US3720334A

US3720334A - Boat and equipment loading systems

Info

Publication number: US3720334A
Application number: US00143865A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Permut; R Permut
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-05-17
Filing date: 1971-05-17
Publication date: 1973-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-13

Abstract

A boat and equipment loading system is disclosed in which a single individual may manipulate, position, load and stow a boat and other equipments at elevated heights on structures or vehicles classified as recreational vehicles inexpensively with ease and precision.

Description

ii ited States atent n 1 Permut et al.

1 BOAT AND EQUIPMENT LOADING SYSTEMS [76] Inventors: Albert A. Permut; Ronald M. Per-' mut, both of 11718 Greenlane Drive, Potomac, Md.

22 Filed: May 17,1971

211 Appl.No.: 143,865

[52] U.S. Cl. ..214/450, 214/620, 214/700 [51] Int. Cl ..B60r 9/00 [58] Field of Search ..214/450, 75, 620, 700

[56] 3 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Wuest ..2l4/450 ]March 13, 1973 3,495,729 2/1970 Kruse ..2l4/450 2,836,308 5/1958 Lamb ..2l4/l5 R Primary ExaminerGerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-John Mannix [57] ABSTRACT A boat and equipment loading system is disclosed in which a single individual may manipulate, position, load and stow a boat and other equipments at elevated heights on structures or vehicles classified as recreational vehicles inexpensively with ease and precision.

7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENIEDMAM 31915 sum 1 or 5 INVENTORS A R w m. PM

PATENTEDMARI 3l573 sum 20F 5 INVENTORS Ronald -W PATENTEUHARIBIQB 3,720,334

7 SHEET 4 OF 5 INVENTORS PATENTEDHARI 5191a SHEET 50F 5 INVENTORS Ronald; m. PM

BOAT AND EQUIPMENT LOADING SYSTEMS ORIGIN OF INVENTION BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The present invention generally relates to boat and equipment handling devices for elevating and positioning on relatively high platforms and structures, and more, particularly to loading and positioning for stowage for transport of boats and equipment on recreational type vehicles and structures.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past various systems and devices have been proposed for loading boats and other bulky devices on structures and vehicles. The basic principles underlying the operation of such systems or devices utilize mechanical schemes which provide the required mechanical advantage and lifting force using outriggers, booms, ramps and various attachments to theitems tobe lifted.

In practice, these systems generally require both assembly and disassembly of lifting fixtures and hardware. These usually are awkward and inconvenient and in some cases interfere with the normally intended use and apparatus of the carrier vehicle or structure. Such systems suffer from several significant disadvantages. First, these devices are usually single purpose devices that are tailored specifically to a single shape or size of object to be loaded or more specifically to a single object to be carried at any one time and to a single size or style of vehicle or structure upon which the loading is to be accomplished. Second, these systems usually require that some type of holding fixture be affixed to the boat or object to be loaded in order to achieve compatability. with the loading system.

Third, past practicehas required that the boat or other loaded object be elevated well above the top of the carrier vehicle to clear roof top appurtenances and to accomodate clearance restrictions. These limitations have resulted in cumbersome, inefficient and sometimes insecure carrier-mountings. Fourth, the operator must continually or frequently manually manipulate OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new improved boat and equipment loading system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new boat and equipment loading system which is substantially uneffected by the height, size and shape variation of the structure or vehicle upon which the boat and other equipment is to be loaded.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a loading system which will precisely position a boat and other equipment to be loaded on the structure or vehicle both with respect to existing obstacles such as vents, skylights and other appurtenances on the loading structure or carrier vehicle; and with respect to other equipments each to the other without interferences and without the necessity for manually lifting, tilting, humping or other manhandling requirements.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new boat and equipment loading system which once assembled can repeatedly on load and off load a boat and other equipment in a precise and controlled manner without further adjustment quickly and with ease.

And still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new boat and equipment loading system whose members can be readily changed in length, spacthese vehicles and the concommitant difficulty oflifting and positioning equipment and supplies to the top of said vehicles.

These and other objects of the present invention are i realized by the invention by virtue of its inherent simplicity, flexibility of application and multi-purpose design features. The present invention is a self contained, low profile design which is identical essentially for all structures and vehicles and which distributes loadings, moments and forces in a manner such as to not require structural alteration of the carrier vehicle or massive and projecting loading system structures such as booms, outriggers and ramps which are unsightly and impractical for the intended purpose.

The novel features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective drawing showing a boat being elevated and readied for precise positioning on the top of a recreational type vehicle.

FIG. 2 shows a boat, which covers the boat motor and other equipment, stowed on top of a recreational vehicle ready for transport.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective showing the cable routing, combination boat and equipment carrier frame and other pertinent details of the Boat and Equipment Loading System.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the loading mechanism showing sequential boat positions during .the loading process and details of the guide rails and rail guides.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view taken along line 11 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of a vertical parallel guide rail and rail guide with attached carrier frame taken along line 22 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a boat motor and gasoline tank in lifting position on the combination boat and equipment carrier frame.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of FIG. 7 showing the boat motor and gasoline tank rotated into the stowing position.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of one type of boat motor hanging bracket.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the combination boat and equipment carrier frame showing the general purpose lifting platform attachment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the Boat and Equipment Loading system attached to the rear of a recreational vehicle with a cycle carrier platform attached to the combination boat and equipment carrier frame in loading position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 designates the scheme of the present invention. It includes vertical

parallel guide rails

12 and 13, attached to the recreational vehicle 11 side wall; a combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 which moves vertically up and down with respect to

guide rails

12 and 13. The combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 is free to rotate inward about

hinge points

16 and 18 whenever the carrier frame 14 is above the vehicle 11 roof and above

horizontal guide rails

23 and 24 at

hinge points

16 and 18.

Attached to the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 below

hinge points

16 and 18 are

rail guides

19, 20, 21 and 22 which at no time during the loading or unloading process leave the

guide rails

12 and 13 thereby always assuring the sliding attachment of the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 to the parallel

vertical guide rails

12 and 13. The dual drum winch 60 and

steel cables

62 and 63 which elevate the combination boat and equipment carrier .frame 14 and hence the boat are permanently attached below

hinge points

16 and 18, as shown in FIG. 3.

A fixed relationship is maintained at all times between the vertical

parallel guide rails

12 and 13, the carrier vehicle body 11, and the

horizontal holding rails

23 and 24 irrespective of the location of the carrier frame 14, the boat 15 or other equipment during the on loading or off loading process. Dual drum winch 60 having a worm gear drive maintains the boat 15 or other equipment load at any position on the parallel

vertical guide rails

12 and 13 whenever the winch actuating crank 61 is stationary.

In practice, for boat loading, the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 is lowered to ground level by operating winch 60 and extending the hinged parallel vertical

guide rail extensions

25 and 26. The boat is placed in an upright position on the ground along side the lowered carrier frame 14. The near gunwale of the boat 15 is placed on the lower boat holding hooks 27 and 28 which are attached to the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14. The boat 15 is then manually rotated into the vertical position as shown in FIG. 4. The weight of the boat is supported by boat holding hooks 27 and 28 attached to the carrier frame 14 and then in turn by steel cables 62 and Y63 and winch 60. Boat holding hooks 34 and 35 are then applied to the upper and opposite boat gunwale thereby holding boat 15 securely to the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14. The boat carrier frame 14 is then elevated by operating winch 60 so that

hinge points

16 and 18 are slightly above the

horizontal holding rails

23 and 24. Mechanical stops prevent excess elevation by winch 60 much above the desired eleva- 7 tion. The combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 now securely holding boat 15 is allowed to rotate downward and inward with manual restraint about

hinge points

16 and 18 thus positioning the boat in a controlled and precise manner horizontally and inverted on top of the recreational vehicle 11 as shown in FIG. 4. The radial distance of the boat holding

hooks

27, 28, 34 and 35 as mounted on the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 from

hinge points

16 and 18 determine the lateral distance or depth of location of the boat 15 beyond the loading edge of the carrier vehicle 1 1.

This embodiment of the present invention results in the precise and controlled positioning of a boat or other equipments over vents, skylights or other appurtenances which are a part of the carrier vehicle with ease and without danger of damaging either the boat 15, the carrier vehicle 11 or other equipments loaded earlier, such as a boat motor 45 and a gasoline tank 46 as shown in FIG. 8.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the structural loads imposed on the carrier vehicle 11 due to boat 15 and other equipments to be loaded and the boat and equipment loading system itself are transmitted vertically downward on the mounting wall and other side walls of the carrier vehicle 11 and is not carried by the parallel

vertical guide rails

12 and 13. This load distribution achieved by the present invention eliminates the necessity for large and heavy guide rails and for structural augmentation of the vehicle body. Also, this method of load distribution eliminates the need for fastening the horizontal holding rails 23 and 24 through the roof of the recreational vehicle 11 or carrier structure.

A third embodiment of the present invention being thereby a means of achieving the installation of the Boat and Equipment Loading System with a minimum of fastenings and the utilization of same in a simple manner.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention is the flexibility and capability to alter guide rail lengths, spacing and orientation with respect to the carrier vehicle body structure 11 and to accomodate virtually any size, shape or height of recreational type vehicle or structure without the necessity for design changes to the Boat and Equipment Loading System hardware or methodology.

As is appreciated in accordance with the present invention teachings, the over turning moment of the boat and other equipment load during the elevating mode of the loading or unloading process is resisted and overcome by the rails guides 30 through 33 and rail guides 19 through 22. Rail guides 30, 31, 32 and 33 which are identical in form and design with rail guides 19, 20, 21 and 22 and perform an identical function of guiding the boat and equipment carrier frame 14 while retained within the vertical

parallel guide rails

12 and 13 during the first phase of the vertical lift cycle. A typical section view is shown in FIG. 6. During the second phase of the lift cycle as the hinge points 16 and 18 approach the level of the horizontal holding rails 23 and 24, rail guides 30 and 32; and 31 and 33 successively leave the parallel

vertical guide rails

12 and 13.

During this second phase of the lifting cycle the over turning moment due to the weight of the boat and the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 is entirely overcome by rail guides 19, 20, 21 and 22. The hinged combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 is maintained rigid and vertical during the entire elevating process. Outward rotation of the upper portion of the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 after rail guides through 33 leave the parallel

vertical guide rails

12 and 13 is resisted and overcome by the butted guide rail surfaces at hinge points 16 and 18. Thus counter rotation or outward v rotation of the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14is precluded irrespective of whether or not rail guides 30,31, 32 and 33 are positioned within parallel

vertical guide rails

12 and 13.

' The inward direction of rotation of the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 is not inhibited, unless locked by

hinge locks

53 and 54, after the last rail guides 31 and 33 respectively leave the parallel

vertical guide rails

12 and 13 respectively. Concurrently with this event, the hinge points 16 and 18 are slightly above the horizontal holding rails 23 and 24 and the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 is ready, after releasing

hinge locks

53 and 54, to be manually lowered into the horizontal and stowed for transport position.

The function of rail guides 30, 31, 32 and 33 after leaving the parallel vertical rail guides 12 and 13 is to provide position locking guides for the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 and hence the boat, 15 when in the horizontal and stowed for transport position on the top of the recreational vehicle. FIG. 5 shows a cross section view of a typical rail guide 31. Locking and holding brackets 41 and 42 which fasten the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 to the horizontal holding rails 23 and 24 when in the stowed for transport position augment the position locking function of rail guides 30, 31, 32 and 33 thus assuring that the boat 15 and other'equipment loaded onto the top of the recreational vehicle are securely held in position during transport.

The removal of boat 15 and other equipment such as a boat motor 45 and a gasoline tank 46 and subsequent lowering to ground level employs the identical operation and procedures in a reverse order of events.

From the foregoing it should be appreciated that in accordance with the present invention the addition of fixtures 43 and 44 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 provides the means for elevating both the boat motor 45 and the the boat gasoline tank 46 simultaneously to the top of the recreational vehicle 11. After elevating the boat motor 45 and the gasoline tank 46 attached to holding fixtures 43 and 44 respectively, to the top of the carrier vehicle 11, the boat motor 45 and the gasoline tank 46 are each rotated horizontally l on their respective holding fixtures 43 and 44 in opposite directions within carrier frame 14 into position over the top of recreational vehicle 11. The boat motor 45 and the gasoline tank 46 are then rotated about their respective holding fixture hinge points 51 and 52 into position for lowering onto the top of carrier vehicle 11 and onto their respective holding cradles 55 and 56 specifically designed and fabricated for the purpose. Lowering is accomplished by the reverse operation of winch 60.

The dimensions of holding fixtures 43 and 44 and their respective installation location positions of

hinge point

47 and 48 attachments on carrier frame 14 establish the precise positioning of a boat motor 45 and a gasoline tank 46 with respect to the desired locations on the roof of carrier vehicle 11 and over their respective holding cradles 55 and 56. A plan view of the holding fixtures 43 and 44 is shown in FIG. 8. Holding fixture 43 hinge points 47 an 48; and holding fixture 44 hinge points 49 and 50 are equipped with detents which either hold fixtures 43 and 44 coplanar within the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 for stowage or for the boat loading operation; or perpendicular to the carrier frame 14 in either direction for the boat motor 45 and the gasoline tank 46 loading and unloading operations.

In practice the boat motor 45 and gasoline tank 46 are loaded first onto the top of recreational vehicle 11. The combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 with attached boat motor 45 and gasoline tank 46 is elevated by operating dual drum winch 60 until both the boat motor 45 and the gasoline tank 46 clear the top of recreational vehicle 11 and any interfering appurtenances thereon. The boat motor 45 and gasoline tank 46 are lowered and stowed in their respectivecradles as earlier described. The combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 is then returned to ground level to receive boat 15.

The cradles for motor 45 and gasoline tank 46 are located and positioned on the roof of recreational vehicle such that boat 15 when lowered on combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 to the horizontal stowed for transport position covers the motor 45 and the gasoline tank 46 as well as winch 60 thereby providing protection from the elements for these equipments as well as security and efficient space utilization.

The

steel cables

62 and 63 are also protected from exposure to the elements and protected from abrasion by routing them within the guide rails as shown in FIG. 3. The cable pulleys 72 through 77 are similarly protected and designed to preclude cable jumping and cable binding between the pulley and adjacent guide rail as shown in FIG. 3 also.

Holding fixtures 43 and 44 are readily disassembled at holding fixture swivel joints 51 and 52 so that other holding devices may be installed on the fixtures as desired for loading other equipments or accessories; Fixtures 43 and 44 may be readily removed in their entirety so that other holding and lifting appliances may be installed in their place.

Another embodiment of the present invention is the installation of a hinged platform as shown in FIG. 10. This platform is installed on the lower edge of the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 for elevating sundry items which are not particularly suited to specialized holding fixtures. The general purpose platform is used to elevate suitcases, cartons and the like. The elevated combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 with

hinge locks

53 and 54 activated is used with appropriate hangars to erect and support an awning or extra tent room when the recreational vehicle is encamped and off loaded.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is the flexibility and capability of installation of the BOAT and EQUIPMENT LOADING SYSTEM on either side or rear of the recreational vehicle without the necessity for redesign of hardware, being readily accomplished by simply altering the length or spacings of the boat and equipment loading system rail members.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is the application of a second and identical boat and equipment loading system to the loading, transporting and unloading of bicycles, motor cycles and small four wheel vehicles on recreational type vehicles. FIG. 11 shows the motorcycle adaptation of the present invention.

A low platform cycle carrier 68 is attached to the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 such that the hinge points 16 and 18 are deactivated by inserting

bolts

58 and 59. The combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 is lowered using winch 60 until the platform 68 is at ground level. The motorcycle 65 is rolled onto platform 68 and secured with suitable holddown straps and clamps. The combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 and attached motorcycle is then elevated using winch 60 to a desired road clearance level. Auxiliary locks 69 and 70 which fix the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 to the recreational vehicle chassis structure, and auxiliary lock 71 which locks winch 60 are activated to relieve the load placed on

steel cables

62 and 63 and to assure the secure transport of the cycle vehicles so loaded. Unloading is accomplished in the reverse order.

In practice, other equipments or accessories are first loaded to the top of the carrier vehicle 11 using the hinged combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 as described earlier. The cycle loading is accomplished last in order to achieve maximum utility of the boat and equipment loading system.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is the simple and efficient stowage of the boat and equipment loading system itself when not in use. In this event, the combination boat and equipment carrier frame 14 is elevated to the top of the carrier vehicle 11, rotated inward about hinge points 16 and 18 and lowered into horizontal position over horizontal holding rails 23 and 24 and secured by activating holding rail locks 41 and 42. The boat and equipment loading system thus stowed preserves the silhouette of carrier vehicle 11 and maintains the loading system available for instant use.

And yet another embodiment of the present invention is an alternate but less desirable configuration of the boat and equipment loading system which utilizes a single centrally located winch and cable to elevate the combination boat and equipment carrier frame and even a single guide rail. These less desirable embodiments eliminate the added safety factors and the load distribution over a wide area as accomplished by the preferred embodiments as well as the increased stability as desired under the frequent intended use of the present invention.

That all these functions and applications can be accomplished by the present invention with ease and precision repeatedly and by a single individual utilizing the self contained low profile Boat and Equipment Loading System is yet a further embodiment.

We claim as our invention:

1. A boat and equipment loading system particularly applicable to high elevation clearance recreational type vehicles and tall structures comprising: A horizontally positioned base frame consisting of horizontal guide rails and cross members attachable to the top of said high elevation clearance vehicles or tall structures, generally vertical guide rail members attachable at their upper extremities to said base frame at respective ends of said horizontal guide rails and extending generally vertically downwards along the side of and attachable to said high elevation clearance vehicles or tall structures and extending by means of vertical guide rail extensions proximal to ground level, a moveable combination boat and equipment carrier frame associated with said vertical guide rail members and said base frame, said combination boat and equipment carrier frame moveable vertically with sliding attachment to said vertical guide rails from a position proximal to ground level to a position vertically above the top of said vehicles or structures, said carrier frame thence inwardly rotatable but not translationally moveable about hinge points associated with said carrier frame and said vertical guide rails to a horizontal position above and atop of said vehicles or structures and resting on said base frame such that the previously vertical members of the combination boat and equipment carrier frame are positioned horizontally above, colinear with, and resting on the horizontal guide rails of said base frame, means for selectively and sequentially attaching a boat, boat motor, gasoline tank and other equipments to said combination boat and equipment carrier frame while in the lowered loading position, means for elevating said carrier frame with selectively and sequentially attached boat, boat motor, gasoline tank and other equipments to a position extending vertically above the top of said high elevation recreational type vehicles or elevated structures, said means including a powered or hand cranked winch of dual cable capability affixed to said base frame, said winch operative on cables routed by means of a plurality of pulleys thru said horizontal guide rails and cross members of said base frame and thru said vertical guide rails and attached at their respective cable ends to the lower extremities of said combination boat and and equipment carrier frame at respective guide rail guides below the hinge points of said carrier frame.

2. The arrangement recited in claim 1 further including means for preventing counter or outboard rotation away from the side of said recreational vehicles or structures of said combination boat and equipment carrier frame, with or without attached boat, boat motor, gasoline tank or other equipments, during vertical translation or elevation of said combination boat and equipment carrier frame to a position vertically atop of said recreational vehicles or structures by means of a plurality of vertical guide rail guides effective to maintain sliding attachment of said carrier frame to said vertical guide rails, and further including means for preventing counter or outboard rotation of said combination boat and equipment carrier frame, with or without attached boat, boat motor, gasoline tank or other equipments, while vertically atop of said recreational vehicles or elevated structures by abutting means of said combination boat and equipment carrier frame vertical members at said hinge points and by positioning inboard the axis of rotation of said hinge points, said means effective such that only inboard rotation of said combination boat and equipment carrier frame is possible, with or without attached boat, boat motor, gasoline tank or other equipments, said means being also effective to preclude translational movement of the combination boat and equipment carrier frame with or without attached boat, boat motor, gasoline tank or other equipments, when said combination boat and equipment carrier frame is manually and rotatably lowered into horizontal juxtaposition above and resting on said horizontal base frame with boat or other equipments selectively and sequentially attached.

3. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 further ineluding means for precisely positioning a boat, boat motor, gasoline tank and other equipments atop of said recreational vehicles or elevated structures for storage and transport as applicable with respect to existing vehicle or elevated structure roof vents or other pre-existing projections and appurtenances on the roof or top of said recreational type vehicles or elevated structures by selectively positioning the attachments of said boat, boat motor, gasoline tank and other equipments on said carrier frame with due regard to controlled and predetermined distances from the hinge points of said carrier frame.

4. The arrangement as recited in claim 2 wherein a plurality of special holding fixtures are rotatably attachable to said carrier frame for first elevating and positioning for transport and storage as applicable a boat motor and gasoline tank atop the recreational vehicle or elevated structure utilizing attachment positions and rotational distances such that said boat motor and gasoline tank are deposited in precise positions relative to pre-existing roof vents and appurtenances on top of said recreational vehicles or elevated structures and also in such precise position as to allow said boat attached to said carrier frame to be rotatably but not translationally lowered over the boat motor and gasoline tank such that the boat motor and gasoline tank are nested within and under said boat, all being accomplished by selective and sequential operations of the arrangement recited in claim 1, reverse order of sequential operations being effective for unloading said boat, boat motor, gasoline tank and other equipments.

5. The arrangement cited in claim 1 wherein by partial elevation of said carrier frame with attached boat, the combination boat and equipment loading system functions as a side load carrier for transporting said boat over short distances or for off ground storage on the side of elevated structures.

6. The arrangement cited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of shelf and holding fixtures are selectively and rotatably attachable to the vertical members of said carrier frame, said shelf and holding fixtures bein effective to provide means for loading and unloa mg miscellaneous equipments on high clearance recreational vehicles and elevated structures.

7. The arrangement cited in claim 1 further including an attachable platform fixture to the lower cross member of said carrier frame for loading and transporting a motor cycle or similar vehicle on the rear of recreational type vehicles by positioning said boat and equipment loading system such that the vertical guide rails are attached to the rear of said vehicle and the carrier frame is only partially elevated'and secured in position by locking means.

Claims

3. The arrangement as recited in claim 1 further including means for precisely positioning a boat, boat motor, gasoline tank and other equipments atop of said recreational vehicles or elevated structures for storage and transport as applicable with respect to existing vehicle or elevated structure roof vents or other pre-existing projections and appurtenances on the roof or top of said recreational type vehicles or elevated structures by selectively positioning the attachments of said boat, boat motor, gasoline tank and other equipments on said carrier frame with due regard to controlled and predetermined distances from the hinge points of said carrier frame.

6. The arrangement cited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of shelf and holding fixtures are selectively and rotatably attachable to the vertical members of said carrier frame, said shelf and holding fixtures being effective to provide means for loading and unloading miscellaneous equipments on high clearance recreational vehicles and elevated structures.