Demountable ramp structure for dump trucks and similar vehicles

Claim 2

A ramp structure for trucks having beds of a size for hauling auxiliary vehicles comprising, a rigid framework having forward, rearward and lateral sides, and having a first pair of parallel ramp members of equal length extending from the forward to the rearward sides of said framework and spaced spart a distance equal to the tire separation distance of auxiliary vehicles, a second pair of spaced apart, parallel ramp members of equal length, each in communication with one of said first pair of ramp members near the rearward side of said framework for coming into alignment with said first pair of ramp members in one position and overlapping said first pair in another position, means connected to said framework for detachably coupling said framework to a truck body, and bracing means extending between said framework and the truck body for steadying said framework against the truck body when said framework is coupled thereto, whereby said framework is coupled to and braced against a truck body for movement therewith.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bracing means comprises a rigid panel connected to the rearward side of said frame at an acute angle to the lateral sides of the frame, said rigid panel being centrally disposed between said first pair of ramp members and a pair of beams forwardly extending from said rigid panel for abutment with an undercarriage member of said truck.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bracing means further comprises a pair of hinged support arms, each arm hinged to said framework and having a length for extending from said corner to ground level when said framework is coupled to a truck body.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for coupling said framework to a truck body comprises, a lip member mounted at the rear of a truck body, said truck body having a bed, said lip member mounted below the bed, said lip member having a plurality of first coupling members and a plurality of second coupling members attached to the forward side of said framework corresponding in number and position to said first coupling members for engagement therewith.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first coupling members are hooks and wherein said second coupling members are brackets mounted in said forward side of said framework for engagement with said hooks.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said brackets are provided with a removable pin for securing said hook members in position.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the forward side of said rigid framework is of a dimension extending entirely across the rear edge of the bed of a truck to which said framework is coupled.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the length of said second pair of parallel ramp members is not greater than said first pair of ramp members.

Claim 10

A truck body comprising, a rectangular bed of a size for hauling auxiliary vehicles, said bed having an undercarriage and a downwardly extending lip member disposed at a rear edge of the bed, said lip member having a plurality of first coupling members, a rigid framework having forward, rearward and lateral sides, and having a first pair of parallel ramp members of equal length extending from the forward to the rearward sides of said framework and spaced apart a distance equal to the tire separation distance of auxiliary vehicles, a second pair of spaced apart, parallel ramp members of equal length, each in communication with one of said first pair of ramp members near the rearward side of said framework for coming into alignment with said first pair of ramp members in one position and extending over said first pair in another position, a plurality of second coupling members attached to the forward side of said framework corresponding in number and position to said first coupling members and in removable engagement therewith, and fixed beam means communicating with said rigid framework and extending forwardly with respect thereto for abutment with said undercarriage.

Claim 11

A truck body comprising, a rectangular bed of a size for hauling auxiliary vehicles, said bed having an undercarriage and a downwardly extending lip member disposed at a rear edge of the bed, said lip member having a plurality of first coupling members, a rigid framework having forward, rearward and lateral sides, and having a first pair of parallel ramp members of equal length extending from the forward to the rearward sides of said framework and spaced apart a distance equal to the tire separation distance of auxiliary vehicles, a second pair of spaced apart, parallel ramp members of equal length, each in communication with one of said first pair of ramp members near the rearward side of said framework for coming into alignment with said first pair of ramp members in one position and extending over said first pair in another position, a plurality of second coupling members attached to the forward side of said framework corresponding in number and position to said first coupling members and in removable engagement therewith, and fixed beam means communicating with said rigid framework and extending forwardly with respect thereto for abutment with said undercarriage.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a rigid panel is connected to the rearward side of said frame at an acute angle to the lateral sides of the frame, extending toward said undercarriage, said rigid panel being centrally disposed between said first pair of ramp members.

Claim 13

A ramp structure for trucks having beds of a size for hauling auxiliary vehicles comprising, a rigid framework having forward, rearward and lateral sides, and having a first pair of parallel ramp members of equal length extending from the forward to the rearward sides of said framework and spaced apart a distance equal to the tire separation distance of auxiliary vehicles, a second pair of spaced apart, parallel ramp members of equal length, each in communication with one of said first pair of ramp members near the rearward side of said framework for coming into alignment with said first pair of ramp members in one position and overlapping said first pair in another position, means for detachably coupling said framework to a truck body, and bracing means for steadying said framework, said bracing means comprising a rigid panel connected to the rearward side of said frame at an acute angle to the lateral sides of the frame, said rigid panel being centrally disposed between said first pair of ramp members, for supporting a portion of an auxiliary vehicle, and a pair of beam means forwardly extending from said rigid panel for abutment with an undercarriage of said truck for supporting said framework when said truck is in motion.

Claim 14

A ramp structure for trucks having beds of a size for hauling auxiliary vehicles comprising, a rigid framework having forward, rearward and lateral sides, and having a first pair of parallel ramp members of equal length extending from the forward to the rearward sides of said framework and spaced apart a distance equal to the tire separation distance of auxiliary vehicles, a second pair of spaced apart, parallel ramp members of equal length, each in communication with one of said first pair of ramp members near the rearward side of said framework for coming into alignment with said first pair of ramp members in one position and overlapping said first pair in another position, means for detachably coupling said framework to a truck body, and bracing means for steadying said framework, said bracing means comprising a rigid panel connected to the rearward side of said frame at an acute angle to the lateral sides of the frame, said rigid panel being centrally disposed between said first pair of ramp members, for supporting a portion of an auxiliary vehicle, and a pair of beam means forwardly extending from said rigid panel for abutment with an undercarriage of said truck for supporting said framework when said truck is in motion.