Patent ID: 7997850
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. A device for loading and carrying a small vehicle at the upper portion of a box of a pickup truck so that storage space is available in the box of the truck below the small vehicle, comprising: a box-like frame means selectively and removably positioned in the box of the truck; said box-like frame means including a first vertically disposed side frame means including a longitudinally extending and horizontally disposed lower frame member having forward and rearward ends; said lower frame member of said first side frame means having a plurality of upstanding posts secured thereto in a horizontally spaced-apart manner which extends upwardly therefrom; said first side frame means including a longitudinally extending and horizontally disposed upper frame member having forward and rearward ends; said upper frame member of said first side frame means having a plurality of vertically disposed posts secured thereto which extend downwardly therefrom in a horizontally spaced-apart manner which are selectively vertically adjustably secured to said upstanding posts of said lower frame member of said first side frame means; said box-like frame means also including a second vertically disposed side frame means spaced from said first side frame means including a longitudinally extending and horizontally disposed lower frame member having forward and rearward ends; said lower frame member of said second side frame means having a plurality of upstanding posts secured thereto in a horizontally spaced-apart manner which extend upwardly therefrom; said second side frame means including a longitudinally extending and horizontally disposed upper frame member having forward and rearward ends; said upper frame member of said second side frame means having a plurality of vertically disposed posts secured thereto which extend downwardly therefrom in a horizontally spaced-apart manner which are selectively vertically adjustably secured to said upstanding posts of said lower frame member of said second side frame means; said box-like frame means also including a front frame means including an elongated, horizontally disposed lower frame member having first and second ends, and an elongated, horizontally disposed upper frame member having first and second ends; said first end of said lower frame member of said front frame means being secured to said lower frame member of said first side frame means at the forward end thereof; said second end of said lower frame member of said front frame means being secured to said lower frame member of said second side frame means at the forward end thereof; said first end of said upper frame member of said front frame means being secured to said upper frame member of said first side frame means at the forward end thereof; said second end of said upper frame member of said front frame means being secured to said upper frame member of said second side frame means at the forward end thereof; said box-like frame means also including a back frame means including an elongated, horizontally disposed lower frame member having first and second ends, and an elongated, horizontally disposed upper frame member having first and second ends; said first end of said lower frame member of said back frame means being secured to said lower frame member of said first side frame means at the rearward end thereof; said second end of said lower frame member of said back frame means being secured to said lower frame member of said second frame means at the rearward end thereof; said first end of said upper frame member of said back frame means being secured to said upper frame member of said first side frame means at the rearward end thereof; said second end of said upper frame member of said back frame means being secured to said upper frame member of said second side frame means at the rearward end thereof; said lower frame members of said first side frame means, said front frame means, said second side frame means and said back frame means being positioned on the floor of the truck box; said upper frame members of said first side frame means, said front frame means, said second side frame means and said back frame means being selectively vertically adjustable by way of said posts on said first and second side frame means to fit truck boxes having varying heights; a rectangular deck member having a forward end, a rearward end, and first and second sides; said deck member being selectively movably mounted on said box-like frame means from a first position wherein said deck member is positioned in a generally horizontally disposed position on said upper frame members of said first side frame means, said front frame means, said second side frame means and said back frame means, to a second position wherein the forward end of said deck member is positioned adjacent the rearward ends of said upper frame members of said first and second side frame means with said deck member extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom so that said rearward end of said deck member is in ground engagement thereby permitting a small vehicle to be moved upwardly and forwardly on said deck member for subsequent movement with said deck member from its said second position to its said first position; said box-like frame means providing a storage area in the truck box below the deck member when said deck member is in its said first position; each of said upper frame member having a plurality of spaced-apart freely rotatable rollers mounted thereon between the forward and rearward ends thereof upon which said deck member may roll; a winch having a retractable and extendable winch cable extending therefrom; said winch cable having a free end; a releasable hook secured to said free end of said winch cable; first and second vertically spaced pulleys rotatably secured about a vertical axis, to said upper frame member of said back frame means adjacent said first end thereof; third and fourth vertically spaced pulleys rotatably secured, about a vertical axis, to said upper frame member of said back frame means laterally inwardly of said first and second pulleys; a fifth pulley rotatably secured, about a vertical axis, to said upper frame member of said front frame means; first and second loops secured to the forward end of said deck member; a first cable having first and second ends; said first end of said first cable adapted to be selectively secured to said releasable hook on said free end of said winch cable; said first cable extending around said first pulley, then around said third pulley, and thence around said fifth pulley with said second end of said first cable being secured to said first loop at said forward end of said deck member; a second cable having first and second ends; said first end of said second cable adapted to be selectively secured to said releasable hook on said free end of said winch cable; said second cable extending around said second pulley, thence around said fourth pulley with said second end of said second cable being secured to said second loop at said forward end of said deck member; the retraction of said winch cable, when said releasable hook on said free end thereof is secured to said first end of said first cable causing said deck member to be moved from said second position to said first position; the retraction of said winch cable when said releasable hook on said free end thereof is secured to said first end of said second cable causing said deck member to be moved from said first position to said second position.