Patent US3871540A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3871540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Device for loading and carrying boats on pickup trucks
Assignee: Smitty's Easy Tow
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Filing: 1973-12-12
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A stationary frame is mounted on the box of a pickup truck approximately at cab roof level. A swingable frame is carried thereby and movable between an inclined loading position and a generally horizontal carrying position. The swingable frame has longitudinal side members, a central track and cross members for guiding and supporting the inverted craft being loaded or unloaded; extensions on the central track reach the ground when the swingable frame is in its inclined position. A cable and winch are used to move the craft onto the swingable frame, and latch means are provided for holding the boat and swingable frame in its carrying position. The device is so constructed as to permit a ''''fifth wheel'''' type of trailer hitch to be used between the pickup truck and a conventional trailer, if desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Otto L Jenkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/10; B60P3/1008; B60P3/1025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A device for loading and carrying inverted boats on pickup trucks comprising a fixed frame and a swingable frame, said swingable frame having side portions and being capable of receiving and supporting a boat thereon, means on said fixed frame pivotally supporting an intermediate portion of said swingable frame on a fixed pivot relative to both said fixed and swingable frames above the box of said pickup truck at approximately cab top level, the swingable frame being pivotable but non-slidable with respect to said fixed frame on said fixed pivot between an inclined position in which a boat may be moved upwardly onto the swingable frame, and a generally horizontal carrying position, extension means disposaBle between said swingable frame and the ground when the swingable frame is in its inclined position to provide a track so that a boat may be shifted along said extension means and completely onto said swingable frame, and means on said fixed frame for engaging and locking said swingable frame to said fixed frame when in said carrying position, said swingable frame having a track intermediate the side portions thereof for supporting rollers on the forward and after portions of said boat when the latter is inverted.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
202 words
A device for loading and carrying inverted boats on pickup trucks comprising a fixed frame and a swingable frame, said swingable frame having side portions and being capable of receiving and supporting a boat thereon, means on said fixed frame pivotally supporting an intermediate portion of said swingable frame on a fixed pivot relative to both said fixed and swingable frames above the box of said pickup truck at approximately cab top level, the swingable frame being pivotable but non-slidable with respect to said fixed frame on said fixed pivot between an inclined position in which a boat may be moved upwardly onto the swingable frame, and a generally horizontal carrying position, extension means disposaBle between said swingable frame and the ground when the swingable frame is in its inclined position to provide a track so that a boat may be shifted along said extension means and completely onto said swingable frame, and means on said fixed frame for engaging and locking said swingable frame to said fixed frame when in said carrying position, said swingable frame having a track intermediate the side portions thereof for supporting rollers on the forward and after portions of said boat when the latter is inverted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination according to claim 1, said fixed frame having a pair of longitudinal members extending approximately the full length of said box, said supporting means having upright members only at the forward and intermediate portions of the box, whereby a clear space exists between said longitudinal members and the rearward portion of the box.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination according to claim 2, said swingable frame having a pair of longitudinal members slightly inwardly of said fixed frame longitudinal members and a plurality of cross members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination according to claim 2, further provided with a cable winch mounted on said fixed frame and carrying a cable extendable around a sheave at the forward end of said swingable frame for loading the boat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination according to claim 2, said fixed frame having one cross member which acts as a pivotal support for said swingable frame, a central track and longitudinal members on said swingable frame, and pivots on said longitudinal swingable frame members and said central track supported by said fixed frame cross member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination according to claim 1, said fixed frame having a first and second pairs of posts adjacent the forward and intermediate portions of the truck box respectively, longitudinal members below the tops of said posts, and a pair of straps secured to the tops of said posts and extending rearwardly to support the rearward ends of said longitudinal members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 1, said locking means comprising downwardly open members secured to the rearward portion of said fixed frame for receiving rearward portions of said swingable frame, and locking means for holding said swingable frame in place in said downwardly open members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination according to claim 1, said swingable frame having a central track for supporting rollers on the bow and stern of said boat when the latter is inverted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate track is a central track and said central track comprises an angle member with its apex uppermost.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination according to claim 9, said extension means comprising at least one additional angle member removably securable in abutting relation with said central track for enabling the track to reach the ground when the swingable frame is in its inclined position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
The combination according to claim 1, said swingable frame comprising longitudinal members and a central track for supporting a roller carried by a boat, said central track extending forwardly of said longitudinal members, members secured to the forward ends of said longitudinal members and inclined toward each other, the forward ends of said inclined members being secured to said central track, the central track extending beyond said inclined members and carrying a sheave at its forward end, and a cable winch carried by said fixed frame and having a cable extendable around said sheave.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination according to claim 11, further provided with means carried by said fixed frame at its forward and rear ends for securing said swingable frame in its carrying position.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
232 words
A device for loading and carrying boats on pickup trucks comprising a fixed frame and a swingable frame, said fixed frame having a plurality of posts at forward and intermediate portions of the truck box and a pair of horizontal longitudinal members secured to said posts and extending rearwardly therefrom, means supporting the rearward ends of said longitudinal members, the space between the rearward portions of said longitudinal members and said truck box being clear, a cross member on said fixed frame, the swingable frame being pivotally supported on said cross member, said swingable frame comprising a pair of longitudinal members slightly inwardly of said fixed frame longitudinal members and a central track extending forwardly of said longitudinal members, means extending between the forward ends of said longitudinal swingable frame members and said central track, a cable winch carried by said fixed frame for loading a boat onto the swingable frame, a cable extending from said winch and around a sheave at the forward end of said central track, extension means removably connectable to said central track for permitting it to reach the ground when the swingable frame is in an inclined loading position, a plurality of cross members on said swingable frame for supporting gunwales of a boat mounted thereon, and means carried by rearward portions of said fixed frame for locking said swingable frame in a generally horizontal carrying position.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
232 words
A device for loading and carrying boats on pickup trucks comprising a fixed frame and a swingable frame, said fixed frame having a plurality of posts at forward and intermediate portions of the truck box and a pair of horizontal longitudinal members secured to said posts and extending rearwardly therefrom, means supporting the rearward ends of said longitudinal members, the space between the rearward portions of said longitudinal members and said truck box being clear, a cross member on said fixed frame, the swingable frame being pivotally supported on said cross member, said swingable frame comprising a pair of longitudinal members slightly inwardly of said fixed frame longitudinal members and a central track extending forwardly of said longitudinal members, means extending between the forward ends of said longitudinal swingable frame members and said central track, a cable winch carried by said fixed frame for loading a boat onto the swingable frame, a cable extending from said winch and around a sheave at the forward end of said central track, extension means removably connectable to said central track for permitting it to reach the ground when the swingable frame is in an inclined loading position, a plurality of cross members on said swingable frame for supporting gunwales of a boat mounted thereon, and means carried by rearward portions of said fixed frame for locking said swingable frame in a generally horizontal carrying position.
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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) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |