Patent ID: 9550444
Date: 2017-01-24
CPC Classifications: B60P,B60R

Claim:
1. A lift system for trucks, comprising: a. a platform, the platform comprising a proximal side, a distal side opposite the proximal side, a first lateral side adjacent to the proximal side and the distal side, a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side and adjacent to the proximal side and the distal side, a top surface bound by the proximal side, distal side, and first and second lateral sides, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, wherein the top surface comprises a first recessed portion adjacent to the first lateral side and a second recess portion adjacent to the second lateral side; b. a retractable wheel chock attachable to the first recessed portion, the retractable wheel chock having a stowed configuration in which the chock is generally flush with the top surface of the platform, and a deployed configuration in which the chock protrudes above the top surface of the platform, the retractable chock having a U-shaped configuration defined by a pair of bars parallel to each other, each bar having a free end and a connected end, wherein the connected ends of each bar are connected to each other by a crossbar, wherein the free ends of the bars are rotatably connected to the platform inside the first recessed portion; c. a pair of wheel guides, one wheel guide attached adjacent to each free end of the retractable wheel chock; d. a gooseneck frame attachable to the second lateral side of the platform, the gooseneck frame having a zig-zag profile; e. a plurality of caster wheels attachable to the platform, each caster wheel comprising a vertical post; f. a plurality of elongated posts attachable to the vertical posts of the caster wheels; g. a lift arm operatively connected to the proximal side of the platform; h. a lift arm housing operatively connected to the lift arm, the lift arm housing having a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, the lift arm configured to slide in and out of the lift arm housing at the bottom end; i. a horizontal bar operatively connected to the lift arm housing adjacent the bottom end; j. a receiver mountable on the truck, wherein the horizontal bar is attachable to the receiver; k. a cross brace attachable to the lift arm housing at the top end, the cross brace having a first end, a second end, and a pull rod therebetween, the first and second ends attachable to the truck, the pull rod attachable to the lift arm housing at a pull rod bracket; l. an electric motor mounted on the top end of the lift arm housing, the electric motor operatively connected to the lift arm to cause the lift arm to slide in and out of the lift arm housing; and m. a lift device housed inside the lift arm housing, the lift device comprising a threaded bolt, a head attached to the threaded bolt to rotate the threaded bolt about a longitudinal axis of the threaded bolt, and a barrel nut attachable to the threaded bolt, wherein the barrel nut is fixed to the lift arm, and wherein when the head is rotated by the electric motor in a first rotational direction, the barrel nut rises along the threaded bolt, and when the head is rotated in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, the barrel nut descends along the threaded bolt, thereby raising and lowering the lift arm through rotation of the threaded bolt.