Patent ID: 7785050
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for transporting a vehicle having a frame and a body and a resilient suspension between the frame and a front axle, comprising: a. a carrier having a bed, said bed having a forward end and a rearward end; b. a vehicle axle restraint and ramp assembly comprising: a pair of ramps arranged in spaced relation, each of said ramps having a respective upper end pivotally connected to said rearward end of said bed and a respective lower end extending to the ground when said ramps are in a lowered position; a pair of rods, each of said rods having a proximate end and a distal end and being provided with axle hooks on said distal ends, each of said rods having a respective said proximate end pivotally attached to said rearward end of said bed; a pair of ramp links, each of said ramp links having an inner end and an outer end and an elongated body therebetween, said inner end being pivotally connected to a respective one of said pair of ramps, each of said ramp links further including a connector for slidingly engaging a distal end of a respective one of said rods along said elongated body, whereby upon raising said ramps from a lowered position to a raised position, said ramp links and said rods connected therewith, are lifted upwardly, and said axle hooks are pivoted upwardly and forwardly at an elevated position over said bed for engagement over a rear axle of the vehicle on said bed; and, c. vehicle hold down means on said forward end of said bed, for securing the rear axle of the vehicle tightly against said axle hooks of said axle restraint assembly, and for maintaining the suspension of the vehicle in a compressed state.