US3757972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle carrier assembly and method
Assignee: TDM CORP
•
Filing: 1971-05-12
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle carrier including method and apparatus having a supporting frame which is removably connected to a conventional truck, trailer or other suitable transportable bed. A carrier is rotatably connected to the supporting frame so that the carrier is rotatable through as many as 360*. A peripheral barrier exists along both sides and at each end of the carrier, the end barriers being selectively displaceable to provide ingress and egress ways. A ramp is detachably connected to the carrier at the ingress or egress way. In the method of using the carrier assembly, the carrier is oriented either parallel to the transportable bed or projecting transversely away from the transportable bed. The ingress barrier is displaced out of the way and the ramp attached so that a vehicle can drive onto the carrier. When it is desired to remove the vehicle, the carrier may be rotated to either side of the transportable bed or toward the rear end of the bed, the barrier removed and the ramp attached so that the vehicle can be easily driven forwardly off the carrier without manually lifting or backing the vehicle from the carrier.
Inventors
- 👤 H Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:43
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A vehicle carrier assembly comprising: a supporting frame; means for mounting the supporting frame upon a transportable bed; means for carrying the vehicle upon the supporting frame, and wherein said carrying means is generally horizontally disposed and comprises front and rear barriers which are displaceable to a position which does not obstruct ingress and egress from the carrying means; means for coupling the supporting frame to the carrying means, said coupling means comprising opposed plates, one of which is rotatable along a path of arcuate movement relative to the other about a vertical axis displaced rearwardly along the center line of the frame; and means for loading and unloading the carrying means at any one point within the field of points along the path of arcuate movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A vehicle carrier assembly comprising: a supporting frame; means for mounting the supporting frame upon a transportable bed; means for carrying the vehicle upon the supporting frame, and wherein said carrying means is generally horizontally disposed and comprises front and rear barriers which are displaceable to a position which does not obstruct ingress and egress from the carrying means; means for coupling the supporting frame to the carrying means, said coupling means comprising opposed plates, one of which is rotatable along a path of arcuate movement relative to the other about a vertical axis displaced rearwardly along the center line of the frame; and means for loading and unloading the carrying means at any one point within the field of points along the path of arcuate movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A vehicle carrier assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining the vertical axis in a first forward position and means for laterally moving the vertical axis along the center line of the frame to a second, rearward position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vehicle carrier assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising friction-reducing means including bearings, each situated within a bearing race formed in the plates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A vehicle carrier assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said loading and unloading means comprises a ramp removably attachable to the carrying means to form a bridge which the vehicle traverses during ingress to and egress from the carrying means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vehicle carrier assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises means facilitating removal of the supporting frame from the transportable bed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
156 words
A vehicle carrier assembly comprising: a mounting frame rigidly connectable upon a transportable bed, the frame comprising a first rigidly attached plate disposed rearwardly along the center line of the frame; a carrying platform comprising a peripheral barrier, opposing portions of the barrier being displaceable to form essentially unobstructed diametrally opposed ingress and egress ways for a vehicle and a second plate rigidly mounted upon the underside of the platform and generally aligned with the first plate; a pivot connecting the first and second plates and comprising means allowing the plates to rotate one relative to the other about an essentially vertical axis; antifriction means interposed between the plates so that the carrying platform can be easily rotated about the essentially vertical axis relative to the mounting frame; and a ramp detachably connectable to the platform at each of the ingress and egress ways to provide access for the vehicle to and from the carrying platform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
156 words
A vehicle carrier assembly comprising: a mounting frame rigidly connectable upon a transportable bed, the frame comprising a first rigidly attached plate disposed rearwardly along the center line of the frame; a carrying platform comprising a peripheral barrier, opposing portions of the barrier being displaceable to form essentially unobstructed diametrally opposed ingress and egress ways for a vehicle and a second plate rigidly mounted upon the underside of the platform and generally aligned with the first plate; a pivot connecting the first and second plates and comprising means allowing the plates to rotate one relative to the other about an essentially vertical axis; antifriction means interposed between the plates so that the carrying platform can be easily rotated about the essentially vertical axis relative to the mounting frame; and a ramp detachably connectable to the platform at each of the ingress and egress ways to provide access for the vehicle to and from the carrying platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A vehicle carrier assembly as defined in claim 6 further comprising means for laterally displacing the second plate and connected first plate and carrying platform to and fro over a limited distance relative to the mounting frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |