US3891102A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle loading and storage system for wheeled containers
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-03-07
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1993-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle loading and storage system for storing and loading containers within the body of the vehicle comprising a plurality of rows of tracks on at least two levels, each row of tracks being capable of storing a plurality of wheeled containers, and an elevator for raising the containers from ground level, or from a platform, to the height corresponding to the tracks for a given level. The tracks are foldable, or stowable, so as to make the vehicle convertible from the container carrying configuration to a conventional configuration. The folding configuration employs a plurality of track supporting members which pivot against the side wall of the vehicle. They are maintained in their supporting position by legs which also fold, and partially retract, to allow a compact folding action of the entire track structure against the side of the vehicle. The stowable configuration employs vertical members which are carried on an overhead longitudinal bar in the use position and stowed on a second overhead longitudinal bar adjacent the side of the vehicle in the stowed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Bobby J Blount
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/64; B60P1/6418; B60P1/44; B60P1/4414; B60P1/4421; B62; B62D; B62D33/00; B62D33/04; B62D33/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A vehicle loading and storage system for loading and storing containers within the body of a vehicle comprising: track means for storing at least one additional level of containers above a level of containers supported on the floor of said vehicle body; elevator means for raising containers from at least the floor level of said vehicle to said additional level; said track means having at least one row; each of said rows being capable of supporting a plurality of containers; said track means having a supported position and a stowed position; said stowed position making substantially the entire interior of said vehicle open for cargo; at least one of said track means is retained in said supporting position by a plurality of vertical members removably secured to an overhead bar mounted along the roof of said vehicle; at least one track of said track means is supported in said stowed position by said plurality of vertical members removably secured to at least one overhead bar mounted along the roof of said vehicle adjacent at least one side thereof; said track means comprise at least one pair of channels; the first channel in said pair being carried by a side wall of said vehicle body; and the second channel in said pair being carried by said vertical member, said vertical members are prevented from side to side movement within said vehicle body when in said supporting position, by a retainer mounted on the floor of said vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A vehicle loading and storage system for loading and storing containers within the body of a vehicle comprising: track means for storing at least one additional level of containers above a level of containers supported on the floor of said vehicle body; elevator means for raising containers from at least the floor level of said vehicle to said additional level; said track means having at least one row; each of said rows being capable of supporting a plurality of containers; said track means having a supported position and a stowed position; said stowed position making substantially the entire interior of said vehicle open for cargo; at least one of said track means is retained in said supporting position by a plurality of vertical members removably secured to an overhead bar mounted along the roof of said vehicle; at least one track of said track means is supported in said stowed position by said plurality of vertical members removably secured to at least one overhead bar mounted along the roof of said vehicle adjacent at least one side thereof; said track means comprise at least one pair of channels; the first channel in said pair being carried by a side wall of said vehicle body; and the second channel in said pair being carried by said vertical member, said vertical members are prevented from side to side movement within said vehicle body when in said supporting position, by a retainer mounted on the floor of said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein, said retainer comprises a channel mounted longitudinally of said body of said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
251 words
A vehicle loading and storage system for loading and storing containers within the body of a vehicle comprising: track means for storing at least one additional level of containers above a level of containers supported on the floor of saiD vehicle body; elevator means for raising containers from at least the floor level of said vehicle to said additional level; said track means having at least one row; each of said rows being capable of supporting a plurality of containers; said track means having a supported position and a stowed position; said stowed position making substantially the entire interior of said vehicle open for cargo; at least one of said track means is retained in said supporting position by a plurality of vertical members removably secured to an overhead bar mounted along the roof of said vehicle; at least one track of said track means is supported in said stowed position by said plurality of vertical members removably secured to at least one overhead bar mounted along the roof of said vehicle adjacent at least one side thereof; said track means comprise at least one pair of channels; the first channel in said pair being carried by a side wall of said vehicle body; the second channel in said pair being carried by said vertical member; said vertical members are prevented fromside to side movement within said body of said vehicle when in the stowed position by a storage rib mounted longitudinally of said body on said floor of said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
251 words
A vehicle loading and storage system for loading and storing containers within the body of a vehicle comprising: track means for storing at least one additional level of containers above a level of containers supported on the floor of saiD vehicle body; elevator means for raising containers from at least the floor level of said vehicle to said additional level; said track means having at least one row; each of said rows being capable of supporting a plurality of containers; said track means having a supported position and a stowed position; said stowed position making substantially the entire interior of said vehicle open for cargo; at least one of said track means is retained in said supporting position by a plurality of vertical members removably secured to an overhead bar mounted along the roof of said vehicle; at least one track of said track means is supported in said stowed position by said plurality of vertical members removably secured to at least one overhead bar mounted along the roof of said vehicle adjacent at least one side thereof; said track means comprise at least one pair of channels; the first channel in said pair being carried by a side wall of said vehicle body; the second channel in said pair being carried by said vertical member; said vertical members are prevented fromside to side movement within said body of said vehicle when in the stowed position by a storage rib mounted longitudinally of said body on said floor of said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 3 wherein, said overhead bars carrying said vertical members in said stowed position are higher than said overhead bars carrying said vertical members in said supporting position.
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) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |