Abstract:
An electrically operated, compact, loader apparatus adaptable to a vehicle such as a truck bed of a cargo rack of an ATV, including a self deploying and recovery load platform and a folding telescopic mast that lies flat on the cargo rack of a truck bed or ATV allowing other cargo to be carried on top of the loader.

Description:
SPECIFICATION 
     1. Background of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to cargo loading devices adapted for attachment to an all terrain vehicle (ATV) and more particularly to a method and apparatus for a folded, electrically operated, self-erecting loader for lifting and transporting a variety of cargo. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     For many years hunters, farmer, cattlemen, etc., have used ATV&#39;s for hunting, recreation, and work. The ATV allows a rider to travel great distances over a verity of terrain. The popularity of these vehicles also has generated enthusiasm among women, children, and the handicapped; thereby opening the great outdoors to many whom would otherwise not be capable of enjoying nature in the wilderness. ATV users often are alone when faced with the need to transport heavy loads for great distances over rough terrain. For this reason, a new loading device is needed to allow practically any individual, regardless of physical ability, to load and transport heavy cargo, such as wild game, feed, heavy equipment, and hunting supplies, to and from the field. 
     Apparatus have been developed for attachment to the cargo racks of ATVs or truck beds for loading, skinning, and transporting game animals. However, such apparatus tend to be bulky, mechanically operated mechanisms which interfere with the normal operation of the vehicle and require significant agility to operate or limit use to a particular task. While these devices make it possible to lift and /or load a large game animal onto an ATV, they are in most cases cumbersome requiring disassembly, re-assembly, pulling pins, adjusting, and repositioning parts, etc. There is, therefore, a need for an apparatus adaptable to the cargo rack of most ATVs that allows the ATV user to load and transport virtually any type of heavy cargo, within the limits of the weight capacity of the vehicle, without denying access to the cargo rack or interfering with the day to day operation of the vehicle. There is a further need for a loading apparatus adaptable to ATVs that is electrically operated and fully self erecting. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention addresses the above deficiencies and needs by providing an apparatus adaptable to the cargo rack of an ATV that is both compact and self-erecting. The loading apparatus includes a base plate or platform for supporting loads and a folding telescopic mast that is electrically operated, thereby allowing the user to unfold the loader to the loading position by simply activating an electric winch. When a load is positioned onto the loading platform, the user activates the electric winch, lifting the load clear of the ground for transport. When the load is removed, the user again activates the winch and the mast automatically telescopes and folds up and over onto the cargo rack of the ATV and the ATV is thereby ready for conventional use. The loading apparatus is very compact and lies flat on the cargo rack of the ATV allowing other cargo, such as ice chest, deer stands, etc., to be carried on top of the loader. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of the loader in the erect loading position; 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of the loader in the folded position; 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric side illustration of the loader illustrating the folding movement of the loader; 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the winch and mounting support bracket; 
     FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the loader showing the telescoping mast in the extended position; and 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the loading platform. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, we see the ATV loader  10  consists principally of a loading platform  11 , a telescopic mast assembly  13 , and a mounting base support frame  30 . The mounting base support frame bracket  30 , best seen in detail in FIG. 4, is constructed of structural tubing and includes a horizontal bar frame member  50  having a first “U” shaped tubular frame member  52  centrally attached perpendicularly thereto midway along its length, a second “U” shaped tubular frame member  54  centrally attached at an acute angle to the first “U” shaped frame member  52 , and a third “U” shaped tubular frame member  56  attached at an acute angle to a lower portion of the “U” shaped frame member  54 . Mounting bolt holes  40   a ,  40   b  are provided in the horizontal bar frame member  54  for attachment to the upper rail of an ATV cargo rack  70  with bolts  58  and nuts  58   a . A stabilizing bolt hole  40   c  is also provided in frame member  52  for attachment to the lower rail of the ATV cargo rack  70  with a bolt  58  and nut  58   a . The frame elements  54  and  56  provide support for a 12-volt electric winch  28  secured by two bolts through holes  41   a  and  41   b . A remote electrical switch  72  for operating the winch  28  is also provided as seen in FIG. 3 
     The horizontal bar frame member  50  is also fitted with two pair of tubular pivotal clips  24   a ,  24   b  attached along the upper edge for pivotal connection to the mast assembly  13 . A cable pulley  16  is also centrally attached to the horizontal bar  50 . The mast assembly  13 , seen detailed in FIG. 5, is composed of three stage telescopic sections, a first or receiver section  32  composed of a horizontal header member  33  having a pair of spaced a part tubular legs  42   a ,  42   b  attached perpendicular thereto midway along the header member  33 , a spacer member  35  located adjacent the ends of the legs  42   a ,  42   b , and a doubling channel  39  incasing the header member  33  located between the legs  42   a ,  42   b . A cable pulley  14  also is centrally attached to the header member and its doubling channel at its mid point. The second stage  60  is composed of a pair of tubular legs  12   a ,  12   c  slidable within the receiver stage&#39;s tubular legs  42   a ,  42   b  and held in a spaced apart manner by a spreader member  37  located adjacent their exposed ends. 
     The third stage  62  is composed of a pair of tubular legs  12   b ,  12   d  slidable within the second stage&#39;s  60  tubular legs  12   a ,  12   c  and held in a spaced apart manner by a spreader bar  15  and a tubular foot bar member  17  located adjacent their exposed ends. The foot bar member  17  also is fitted with a pair of tubular hinge members  29  for pivotal connection with the load platform  11  and a pair of lifting eyelets  36  located between the legs  12   b ,  12   d  attached to the spreader bar  15 . Retaining chains  18   a ,  18   b  are attached at one end to each side of each the receiver legs  42   a ,  42   b and the other end to each of the third stage telescopic legs  12   b ,  12   d  along the outside of the legs at a point adjacent the spreader bar  15  and fastened externally intermediately to the second stage telescopic legs  12   a ,  12   c  at a point along the outside of the leg adjacent the spreader bar  37 . 
     The load or lifting platform  11 , as detailed in FIG. 6, is composed of a rectangular tubular frame  64  interspersed with partition members  44  with an expanded metal deck  65 . Tubular hinge clips  26  are located along the outside of one of the long sides of the rectangular frame for pin connection with the clips  29  located on the foot member  17  of the third section  62  of the mast  13 . Eyelets  36  also are provided attached to the long side of rectangular frame  64  opposite the hinge clips  26  for attaching lifting cables, de downs, etc. The loading platform is attached to the foot bar clips  29  of the mast by inserting hinge pin  27  through hinges  26  of the loading platform and hinge clips  29 . 
     As seen In FIG. 1, a steel cable  34  is secured to the pair of loops  36  on cross member  15  to form a loop. The winch cable  22  runs from the winch  28 , as seen in FIG. 1, and is threaded through the pulley  16  located on the mounting base frame member  50  and the pulley  14  located on the header bar  33  and is connected to the hook  20  at the end of the winch cable  22 . 
     A length of cable  34  threaded through eyelets  36  secured to the spreader bar  15  at the footer bar  17  of the mast  13  is connected to form a continuous loop or bridle. An adjustable belt  38  is attached to eyelets  36  located on the loading platform  11 , also forming a loop. The winch cable hook  20  is quick coupled to both the cable loop  34  and the belt  38 , thereby forming a four-point lift connection. When the winch cable  22  is retracted by reversing the winch, the telescopic mast  13  is drawn upwards as illustrated in FIG. 3, thereby collapsing the mast sections and folding the mast  13  inward over the top of the ATV cargo rack  70  and into a folded or storage position. It should be noted that as the mast tilts over the cargo rack  70 , the load platform  11  pivots inwardly as well, thereby folding down over the mast  13  to the position illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     To deploy the loader, the electric winch expels the cable from the winch reel allowing the over center weight of the folded loader  10  to tilt toward the rear. As the cable  22  pays out, the telescopic sections extend and the load platform  11  deploys until the load platform  11  rests on the ground as seen fully deployed in FIG.  1 . 
     When loading, the operator of the ATV backs the vehicle up to the object to be loaded. The loader is deployed as stated above. The operator then rolls or otherwise places the object to be transported onto the loading platform and secures it in place on the platform  11  with the adjustable belt  38 , as seen in FIG.  1 . The adjustable, flexible nylon tie down strap or belt  38  serves to hold the load in place and is looped through the hook  20  of the winch cable  22  and hooked to the bridle or loop  34  secured to the base section  62  of the telescopic mast  13 . The hunter now uses the forward or retracting mode of the electric winch, forcing the mast to telescope upward until the load is either securely positioned clear of the ground or the load&#39;s weight is transferred from the platform at least in part to the ATV&#39;s cargo rack  70 . The load may then be transported. 
     Although the load lifting apparatus depicted in the Figures herein is preferably adaptable to an ATV, it is recognized that the adapter bracket could be easily adapted to the bed of a pick-up truck or other type of vehicles where assistance may be needed in loading relatively heavy cargo. It also is anticipated that a quick disconnect system may be utilized for mounting and dismounting the apparatus. Further, it would be obvious that an electronic remote control unit could be used to operate the electric winch, as would other optional safety equipment such as load sensors, etc. Many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and, because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive required of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrated and not in any limiting sense.