Patent ID: 9038835
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: B60R,B66C

Abstract:
1. A carrier system for supporting crane mats, comprising: a crane mat carrier comprising stabilizer device-engaging portions having substantially coplanar stabilizer device-supporting surfaces for transporting, engaging, carrying, and supporting stabilizer devices and other items, said crane mat carrier being movable from and securely positioned at a lower horizontal supporting position, to an intermediate position at an angle of inclination, to an upright storage position and vice versa, said crane mat carrier comprising a frame assembly comprising an elongated main longitudinal load-supporting bar having a longitudinal load-supporting surface extending a maximum length in a longitudinal direction and a maximum width in a lateral direction, said elongated main longitudinal load-supporting bar having longitudinal side portions, an inner end, a load distribution stability plate abutting against and secured to the inner end, and an outer end positioned opposite the inner end; crossbars providing lateral load-stabilizing ribs secured to and extending laterally from said longitudinal side portions of said elongated main longitudinal load-supporting bar and having opposite lateral ends, said crossbars each having an upper load-supporting surface with a maximum lateral span in the lateral direction substantially shorter than the maximum length of said longitudinal load-supporting surface of said elongated main longitudinal load-supporting bar in the longitudinal direction and said crossbars having a maximum span in the longitudinal direction substantially less than the maximum width in the lateral direction of said longitudinal load-supporting surface of said elongated main longitudinal load-supporting bar; perimeter bars comprising diagonal braces connected to the longitudinal side portions of said elongated main load-supporting bar and to the lateral ends of said crossbars to form a generally diamond-shaped periphery, said diagonal braces having upper edges and including outer diagonal braces extending from and connected to the lateral ends of said crossbars and to the outer end of said elongated main longitudinal load-supporting bar; and said elongated main longitudinal load-supporting bar having an outer portion extending across said diamond-shaped periphery in a longitudinal direction and having an inner portion extending inwardly in a longitudinal direction away from said diamond-shaped periphery; said longitudinal load-bearing support surface of said elongated main longitudinal load-supporting bar being aligned in coplanar relationship with upper load-supporting surfaces of said crossbars and said upper edges of said diagonal braces of said diamond-shaped periphery to form said coplanar stabilizer device-supporting surfaces, a latch mechanism comprising spring-loaded latches pivotally connected to the longitudinal side portions of the inner portion of said elongated main longitudinal load-supporting bar and said latch mechanism having a locking latching bar extending laterally between and connecting the spring-loaded latches; a connection assembly for connecting said crane mat carrier to a chassis of a crane or other construction equipment, said chassis having an underside; said locking latching bar being urged against and engaging the underside of the chassis when said crane mat carrier is in the intermediate position at an angle of inclination.