US3883020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removable truck-mounted implement carrying frame and method of loading and unloading same
Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc
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Filing: 1974-01-28
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1994-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A framework for converting a ''''pick-up'''' truck into a variety of other utility vehicles is provided by the present invention. The invention also encompasses methods of loading and unloading the framework onto the vehicle. The framework is adapted to be coupled with a utility implement such as a wrecker rig, dump bed or other item. The framework is designed so as not to interfere with the normal cargo-carrying capacity of the truck bed once the framework is removed. The framework comprises a generally polygonal base frame having rollers along its leading edge to facilitate movement over the truck bed. First stanchion means comprising first and second spaced apart legs are disposed toward the forward end of the base frame and are pivotally coupled therewith. Each leg has a wheel disposed for surface engagement and when the vehicle moves against the legs they will pivot into their folded position on the truck bed. Second stanchion means comprising first and second spaced apart legs are located toward the opposite end of the frame from the first stanchion means. These legs are normally disposed in a vertical position to support the frame as they are rigidly coupled with it. The legs may be unlocked, however, to allow them to assume a position extending outwardly away from the frame to thereby lower it onto the truck bed. This occurs when the vehicle is moved in the direction opposite the second stanchion means. To unload the frame and support it on the two stanchion means the vehicle is moved in the direction opposite to which it is moved when loading the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Freddie H Dehn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/003; B60P3/00; B60P3/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for removably mounting an implement on a flat bed of a truck type vehicle normally used for carrying cargo, without interfering with the cargo-carrying capacity of the vehicle, and capable of being installed and removed by a single operator, said apparatus comprising: a base frame adapted to be moved across and positioned on said bed and coupled to said vehicle for supporting said implement in a working position on the bed; first stanchion means pivotally coupled with said frame toward the forward end thereof and movable, when said frame has been partially removed from said bed, from a folded position adjacent the frame to a ground engaging position for supporting said frame; and second stanchion means adapted to be coupled with the frame toward the rear thereof in spaced relationship to said first stanchion means and adapted to engage the ground and operable to raise the rear portion of the frame off the bed in response to movement of the vehicle in one direction to support the frame in said raised position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for removably mounting an implement on a flat bed of a truck type vehicle normally used for carrying cargo, without interfering with the cargo-carrying capacity of the vehicle, and capable of being installed and removed by a single operator, said apparatus comprising: a base frame adapted to be moved across and positioned on said bed and coupled to said vehicle for supporting said implement in a working position on the bed; first stanchion means pivotally coupled with said frame toward the forward end thereof and movable, when said frame has been partially removed from said bed, from a folded position adjacent the frame to a ground engaging position for supporting said frame; and second stanchion means adapted to be coupled with the frame toward the rear thereof in spaced relationship to said first stanchion means and adapted to engage the ground and operable to raise the rear portion of the frame off the bed in response to movement of the vehicle in one direction to support the frame in said raised position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said first stanchion means comprises spaced apart legs, each leg having ground-engaging roller means at one end and the legs being positioned for engagement by the rear of said vehicle whereby when the vehicle moves against the legs the latter will move from their ground-engaging position to their folded position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said second stanchion means comprises spaced apart legs, each leg having ground-engaging cleaver means at one end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
170 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said base frame comprises a polygonal body; said first stanchion means comprises spaced apart legs, each leg having ground-engaging roller means at one end and the legs being positioned for engagement by the rear of said vehicle whereby when the vehicle moves against the legs the latter will move from their ground-engaging position to their stored position; said polygonal body having one side thereof disposed at the rear of the vehicle, there being spaced apart leg-receiving means coupled with said one side; and said second stanchion means comprising spaced apart legs, each leg having ground-engaging cleaver means at one end and including means adapted to be received by one of said leg-receiving means when the leg is disposed at an acute angle relative to the horizontal, each leg being further adapted to be moved into a vertical position while remaining engaged with the leg-receiving means in response to movement of the vehicle in said one direction to thereby raise said frame off the bed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 4, wherein is included means for releasably locking each leg of the second stanchion means in its vertical position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 5, wherein is included first means for releasably coupling said frame to said vehicle at the front end of the bed and second means for releasably coupling the frame to the vehicle at the rear of said bed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 6, wherein said first coupling means comprises structure defining a groove at the forward end of said bed and a complemental tongue at the forward end of said frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention of claim 6, wherein said vehicle includes a bumper at the rear of said bed, said bumper being located at a height below the level of said bed, said one side having an edge disposed on said bumper when the frame is on the bed, and the second coupling means comprising complemental components on said bumper and said one side respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 4, wherein is included roller means coupled with said frame at the forward end of the latter and positioned for engagement with said bed to facilitate movement of the frame over the bed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 9, wherein is included first and second spaced apart tracks for disposition on said bed, said roller means comprising first and second wheels positioned on the frame for alignment with said tracks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said implement comprises a wrecker rig for towing a vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said implement comprises a dump bed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein said implement comprises an elevating platform.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of removing an implement-carrying frame from the bed of a truck-type vehicle and placing said frame on the vehicle-supporting surface, where the frame has a side extending transversely of the rear of the bed and said side comprises stanchion-receiving means, and stanchion means, each having a length greater than the distance from said stanchion-receiving means to said surface, said method comprising the steps of: coupling said stanchion means with said stanchion-receiving means, with said legs disposed at an acute angle relative to said surface and extending outwardly from said frame in the direction of said surface; moving said vehicle in the direction of said stanchion means whereby to cause the stanchion means to assume a vertical position and thereby lift the frame from the bed; locking said frame to said stanchion means after the latter are in their vertical positions; moving said vehicle in the opposite direction to which it first was moved to thereby pull said frame off of said bed; vertically supporting said frame at a point spaced from said stanchion means in the direction of said vehicle prior to the frame being completely pulled from the bed of the vehicle, whereby as the vehicle continues to move in said opposite direction said frame will be completely pulled from said bed and supported independently therefrom.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of removing an implement-carrying frame from the bed of a truck-type vehicle and placing said frame on the vehicle-supporting surface, where the frame has a side extending transversely of the rear of the bed and said side comprises stanchion-receiving means, and stanchion means, each having a length greater than the distance from said stanchion-receiving means to said surface, said method comprising the steps of: coupling said stanchion means with said stanchion-receiving means, with said legs disposed at an acute angle relative to said surface and extending outwardly from said frame in the direction of said surface; moving said vehicle in the direction of said stanchion means whereby to cause the stanchion means to assume a vertical position and thereby lift the frame from the bed; locking said frame to said stanchion means after the latter are in their vertical positions; moving said vehicle in the opposite direction to which it first was moved to thereby pull said frame off of said bed; vertically supporting said frame at a point spaced from said stanchion means in the direction of said vehicle prior to the frame being completely pulled from the bed of the vehicle, whereby as the vehicle continues to move in said opposite direction said frame will be completely pulled from said bed and supported independently therefrom.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
239 words
A method of loading an implement-carrying frame onto the flat bed of a truck type vehicle, when the frame is initially supported on the same surface as the vehicle at a height above the height of the bed by a first foldable stanchion means disposed toward the front end of said frame and second stanchion means spaced rearwardly of the first stanchion means and adapted to be rigidly coupled with said frame when in a vertical position and movable into a second position while remaining coupled witH said frame to extend outwardly therefrom toward said surface at an acute angle, said method comprising the steps of: moving said vehicle in the direction of said frame to position the bed under the forward edge of the frame; continuing movement of said vehicle against said first stanchion means to move the latter from its frame supporting position to a folded position resting on said bed; further moving said vehicle in the direction of said second stanchion means until the rear end of said bed is disposed adjacent said second stanchion means; removing the rigid coupling between said frame and said second stanchion means; moving said vehicle in the opposite direction from said second stanchion means to move the latter into said second position; and abruptly stopping said vehicle so as to provide a forward momentum to said frame adequate to complete loading of the frame onto the bed of said vehicle.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
239 words
A method of loading an implement-carrying frame onto the flat bed of a truck type vehicle, when the frame is initially supported on the same surface as the vehicle at a height above the height of the bed by a first foldable stanchion means disposed toward the front end of said frame and second stanchion means spaced rearwardly of the first stanchion means and adapted to be rigidly coupled with said frame when in a vertical position and movable into a second position while remaining coupled witH said frame to extend outwardly therefrom toward said surface at an acute angle, said method comprising the steps of: moving said vehicle in the direction of said frame to position the bed under the forward edge of the frame; continuing movement of said vehicle against said first stanchion means to move the latter from its frame supporting position to a folded position resting on said bed; further moving said vehicle in the direction of said second stanchion means until the rear end of said bed is disposed adjacent said second stanchion means; removing the rigid coupling between said frame and said second stanchion means; moving said vehicle in the opposite direction from said second stanchion means to move the latter into said second position; and abruptly stopping said vehicle so as to provide a forward momentum to said frame adequate to complete loading of the frame onto the bed of said vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 15, wherein is included the step of uncoupling said second stanchion means from said frame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 16, wherein is included the step of coupling said frame with said vehicle.
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) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |