Patent ID: 6561746
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
A system for loading and unloading cargo to and from a bed of a vehicle, said system comprising:(a) a movable support surface comprising at least two planar segments pivotly connected in series at adjacent edges, said pivoted connection being constructed so as to allow the series of at least two planar segments to flex vertically, each at least two planar segments being independently supported by a plurality of wheel assemblies that extend below said at least two planar segments; (b) a track for receiving thereover said plurality of wheel assemblies of said at least two planar segments, said track extending from the bed of said vehicle to a surface underneath said vehicle; (c) a winch mounted to said vehicle for controlling the movement of said movable support surface from said surface underneath said vehicle onto said track and into said bed of said vehicle, the winch having a cable removably connected to said movable support surface; (d) an offloading spring having two ends, the first end being attached to said vehicle; (e) a latching mechanism for latching onto said movable support surface as said winch moves said movable support surface into the bed of said vehicle, said latching mechanism being connected to the second end of said offloading spring by a cable and pulley system, whereby when said winch moves said movable support surface into the bed of said vehicle, the latching mechanism latches onto said movable support surface, causing said offloading spring to extend and store energy which is used when said movable support surface is moved from the bed of said vehicle to the surface underneath said vehicle.