Patent ID: 7331607
Filing Date: 2008-02-19
Classification: B66C,E02F

Abstract:
1. In combination: a wheeled vehicle having first and second sides; an upper bracket assembly secured to said vehicle at one side of said vehicle; a lower bracket assembly secured to the one side of said vehicle below said upper bracket assembly; an extensible downrigger mounted on at least the one side of said vehicle; said downrigger including a first tubular member, having upper and lower ends, pivotally secured at its said upper end to said upper bracket assembly about a horizontal axis; a second tubular member, having upper and lower ends; said upper end of said second tubular member slidably embracing said lower end of said first tubular member; a first mounting bracket at said upper end of said second tubular member; a second mounting bracket secured to said second tubular member below said first mounting bracket; a third mounting bracket secured to said second tubular member below said first mounting bracket; a third tubular member having upper and lower ends; a ground engaging shoe at the lower end of said third tubular member; said upper end of said third tubular member slidably embracing said lower end of said second tubular member; said upper end of said third tubular member having a mounting bracket secured thereto which is adapted to be selectively secured to said second mounting bracket on said second tubular member so that said third tubular member may be selectively moved with said second tubular member; an elongated linkage having first and second ends; said first end of said linkage being pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to said first mounting bracket on said upper end of said second tubular member; said second end of said linkage being pivotally secured, about a horizontal axis, to said lower mounting bracket assembly at the one side of the vehicle; said first mounting bracket at said upper end of said second tubular member being selectively secured to said lower bracket assembly on the one side of the vehicle; an elongated hydraulic cylinder having upper and lower ends and being selectively movably between extended and retracted positions; said hydraulic cylinder being positioned within said first, second and third tubular members; said upper end of said cylinder being operatively connected to said upper bracket assembly on the one side of the vehicle; said lower end of said cylinder being operatively connected to said third tubular member; the extension of said cylinder, when said third mounting bracket on said second tubular member is secured to said lower bracket assembly at the one side of said vehicle and said mounting bracket on said upper end of said third tubular member is disconnected from said second mounting bracket on said second tubular member, causing said third tubular member to move downwardly relative to said second tubular member to cause said shoe to move into ground engagement; the extension of said cylinder, when said third mounting bracket on said second tubular member is disconnected from said lower bracket assembly at the one side of said vehicle, causing said first, second and third tubular members to extend downwardly and outwardly from the one side of said vehicle.