Patent US3872989A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3872989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle transport loader
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-12-13
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained structure for lifting and supporting boats or other vehicles and which may be mounted on the bed of a pick-up truck or trailer for transportation is disclosed. The novel mechanism by which lifting and support for transportation and subsequent use are accomplished by the structure is described. Modifications of the structure for use in loading and transporting various vehicles are suggested.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard W Smithson
- 👤 Emory L Smithson
- 👤 Robert L Asburry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/10; B60P3/1008; B60P3/1025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
507 words
A self-contained structure for mounting on a vehicle for lifting and supporting recreational vehicles for transportation and subsequent use comprising: a. a rigid base frame including an elongated generally planar first portion having opposite ends joined by opposite elongated edges and a second portion at one end of said first portion extending on one side of said first portion transversely of the axis of elongation thereof; b. a first leg structure pivotally mounted on said first portion of said base frame at a point adjacent said one end thereof and spaced from said second portion along said axis of elongation of said base frame, said first leg structure extending transversely of said axis of elongation of said first portion a given length to a free end spaced from said one side of said first portion of said base framE; c. a second leg structure pivotally mounted on said first portion of said base frame adjacent the other end thereof, said second leg structure extending transversely of said axis of elongation of said first portion of said base frame a length less than said given length to a free end spaced from said one side of said first portion of said base frame; d. a rigid elongated generally planar support structure pivotally mounted on said free ends of said first and second leg structures; e. said pivotal mounting of said leg structures on said first portion of said base frame and of said support structure on said free ends of said first and second leg structures being such as to allow rotation about parallel axes toward and away from said second portion of said base member, said spacing of said first leg structure from said second portion of said base member and the difference in lengths of said leg structures being related to each other to cause said generally planar support structure to be substantially parallel to said generally planar first portion of said base frame when said first leg structure is in contact with said second portion of said base frame; f. said elongated edges of said first portion of said base frame comprising a pair of elongated channel members parallel to each other in a common plane, said second portion of said base frame comprising a pair of posts each having one end rigidly affixed to a different one of said elongated channel members and extending in a common plane on one side of said elongated channel members transverse to the axis of elongation thereof and including means rigidly connecting the free ends of said posts to each other, and each of said first and second leg structures comprising a pair of posts with one post of each pair pivotally mounted at one end on a different one of said elongated channel members, each pair of posts extending in a common plane on said one side of said elongated channel members, and each of said first and second leg structures including means mechanically coupling the free ends of said pair of posts thereof to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
507 words
A self-contained structure for mounting on a vehicle for lifting and supporting recreational vehicles for transportation and subsequent use comprising: a. a rigid base frame including an elongated generally planar first portion having opposite ends joined by opposite elongated edges and a second portion at one end of said first portion extending on one side of said first portion transversely of the axis of elongation thereof; b. a first leg structure pivotally mounted on said first portion of said base frame at a point adjacent said one end thereof and spaced from said second portion along said axis of elongation of said base frame, said first leg structure extending transversely of said axis of elongation of said first portion a given length to a free end spaced from said one side of said first portion of said base framE; c. a second leg structure pivotally mounted on said first portion of said base frame adjacent the other end thereof, said second leg structure extending transversely of said axis of elongation of said first portion of said base frame a length less than said given length to a free end spaced from said one side of said first portion of said base frame; d. a rigid elongated generally planar support structure pivotally mounted on said free ends of said first and second leg structures; e. said pivotal mounting of said leg structures on said first portion of said base frame and of said support structure on said free ends of said first and second leg structures being such as to allow rotation about parallel axes toward and away from said second portion of said base member, said spacing of said first leg structure from said second portion of said base member and the difference in lengths of said leg structures being related to each other to cause said generally planar support structure to be substantially parallel to said generally planar first portion of said base frame when said first leg structure is in contact with said second portion of said base frame; f. said elongated edges of said first portion of said base frame comprising a pair of elongated channel members parallel to each other in a common plane, said second portion of said base frame comprising a pair of posts each having one end rigidly affixed to a different one of said elongated channel members and extending in a common plane on one side of said elongated channel members transverse to the axis of elongation thereof and including means rigidly connecting the free ends of said posts to each other, and each of said first and second leg structures comprising a pair of posts with one post of each pair pivotally mounted at one end on a different one of said elongated channel members, each pair of posts extending in a common plane on said one side of said elongated channel members, and each of said first and second leg structures including means mechanically coupling the free ends of said pair of posts thereof to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means mechanically coupling the free ends of said pair of posts of each of said first and second leg structures includes a rigid brace member rigidly affixed therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means mechanically coupling the free ends of said pair of posts of each of said first and second leg structures includes a rigid brace member pivotally mounted thereon at said free ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein a winch means is mounted on said base frame, a first pulley means is mounted at the free end of said second portion of said base frame, a second pulley means is mechanically coupled to the free end of said first leg structure, a third pulley means is mounted on said elongated generally planar support structure and a cable means adapted to be wound on said winch means extends from said winch means through said first, second and third pulley means in that order terminating in a free end adapted to be attached to said recreational vehicle, said cable member having sufficient length to be attached to said recreational vehicle when spaced from said self-contained structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 4 including an apertured rigid structural member mechanically coupled to said first leg structure through which said cable member is passed after leaving said third pulley means and a tension means affixed to said cable member adjacent the free end thereof and adapted to engage said apertured rigid structural member when said cable member is wound on said winch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second pulley means is rigidly mounted on said elongated generally planar support structure at the end thereof adjacent said second portion of said base frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A self-contained structuRe as claimed in claim 5 wherein said apertured rigid structural member is rigidly mounted on said elongated generally planar support structure at the end thereof adjacent said second portion of said base frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second portion of said base frame includes a pair of rigid angle members each having one end rigidly mounted on a different one of said elongated channel members adjacent the pivotal mounting of said first leg structure thereon and the other end rigidly connected to the associated post of said second portion of said base frame adjacent the free end thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 1 including spring means mounted on said second portion of said base frame and adapted to resist a terminal portion of the pivotal movement of said first leg structure toward said second portion of said base frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 1 including means for locking said first leg structure in contact with said second portion of said base frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 1 including shock absorber means for resisting pivotal movement of said first leg structure away from contact with said second portion of said base frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 1 including stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said first and second leg structures away from said second portion of said base frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 12 wherein the position of said stop means and said difference in length of said leg structures are related to each other to cause said generally planar support structure to form an angle of less than 30* with respect to said planar first portion of said base frame when said stop means is engaged by pivotal movement of said first and second leg structures away from said second portion of said base frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A self-contained structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second leg structure is substantially perpendicular to said first portion of said base frame when said first leg structure is in contact with said second portion of said base frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |