SAFETY SUPPORT APPARATUS

Embodiments of the present invention provide a safety support apparatus for truck beds elevated in a raised position. The bottom of the safety support apparatus provides a support platform a clamping mechanism which adjusts to truck chassis designs providing rails of varying thicknesses. The top of the safety support apparatus provides a receiver which may be configured with several modular components to engage the bottom of an elevated truck bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In transportation, dump trucks are used to transport materials in an open- box bed, pivotably hinged at the rear and raiseable by powered drives at the front. In operation, a truck bed may be placed in a raised configuration for a prolonged period of time to grant service personnel physical clearance to access mechanisms on the underside of the truck bed. The elevation of a truck bed for a protracted length of time poses safety complications for personnel at work under the truck bed, due to the risk of accidental release of the truck bed from an elevated position. A structural support may be imposed beneath an elevated truck bed to reduce the risk of accidental release. However, the structural support itself must be secured to prevent the support from accidental slippage or dislocation.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,174 to Gilbertson et al. discloses a safety support device for truck beds. The Gilbertson support device provides a channel rest which supports the truck bed, pivotably bolted to an upright shank. The shank, supported by a brace, rests on a base platform which rests on a truck chassis frame. However, the Gilbertson support device cannot be secured to the truck chassis frame without employing chains that wrap around the truck chassis frame.

Gilbertson's channel rest must support the weight of the truck bed, yet it is equipped with only a narrow bracket on its underside that bolts to Gilbertson's upright shank. Thus, the sides of Gilbertson's channel rest overhang the shank and are not directly supported. Under stress from the truck bed for protracted periods of time, Gilbertson's channel rest may warp under strain, decreasing the safety of Gilbertson's support device over long-term use. Further, Gilbertson's rigid channel rest limits the size of truck chassis frame the support device may be used in conjunction with, thereby limiting the applicability of the support device or requiring a user to obtain multiple different sizes in order to accommodate a wide range of truck types and sizes.

Furthermore, the expressly recited need to rely on chains to secure Gilbertson's support device to a truck chassis frame results in a cumbersome operation process. As disclosed, methods for using Gilbertson's support device comprise no fewer than nine steps and as many as nineteen steps, to account for the need to manually hook, fasten, unfasten, and unhook the support chains.

Emerson Manufacturing of Pender, NE provides various safety support devices for truck beds. Emerson provides a “Safety Wedge Lock” in the form of an upright triangular frame which serves as a pivot for an inverted triangular frame. In operation, the upright frame rests upon a chassis frame of a truck and the inverted frame is “wedged” under a side of a raised truck bed.

However, the base of the Emerson device merely provides a bracket that encloses the sides of the truck chassis frame, and thus the Emerson device provides no mechanism for securing the base to the truck chassis frame. Thus, the Emerson device may dislodge from a wedged position under the truck bed; this permits the truck bed to suddenly fall, creating a potential safety hazard. Under stress from the truck bed for protracted periods of time, the risk of dislodgment may increase.

A safety support device has not been proposed or suggested to resolve the problem of burdensome or insecure fastening against a truck chassis, or the problem of warming due to supporting weight for prolonged periods of time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a safety support apparatus for truck beds elevated in a raised position. A bottom of the safety support apparatus provides a support platform having a clamping mechanism adjustable to truck chassis designs having rails of varying thicknesses. A top of the safety support apparatus provides a receiver which may be configured with several modular components to engage the bottom of an elevated truck bed.

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of a support apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present invention. The support apparatus100has an anterior member101and a posterior member102together forming a truss frame110having a top, a bottom, and at least one side. The truss frame110further comprises a first lateral face111and a second lateral face112. The support apparatus100further comprises a base member130coupled to the bottom of the truss frame110. The support apparatus100further comprises a receiver120coupled to and laterally spanning the top of the truss frame110. The receiver120may be configured to overhang each face of the truss frame110.

To the first lateral face111or the second lateral face112of the truss frame110, at least one handle105may be affixed to the anterior member101, the posterior member102, or both. Disposed through the base member130of the support apparatus, one or more clamp housings131are coupled to the base member130. Each clamp housing131further comprises a lengthwise passage through the clamp housing131, the passage configured with access at its top through a fastener receiver at a top of the clamp housing131and access at its bottom through an opening disposed through the base member130. A clamp member132may be disposed through a passage of a clamp housing131by insertion into the opening disposed through the base member130. Conversely, a clamp member132may be removed from the passage of the clamp housing131through the opening disposed through the base member130. In some embodiments, one or more handles may be affixed to the anterior member, the posterior member, or both, of the second face of the truss frame, allowing for easier transport and storage of the apparatus.

A clamp member132, shown inFIG. 2, further comprises a sliding member133having a first end and a second end, adjustable upward and downward through a range of positions within the clamp housing131, and a clamp jaw plate134set at the second end of the sliding member133, wherein the clamp jaw plate134halts upward adjustment of the sliding member133within the clamp housing131. While the sliding member133is inserted within the clamp housing131, an adjustable fastener135may be fastened through the top opening of the clamp housing131to the clamp member132. The adjustable fastener135may be coupled to the sliding member and configured to adjust the sliding member133through a range of positions within the clamp housing131so as to open the clamp jaw plate134and provide a variable clearance between the base member130and the clamp jaw plate134.

In another embodiment of the invention, shown inFIG. 3, the sliding member133may further comprise an elongated member configured to lengthen the apparatus100and enable fastening of the apparatus to a rail of greater thickness, thereby increasing overall stability and adaptability of the apparatus when used with various types of truck designs. In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus100may further comprise an extension insert (not shown), configured to couple both the base member130and the sliding member133. The extension insert may further comprise a plurality of notches configured to allow adjustment of an overall clamping area of the apparatus100by removably coupling the sliding member133at a plurality of adjustment points disposed through at least one surface thereof. Further, the extension insert, in conjunction with the sliding member133and clamp jaw plate134, may be configured to allow the apparatus100to be stored in an upright standing position.

The receiver120, as shown inFIG. 4A-B, may comprise any elongated form allowing imposition of a shaft201through the receiver120. According to embodiments of the present invention, the receiver120may be cylindrical in form.

Shown inFIG. 4A, the receiver120may be configured to couple a support platform200, further configured to pivot about a central axis of the receiver120. Two opposing sides of the support platform200may provide brackets210having sufficient clearance in between to span the length of the receiver120. The brackets210may each be a structure spanning the length of a side of the support platform200. A pivot receiver211may further be disposed through each bracket210. With the brackets210abutting the receiver210, a shaft201may be inserted through the brackets210and the receiver120to pivotably mount the support platform200to the receiver120. At least one pivot stop (not shown) may further be coupled to the brackets and an underside of the support platform, spanning the length of the support platform and configured to limit pivotability of the support platform about the central axis of the receiver.

While the support platform200is pivotably mounted to the receiver120, the receiver120may be configured to receive platform guides250on either side of the support platform200. A platform guide250may be a plate structure aligned and abutting a bracket210of the support platform200such that a portion251of the platform guide250protrudes over the top of the support platform200. While in alignment with a bracket210, the platform guide250may be coterminous with one or more edges of the bracket210excluding the portion251protruding over the top of the support platform200.

The platform guide250may be moveably fastened to the shaft201such that the platform guide250may be pivoted into alignment with a bracket210or may be pivoted out of alignment with the bracket210as illustrated inFIG. 4B. While in alignment with the bracket210, the platform guide250may be fastened to the bracket210at one or more points of the bracket210. Handles105of the anterior member101and of the posterior member102may each be configured such that the platform guide250may pivot fully about the shaft201without obstruction by a handle105.

Alternately, the receiver120may be configured to receive roller guides300instead of a support platform200as illustrated inFIG. 4C. With a shaft201imposed through the receiver120, a roller guide300may be fastened to each end of the shaft201. A roller guide300may be a disc member which circumscribes a side of the receiver120such that an object resting upon the receiver120is secured in its lateral motion against roller guides300fastened to either end of the shaft201.

In another embodiment, shown inFIGS. 5A-B, the support apparatus100further comprises at least one horizontal support member260, coupled at a first end to the posterior member102and coupled at a second end to the anterior member101. The at least one horizontal support member260is configured to link both the posterior and anterior members102,101to one another and increase overall structural stability of the support apparatus100. In similar embodiments, the at least one horizontal support member260is configured to link the posterior member102and anterior member101and increase overall structural stability such that the posterior member102and the anterior member101may be further configured as open structures. In this embodiment, the at least one horizontal support member260and the posterior and anterior members102,101are configured to form a central cavity265within the truss frame110of the support apparatus100; thereby reducing carry weight of the apparatus100without reducing structural integrity.

Further, the central cavity265is configured such that an overall amount of materials and time needed to manufacture the apparatus100is significantly reduced without reducing structural integrity, as the apparatus100may be constructed from fewer pieces of material. Further, the support apparatus100would require fewer connecting welds than other support apparatuses known in the art, thereby decreasing time needed for manufacturing processes.

In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one handle may comprise a plurality of handles105may be configured such that at least one handle of the plurality of handles105is disposed upon opposite facing surfaces of the anterior member101or of the posterior member102. The plurality of handles105are further configured such that a user may place, remove, or adjust the apparatus100from either side of the apparatus100. Additionally, the plurality of handles103may also be configured to allow ease of transport of the apparatus100both during use and non-use.

In other embodiments of the invention, the platform guide250may be absent, and the support platform200may be configured such that load pressure alone forms a frictional coupling between the support platform200and a truck bed410. Further, the bracket210may further be configured such that it may only pivot about the shaft201in a partial arc, rather than fully, adding additional stability to the support platform in absence of the platform guide250.

In operation, a support apparatus100may be engaged as follows with a lengthwise rail401of a truck chassis400having a bed410, where the bed410is pivoted in the raised position, as shown inFIG. 6.

A support apparatus100may be configured for operation, first by manipulating the adjustable fastener135to open the clamp jaw plate134. The receiver120may then be configured either with a support platform200, without platform guides250, with a support platform200having platform guides250, or with roller guides300.

A support apparatus100may be carried by the at least one handle105and placed with the base member130resting upon a lengthwise rail401of a truck chassis400, with the anterior member101facing a head of the truck and the posterior member102facing a tail of the truck. The clamp jaw plate134may be imposed under the lengthwise rail401such that the lengthwise rail401is situated between the base member130and the clamp jaw plate134.

The support apparatus100may be moved laterally along the lengthwise rail401until the support platform200is in contact with the bottom of the bed410or until the receiver120is in contact with the bottom of the bed410. The bottom of the bed410may be braced between the platform guides250or between the roller guides300to secure the bottom of the bed410against the support platform200or against the receiver120.

The adjustable fastener135may be adjusted to close the clamp jaw plate134about the lengthwise rail401to place the base member130and the clamp jaw plate134within a locked coupling about the lengthwise rail401, as illustrated inFIG. 4. Such a locked coupling may accommodate a range of approximately ¼ to ⅜ of an inch, inclusive.

The above steps may be performed a second time upon a second lengthwise rail401of the truck chassis400using a second support apparatus100.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a safety support for raised truck beds, with a mechanism for locking the safety support against the truck chassis without burdensome or unsafe fasteners. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide multiple modular configurations for a support platform that engages against the bottom of a truck bed. The integration of bracket structures spanning the sides of the support platform may guard the support platform against warping due to prolonged pressure from supporting a truck bed.

While particular elements, embodiments, and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto because modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore contemplated by the application to cover such modifications and incorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.