Abstract:
A retracting platform assembly for motor vehicle carrier trucks, where the platform retracts to a vertical position. The railing system remains in a vertical position, extending and retracting along a horizontal plane, and provides additional protection from falling off the edge of the platform. A series of elevation rods between the platform grate and the railing system aids in the transition between the extended and retracted positions. A weight-bearing beam assists in supporting the weight of the platform assembly, as well as attaches to a power supply that pushes and pulls the platform assembly from one position to the other.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention generally relates to platforms. Specifically, this invention relates to retracting platforms, particularly for use on motor vehicle earner tracks. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Motor vehicle carrier trucks are designed to transport passenger vehicles, such as sedans, vans, pick-up trucks, and sport utility vehicles. These carrier trucks are typically capable of loading several vehicles into a bottom deck and a top deck. While the bottom deck may only be a few feet from the ground, the top deck is much higher, usually elevated eight or more feet above the ground. The decks upon which these vehicles are loaded, especially the top deck, are sometimes no more than two tire-wide runners, each spaced apart in such a fashion that the runners line up with the left-side and right-side tires of a standard passenger vehicle. 
         [0006]    In the carrier truck industry, it is standard practice to load these vehicles onto the earner track deck by having a person enter the vehicle to be loaded, and physically drive the vehicle onto the decks by lining up the vehicle tires with the runners. A problem then arises once the vehicle has been loaded on the carrier truck: the person must then exit the vehicle, and negotiate a descent from the carrier truck. When the deck is made up only of the runners, the narrow and often slippery runners are the only footing, and any other part of the frame of the carrier truck is used for hand grips. This poses a substantial hazard to this person&#39;s safety, since the runners are not designed for foot travel, and the carrier truck frame is not designed to allow for secure gripping or to anchor safety equipment, such as a harness, to prevent someone from failing. As such, people negotiating the descent from the earner truck are at risk of losing their footing or their grip. Slips or falls from the bottom and top decks of these earner trucks can result in serious or fatal injuries. 
         [0007]    The width of these carrier trucks and the decks they haul are restricted by the width of the highways and streets upon which they travel. These roadways are only wide enough to accommodate a standard passenger vehicle as it travels in its ordinary course along that road. For an ordinary passenger vehicle, these roads may offer ample room to comfortably drive within a lane of travel. However, there is significantly less room for the carrier truck, since the roadway must now accommodate not only the width of the passenger vehicle, but also the runners upon which they rest, and the frame of the carrier truck itself. Due to width restrictions of the roadways, it is imperative that any additions to the body of these carrier trucks, such as platforms, mirrors, and lights, add only minimally, if at all, to the overall width of the carrier truck. Furthermore, the width of a carrier truck is restricted by government agencies, such as a state&#39;s Department of Transportation. 
         [0008]    Despite the inefficiency and obvious safety deficiencies of commonly used procedures for dismounting a carrier truck after loading a vehicle, the Applicants have found no prior art devices that are designed to address these shortcomings. However, the collapsing platforms are known in the prior art. Specifically, retracting platforms previously devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, or obvious structural configurations. 
         [0009]    By way of example, the prior art discloses a safety platform for sanding trucks in U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,155 to Greenwood; a pipeline construction safety platform in U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,127 to Johnson; and a vehicle step device in U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,843 to Greer, Jr. 
         [0010]    In this respect, the retracting platform for motor vehicle carrier trucks, according to the present invention, substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing, provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a retracting platform that, while adding little, if any width to the carrier truck in the platform&#39;s retracted state, such platform allows for safe foot travel. The present invention also provides for a railing system integrated into such platform, and an access panel through the platform for dismounting the carrier truck. 
         [0011]    Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a need for a new and improved retracting platform, which can be used for vehicle carrier trucks. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Accordingly, the present invention is a retracting platform for motor vehicle carrier tracks. Integrated into the platform is a grate, a railing system, an access panel, and an support beam to transfer the kinetic energy from a power source, like that provided by a hydraulics system, to retract and extend the platform. Personnel safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness are always goals in the motor vehicle carrier industry, and the present invention offers a unique tool to achieve those goals. 
         [0013]    Although platforms have been provided for vehicles, even including platforms which have integrated a railing system or platforms that are collapsible, there is no known mechanism which can be simply and economically adapted for the above-mentioned carrier trucks without the addition of relatively complicated mechanisms. 
         [0014]    In general, the platform is anchored to the truck frame. The frame may be the two tire-wide runners upon which the cargo rests, a deck, or the body of the carrier truck itself. The platform in its extended position is a substantially horizontal grate. This grate is to be constructed of a material lightweight enough so as to facilitate the transition to its substantially vertical, retracted position. Furthermore, the material must be sufficiently lightweight, as to minimize its overall contribution to the overall weight of the earner truck, yet the grate must also be durable enough to bear the weight of at least one adult over many years of use. 
         [0015]    The grate rests on elevation rods which are hingedly attached to the truck frame. These rods, in turn, rest on extension bars. Preferably, these rods are tapered at their distal ends. This facilitates a smoother transition between grate positions, and allows the grate to lie in a more horizontal position when extended. In the preferred embodiment, the bars are telescoping, enabling them to elongate and shorten, as needed. There are two extension bars; the bars are pivotally joined together at one end, and pivotally joined to the frame of the carrier truck at the other distal end. A hydraulic piston is attached to a beam supporting the weight of the platform. This support beam is connected to the extension bars where they are pivotally joined to each other. The hydraulic piston is part of the carrier truck&#39;s hydraulics system, a system exploiting pressurized fluids that is well known in the prior art and used as part of the standard equipment in the industry. 
         [0016]    In the retracted position, the extension bars are parallel to each other, and are essentially flush with the frame of the carrier truck. Upon activation of the hydraulics system, the hydraulic piston pushes outward on the support beam, which in turn pushes outward on the bars. The bars then extend in length. As the bars are pushed outward, the elevation rods in the preferred embodiment are lowered from their substantially vertical position, as they slide down the shaft of the extension bars. As the rods are lowered, so is the grate resting upon them. 
         [0017]    A railing system is also integrated into the platform. The railing system is comprised of a set of stanchions, each stanchion connected to its adjacent counterpart by a series of cables, chains, or other barrier means along the outer edge of the platform. In the preferred embodiment, the cables connecting its respective stanchions must be taut when the platform is in its fully extended position. The cables will slacken when the platform is retracted, because the extension bars will have shortened in length. In any event, the barrier along the outer edge of the platform must accommodate the changing length of the extension bars, upon which the stanchions are anchored. 
         [0018]    In addition to the railing system, the platform also features an access panel. The panel in the preferred embodiment is located in the center of the grate, but can be located anywhere on the grate. The panel must also be able to bear the weight of an adult standing or walking on it. When the platform is in its extended position, the panel is in the same plane as the grate. The panel can then be swung open to a substantially vertical position, permitting an individual to pass through the grate. This panel becomes useful when it is lined up with a means of descending the decks of the carrier truck, such as a ladder. 
         [0019]    Thus, the general features of the invention have been broadly outlined, such that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described, which will form the subject matter of the claims. The claims should be regarded as providing the limits of the present invention. It is to be noted that the invention is not limited to the details of construction, or to the arrangements of the elements set forth in the following description or representations in the figures. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being used in a variety of ways for a multitude of purposes. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0020]    It is thus an object of this present invention to provide a platform allowing for safe foot travel. It is another object of this invention to provide a railing system that can be easily gripped, or that can accommodate safety equipment to prevent falls. It is yet another object of this invention to allow access to a means, such as a ladder, to safely descend from the top deck of a carrier truck. 
         [0021]    Due to various limitations on a carrier truck&#39;s width imposed by governing agencies or by industry standards, it is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a platform that is large enough to sufficiently accommodate a person exiting a vehicle loaded on the carrier truck. Concurrently, it is an object of the invention to provide for a platform that can retract, so that when it is not in use, the retracted platform has little, if any, effect on the width of the carrier truck. 
         [0022]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved retracting platform, which provides advantages over the prior art, while simultaneously overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art. 
         [0023]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved retracting platform, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
         [0024]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved retracting platform, which is durable and reliable in design and structure. At the same time, it is yet another object to provide an esthetically pleasing retracting platform. 
         [0025]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved retracting platform, which provides a simple, easy-to-operate apparatus. 
         [0026]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved retracting platform, wherein, considering the cost of materials and labor, manufacture of the invention provides an economic advantage. Such an advantage can be passed to the consumer, thus making the invention more accessible to the public. 
         [0027]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a safety measure for persons who are maneuvering about or dismounting the decks of a motor vehicle carrier track. 
         [0028]    These, together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims, which are a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying description and FIGS., in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
         [0029]    Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
         [0030]    While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the invention. For example, the retracting platform can be used on transportation means other than motor vehicle carrier trucks, such as trains or water craft, or on fixed structures like buildings, piers, or loading docks. 
         [0031]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of platforms present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved platform for motor vehicle carrier trucks. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved retracting platform, which has all the advantages of the prior art, and none of the disadvantages. 
       DRAWINGS—FIGURES 
       [0032]    The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         [0033]    FIG,  1  is a view from below the retracting platform, showing the platform in its fully extended position, and the access panel in the closed position. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is another view from below the retracting platform, where the 2′ arrow indicates the direction of extension of the hydraulic piston, which then extends the platform, and the 2″ arrow indicates the direction of movement to close the access panel. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is another view from below the retracting platform, where the 3′ arrow indicates the direction of retraction of the hydraulic piston, which then retracts the platform. As a result of the retraction, the extension bars shorten in a telescoping manner, in a manner indicated by the 3″ arrows, and the cables, chains, or other barrier means along the outer edge of the platform must accommodate the shortening of these extension bars. Although in this FIG., the access panel is open, the panel may also be in the closed position when retracting the platform. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is another view from below the retracting platform, showing the platform in its fully retracted position. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the platform in its extended position, with the access panel closed. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of the extended platform, taken along the line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a left side perspective view of the platform in its extended position. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a view from above the platform in its extended position. 
         [0041]    FIG,  9  is a cross-sectional view of the joint assembly of the extension bar to the frame of the motor vehicle carrier truck, taken along the line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is a view from below the platform in its extended position. 
         [0043]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the joint assembly of the extension bars, platform support beam, and the hydraulics system, encircled in  FIG. 10 , 
         [0044]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of the point of attachment of the distal ends of the support beam and the hydraulics piston. 
     
    
     DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0045]      10  Platform 
         [0046]      12  Truck frame 
         [0047]      14  Platform grate 
         [0048]      16  Access panel 
         [0049]      18  Railing system 
         [0050]      20  Stanchions 
         [0051]      22  Extension bar 
         [0052]      24  Barrier means 
         [0053]      26  Support beam 
         [0054]      28  Hydraulics system 
         [0055]      30  Hydraulics system piston 
         [0056]      32  Elevation rod 
         [0057]      34  Extension bar hinge 
         [0058]      36  Hinge pin 
         [0059]      38  Pivot block 
         [0060]      40  Block pin 
         [0061]      42  Support beam fins 
         [0062]      44  Hydraulics piston tab 
         [0063]      46  Fin-tab pin 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0064]    With reference now to the drawings, and in particular,  FIGS. 1-12 , for a new and improved retracting platform for motor vehicle carrier trucks, as generally designated by the reference numeral  10 , the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described. 
         [0065]    The present invention, the new and improved retracting platform, is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components, in their broadest context, include a platform grate, an access panel, a railing system, elevation rods, and a platform support beam, this beam having an attachment at its distal end to accommodate a power source, like a hydraulic system. Such components are individually configured and con-elated with respect to each other as to attain the desired objective. 
         [0066]    A motor vehicle carrier truck, typical of those used in the industry, has a frame  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A truck&#39;s frame forms the supporting skeleton of the cargo-carrying portion of the carrier truck, and equipment such as lighting and hydraulics systems maybe anchored or fixed on the frame. The frame  12  may also be the outer edge of the decks or runners, upon which the cargo rests. 
         [0067]      FIG. 1  shows the platform to be in its extended position. In this state, the platform grate  14 , is substantially horizontal. The grate  14  must be sufficiently weight-bearing to support at least one adult, since it is expected that people would walk and stand on the grate  14 . An access panel  16  is part of the grate  14 . As will be discussed, the panel  16  provides a means of ingress to and egress from the platform  10 , and should be lined up with a means of safely accessing the platform  10 , such as a ladder or steps. 
         [0068]      FIG. 1  also shows the railing system  18 , which is comprised of a set of stanchions  20  attached to a telescoping extension bar  22 , and a barrier means  24 . The barrier means  24  can be achieved by using cables, as shown, or with other means, such as chains. The railing system  18  in the preferred embodiment is pivotally anchored on each end to the truck frame  12 . It is recommended that, when positioning the stanchions  20  on the extension bar  22 , that the stanchion  20  placement does not hinder the telescoping movement of the bar  22  in a manner that would preclude effective extension or retraction of the platform  10 . In the same manner, the barrier means  24  must be of a sufficient length, since extension of the platform  10  increases the distance between stanchions  20 . 
         [0069]    In the preferred embodiment, a support beam  26  is centered underneath the platform  10 , parallel to the direction of extension and retraction. This beam.  26  minimizes the platform&#39;s  10  weight upon the hydraulics system  28 , which is not designed or positioned to withstand such forces. The top surface of the distal end of the beam  26  is attached to the extension bars  22 , where they are pivotally joined together. The proximal end of the beam  26  is anchored to the frame  12  of the carrier truck. The bottom surface of the distal end of the beam  26  is attached to the piston  30  of the hydraulics system  28 . The support beam  26  therefore must be strong enough to support the weight of the platform  10  and durable enough to withstand the forces exerted by the hydraulics system  30 , yet the beam  26  must also have the ability extend and retract, a property which can be achieved if the beam  26  has telescoping capabilities. 
         [0070]      FIG. 2  shows the direction of extension of the platform  10 , along the 2′ arrow. Extension is achieved by activating a power system, such as the hydraulics system  28  in the preferred embodiment, to push out the hydraulic piston  30 . Because the support beam  26  is attached to both the piston  30  and the extension bars  22  of the railing system  18 , when the piston  30  is pushed outwards, the entire platform  10  then extends outwards, while the bars  22  extend to their full length. 
         [0071]    The platform  10  in mid-retraction is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The platform  10  retracts along the direction indicated by the 3′ arrow. Retraction is achieved when the hydraulics system  28  is activated, pulling the piston  30  towards the carrier truck. Because the extension bars  22  are attached to the support beam  26 , which in turn is attached to the piston  30 , the point where the extension bars  22  are pivotally joined is pulled towards the carrier truck. As depicted by the 3″ arrows, the distance between some stanchions  20  decreases when the railing system  18  is retracted, as the extension bars  22  are adducted. It is thus necessary for the hairier means  24  to adapt to the shortening extension bars  22 . When the platform  10  is fully retracted, the extension bars  22  are substantially parallel to the longitudinal frame  12  of the earner buck, and the grate  14  is in a substantially vertical position, as is the elevation rod  32  between the grate  14  and the bars  22 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0072]    In the preferred embodiment, at least one elevation rod  32  is positioned perpendicular to the truck frame  12 , and is pivotally joined to the frame  12  between an extension bar  22  and the platform grate  14 . Upon retraction, when the extension bars  22  are drawn towards the carrier truck, the elevation rods  32  slide along the extension bars  22 , concurrently lifting the platform grate  14  from a horizontal to a vertical position. Similarly, upon extension, when the bars  22  are pushed away from the carrier truck, the rods  32  slide along the bars  22 , and the grate  14  is lowered.  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , considered together, illustrate these parts and their relationship with the mechanics of extension and retraction. The rods  32  therefore significantly reduce the friction between the bars  22  and the grate  14 , which in turn reduces wear and tear on these parts, in the preferred embodiment, the elevation rod  32  is tapered at its distal end to promote a smooth transition of the grate  14  from vertical to horizontal positions. 
         [0073]    While the support beam  26  does bear some of the weight of the platform  10 , it is also important for the extension bar hinges  34  to do so as well. Although the hinges must be weight-bearing, they must also allow for relatively smooth pivoting of the extension bars  22  upon extension or retraction of the platform  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the hinges  34  are anchored to the frame  12 , and the pivoting mechanism can be as simple as a hinge pin  36  connecting the bar  22  to the hinge  34 , as seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
         [0074]    A similar pivoting joint assembly connects the extension bars  22  together. Considerable friction, force, and wear-and-tear is expected at that junction. The support beam  26 , which bears the weight of the platform  10  and is the point of attachment of the hydraulics system  28  generating the forces to retract and expand the platform  10 , should be protected from the forces of friction as much as possible. A pivot block  38  can reduce the friction caused by the pivoting extension bars  22  on the support beam  26 . In the preferred embodiment, the pivot block  38  is a hollow bar anchored to the support beam  26 , and is made of the same material as the support beam  26 , but the pivot block  38  can be any material that is economical to replace, and be in any configuration that will allow the block  38  to withstand the forces of friction over repeated use. As seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a block pin  40  joining the extension bars  22  to each other and to the block  38  allows for the pivotal joining of the bars. 
         [0075]    Considerations for friction factors are not as critical where the support beam  26  connects to the piston  30  of the hydraulics system  28 , because these elements move in the same plane in unison. To achieve a connection point that will withstand the forces exerted upon it, in the preferred embodiment, the distal end of the support beam  26  has a pair of ventral fins  42 . In turn, the distal end of the hydraulics piston  30  has a pair of protruding tabs  44  that correspond with the fins  42 . The tabs  44  protrude through the fins  42 , and a fin-tab pin  42  secures the connection, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0076]    The hydraulically powered beam system combines the weight-bearing strength of the support beam  26 , and the kinetic energy necessary to extend and retract the platform  10 . In spite of the advantage of this combination, positionally secured together and anchored to the truck frame  12  with a series of straps  48 , it is noteworthy that the support beam  26  can be coupled with any means to power the adduction and abduction of the support beam, such as battery-, electricity-, or gasoline-powered mechanisms. However, the hydraulics system  28  is the preferred source of power, because most carrier tracks are already equipped with a hydraulics system to change the configuration of the truck as needed, in conformity with the cargo load. As such, the carrier truck&#39;s existing hydraulics system can be easily adapted to accommodate a retracting platform such as the one described. 
         [0077]    As to the manner and usage of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. 
         [0078]    With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that, to achieve the optimum relationships for the parts, consideration must be made to variations in size and dimension, materials, shape, form, function, and the manner of operation, assembly, and use. Such considerations are intended to be encompassed by the present invention, and will be readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art. All suitable modifications, adaptations, and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Although one embodiment has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the intention is not limited to the embodiment discussed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Other changes, and uses within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims, will suggest themselves to those versed in the art. This application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as those falling within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains, and which fells within the limits of the appended claims. 
         [0079]    It will be noted that this invention fully meets the objectives set forth.