Patent ID: 6561589
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
A hoist for raising and lowering a truck bed to and from a truck frame, said hoist comprising:a first extendible and retractable cylinder having a first end and a second end; means for attaching said first end of said first cylinder to a truck frame; a second extendible and retractable cylinder having a first end and a second end; means for attaching said first end of said second cylinder proximal a truck frame, and means for attaching said second end of said second cylinder to a truck bed; a lever mechanism comprising a base member attachable to a truck frame, an elongated arm having a first end and a second end, a first pivot connecting said second end of said first cylinder to said first end of said elongated arm, a second pivot connecting said base member to said elongated arm at a location intermediate said first and second ends of said elongated arm, means located proximal said second end of said elongated arm for contacting a member of the truck bed; wherein extension of said first and second cylinders, when said hoist is installed on a truck, elevates the truck bed to a first elevated position; and wherein when said first cylinder extends to a predetermined length, extension of said second cylinder thereafter disengages said means proximal said second end of said elongated arm from said member of the truck bed, and elevates the truck bed to a second elevated position which is a greater elevation than said first elevated position.