Patent ID: 11884245
Assignee: nan
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 3:
4. Apparatus coupled to a receiver hitch for raising and lowering a container with a top edge, a bottom panel, and first and second solid outer panels defining a width, the apparatus comprising:
a fork-shaped frame having a front member configured to be received by a vehicle receiver hitch, and a pair of right and left spaced-apart rearwardly extending members terminating in right and left ends;
a pair of pivot arms, each with first and second ends;
wherein the first end of each pivot arm is pivotably coupled to a respective one of the right and left ends of the fork-shaped frame, such that the pivot arms swing in a vertical plane;
wherein the second end of each pivot arm is pivotably coupled to a respective one of the first and second outer sides of the container;
an extensible/retractable mechanism causing both of the pivot arms to swing up and down in parallel fashion between transport and deployed states, and wherein: in the transport state, the container is lifted above a ground surface, and in the deployed state the container is lowered toward a ground surface; and
wherein the second ends of the pivot arms are coupled for free rotation to the sides of the container toward the top edge of the container such that the bottom panel remains in a horizontal orientation as the tool/storage box is lifted and lowered.