Patent ID: 6478528
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
A mobile crane apparatus comprising:a base frame being adapted to securely mount to a hitch receiver, said base frame being substantially rectangular with four corners; an elongate extension member mounted on said base frame and extending away from said base frame, said extension member having an end portion located opposite said base frame for insertion into a hitch receiver of a vehicle, said extension member having a longitudinal axis; a bearing member being mounted upon said base frame; a crane base support member being mounted to said bearing member and being rotatably and lockingly mounted to said base frame, said crane base support member being positioned at a substantially central location on said base frame with respect to said four corners; a lift and carry member securely mounted upon said crane base support member; and four base stabilizing assemblies each being mounted to said base frame near one of said corners of said base frame, a pair of said base stabilizing assemblies being located on each lateral side of said longitudinal axis of said extension member; wherein said base stabilizing assemblies each include a sleeve member being attached along a perimeter of said base frame and being vertically disposed, each of said sleeve members having a hole extending through a wall thereof; wherein said elongate extension member has a length permitting a tailgate of the vehicle to be moved into a lowered, substantially horizontal position without extending over said base frame when said extension member is mounted on the hitch receiver of a vehicle; wherein said base frame further includes a plate member securely attached to and upon said base frame; wherein said base frame includes elongate side members, elongate end members being attached to said elongate side members and extending therebetween, and also includes a first cross member being attached to said elongate side members and extending therebetween, and further includes a second cross member being attached to said elongate end members and extending therebetween, said elongate extension member being attached to one of said elongate side members; wherein said bearing member is attached to and upon said plate member; wherein said lift and carry member includes an elongate base support member having a first end and a second end which is securely mounted upon said crane base support member and which extends upwardly therefrom, and also includes a first boom member having an open first end and a second end which is hingedly attached to said first end of said elongate base support member, and further includes a second boom member which has a first end and a second end which is telescopingly received through said first end of said first boom member; wherein said lift and carry member further includes a hydraulic ram being securely attached to said elongate crane support member and to said first boom member for raising and lowering said first and second boom members; wherein said lift and carry member further includes at least one brace member having ends attached to said elongate crane support member and to said crane base support member for stabilizing and securing said elongate crane support member; wherein said crane base support member includes holes extending therethrough and is securely fastenable to said plate member with a fastener member, said crane support member further having a grease fitting securely attached thereto and extending therethrough for greasing said bearing member; wherein said base stabilizing assemblies each include a leg member having a plurality of holes extending therein and being spaced along an upper portion of said leg member and each being movably extended through and fastenably attached to a hole formed in a respective said sleeve member with a fastening member, and also includes a foot member attached to a bottom end of each of said leg members; and wherein a transverse axis extends substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said extension member, said transverse axis passing through said crane base support member, a pair of said base stabilizing assemblies being located on a side of said transverse axis in which said extension member is located, and a pair of said base stabilizing assemblies being located on an opposite side of said transverse axis from said extension member.