Patent ID: 8132997
Filing Date: 2012-03-13
Classification: B60P,B60Q,B60R,B66D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus mountable on a vehicle having a hitch socket, said apparatus comprising: a mounting section, said mounting section being removeably engageable with the hitch socket of the vehicle; a lift section, said lift section being moveably coupled to said mounting section and wherein a socket is disposed on said lift section; a drive chain having a plurality of articulating links and defining a first end and an opposite second end; a drive gear operably engaged with said drive chain; wherein at least one of said drive gear, said first end and said second end is coupled to said mounting section and at least another one of said drive gear, said first end and said second end is coupled to said lift section; the rotation of said drive gear movingly driving said chain and thereby moving said lift section relative to said mounting section; and a lift platform removeably attachable to said lift section, said lift platform having a transverse frame member and a mounting member pivotally coupled with said transverse frame member proximate a midpoint of said transverse frame member and wherein said lift platform and said lift section are attachable by slidingly inserting said mounting member in said socket on said lift section and are detachable by slidingly disengaging said mounting member from said socket; and wherein said lift platform includes a platform surface assembly removably attachable to said lift platform with non-threaded pins, said surface assembly being defined by first and second surface members having substantially similar surface areas, said surface assembly further including at least one hinge pivotally connecting said first and second surface members wherein said first and second surface members are pivotal between a use configuration wherein the first and second surface members are positioned in a common plane and a compact configuration wherein said first and second surface members are positioned in a folded arrangement.