shown in its extended and lowered positions.
FIG. 4 is a view of the loading device FIG. 3 showing a pallet being mounted on the lift member in its extended and lowered positions.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the loading device of FIGS. 1-4 with a wheeled rack mechanism being shown mounted on forks of the lift mechanism.
FIG. G is a side elevational view of the loading device showing the lift mechanism in its raised and extended positions.
FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the loading device of the present invention taken from the end of the truck.
F'IG. 8 is a fragmentary el.evational view showing the folding mechanism of the loading device, whereby the fork loader can be folded inwardly against the liFt mechanism.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines IX-1X of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the track mechanism whereby the lift member is raised or lowered in the left mechanism by wheels that ride on a verl:ical track.
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary and partially schematic side elevational view showing the manner in which the lift member is raised or lowered by a hydraulic drive member operating through a chain drive mechanism.
FIG. 12 is a sectional plan view taken along lines XII - XII of FIG. 6, showing the manner lU in which the lift mechanism is pivotally mounted on the base and rotated by a hydraulic drive mechanism.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the one embodiment of an attaclunent mechanism for mounting lifting forks on a transverse fork support member.
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second embodiment of an attachment mechanism for mounting lifting forks on the transverse fork support member.
FIG. I S is a side elevational view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 14.
F1G. 16 is a view taken along lines I6-16 of FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, a detachable truck mounted loading device 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-5 in various stages of operation, mounted at a roar corner of a storage compartment 14 of a truck 16. The storage compartment includes a floor 18, side walls 20, and a top 22. An access opening 24 is provided at the rear end of the thick adjacent a rear edge 26 of the floor. The access . CA 02292486 1999-12-17 opening can be enclosed by an overhead door 28 or by swinging doors {not shown), which are conventional. The rear edge 26 of the track and the floor 18 of the track are positioned above the ground 30, with the ground rcpresentuig a lowered position below the level of the floor of the storage compartment.
S Referring to FIG. 2, loading device 10 comprises a base 32 that is mounted by suitable fasteners shown as bolts 34 to the floor of the. storage compartment. The fasteners are releasable to mount and dismount the loading device from the storage compactmelit of the truck. Base 32 comprises a flat plate 31 mounted on rails 33 that abut the floor at the corner of the storage compartment. A cross member 35 extends between the rails under the lift mechanism. The ends of rails 33 extend rearwardly from the plate. Bolts 34 extend through opening in the exposed ends of each plate and then through openings in the floor 18 of the truck. A
reinforcing plate 39 is positioned on the underside of the floor. The bolts extend through openings in the reinforcing plate and are secured in position by nuts 41. The end of each rail 33 has a number of available openings 43 in it {FIG. I 2) so the bolts can be positioned to miss contact with one of the truck floor support members 45 that generally are positioned under a truck floor (FIG. 6). With this fastening method, two bolts we all that is necessary to mount the lift in place. The lift can thus be mounted and removed in minutes.
A lift mechanism 36 is mounted on the base 32 by means of a vertical pivot shaft 38 extending upwardly from the base. The loading mechanism is laterally rotatable about the axis of the vertical pivot shaft. The loading mechanism comprises a fxed support frame 40 that includes side rails 42 at the bottom of the frame and cross members 44 and 45 extending across the side rails.
Cross member 45 is centrally located and is attached to vertical pivot shaft 38. The support frame is mounted on wheels 46 and 48, with the wheels being oriented for rotation in an arcuate path around _6_ the axis of pivot shaft 38. The support frame is rotated by means of a double acting hydraulic cylinder 50 (FIG. I2) pivotally attached to base 32 at one end by a connector 52. Output shaft 54 is pivotally attached at an outer end by a connector 56 to the support frame at a position spaced apart from the axis of pivot shaft 38, desirably at an end of cross member 45.
Actuation of the hydraulic cylinder SO rotates the support frame for moving the lift mechanism between its extended and retracted positions.
A pair of U-shaped channels GO are attached to forward ends of side rails 42, with the U-shaped channels each facing outwardly in opposite sideways directions.
A vertically movable lift frame 62 comprising a pair of spaced vertical rails interconnected by cross member 66 is mounted for vertical movement along the U-shaped interior of channel 60 by means of a pair of vertically-spaced wheels 68 and 70. Each pair of wheels is mounted on a vertical mounting plate 72, which is turn mounted to a horizontal frame member 74 and 76 at the upper and lower ends of the mounting plate. The horizontal frame members extend outwardly and join vertical rails 64. Cross members 78 and 80 hold the frame members and 1 S mounting plates and wheels in position.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, movable lift frame 62 can moved from a raised position shown in FIG. 2 to a lowered position shown in FIG. 3 when the lift mechanism is rotated to its extended position wherein movable lift frame 62 protrudes outwardly through access opening 24.
Channel members 60 form a vertical track for the upward and downward movement of the movable frame.
At a lower end of the movable lift frame, a load supporting mechanism, such as a platform (not shown) or a fork assembly 92, is mounted on a pivot frame 82, with the pivot frame being attached by a pivot rod 84 to the lower end of movable lift frame 62.
Pivot frame 82 _7_ w CA 02292486 1999-12-17 comprises an outwardly extending beam 86 which is attached at an Timer end to pivot rod 84. A
vertically extending ann 88 extends upwardly from the inner end of beam 86 to an angular reinforcing member 90 that extends downwardly and outwardly from the upper end of ann 88 to beam 86.
The lifting mechanism, such as fork assembly 92, can be attached to beam 86.
In the illustrated embodiments, the fork assembly includes a pair of forks 94 that are removably attached to the beam by releasable brackets. In FIG. 13, a~~ L-shaped arm 96 is mounted on an iraier end of fork 94 to form a C-shaped bracket that f is over the rectangular beam.
Fasteners 98 extend downwardly through outer ends of the C-shaped bracket and screw into threaded sleeves mounted on the inner ends of the forks to hold the lifting forks on the beam. These fittings can be released for removal and replacement of the lifting forks. The lifting forks can be replaced by a flat platform or other suitable lifting device that may be attached to the support beam 86 in a manner similar to lifting forks 94.
A preferred fork assembly mounting bracket 150 is shown in FIGS. 14-16.
Mounting bracket 150 comprises a flat plate 152 welded to the top of the inner end of fork 94. The plate is wider than the fork, and openings 154 are formed in edges of the plate that extend past the fork. A
pair of U-bolts 156 fit over the beam 86 on each side of fork 94 and fit through the openings 154.
Nuts 158 thread on the ends of the U-bolts to lock the fork in a desired location on the beam 86.
As shovv~l in FIGS. 4 and 5, fork assembly 92 can be used to support a pallet 100, a rack 102, a pallet jack, or any other type of load support.
The manner in which the lift member (which includes the movable frame and forks or platform at the bottom of the frame) is raised or lowered in the lift mechanism is illustrated in FIG.
11. A hydraulic cylinder 106, which can be a single or double acting hydraulic cylinder (a double _g_ '. w CA 02292486 1999-12-17 acting cylinder enhances the lowering rate of the lift), is mounted at a lower end 107 to support frame 40 and includes an extendable output shaft 108 that extends from an upper end of the cylinder to an upper end 110, which is attached to cross member 112 extending between channels 60. A pair of sprockets 114 are mounted to cross member 112 for rotation about an axis parallel to cross member 112 on opposite sides of hydraulic cylinder shaft 108. Chains 116 extend over the sprockets and are attached at one end 1 I8 to the movable frame and at another end 120 to a cross member 122 of fixed support farm 40. When output shaft 108 is extended and retracted, the output shaft bears against the chain (which is a link chain), and causes movable frame 62 to be raised and lowered, raising and lowering the lift mechanism between raised and lowered positions. The chain has the effect of doubling the travel of the drive mechanism, with the lift mechanism moving twice as far as the extendable output shaft as the extendable output shaft is raised and lowered. This is an important feature of the present invention, because it makes it possible to lift a load with a hydraulic cylinder that is half as long as a cylinder would have to be without the chain drive mechanism .
Another important feature of the present invention is the fact that the load supporting members of the lift mechanism can be pivoted upwardly against the support frame and moved out of the way for storage purposes. This construction is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The lift member is shown in a folded position in FIG.1.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, angular member 90 has a stop member 120 extending inwardly toward member G4 at an upper end thereof. A mating stop member 122 extends ourlvardly from the side of member 64 so as to be opposed to member 120. Stop members 120 and 122 have mating beveled surfaces that engage and draw members 90 and 64 inwardly toward each other as fork support beam 86 is pivoted downwardly to a horizontal position.
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Stop members 120 and 122 thus securely hold the beam 86 in a horizontal position.
When desired, the lifting mechanism can be pivoted upwardly about the axis of pivot rod 84 until the support beam SG is substantially vertical. This permits the lifting device to occupy less space in the back of the truck when the device is not in use and also permits other types of loading devices such as a fork lift truck to load things on to the truck at a position adjacent to the lifting device of the present invention.
The hydraulic cylinders of the present invention can be powered by a hydraulic pump 114 mounted on the support frame. A gas engine or battery powered electric motor can be provided to operate the hydraulic pmnp. The batteries can be charged by a charger or can be connected to the electrical system of the truck.
While the two bolt mounting mechanism is all that is required to hold the lift in place for even heavy loads, for very heavy loads, it is also possible to employ counterweights 130 in the form of steel blocks or the like on the support frame on the opposite side of the pivot axis from the lifting mechanism. Also, counterweights 134 may be placed on the base plate 32 on the side opposite the lift mechanism. These counterweights can be steel blocks or the like. The counterweights will hold the lift mechanism in position and minimize the tendency of the lifting mechanism to tip outwardly when a heavy load is placed on the lift mechanism. However, the bolts alone are generally satisfactory. This makes the available truck load higher and makes it easier to install and remove the lift.
In operation, a lifting device is stored in the position in FIG. 1. The fork assembly is then pivoted down and the lift mechanism pivoted outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2. The lift member can then be lowered as shown in FIG. 3 for purposes of loading or unloading freight from the truck storage compartment.
The loading device can be detaclied from one truck and installed in another simply by releasing fasteners 34 that hold the base to the floor of the truck. The whole loading device can be moved from the truck to a new location. The loading device preferably is mounted on a truck but could of course be mounted on a loading platform or other location.
The entire operation is controlled by a control panel 140 mounted in a convenient location on the support frame. The control panel can be a push button operated electrical panel, which controls an electrically operated lift, or it can be control levers for operating a valve control system of the type that can be used with a gas engine powered system. The push buttons or levers will control the extension and retraction of the lift mechalusm and the raising and lowering of the lU liil member. The fork or platform assembly is folded manually.
It should be understood the foregoing embodiment is merely exemplary of the preferred practice of the present invention and that various changes in the arrangements and details of construction of the embodiment disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines IX-1X of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the track mechanism whereby the lift member is raised or lowered in the left mechanism by wheels that ride on a verl:ical track.
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary and partially schematic side elevational view showing the manner in which the lift member is raised or lowered by a hydraulic drive member operating through a chain drive mechanism.
FIG. 12 is a sectional plan view taken along lines XII - XII of FIG. 6, showing the manner lU in which the lift mechanism is pivotally mounted on the base and rotated by a hydraulic drive mechanism.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the one embodiment of an attaclunent mechanism for mounting lifting forks on a transverse fork support member.
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a second embodiment of an attachment mechanism for mounting lifting forks on the transverse fork support member.
FIG. I S is a side elevational view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 14.
F1G. 16 is a view taken along lines I6-16 of FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, a detachable truck mounted loading device 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-5 in various stages of operation, mounted at a roar corner of a storage compartment 14 of a truck 16. The storage compartment includes a floor 18, side walls 20, and a top 22. An access opening 24 is provided at the rear end of the thick adjacent a rear edge 26 of the floor. The access . CA 02292486 1999-12-17 opening can be enclosed by an overhead door 28 or by swinging doors {not shown), which are conventional. The rear edge 26 of the track and the floor 18 of the track are positioned above the ground 30, with the ground rcpresentuig a lowered position below the level of the floor of the storage compartment.
S Referring to FIG. 2, loading device 10 comprises a base 32 that is mounted by suitable fasteners shown as bolts 34 to the floor of the. storage compartment. The fasteners are releasable to mount and dismount the loading device from the storage compactmelit of the truck. Base 32 comprises a flat plate 31 mounted on rails 33 that abut the floor at the corner of the storage compartment. A cross member 35 extends between the rails under the lift mechanism. The ends of rails 33 extend rearwardly from the plate. Bolts 34 extend through opening in the exposed ends of each plate and then through openings in the floor 18 of the truck. A
reinforcing plate 39 is positioned on the underside of the floor. The bolts extend through openings in the reinforcing plate and are secured in position by nuts 41. The end of each rail 33 has a number of available openings 43 in it {FIG. I 2) so the bolts can be positioned to miss contact with one of the truck floor support members 45 that generally are positioned under a truck floor (FIG. 6). With this fastening method, two bolts we all that is necessary to mount the lift in place. The lift can thus be mounted and removed in minutes.
A lift mechanism 36 is mounted on the base 32 by means of a vertical pivot shaft 38 extending upwardly from the base. The loading mechanism is laterally rotatable about the axis of the vertical pivot shaft. The loading mechanism comprises a fxed support frame 40 that includes side rails 42 at the bottom of the frame and cross members 44 and 45 extending across the side rails.
Cross member 45 is centrally located and is attached to vertical pivot shaft 38. The support frame is mounted on wheels 46 and 48, with the wheels being oriented for rotation in an arcuate path around _6_ the axis of pivot shaft 38. The support frame is rotated by means of a double acting hydraulic cylinder 50 (FIG. I2) pivotally attached to base 32 at one end by a connector 52. Output shaft 54 is pivotally attached at an outer end by a connector 56 to the support frame at a position spaced apart from the axis of pivot shaft 38, desirably at an end of cross member 45.
Actuation of the hydraulic cylinder SO rotates the support frame for moving the lift mechanism between its extended and retracted positions.
A pair of U-shaped channels GO are attached to forward ends of side rails 42, with the U-shaped channels each facing outwardly in opposite sideways directions.
A vertically movable lift frame 62 comprising a pair of spaced vertical rails interconnected by cross member 66 is mounted for vertical movement along the U-shaped interior of channel 60 by means of a pair of vertically-spaced wheels 68 and 70. Each pair of wheels is mounted on a vertical mounting plate 72, which is turn mounted to a horizontal frame member 74 and 76 at the upper and lower ends of the mounting plate. The horizontal frame members extend outwardly and join vertical rails 64. Cross members 78 and 80 hold the frame members and 1 S mounting plates and wheels in position.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, movable lift frame 62 can moved from a raised position shown in FIG. 2 to a lowered position shown in FIG. 3 when the lift mechanism is rotated to its extended position wherein movable lift frame 62 protrudes outwardly through access opening 24.
Channel members 60 form a vertical track for the upward and downward movement of the movable frame.
At a lower end of the movable lift frame, a load supporting mechanism, such as a platform (not shown) or a fork assembly 92, is mounted on a pivot frame 82, with the pivot frame being attached by a pivot rod 84 to the lower end of movable lift frame 62.
Pivot frame 82 _7_ w CA 02292486 1999-12-17 comprises an outwardly extending beam 86 which is attached at an Timer end to pivot rod 84. A
vertically extending ann 88 extends upwardly from the inner end of beam 86 to an angular reinforcing member 90 that extends downwardly and outwardly from the upper end of ann 88 to beam 86.
The lifting mechanism, such as fork assembly 92, can be attached to beam 86.
In the illustrated embodiments, the fork assembly includes a pair of forks 94 that are removably attached to the beam by releasable brackets. In FIG. 13, a~~ L-shaped arm 96 is mounted on an iraier end of fork 94 to form a C-shaped bracket that f is over the rectangular beam.
Fasteners 98 extend downwardly through outer ends of the C-shaped bracket and screw into threaded sleeves mounted on the inner ends of the forks to hold the lifting forks on the beam. These fittings can be released for removal and replacement of the lifting forks. The lifting forks can be replaced by a flat platform or other suitable lifting device that may be attached to the support beam 86 in a manner similar to lifting forks 94.
A preferred fork assembly mounting bracket 150 is shown in FIGS. 14-16.
Mounting bracket 150 comprises a flat plate 152 welded to the top of the inner end of fork 94. The plate is wider than the fork, and openings 154 are formed in edges of the plate that extend past the fork. A
pair of U-bolts 156 fit over the beam 86 on each side of fork 94 and fit through the openings 154.
Nuts 158 thread on the ends of the U-bolts to lock the fork in a desired location on the beam 86.
As shovv~l in FIGS. 4 and 5, fork assembly 92 can be used to support a pallet 100, a rack 102, a pallet jack, or any other type of load support.
The manner in which the lift member (which includes the movable frame and forks or platform at the bottom of the frame) is raised or lowered in the lift mechanism is illustrated in FIG.
11. A hydraulic cylinder 106, which can be a single or double acting hydraulic cylinder (a double _g_ '. w CA 02292486 1999-12-17 acting cylinder enhances the lowering rate of the lift), is mounted at a lower end 107 to support frame 40 and includes an extendable output shaft 108 that extends from an upper end of the cylinder to an upper end 110, which is attached to cross member 112 extending between channels 60. A pair of sprockets 114 are mounted to cross member 112 for rotation about an axis parallel to cross member 112 on opposite sides of hydraulic cylinder shaft 108. Chains 116 extend over the sprockets and are attached at one end 1 I8 to the movable frame and at another end 120 to a cross member 122 of fixed support farm 40. When output shaft 108 is extended and retracted, the output shaft bears against the chain (which is a link chain), and causes movable frame 62 to be raised and lowered, raising and lowering the lift mechanism between raised and lowered positions. The chain has the effect of doubling the travel of the drive mechanism, with the lift mechanism moving twice as far as the extendable output shaft as the extendable output shaft is raised and lowered. This is an important feature of the present invention, because it makes it possible to lift a load with a hydraulic cylinder that is half as long as a cylinder would have to be without the chain drive mechanism .
Another important feature of the present invention is the fact that the load supporting members of the lift mechanism can be pivoted upwardly against the support frame and moved out of the way for storage purposes. This construction is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The lift member is shown in a folded position in FIG.1.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, angular member 90 has a stop member 120 extending inwardly toward member G4 at an upper end thereof. A mating stop member 122 extends ourlvardly from the side of member 64 so as to be opposed to member 120. Stop members 120 and 122 have mating beveled surfaces that engage and draw members 90 and 64 inwardly toward each other as fork support beam 86 is pivoted downwardly to a horizontal position.
_9_ ~
Stop members 120 and 122 thus securely hold the beam 86 in a horizontal position.
When desired, the lifting mechanism can be pivoted upwardly about the axis of pivot rod 84 until the support beam SG is substantially vertical. This permits the lifting device to occupy less space in the back of the truck when the device is not in use and also permits other types of loading devices such as a fork lift truck to load things on to the truck at a position adjacent to the lifting device of the present invention.
The hydraulic cylinders of the present invention can be powered by a hydraulic pump 114 mounted on the support frame. A gas engine or battery powered electric motor can be provided to operate the hydraulic pmnp. The batteries can be charged by a charger or can be connected to the electrical system of the truck.
While the two bolt mounting mechanism is all that is required to hold the lift in place for even heavy loads, for very heavy loads, it is also possible to employ counterweights 130 in the form of steel blocks or the like on the support frame on the opposite side of the pivot axis from the lifting mechanism. Also, counterweights 134 may be placed on the base plate 32 on the side opposite the lift mechanism. These counterweights can be steel blocks or the like. The counterweights will hold the lift mechanism in position and minimize the tendency of the lifting mechanism to tip outwardly when a heavy load is placed on the lift mechanism. However, the bolts alone are generally satisfactory. This makes the available truck load higher and makes it easier to install and remove the lift.
In operation, a lifting device is stored in the position in FIG. 1. The fork assembly is then pivoted down and the lift mechanism pivoted outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2. The lift member can then be lowered as shown in FIG. 3 for purposes of loading or unloading freight from the truck storage compartment.
The loading device can be detaclied from one truck and installed in another simply by releasing fasteners 34 that hold the base to the floor of the truck. The whole loading device can be moved from the truck to a new location. The loading device preferably is mounted on a truck but could of course be mounted on a loading platform or other location.
The entire operation is controlled by a control panel 140 mounted in a convenient location on the support frame. The control panel can be a push button operated electrical panel, which controls an electrically operated lift, or it can be control levers for operating a valve control system of the type that can be used with a gas engine powered system. The push buttons or levers will control the extension and retraction of the lift mechalusm and the raising and lowering of the lU liil member. The fork or platform assembly is folded manually.
It should be understood the foregoing embodiment is merely exemplary of the preferred practice of the present invention and that various changes in the arrangements and details of construction of the embodiment disclosed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims (2)
1. A detachable thick mounted loading device for loading and unloading freight from an elevated storage compartment in a truck, comprising:
a base removably mountable in a predetermined mounting position on the floor of a truck storage compartment;
a lift mechanism movably mounted on the base for lateral movement between extended and retracted positions, the lift mechanism having a vertically movable lift member and a drive mechanism that reciprocates the lift member between raised and lowered positions, the lift member extending outwardly through the access opening so as to be vertically movable to its lowered position below the floor of the storage compartment when the lift mechanism is in its extended position, the lift member being positioned in a raised position inside the storage compartment when the lift mechanism is in its retracted position.
a base removably mountable in a predetermined mounting position on the floor of a truck storage compartment;
a lift mechanism movably mounted on the base for lateral movement between extended and retracted positions, the lift mechanism having a vertically movable lift member and a drive mechanism that reciprocates the lift member between raised and lowered positions, the lift member extending outwardly through the access opening so as to be vertically movable to its lowered position below the floor of the storage compartment when the lift mechanism is in its extended position, the lift member being positioned in a raised position inside the storage compartment when the lift mechanism is in its retracted position.
2. A loading device according to claim 1 wherein the lift mechanism is pivotally mounted on the base for rotation about a vertical axis, the lift mechanism rotating through an arc of at least ninety degrees between its extended and retracted positions, such that freight can be transferred between the lift mechanism and the interior of the storage compartment when the lift is in its raised and retracted position, and freight can be transferred between the lift mechanism and a lowered position outside the storage compartment when the lift member is in its extended and lowered position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US16387499P | 1999-11-05 | 1999-11-05 | |
| US60/163,874 | 1999-11-05 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2292486A1 CA2292486A1 (en) | 2001-05-05 |
| CA2292486C true CA2292486C (en) | 2007-04-17 |
Family
ID=22591956
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2292486 Expired - Fee Related CA2292486C (en) | 1999-11-05 | 1999-12-17 | Detachable trunk-mounted loading device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2292486C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN113859086B (en) * | 2021-10-14 | 2023-02-24 | 衡阳泰豪通信车辆有限公司 | Equipment packing box transport vehicle |
-
1999
- 1999-12-17 CA CA 2292486 patent/CA2292486C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2292486A1 (en) | 2001-05-05 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20121217 |