US20100040445A1 - Roof stowage system - Google Patents
Roof stowage system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100040445A1 US20100040445A1 US12/606,089 US60608909A US2010040445A1 US 20100040445 A1 US20100040445 A1 US 20100040445A1 US 60608909 A US60608909 A US 60608909A US 2010040445 A1 US2010040445 A1 US 2010040445A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- support
- roof
- trailer
- coupled
- generally
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
- B60P3/04—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for transporting animals
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P1/00—Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
- B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
- B60P3/06—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying vehicles
- B60P3/07—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying vehicles for carrying road vehicles
Definitions
- Trailers often include fixed roof stowage areas that are accessed using a ladder. Such access limits the type of items that can be stowed. For example, some horse trailers include a fixed roof stowage area for bales of hay. A hay bale is too heavy for many to lift—let alone lift onto or remove from the roof of a trailer. In such cases two or more individuals are needed to complete the task. For even larger items such as all terrain vehicles, roof stowage is simply not an option.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary trailer 10 in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.
- FIGS. 3-9 illustrate a roof stowage system that utilizes a hydraulic lift to pivot a support between a lowered position and a raised position according to an embodiment.
- FIGS. 10-15 illustrate a roof stowage system that utilizes a winch lift to pivot a support between a lowered position and a raised position.
- FIGS. 16-19 illustrate a roof stowage system that utilizes a winch lift to pivot an articulating support between a lowered position, an intermediate position, and a raised position.
- FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary latch system 106 for use in holding a support in a raised position according to an embodiment.
- FIGS. 21-29 illustrate alternate trailer configurations according to various embodiments.
- I NTRODUCTION Various embodiments provide a pivoting support enabling roof stowage of cargo items. As described in more detail below, the support can be lowered to an accessible level within the trailer's interior and then raised back up allowing cargo items placed on the support to be stowed at roof level.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary trailer 10 in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.
- Trailer 10 includes body 12 .
- Body 12 includes floor 14 , roof 16 , and opposing sidewalls 18 and 20 all of which define and surround an interior space (not visible) of trailer 10 .
- Trailer 10 includes rear access door 21 though which cargo items can be passed into and removed from the trailer's interior space.
- Trailer 10 also includes hitch 22 for coupling trailer 10 to vehicle 24 and wheels 26 allowing trailer 10 to be pulled.
- Trailer 10 includes roof stowage area 28 for showing cargo items 30 and 32 at the level of roof 16 . As described below, various embodiments operate to pivot the stowage area lowering it into the interior space of trailer 10 where cargo items 30 and 32 can be more easily removed.
- FIGS. 3-9 illustrate an embodiment of a roof stowage system that utilizes a hydraulic lift 34 to pivot support 36 between a lowered position ( FIGS. 3 , 8 ) and a raised position ( FIGS. 4 , 9 ).
- support 36 is shaped to fit within and fill an opening 37 formed in roof 18 when in the raised position.
- Support 36 includes a planar surface 38 surrounded by a cage 40 for supporting cargo items.
- Cage 40 includes a door 42 that opens/lowers to allow cargo items to be more easily placed on and removed from planar support 38 through rear access door 21 .
- Support 36 includes a first end 42 and 44 .
- First end 42 engages floor 14 when support 36 is pivoted down into the lowered position as shown in FIG. 3 .
- Second end 44 is pivotably coupled to body 12 .
- support 36 pivots about its second end until planar surface 38 fits within and fills opening 37 as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
- planar surface 38 is generally parallel to roof 16 and is oriented to allow for roof storage of cargo items as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
- Roof 16 is separated into two sections 48 and 50 .
- Section 48 includes opening 37 .
- the second end 46 of support 46 is pivotably coupled to trailer body 12 at or near second section 50 of roof 16 .
- planar surface 38 is oriented at an angle (a) relative to floor 14 .
- the value of (a) is dependent upon the height of the interior space of trailer body 12 and the length of support 36 defined by a distance between support ends 44 and 46 . Assuming the height of the interior space to be fixed, increasing the length of support 36 will decrease the value of (a) making it easier to load some types of cargo items on to planer surface 38 .
- Hydraulic lift 34 includes cylinders 52 with extendable and retractable rods 54 . Note that only a single cylinder and rod pair is visible in FIGS. 3 and 4 . Two rod and cylinder pairs are visible in FIGS. 7 and 8 .
- Cylinder 52 is coupled to control unit 56 via pressure line 58 .
- the extending end of rod 54 is pivotably coupled to support 36 while cylinder 52 is pivotably coupled to trailer body 12 .
- Control unit is responsible for powering and controlling hydraulic lift 34 .
- Control unit 56 applies fluid pressure to cylinder 52 forcing rod 54 to extend outward pivoting support 36 into the raised position as depicted in FIG. 4 .
- As control unit 56 removes the fluid pressure from cylinder 52 rod 54 is; retracted pivoting support 36 to the lowered position depicted in FIG. 3 .
- cylinder and rod pairs 52 / 54 can be positioned within the interior space of trailer body 12 or outside of that interior space.
- cylinders 52 and rods 54 of hydraulic lift 36 may be coupled to body 12 and located within the interior space of trailer 10 as depicted in FIG. 6 or coupled to body 12 and located on the exterior of body 12 as depicted in FIG. 8 .
- cylinders 52 are pivotably coupled to the interior sides of sidewalls 18 and 20 while rods 54 are pivotably coupled to support 36 .
- cylinders could be coupled to support 36 and rods could be coupled to body 12 .
- cylinders are pivotably coupled to the exterior sides of sidewalls 18 and 20 .
- support 36 includes extension pins extending outward through arced slots (S) (depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) formed in sidewalls 18 and 20 .
- Rods 54 are then pivotably coupled to extension pins 66 .
- extension pins 66 travel arced paths defined by slots (S).
- FIGS. 8 and 9 a longer example of support 36 ′ is shown.
- the length of support 36 ′ is defined by the distance between support ends 44 and 46 .
- support end 46 is pivotably coupled to body 12 along an axis that is generally adjacent to an intersection 62 between roof 16 and front wall 64 of body 12 .
- Front wall 64 is located opposite rear access door 21 .
- planar surface 38 is oriented at an angle (b) relative to floor 14 .
- the length of support 36 ′ is greater than that of support 36 (depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 )
- the value of (b) is less than that of (a) (depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) creating a shallower incline for planer support 38 .
- the shallower the incline the easier it is to place cargo items such as all terrain vehicles on planar support 38 .
- FIGS. 10-15 illustrate an embodiment of a roof stowage system that utilizes a winch lift 68 to pivot support 36 between a lowered position ( FIGS. 10 , 14 ) and a raised position ( FIGS. 11 , 15 ).
- support 36 is shaped to fit within and fill an opening 37 formed in roof 18 when in the raised position.
- support 36 includes a planar surface 38 surrounded by a cage 40 for supporting cargo items.
- Cage 40 includes a door 42 that opens/lowers to allow cargo items to be more easily placed on and removed from planar support 38 through rear access door 21 .
- Winch lift 68 includes winch 70 , cables 72 , pulleys 74 , and winch power and control unit 76 .
- Winch 70 is coupled to roof 16 of body 12 and may be one of any number of varying types.
- winch 70 may be electrical, air powered, or even hydraulic.
- Control unit 76 is responsible for powering and controlling winch 70 and is thus configured to supply the appropriate power type to winch 70 .
- One end of each cable 72 is coupled to a rotatable spool 78 (seen in FIGS. 12 and 13 ) provided by winch 70 , the other end is coupled to a fixed support provided by winch 70 or roof 16 . Cables 72 pass around pulleys 74 which are coupled to first end 44 of support 36 .
- support 36 is pivoted to the raised position depicted in FIG. 11 .
- winch 70 unwinds cables 72 from its spools, support 36 is pivoted to the lowered position depicted in FIG. 10 .
- Roof 16 is separated into two sections 48 and 50 .
- Section 48 includes opening 37
- the second end 46 of support 36 is pivotably coupled to trailer body 12 at or near second section 50 of roof 16 .
- planar surface 38 is oriented at an angle (a) relative to floor 14 .
- the value of (a) is dependent upon the height of the interior space of trailer body 12 and the length of support 36 defined by a distance between support ends 44 and 46 . Assuming the height of the interior space to be fixed, increasing the length of support 36 will decrease the value of (a) making it easier to load some types of cargo items on to planer surface 38 .
- FIGS. 14 and 15 a longer example of support 36 ′ is shown.
- the length of support 36 ′ is defined by the distance between support ends 44 and 46 .
- support end 46 is pivotably coupled to body 12 along an axis that is generally adjacent to an intersection 62 between roof 16 and front wall 64 of body 12 .
- Front wall 64 is located opposite rear access door 21 .
- planar surface 38 is oriented at an angle (b) relative to floor 14 .
- the length of support 36 ′ is greater than that of support 36 (depicted in FIGS. 10-13 )
- the value of (b) is less than that of (a) (depicted in FIGS. 10-13 ) creating a shallower incline for planer support 38 .
- the shallower the incline the easier it is to place cargo items such as all terrain vehicles on planar support 38 .
- FIGS. 16-19 illustrate an embodiment of a roof stowage system that utilizes a winch lift 79 to pivot articulating support 80 between a lowered position ( FIG. 16 ), an intermediate position ( FIG. 17 ), and a raised position ( FIG. 18 ).
- Articulating support 80 is shaped to fit within and fill an opening 37 formed in roof 18 when in the raised position.
- Support 80 includes arms 81 (seen in FIG. 19 ) and planar surface 82 .
- Second end ( 84 ) of each arm 81 is pivotably coupled to roof 16 of trailer body 12 .
- First end of each arm is coupled to a pivot point 86 of planar surface 82 .
- Planar surface 82 includes a first end 88 generally opposite pivot point 86 .
- Planar surface 82 is surrounded by a cage 90 for supporting cargo items.
- Cage 90 includes a door 92 that opens/lowers to allow cargo items to be more easily placed on and removed from planar support 82 through rear access door 21 .
- Planar surface 82 includes a limiter 94 extending in a direction opposite of first end 88 .
- Arms 81 include stop 96 .
- Planar surface 82 pivots about pivot point 86 until limiter 94 engages stop 96 as depicted in FIG. 17 .
- planar surface remains generally parallel to arms 81 as support 80 continues to pivot about second end 84 until planar surface 82 is raised to fill opening 37 in roof 16 as depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19 .
- Winch lift 79 is shown to include winch 98 , cables 100 , spools 102 , and control unit 104 .
- Winch 98 is coupled to roof 16 of body 12 and may one of any number of varying types.
- winch 98 may be electrical, air powered, or even hydraulic.
- Control unit 104 then is configured control winch 98 supplying the appropriate power type.
- One end of cable 100 is coupled to a rotatable spool 102 provided by winch 98 , the other end is coupled to support 80 at or near pivot point 86 .
- winch 98 winds cables 100 onto its spools 102 , support 86 is pivoted to the intermediate position of depicted in FIG. 17 and then to the raised position depicted in FIG. 18 .
- support 80 is pivoted to the intermediate position depicted in FIG. 17 and then articulated to the lowered position depicted in FIG. 16 .
- planar support 82 is parallel with floor making it easier to load cargo items.
- stop 96 and limiter 94 can be of any configuration capable of preventing planar surface 82 from pivoting relative to arms 81 as support 80 is pivoted between the intermediate position of FIG. 17 and the raised position of FIG. 18 .
- limiter 94 disengages from stop 96 and planar surface pivots about pivot point 86 until planer surface 88 is parallel with and engages floor 14 .
- a winch lift 79 could be replaced with one of any number of other mechanisms capable of raising and lowering support 80 .
- a hydraulic lift similar to hydraulic lift 34 of FIGS. 2-9 could be used to achieve the same results.
- FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary latch system 106 for for use in holding support 36 and 80 in the raised position.
- Latch system 106 includes a wedge latch 108 , a biasing element 110 , and an actuator 112 .
- Biasing element 110 (shown as a compression spring) holds wedge latch in a normally extended position.
- support 36 , 80 is lifted to the raised position, the extended wedge latch engages trailer body 12 .
- the continued motion of support 36 , 80 overcomes biasing element 110 and retracts wedge latch 108 .
- biasing element 110 extends wedge latch into a slot formed in trailer body 12 thus securing support 36 , 80 .
- Actuator 112 represents generally any mechanism for overcoming biasing element 110 to retract wedge latch.
- actuator may be a solenoid coupled to the wedge latch 108 and controlled by control unit 56 , 76 , 104 . Applying power to actuator 112 , control unit 56 , 76 , 104 causes actuator 112 to retract wedge latch 108 out of the slot formed in trailer body 112 allowing support 36 , 80 to be lowered.
- actuator 112 may be a lever that can be manually operated to retract wedge latch 108 .
- latch system 106 While only a single latch system 106 is illustrated, it is envisioned that multiple latch systems will be utilized.
- FIGS. 21-29 illustrate alternate configurations for trailer 12 .
- Trailer 12 includes support 114 and winch lift 116 .
- Support 118 includes a first end 118 and a second end 120 .
- Second end 120 is pivotably coupled to trailer body 12 at or near roof 16 .
- Winch lift 116 lowers first end 118 into the interior space of trailer 10 allowing cargo items to be placed on and removed from support 118 .
- support 114 extends longitudinally along one half of roof 16 .
- trailer 10 includes support 36 from FIGS. 3-15 .
- roof 16 has been modified to include fixed cage 121 attached to the roof's second section 50 . Once a cargo item such as all terrain vehicle 124 is raised to roof level in support 36 , it can be moved and securely stored on the second section allowing additional cargo items 126 to be stowed on support 36 .
- trailer 12 includes a side door 122 through which support 124 is configured to be accessed.
- Support 124 includes a first end 126 and a second end 128 .
- Second end 128 is pivotably coupled to the trailer body along an axis that is generally parallel with and adjacent to the intersection between sidewall 18 and roof 116 .
- This allows support 124 to be pivoted between a lowered position ( FIGS. 26 and 28 ) and a raised position ( FIGS. 27 and 29 ).
- FIGS. 26 and 28 show support 124 being pivoted using winch lift 130 .
- FIGS. 28 and 29 show support 124 being raised and lowered using hydraulic lift 132 .
- control units 56 , 76 , 104 were described for powering and controlling lifts 34 , 68 , 79 . These control units 56 , 76 , 104 may also by responsible for control latch system 106 depicted in FIG. 20 .
- control units 56 , 76 , 104 may include a user interface panel 130 located, for example, on an exterior surface of trailer 10 .
- panel 130 includes buttons 132 - 136 for raising, lowering, and stopping the motion of supports 36 , 80 , 114 , 124 .
- control unit 56 , 76 , 104 causes lifts 34 , 68 , 79 to pivot supports 36 , 80 , 114 , 124 to the raised position.
- control units 56 , 76 , 104 cause lifts 34 , 68 79 to pivot supports 36 , 80 , 114 , 124 to the lowered position.
- Selection of the “stop” button instructs control units 56 , 76 , 104 to stop the motion of supports 36 , 80 , 114 , 124 .
- FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary trailer 12 in which various embodiments may be implemented. However, implementation is not limited to trailer 12 or a trailer at all for that matter.
- Each implementation described above included a support and a lift capable of pivoting the support between a lowered position and a raised position allowing for roof level stowage of one or more cargo items. While specific examples of different types of supports and different types of lifts were described, Implementation is not limited to shoes specific examples.
- the term support is used to mean any structure capable of supporting cargo items and allowing those items to be stowed at a roof level.
- the term lift is used to mean any mechanism capable of pivoting a support between a lowered position in which cargo items can be added or removed and a raised position in which cargo items can be stowed at roof level.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)
- Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
Abstract
A roof stowage system includes a support having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is pivotably coupled, at least indirectly, to the roof. A lift is coupled to the support and operable to selectively cause the support to pivot between a first position and a second position. The support is generally parallel with and adjacent to the roof when in the first position. The first end of the support is generally adjacent to a floor when in the second position.
Description
- This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/266,062 filed Nov. 2, 2005, titled Roof Stowage System.
- Trailers often include fixed roof stowage areas that are accessed using a ladder. Such access limits the type of items that can be stowed. For example, some horse trailers include a fixed roof stowage area for bales of hay. A hay bale is too heavy for many to lift—let alone lift onto or remove from the roof of a trailer. In such cases two or more individuals are needed to complete the task. For even larger items such as all terrain vehicles, roof stowage is simply not an option.
-
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate anexemplary trailer 10 in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. -
FIGS. 3-9 illustrate a roof stowage system that utilizes a hydraulic lift to pivot a support between a lowered position and a raised position according to an embodiment. -
FIGS. 10-15 illustrate a roof stowage system that utilizes a winch lift to pivot a support between a lowered position and a raised position. -
FIGS. 16-19 illustrate a roof stowage system that utilizes a winch lift to pivot an articulating support between a lowered position, an intermediate position, and a raised position. -
FIG. 20 illustrates anexemplary latch system 106 for use in holding a support in a raised position according to an embodiment. -
FIGS. 21-29 illustrate alternate trailer configurations according to various embodiments. - I
NTRODUCTION : Various embodiments provide a pivoting support enabling roof stowage of cargo items. As described in more detail below, the support can be lowered to an accessible level within the trailer's interior and then raised back up allowing cargo items placed on the support to be stowed at roof level. -
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate anexemplary trailer 10 in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.Trailer 10 includesbody 12.Body 12 includesfloor 14,roof 16, and opposingsidewalls trailer 10.Trailer 10 includesrear access door 21 though which cargo items can be passed into and removed from the trailer's interior space.Trailer 10 also includeshitch 22 forcoupling trailer 10 tovehicle 24 andwheels 26 allowingtrailer 10 to be pulled.Trailer 10 includesroof stowage area 28 for showingcargo items roof 16. As described below, various embodiments operate to pivot the stowage area lowering it into the interior space oftrailer 10 wherecargo items -
IVOTING CARGO SUPPORT WITH HYDRAULIC LIFT :FIGS. 3-9 illustrate an embodiment of a roof stowage system that utilizes ahydraulic lift 34 topivot support 36 between a lowered position (FIGS. 3 , 8) and a raised position (FIGS. 4 , 9). Starting withFIGS. 3-5 ,support 36 is shaped to fit within and fill anopening 37 formed inroof 18 when in the raised position.Support 36 includes aplanar surface 38 surrounded by acage 40 for supporting cargo items. Cage 40 includes adoor 42 that opens/lowers to allow cargo items to be more easily placed on and removed fromplanar support 38 throughrear access door 21. -
Support 36 includes afirst end First end 42 engagesfloor 14 whensupport 36 is pivoted down into the lowered position as shown inFIG. 3 .Second end 44 is pivotably coupled tobody 12. Ashydraulic lift 34 raisessupport 36, support 36 pivots about its second end untilplanar surface 38 fits within and fills opening 37 as illustrated inFIG. 4 . Hereplanar surface 38 is generally parallel toroof 16 and is oriented to allow for roof storage of cargo items as depicted inFIGS. 1 and 2 . -
Roof 16 is separated into twosections Section 48 includes opening 37. Thesecond end 46 ofsupport 46 is pivotably coupled totrailer body 12 at or nearsecond section 50 ofroof 16. Whensupport 36 is in the lowered position,planar surface 38 is oriented at an angle (a) relative tofloor 14. The value of (a) is dependent upon the height of the interior space oftrailer body 12 and the length ofsupport 36 defined by a distance betweensupport ends support 36 will decrease the value of (a) making it easier to load some types of cargo items on toplaner surface 38. -
Hydraulic lift 34 includescylinders 52 with extendable andretractable rods 54. Note that only a single cylinder and rod pair is visible inFIGS. 3 and 4 . Two rod and cylinder pairs are visible inFIGS. 7 and 8 .Cylinder 52 is coupled to controlunit 56 viapressure line 58. The extending end ofrod 54 is pivotably coupled to support 36 whilecylinder 52 is pivotably coupled totrailer body 12. Control unit is responsible for powering and controllinghydraulic lift 34.Control unit 56 applies fluid pressure tocylinder 52 forcingrod 54 to extend outwardpivoting support 36 into the raised position as depicted inFIG. 4 . Ascontrol unit 56 removes the fluid pressure fromcylinder 52,rod 54 is; retractedpivoting support 36 to the lowered position depicted inFIG. 3 . As illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8 , cylinder androd pairs 52/54 can be positioned within the interior space oftrailer body 12 or outside of that interior space. - Moving to
FIGS. 6 and 7 ,cylinders 52 androds 54 ofhydraulic lift 36 may be coupled tobody 12 and located within the interior space oftrailer 10 as depicted inFIG. 6 or coupled tobody 12 and located on the exterior ofbody 12 as depicted inFIG. 8 . In the Example ofFIG. 6 ,cylinders 52 are pivotably coupled to the interior sides ofsidewalls rods 54 are pivotably coupled to support 36. Alternatively, cylinders could be coupled to support 36 and rods could be coupled tobody 12. - In
FIG. 7 , cylinders are pivotably coupled to the exterior sides ofsidewalls case support 36 includes extension pins extending outward through arced slots (S) (depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4 ) formed insidewalls Rods 54 are then pivotably coupled toextension pins 66. Assupport 36 is raised and lowered pivoting about its second end 46 (FIGS. 3 and 4 ),extension pins 66 travel arced paths defined by slots (S). - Moving to
FIGS. 8 and 9 , a longer example ofsupport 36′ is shown. Once again, the length ofsupport 36′ is defined by the distance betweensupport ends support end 46 is pivotably coupled tobody 12 along an axis that is generally adjacent to anintersection 62 betweenroof 16 andfront wall 64 ofbody 12.Front wall 64 is located oppositerear access door 21. In this example, whensupport 36 is in the lowered position,planar surface 38 is oriented at an angle (b) relative tofloor 14. Because the length ofsupport 36′ is greater than that of support 36 (depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4 ), the value of (b) is less than that of (a) (depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4 ) creating a shallower incline forplaner support 38. The shallower the incline, the easier it is to place cargo items such as all terrain vehicles onplanar support 38. - P
IVOTING CARGO SUPPORT WITH WINCH LIFT :FIGS. 10-15 illustrate an embodiment of a roof stowage system that utilizes awinch lift 68 to pivotsupport 36 between a lowered position (FIGS. 10 , 14) and a raised position (FIGS. 11 , 15). Starting withFIGS. 10-13 ,support 36 is shaped to fit within and fill anopening 37 formed inroof 18 when in the raised position. Starting withFIGS. 10-13 ,support 36 includes aplanar surface 38 surrounded by acage 40 for supporting cargo items.Cage 40 includes adoor 42 that opens/lowers to allow cargo items to be more easily placed on and removed fromplanar support 38 throughrear access door 21. -
Winch lift 68 includeswinch 70,cables 72, pulleys 74, and winch power andcontrol unit 76.Winch 70 is coupled toroof 16 ofbody 12 and may be one of any number of varying types. For example,winch 70 may be electrical, air powered, or even hydraulic.Control unit 76 is responsible for powering and controllingwinch 70 and is thus configured to supply the appropriate power type to winch 70. One end of eachcable 72 is coupled to a rotatable spool 78 (seen inFIGS. 12 and 13 ) provided bywinch 70, the other end is coupled to a fixed support provided bywinch 70 orroof 16.Cables 72 pass around pulleys 74 which are coupled tofirst end 44 ofsupport 36. Aswinch 70winds cables 72 onto itsspools 78,support 36 is pivoted to the raised position depicted inFIG. 11 . Aswinch 70 unwindscables 72 from its spools,support 36 is pivoted to the lowered position depicted inFIG. 10 . -
Roof 16 is separated into twosections Section 48 includesopening 37, Thesecond end 46 ofsupport 36 is pivotably coupled totrailer body 12 at or nearsecond section 50 ofroof 16. Whensupport 36 is in the lowered position,planar surface 38 is oriented at an angle (a) relative tofloor 14. The value of (a) is dependent upon the height of the interior space oftrailer body 12 and the length ofsupport 36 defined by a distance between support ends 44 and 46. Assuming the height of the interior space to be fixed, increasing the length ofsupport 36 will decrease the value of (a) making it easier to load some types of cargo items on toplaner surface 38. - Moving to
FIGS. 14 and 15 , a longer example ofsupport 36′ is shown. Once again, the length ofsupport 36′ is defined by the distance between support ends 44 and 46. In this example,support end 46 is pivotably coupled tobody 12 along an axis that is generally adjacent to anintersection 62 betweenroof 16 andfront wall 64 ofbody 12.Front wall 64 is located oppositerear access door 21. In this example, whensupport 36 is in the lowered position,planar surface 38 is oriented at an angle (b) relative tofloor 14. Because the length ofsupport 36′ is greater than that of support 36 (depicted inFIGS. 10-13 ), the value of (b) is less than that of (a) (depicted inFIGS. 10-13 ) creating a shallower incline forplaner support 38. The shallower the incline, the easier it is to place cargo items such as all terrain vehicles onplanar support 38. - A
RTICULATING CARGO SUPPORT WITH WINCH LIFT :FIGS. 16-19 illustrate an embodiment of a roof stowage system that utilizes awinch lift 79 to pivot articulatingsupport 80 between a lowered position (FIG. 16 ), an intermediate position (FIG. 17 ), and a raised position (FIG. 18 ). Articulatingsupport 80 is shaped to fit within and fill anopening 37 formed inroof 18 when in the raised position.Support 80 includes arms 81 (seen inFIG. 19 ) andplanar surface 82. Second end (84) of eacharm 81 is pivotably coupled toroof 16 oftrailer body 12. First end of each arm is coupled to apivot point 86 ofplanar surface 82.Planar surface 82 includes afirst end 88 generallyopposite pivot point 86.Planar surface 82 is surrounded by acage 90 for supporting cargo items.Cage 90 includes adoor 92 that opens/lowers to allow cargo items to be more easily placed on and removed fromplanar support 82 throughrear access door 21. -
Planar surface 82 includes alimiter 94 extending in a direction opposite offirst end 88.Arms 81 includestop 96. Assupport 80 is articulated to the raised position, arms pivot upward about second ends 84.Planar surface 82 pivots aboutpivot point 86 untillimiter 94 engages stop 96 as depicted inFIG. 17 . At this point planar surface remains generally parallel toarms 81 assupport 80 continues to pivot aboutsecond end 84 untilplanar surface 82 is raised to fillopening 37 inroof 16 as depicted inFIGS. 18 and 19 . -
Winch lift 79 is shown to includewinch 98,cables 100, spools 102, andcontrol unit 104.Winch 98 is coupled toroof 16 ofbody 12 and may one of any number of varying types. For example,winch 98 may be electrical, air powered, or even hydraulic.Control unit 104 then is configuredcontrol winch 98 supplying the appropriate power type. One end ofcable 100 is coupled to arotatable spool 102 provided bywinch 98, the other end is coupled to support 80 at or nearpivot point 86. Aswinch 98winds cables 100 onto itsspools 102,support 86 is pivoted to the intermediate position of depicted inFIG. 17 and then to the raised position depicted inFIG. 18 . Aswinch 98 unwindscables 100 from itsspools 102,support 80 is pivoted to the intermediate position depicted inFIG. 17 and then articulated to the lowered position depicted inFIG. 16 . In the lowered position,planar support 82 is parallel with floor making it easier to load cargo items. - It is noted that
stop 96 andlimiter 94 can be of any configuration capable of preventingplanar surface 82 from pivoting relative toarms 81 assupport 80 is pivoted between the intermediate position ofFIG. 17 and the raised position ofFIG. 18 . Assupport 80 is lowered andfirst end 88contacts floor 14,limiter 94 disengages fromstop 96 and planar surface pivots aboutpivot point 86 untilplaner surface 88 is parallel with and engagesfloor 14. - It is also noted that, a
winch lift 79 could be replaced with one of any number of other mechanisms capable of raising and loweringsupport 80. For example, a hydraulic lift similar tohydraulic lift 34 ofFIGS. 2-9 could be used to achieve the same results. - L
ATCH :FIG. 20 illustrates anexemplary latch system 106 for for use in holdingsupport Latch system 106 includes awedge latch 108, a biasingelement 110, and anactuator 112. Biasing element 110 (shown as a compression spring) holds wedge latch in a normally extended position. Assupport trailer body 12. The continued motion ofsupport element 110 and retractswedge latch 108. Oncesupport element 110 extends wedge latch into a slot formed intrailer body 12 thus securingsupport -
Actuator 112 represents generally any mechanism for overcoming biasingelement 110 to retract wedge latch. For example, actuator may be a solenoid coupled to thewedge latch 108 and controlled bycontrol unit actuator 112,control unit wedge latch 108 out of the slot formed intrailer body 112 allowingsupport actuator 112 may be a lever that can be manually operated to retractwedge latch 108. - While only a
single latch system 106 is illustrated, it is envisioned that multiple latch systems will be utilized. - A
LTERNATE CONFIGURATIONS :FIGS. 21-29 illustrate alternate configurations fortrailer 12. Starting withFIGS. 21 and 22 ,Trailer 12 includessupport 114 andwinch lift 116.Support 118 includes afirst end 118 and asecond end 120.Second end 120 is pivotably coupled totrailer body 12 at or nearroof 16.Winch lift 116 lowersfirst end 118 into the interior space oftrailer 10 allowing cargo items to be placed on and removed fromsupport 118. In this example,support 114 extends longitudinally along one half ofroof 16. - Moving on to
FIGS. 23 and 24 ,trailer 10 includessupport 36 fromFIGS. 3-15 . However in this case,roof 16 has been modified to include fixedcage 121 attached to the roof'ssecond section 50. Once a cargo item such as allterrain vehicle 124 is raised to roof level insupport 36, it can be moved and securely stored on the second section allowingadditional cargo items 126 to be stowed onsupport 36. - In the previous embodiments, supports 36 and 80 have been configured to be accessed via the rear of
trailer 10. Moving on toFIGS. 25-29 ,trailer 12 includes aside door 122 through which support 124 is configured to be accessed.Support 124 includes afirst end 126 and asecond end 128.Second end 128 is pivotably coupled to the trailer body along an axis that is generally parallel with and adjacent to the intersection betweensidewall 18 androof 116. This allowssupport 124 to be pivoted between a lowered position (FIGS. 26 and 28 ) and a raised position (FIGS. 27 and 29 ). In the lowered position, cargo items can be placed on and removed fromsupport 124 throughside access door 122. In the raised position,support 124 allows for roof stowage of those cargo items.FIGS. 26 and 27 show support 124 being pivoted usingwinch lift 130.FIGS. 28 and 29 show support 124 being raised and lowered usinghydraulic lift 132. - A
UTOMATED CONTROL : in the various embodiments above,various control units lifts control units control latch system 106 depicted inFIG. 20 . Referring now toFIG. 30 ,control units user interface panel 130 located, for example, on an exterior surface oftrailer 10. In the Example shown,panel 130 includes buttons 132-136 for raising, lowering, and stopping the motion ofsupports button 132,control unit button 134,control units control units supports - C
ONCLUSION :FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate anexemplary trailer 12 in which various embodiments may be implemented. However, implementation is not limited totrailer 12 or a trailer at all for that matter. Each implementation described above included a support and a lift capable of pivoting the support between a lowered position and a raised position allowing for roof level stowage of one or more cargo items. While specific examples of different types of supports and different types of lifts were described, Implementation is not limited to shoes specific examples. In the claims that follow, the term support is used to mean any structure capable of supporting cargo items and allowing those items to be stowed at a roof level. The term lift is used to mean any mechanism capable of pivoting a support between a lowered position in which cargo items can be added or removed and a raised position in which cargo items can be stowed at roof level.
Claims (20)
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. A trailer, comprising:
a body having a roof, a floor, and opposing side walls defining an interior space;
wheels coupled to the body;
a hitch coupled to the body for coupling the body to a vehicle;
an opening formed in the roof;
a support having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the second end pivotably coupled to the body;
a lift coupled to the body and to the support and operable to selectively cause the support to pivot between first position and a second position;
wherein the support is generally positioned within the opening and parallel with the roof when in the first position; and
wherein the support is positioned within the interior space with the first end generally adjacent to the floor when in the second position.
10. The trailer of claim 9 , wherein the support comprises:
one or more arms having first and second ends, the second arm end or ends being the second end of the support;
a planar surface having a first end and a second end opposite the planar surface first end, the planer surface having a pivot point at which the planer surface is pivotably coupled to the one or more arms, the planer surface first end being the first end of the support.
11. The trailer of claim 10 , wherein the lift is coupled to the support at or near the pivot point of the planar surface.
12. The trailer of claim 9 , wherein the lift comprises a winch operable to retract and release a cable, the cable coupled to the support.
13. The trailer of claim 9 , wherein the lift comprises a hydraulic system having one or more hydraulic cylinders and pistons coupled to the support.
14. The trailer of claim 9 , wherein, when in the second position, the support is positioned within the interior space to allow one or more cargo items to be placed on the support and when caused, by the lift, to pivot to the first position, the support is positioned to allow roof stowage of the one or more items.
15. The trailer of claim 9 , wherein:
a first of the sidewalls includes an side access door;
the second end of the support is pivotably coupled to the body generally along an axis that is generally parallel and adjacent to an intersection of the roof and a second of the sidewalls, the second sidewall being opposite the first sidewall;
when in the second position the support is positioned within the interior space and is accessible through the side access door.
16. The trailer of claim 9 , further comprising a rear access defining at least a portion of a plane that is perpendicular to the sidewalls, the floor and the roof, the rear access being positioned generally opposite the hitch relative to the body, and wherein:
the second end of the support is pivotable coupled to the body generally along an axis that is generally parallel and adjacent to the roof and generally perpendicular to the sidewalls;
when in the second position the support is positioned within the interior space and is accessible through the rear access door.
17. The trailer of claim 16 , wherein the second end of the support is pivotably coupled to the body generally along an axis that is generally adjacent to an intersection of the roof with a front wall of the body, the front wall being opposite the rear access relative to the body.
18. The trailer of claim 18 , wherein the roof includes a first section and a second section adjacent to the first section, the first section including the opening, and wherein the second end of the support is pivotably coupled to the body at or generally adjacent to the second section.
19. (canceled)
20. A trailer, comprising:
a body having a roof, a floor, and opposing side walls defining an interior space for containing cargo;
wheels coupled to the body;
a means for coupling the body to a vehicle;
an opening formed in the roof,
a means for supporting one or more cargo items, the means for supporting having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
a means for pivotably coupling the second end to the body;
a means for selectively causing the means for supporting to pivot between first position and a second position;
wherein the means for supporting is generally positioned within the opening and parallel with the roof when in the first position allowing for roof stowage of the one or more cargo items; and
wherein the means for supporting is positioned within the interior space with the first end generally adjacent to the floor when in the second position allowing the one or more cargo items to be placed on or removed from the means for supporting.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/606,089 US20100040445A1 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2009-10-26 | Roof stowage system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/266,062 US7625163B2 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2005-11-02 | Roof stowage system |
US12/606,089 US20100040445A1 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2009-10-26 | Roof stowage system |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/266,062 Division US7625163B2 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2005-11-02 | Roof stowage system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100040445A1 true US20100040445A1 (en) | 2010-02-18 |
Family
ID=37996514
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/266,062 Expired - Fee Related US7625163B2 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2005-11-02 | Roof stowage system |
US12/606,089 Abandoned US20100040445A1 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2009-10-26 | Roof stowage system |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/266,062 Expired - Fee Related US7625163B2 (en) | 2005-11-02 | 2005-11-02 | Roof stowage system |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US7625163B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2011100602A1 (en) | 2010-02-12 | 2011-08-18 | Revolt Technology Ltd. | Manufacturing methods for air electrode |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7625163B2 (en) * | 2005-11-02 | 2009-12-01 | Triple K, Llc | Roof stowage system |
US11904753B2 (en) | 2021-03-16 | 2024-02-20 | Ancra International, Llc | Adjustable deck system for cargo compartment |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3902613A (en) * | 1973-07-05 | 1975-09-02 | Norman R Newland | Double-decked snowmobile trailer |
US7455489B1 (en) * | 2005-11-10 | 2008-11-25 | Ultimate Racks, Limited Company | All terrain vehicle transportation rack and method |
US7625163B2 (en) * | 2005-11-02 | 2009-12-01 | Triple K, Llc | Roof stowage system |
-
2005
- 2005-11-02 US US11/266,062 patent/US7625163B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2009
- 2009-10-26 US US12/606,089 patent/US20100040445A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3902613A (en) * | 1973-07-05 | 1975-09-02 | Norman R Newland | Double-decked snowmobile trailer |
US7625163B2 (en) * | 2005-11-02 | 2009-12-01 | Triple K, Llc | Roof stowage system |
US7455489B1 (en) * | 2005-11-10 | 2008-11-25 | Ultimate Racks, Limited Company | All terrain vehicle transportation rack and method |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2011100602A1 (en) | 2010-02-12 | 2011-08-18 | Revolt Technology Ltd. | Manufacturing methods for air electrode |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20070098532A1 (en) | 2007-05-03 |
US7625163B2 (en) | 2009-12-01 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP0859706B1 (en) | Over-center towing locking mechanism for a wheel lift | |
US7347474B2 (en) | Truck bed extension | |
US6315515B1 (en) | Over-center towing locking mechanism for tow truck wheel lift or the like | |
US9707880B2 (en) | Motorcycle lift | |
US6893203B2 (en) | Combination pickup truck liftgate/tailgate | |
US20080038106A1 (en) | Mobile lift device | |
US5472306A (en) | Retractable vehicle ramp with lift assist | |
WO1997017226A9 (en) | Over-center towing locking mechanism for a wheel lift | |
US8444365B2 (en) | Roll off hoist with hinged tail and hydraulic reeving system | |
US6390761B1 (en) | Telescopic ramp | |
US4880346A (en) | Self-loading truck and tilt bed therefor | |
AU4724796A (en) | Sliding bogie trailers | |
US5730304A (en) | Combination roll bar and crane | |
CA2843463C (en) | Transport deck frame with separate tilt and dump pivot connections | |
US20100040445A1 (en) | Roof stowage system | |
US10160366B1 (en) | Rollback dump truck | |
US6957847B2 (en) | Truck with picker crane and sleeper unit for extended duty | |
US11420547B2 (en) | Deployable storage system for vehicles | |
US20050111948A1 (en) | Integrated boom, tow bar and wheel lift tow truck assembly | |
US20200406804A1 (en) | Multi-bed dump trailer | |
EP0915779B1 (en) | Locking mechanism for tow truck wheel lift | |
EP2514634A1 (en) | Vehicle having slanting and tipping possibilities | |
WO2007023332A1 (en) | Truck with picker crane and sleeper unit for extended duty | |
US20220348127A1 (en) | Loading attachment for vehicle | |
CA1290727C (en) | Self-loading truck and tilt bed therefor |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |