Patent ID: 8075239
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: B60P,B60R,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A cargo handling device for a vehicle user of a vehicle to lift a cargo to and from a horizontal cargo floor that is accessible through a rear vehicle opening comprising: a cargo platform having an end facing the rear vehicle opening and sides that overlie the cargo floor, in a horizontal position within the vehicle; a telescoping center track assembly mounted on the cargo floor generally at the center of the cargo floor and extending longitudinally of the vehicle, said center track assembly having an extended position in which a portion of the center track assembly projects through the rear vehicle opening; a pivot connecting the cargo platform and the portion of the center track assembly that projects through the rear vehicle opening, said pivot having a pivot axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle and located intermediate the sides of the cargo platform and perpendicular to the end of the cargo platform, so that the cargo platform moves through the rear vehicle opening with the portion of the center track assembly that projects through the rear vehicle opening, and so that pivoting movement is permitted of the cargo platform about the pivot axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle at the center of the vehicle between the horizontal position and a vertical position in which one side of the cargo platform is adjacent the ground so that a cargo resting on the ground can be positioned against the cargo platform; at least one telescoping guide track assembly mounted on the cargo floor and extending longitudinally of the vehicle at one of the sides of the cargo platform, said at least one guide track assembly having an extended position in which at least a portion of the at least guide track assembly projects through the rear vehicle opening; a latch acting between the cargo platform and the at least one guide track assembly to latch the cargo platform to the at least one guide track assembly so that the cargo platform is supported in the horizontal position and against pivoting about the pivot until the latch is unlatched, and upon unlatching of the latch the cargo platform is permitted to pivot; a handle provided on the side of the cargo platform opposite the one side of the cargo platform that is adjacent the ground to permit the vehicle user to use the cargo platform as a lever to pivot the cargo platform and a cargo positioned against the cargo platform about the pivot axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle, from the vertical position to the horizontal position in which the cargo platform is again latched to the at least one guide track assembly; and a restraint for restraining the cargo on the cargo platform.