Foldable carrier tray for use with a vehicle

A foldable cargo platform is easily mounted on the trailer hitch of a vehicle, and easily folded to a closed position or unfolded to an open position in place on the vehicle or off of the vehicle, due to nestable sections or foldable sections providing a compact platform when the platform is in folded position.

This invention relates to a foldable carrier tray for use with a vehicle and more particularly to a foldable carrier tray for use with a vehicle, which may be mounted at the trailer hitch of a vehicle, and folded up as desired for storage or folded down as desired for use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a vehicle transports cargo or material, advantages can be obtained if loading of the material to be transported can be facilitated, without interfering with the other functions of the vehicle. Typically, it is common to use a mounting for a trailer hitch to secure a cargo platform to a vehicle.

As a result, many such cargo platforms are known for allegedly facilitating such procedures. These devices tend to be bulky and clumsy. To overcome that factor, collapsible devices are now known. But these devices lack the strength or durability, and ease of use, that is most desirable.

Furthermore, such devices which help the vehicle carry cargo, tend to interfere with the use and the enjoyment of the vehicle. For example, storage of the device may be a problem. Also, the cargo platform may interfere with the operation of the trunk or the rear tailgate of the vehicle.

So it is very desirable to find or develop a device which aids a vehicle with the transporting of cargo without drastically interfering with the enjoyment of the vehicle by the owner. If such a device can be developed, great advantages can be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of a foldable cargo platform, which may be attached to or removed from a vehicle as desired.

A further objective of this invention is the provision of a foldable cargo platform, which is easily folded.

Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a foldable cargo platform, which minimizes interference with vehicle use.

A still further objective of this invention is the provision of a foldable cargo platform, which is easily transported.

Another objective of this invention is the provision of a foldable cargo platform, which is easily adjustable.

Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a foldable cargo platform, which minimizes interference with the use of a vehicle to which it is attached.

Still another objective of this invention is the provision of a foldable cargo platform, which permits a person to enter a vehicle more easily.

Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of a foldable cargo platform, which permits a person to leave a vehicle more easily.

These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a foldable cargo platform, which is easily mounted on the trailer hitch of a vehicle, and easily folded to a closed position or unfolded to an open position in place on the vehicle or off of the vehicle, due to nestable sections or foldable sections providing a compact platform when the platform is in folded position.

Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar to directional terms are not to be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words attach, connect, couple, and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct or intermediate connections, but may also include connections through mediate elements or devices.

A foldable carrier tray cooperates with the hitch of a vehicle to facilitate carrying of a desired cargo. With the carrier having foldable and nestable sections the idea of struggling with attaching the tray each time something must be hauled is minimized. The nestable sections for the tray with the fold up option permit use of the back door of a vehicle, even with the cargo in place. The main concept is to allow the platform to be supported by two triple fold ends that carry the weight much like the forks of a forklift. The floor of the carrier is preferably made up of square metal tubes. The two triple fold ends are strong when unfolded and carrying cargo. They nest together for compact storage in a folded position, whether the carrier tray is on the vehicle or off.

At one end of hitch bar124is first hitch end cap126. At the opposing end of hitch bar124is second hitch end cap128. First hitch end cap126and second hitch end cap128are preferably substantially symmetrical. Above hitch bar124and between first hitch end cap126and second hitch end cap128is hitch support bar130. At a bottom edge of first hitch end cap126is first hitch lip132. At a bottom edge of second hitch end cap128is second hitch lip134. First hitch lip132and second hitch lip134are substantially similar in shape.

Secured to and resting on first hitch lip132and second hitch lip134are first hitch brace136, second hitch brace138and third hitch brace140. First hitch brace136is adjacent to and at least substantially parallel to hitch bar124. Second hitch brace138and third hitch brace140are substantially parallel to and have a substantially coplanar surface with first hitch brace136. Typically, second hitch brace138is between first hitch brace136and third hitch brace140.

First hitch end cap126has first hitch face142extending upwardly from first hitch lip132at about a right angle thereto. Likewise second hitch end cap128has second hitch face144extending upwardly from second hitch lip134. Each of first hitch face142and second hitch face144has a first hitch face aperture146and second hitch face aperture148therein. Each first hitch face aperture146is adjacent to first hitch brace136, second hitch brace138, and third hitch brace140. Each second hitch face aperture148is above the first hitch face aperture146.

Barred end section160includes a first end brace162and a second end brace164with a first end support168and a second end support170. First end support168and a second end support170are on opposing ends of first end brace162and second end brace164. First end brace162and second end brace164are substantially parallel to each other between the first end support168and the second end support170. First end brace162and second end brace164are connected on opposing ends to first end support168and second end support170through any suitable attachment means such as, but limited to, welding and fasteners. This connection provides a secure and stable relationship.

First end support168and second end support170have a first end opening172adjacent to first end brace162and second end brace164. First end support168and second end support170also have second end opening174above first end opening172. Second end opening174and first end opening172provide gripping sites to operate barred cargo assembly100and move it between barred open position102, barred folded position104, and partially barred folded position106without weakening the structure thereof.

A plate member186is mounted on barred end section160near second end brace164to connect first end support168and second end support170. Plate member186has an upper lip188extending into a closing sheet190. Within closing sheet190may be gripping slots192for moving barred cargo assembly100between barred open position102, barred folded position104, and partially barred folded position106.

Barred center section200is similar in structure to barred hitch section120. First center end cap202has first center lip204at a bottom edge thereof. At a bottom edge of second center end cap206is second center lip208. The rest of first center end cap202is first center plate210extending upwardly from first center lip204. The rest of second center end cap206is second center plate212extending upwardly from second center lip208.

Secured to and resting on first center lip204and second center lip208are first center brace214, second center brace216, and third center brace218. First center brace214is adjacent to and at least substantially parallel to second center brace216. Second center brace216and third center brace218are substantially parallel to and have a substantially coplanar surface with first center brace214. Typically, second center brace216is between first center brace214and third center brace218.

Barred hitch section120is pivotably secured to barred center section200through first nut and bolt assembly360. Barred center section200is pivotably secured to barred end section160through second nut and bolt assembly374. While a nut and bolt assembly is the preferred embodiment, a rivet, a lynch pin and cotter pin assembly, or any other suitable fastener that can provide a secure yet pivotable relationship is encompassed by this disclosure.

Now addingFIG. 8andFIG. 9to the consideration, the flexibility of barred cargo assembly100can be seen. Barred cargo assembly100is in completely barred folded position104in contrast toFIG. 7which shows the barred open position102. Barred hitch section120receives the nested assembly of barred end section160nested within barred center section200. The braces, such as136,138,140,162,164,214,216, and218, are usually hollow metal tubes. The supports or faces such as,142,144,202,206,168, and170, are flat metal plates.

WithFIG. 10andFIG. 11, the barred cargo assembly100is in partially barred folded position106and barred end section160is nested within barred center section200to form partial nest assembly230. Partial nest assembly230can then be inserted into barred hitch section120for the barred folded position104ofFIG. 8. Bolt assemblies360and374provide the rotation from barred open position102to partially barred folded position106to barred folded position104, and hold together the parts and permit the nest structure hinge. Barred cargo assembly100is useful for carrying wheeled vehicles or other cargo.

Now referring toFIG. 12,FIG. 13, andFIG. 14, the structure and function of latch298can be clearly seen. Barred hitch section120and barred center section200may have latch298cooperating to support barred open position102. Barred center section200and barred end section160also may have latch298cooperating to support barred open position102.

In the preferred embodiment, latch298is a teardrop shaped structure296with an aperture288through the larger end. The teardrop shaped structure296is secured through pin294which cooperates with plate aperture286on plate292to form the movable connection.

The plate292is attached to barred hitch section120or barred end section160at first hitch face142, second hitch face144, first end support168, and second end support170. The teardrop shaped structure296pivots around pin294. The smaller end of the teardrop shaped structure296inserts into the slot290between the side of barred hitch section120and barred center section200or barred center section200and barred end section160, thus creating a wedge to support barred open position102. Teardrop shaped structure296pivots upward and out of the slot290to disengage the wedge effect and permit barred end section160and barred center section200to fold upward around the pivot point of pin294. Thus, latch298acts as a catch with the teardrop shaped structure296and pin294preventing any upward movement of barred hitch section120, barred center section200, or barred end section160during use. This structure provides strength to the barred cargo assembly100in barred open position102.

Turning now toFIG. 15,FIG. 16,FIG. 17,FIG. 18,FIG. 19,FIG. 20, andFIG. 21, the structure of platform cargo assembly300of this invention can be seen. WithFIG. 15andFIG. 16, the platform cargo assembly300of this invention is in platform open position302as a form of a foldable carrier tray400(FIG. 23). More particularly, one or more of hinge assembly310supports a hitch platform312, central platform314, and end platform316. Mounting bar332is adjacent to hitch platform312with a centrally located hitch334, for securing to a vehicle420(FIG. 23).

Two, or more, of hinge assemblies310are used to support hitch platform312, central platform314, and end platform316. Each hinge assembly310has a first hinge member340and a second hinge member342. First hinge member340is generally L-shaped with a hook end344to engage and secure mounting bar332on a bottom side336and a front side338. Also, first hinge member340has projection330which extends upwardly between hitch platform312and mounting bar332for further strength and support. First hinge member340has a first long arm346running under hitch platform312. First long arm346extends into first hinge arm pair354. First hinge arm pair354extends between hitch platform312and central platform314. One member of first hinge arm pair354is attached to hitch platform312and the other member of first hinge arm pair354is attached to the central platform314. First hinge arm pair354has first hinge aperture390.

Second hinge member342has second hinge arm pair356with a second long arm358. Second hinge member342has second long arm358running under central platform314. Second hinge arm pair356appears between central platform314and end platform316. One member of second hinge arm pair356is attached to central platform314and the other member of second hinge arm pair356is attached to end platform316. Second hinge arm pair356has second hinge aperture384. Second hinge arm pair356is preferably shorter than first hinge arm pair354, to facilitate movement as shown inFIG. 18andFIG. 20.

First hinge arm pair354and second hinge arm pair356are attached to hitch platform312, central platform314, and end platform316through any suitable fastening means. The fastening means may be, but are not limited to, rivets, bolts, and mounting flanges.

WithFIG. 17andFIG. 18, platform cargo assembly300is in platform partially folded position304. End platform316is folded onto central platform314. Third fastener assembly382cooperates with second hinge aperture384to create this pivotable and partially rotational relationship. Third fastener assembly can be a rivet, a nut and bolt assembly, or any other fastening means which provides a secure yet pivotable relationship between second hinge arm pair356.

When platform cargo assembly300is returned to platform open position302, end platform316is pivoted off of central platform314and secured in position through second hinge arm pair356. Second hinge arm pair356wedges against end platform316and central platform314and prevents end platform316from pivoting downward any further. Thus, end platform316is held in a substantially planar position with hitch platform312and central platform314.

InFIG. 19,FIG. 20, andFIG. 21, platform cargo assembly300is in platform fully folded position306. End platform316and central platform314are folded onto hitch platform312and end platform316is between central platform314and hitch platform312. Platform fully folded position306permits storage of platform cargo assembly300on a vehicle420(FIG. 23) when not in use.

End platform316and central platform314are folded onto hitch platform312. Fourth fastener assembly388cooperates with first hinge aperture390to create this pivotable and partially rotational relationship. Fourth fastener assembly388can be a nut and bolt assembly, a rivet, or any other fastening means capable of providing a secure and pivotable relationship between first hinge arm pair354.

The platforms,312,314, and316, are preferably hollow, rectangular, metal tubes. The other parts are preferably sheet metal. Platform cargo assembly300supports boxes, containers, and other cargo.

AddingFIG. 22to the consideration, platform loading position308of platform cargo assembly300can be clearly seen. Hitch platform312, central platform314, and end platform316each have extensions376which extend out from their interiors. At the end of each extension376is grip378which facilitates movement of extensions376into and out of platforms312,314, and316. The extensions376aid in moving wheeled vehicles and other heavy cargo onto platform cargo assembly300.

FIG. 23depicts a block diagram of foldable carrier tray400of this invention of which may be the barred cargo assembly100(FIG. 1) or platform cargo assembly300(FIG. 15). Foldable carrier tray400has at least a first foldable section402and a second foldable section404. A support member406permits foldable carrier tray400to be supported with first foldable section402and second foldable section404in open tray position408or a folded tray position410. Folded tray position410can be a partially folded or fully folded position as seen in earlier embodiments. Vehicle420can support first foldable section402at hitch mount412and hence foldable carrier tray400thereon. As many additional foldable sections414as desired can be added to second foldable section404. Usually at least two or more foldable sections414are utilized.

This application; taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined; provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.

Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.