Abstract:
A cargo container includes a body comprising or including a flat bottom or a bottom substantially flat at regions corresponding to the distances at which vehicle tires are spaced on an axle of a typical vehicle to be towed, whereon a plurality of surfaces which extend out of the body bottom or flat regions are disposed to engage and be retained by the tow truck wheel lift assembly draw bar and the extension (when deployed) and permit the cargo container to be lifted, moved or otherwise retained by the tow truck.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    This application relates generally to transportable cargo containers. More specifically, this application relates to cargo containers adapted to be retained by a tow truck wheel lift assembly and thereby transported behind the tow truck. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Frequently trucks, including tow trucks, include a vehicle towing assembly designed to engage the lower portion of the vehicle tires of one axle with a bar or portions of a front bar extending across a width across the tires, and engaging the lower rear of the tires with a further rear bar or bar portions also extending across the with across the tires so that the when the front and rear bar or bar portions are raised, the vehicle tires rest on and partially between the front and rear bar or bar portions. 
         [0003]    It is desirous to transport material other than or in addition to vehicles having tires mounted on axle(s). However, the addition of the towing assembly or the construction of the tow truck generally precludes the inclusion of a place to receive such material, and often precludes the inclusion of a facility to allow the connection of a towed trailer. However, even if the ability to tow a trailer is provided, it is often not desirable due to do so. Thus, despite the capacity of tow trucks to move substantial vehicles, their utility beyond towing vehicles is noticeably marginal at best. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cargo container includes a body comprising or including a flat bottom or a bottom substantially flat at regions corresponding to the distances at which vehicle tires are spaced on an axle of a vehicle to be towed, whereon a plurality of surfaces which extend out of the body bottom or flat regions are disposed to engage the tow truck wheel lift assembly draw bar and the extension (when deployed) and permit the cargo container to be lifted, moved or otherwise retained by the tow truck. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of a one embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an upward planar view of the container according to a further embodiment showing engagement with a typical wheel lift assembly at an initial stage and partially deployed stage of wheel lift assembly engagement; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an upward planar view of the container according to the embodiment of  FIG. 2  showing a fully deployed wheel lift assembly engagement therewith. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    An exemplary embodiment  50  is shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein a wheel lift assembly  60 , typically attached to the rear of another vehicle, e.g. a tow truck, extends under an exemplary container  70  and engages members  80 A attached thereto. In the embodiment  50 , the members  80 A,  80 B comprises two pairs of flanges formed by sections of angle iron having corresponding edges  82 A,  82 B of each pair fastened (e.g. by welding) to extend out from the bottom  72  of the container  70  at and provide outwardly facing surfaces spaced between the pairs approximating the spacing of a portion of the automobile tires typically engaged and carried by the wheel lift assembly  60  (e.g. ______ to ______ inches in the exemplary embodiments shown), wherein the unattached ends  84 A,  84 B of the angle iron sections face outward from each other to form the flange ends which further engages the wheel lift assembly  60 , especially if and when upward (relative to the wheel lift assembly  60 ) forces or motion is encountered. However, alternate embodiments without the ends (e.g.  84 A,  84 B) are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0010]    The embodiment  50  of  FIG. 1  may also include an additional pair of members  80 C which are mounted to the bottom  72  and extend outward therefrom with each element of the pair being fastened between a pair of members  80 A and  80 B and if having a surface such surface would typically be orthogonal thereto, and providing relatively facing surfaces spaced apart at a distance approximating the distance between facing sides of tires on an axle of a vehicle carried by the wheel lift assembly  50 , typically ______ to ______ inches in the exemplary embodiment shown. The members  80 C may also be fabricated by angle iron or equivalent and further include unattached ends which form flange ends that are disposed to face each other and provide further engagement of the wheel lift assembly  60 . 
         [0011]    In operation, the embodiments according to the present invention are retained by the wheel lift assembly by first introducing the retracted or stowed wheel lift assembly between pairs of members until contact is made therewith, as shown in a container  90  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrating the subsequent engagement with a typical tow truck wheel lift assembly,  60 . In the container  90 , pairs of members  92 A,  92 B are disposed to extend out of the substantially planar container  90  bottom  94  each have a surface which is initially engaged by a draw bar  62  of the assembly  60  and substantially lying on the line defined by the confronting edge of the draw bar  62 . The typical wheel lift assembly includes additional “L” arms  64  having an end pivotally connected to the drawbar  62  to position the “L” arms at a distance substantially corresponding to a typical spacing between wheels on an axle of a vehicle to be towed, and are shown in  FIG. 2  in a stowed position  66  and a partially deployed position  68 . 
         [0012]    When fully deployed as shown in  FIG. 3 , the end of the “L” arms  64  not pivotally connected to the drawbar  62  become substantially parallel to the drawbar  62  and capture the members  92 A and  92 B therebetween by engaging the outward facing surfaces of the members  92 A and  92 B. Accordingly, the container  90  is retained by the wheel lift assembly  60  in lateral directions (in the plane of the drawings) as well as being lifted (into the plane of the drawing). Moreover, an additional facing pair of members  92 C is mounted on the bottom  94  at a relative distance from the drawbar  62  between the distances of the members  92 A,  92 B relative to the drawbar  62 , and having facing surfaces spaced a distance corresponding to the facing tire surfaces which the wheel lift assembly is expected to engage, or at a distance which permits the “L” arm to fully deploy as shown in  FIG. 3 . Additionally, the members  92 A,  92 B,  92 C may further include flange ends (similar to  84 A,  84 B,  84 C of  FIG. 1 ) to provide enhanced retention in the wheel lift assembly. 
         [0013]    To disengage, the container is lowered to be supported on the ground, e.g. by wheels  96  or other supports mounted to the bottom  94 , and the “L” arms (or corresponding element in the wheel lift assembly) are withdrawn into a position which permits the wheel lift assembly  60  to be moved away from the container, e.g.  70  and  90 . 
         [0014]    The embodiments according to the present invention are useful with other towing or wheel lift assemblies which engage opposing surfaces with or without the “L” arms. Furthermore, the flanges  80 A,  80 B,  80 C surfaces and equivalents in other embodiments according to the present invention may be other than continuous and/or flat surfaces, such as separated segments thereof, and may also be formed in various manners, e.g. as contiguous portions of a single member. Moreover, since the upper surfaces of the wheel lift assemblies which engage tires of the vehicles to be towed are likely to be substantially of the same plane, so to should the bottom  94  (or  72 ) surfaces be, or include portions which are substantially co-planar at least in the regions having the members  80 A,  80 B for best stability. 
         [0015]    The container including the bottom  72  or  94  may comprise a simple platform or a structure having one or more removable or permanent sidewalls (e.g.  76 A,  76 B of  FIG. 1 ) and/or a top to provide an enclosed volume, and be appropriately sized to carry material as desired. 
         [0016]    Further modifications and substitutions made by one of ordinary skill are within the scope of the present invention which is not to be limited except by the claims which follow.