VEHICLE CARGO LIFT

Abstract: A vehicle cargo lift comprising a bed (9) having posts (10) parallel to each other extending from the bed (9), a support frame (2) having two opposed side frames forming a well therebetween to accommodate the bed (9), at least one hollow elongated member (7) located in each side frame, drive means (8) to move the bed (9) between a raised transport position and a ground engaging loading positions such that the bed (9) retains substantially the same orientation throughout its movement between the transport position and the loading position with the hollow elongated members (7) being telescopically engaged with respective posts (10) of the bed (9).

Description: Vehicle Cargo Lift The present invention relates to an attachment which can be fitted to an existing vehicle, either powered or non powered, or vehicle chassis, said attachment having a tray which is adapted to be raised and lowered from a transport position to a ground engaging loading position. Standard vehicles such as vans and trucks have been used for the transportation of cargo. However, because of the height of the tray or bed above the ground , loading , unloading and positioning of cargo can be difficult, especially with heavy objects. Forklifts and ramps have been used. But these have their disadvantages such as costs and availability at sites. Attempts have been made to overcome these problems by providing a modified U-shaped chassis with the rear wheels attached by means of stub axles, and an adjustable tray connected by parallelogram linkages between the arms of the chassis, to be raised and lowered between a ground engaging loading position and a raised transport position. Further attempts have used a modified U-shaped chassis with the rear wheels attached by means of stub axles, and a tilting tray connected between the arms of the chassis. These attempts require an completely modified chassis with the resultant costs. With some vehicles and usage such an expense cannot be justified. Other attempts to overcome this problem involve the use of lifting tailgates. However these are not always suitable because of the method of attachment and the operation of the tailgate external of the vehicle. The present invention seeks to ameliorate these problems by providing a vehicle cargo lift comprising: a bed having posts parallel to each other extending from said bed; a support frame adapted to be connected to a vehicle, said support frame comprising two opposed side frames forming a well therebetween to accommodate the bed; at least one elongated member located in each side frame; and drive means to move said bed between a raised transport position, and a ground engaging loading position such that the bed retains substantially the same orientation throughout its movement between said transport position and said loading position, with said elongated members being telescopically engaged with respective posts of the bed. In another form the invention comprises a combined tray and vehicle cargo lift for fitting to the chassis of a vehicle behind the cab, comprising : a tray adapted to be fitted onto a standard chassis of a vehicle; a support frame; having a front frame, two opposed side frames and a roof frame; extending over the tray; a bed having posts parallel to each other extending from said bed; a rear portion of the frame having a well formed therebetween, so as to accommodate the bed; at least one elongated member extending from each side frame of the rear portion of the frame; and drive means to move said bed between a raised transport position and a ground engaging loading position such that the bed retains substantially the same orientation throughout its movement between said transport position and said loading position, with said elongated members being telescopically engaged with respective posts of the bed. The present invention will now be described , by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates schematically a perspective exploded view of a combined tray and cargo lift, without the over frame, according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates schematically the combined tray and cargo lift according to one embodiment of the present invention; with the lift in the transport stage; and Figure 3 illustrates schematically the combined tray and cargo lift according to one embodiment of the present invention; as shown in figure 2, with the lift in the loading stage. An embodiment of the present invention is show in figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawings, in which a combined tray and cargo lift is adapted to fit on a standard chassis (not shown). The tray (1 ) and frame (2) are adapted to fit and be secured to a standard chassis (14) of a vehicle. The tray (1 ) is affixed to the normal connection points of a full rear axle assembly chassis (14), as supplied, by example, by Toyota. In the embodiment as shown, the tray (1 ) is secured to the standard chassis (14) of a vehicle having a full rear axle, no modifications of a structural nature are required to the chassis . Depending upon the configuration of chassis, the tray and combination lift will provide a cheap and quick means of providing a cargo lift to the chassis of a vehicle than is presently available. The embodiment, as shown in figures 1-3, comprises a bottom frame (3) which is affixed to a standard chassis of a vehicle, whether powered or non powered, at any suitable points (4). The tray (1 ) has two rollers (5), which assist the movement of cargo onto the tray (1 ). A support frame (2) is affixed to the tray (1 ). Extending beyond the rear of the tray (1 ), is lift frame (6), which is fully supported by the support frame (2). Each side of the lift frame (6) has a hollow member (7) and drive means (8) in this case several hydraulic rams, which are connected to the lift platform (9), as shown in figure 3. The lift platform (9) has a post (10) on each side, which telescopically engages with the respective hollow member (7), so as to guide the lift platform (9) during its movements. Any suitable drive means could be used, but preferably two hydraulic rams (12) are used on each side of the lift platform (9), with the ram (12) extending through the bottom frame member (13). The lift frame (6) is fully supported by the support frame (2) providing a stable and fully supported structure. In use the lift platform (9) is lowered by the drive means (hydraulic rams) (8) to the ground engaging loading position, and the cargo moved onto the lift platform (9). To assist in the movement of the cargo a roller (5) is located on the lift platform (9). The platform (9) is then raised, to the height of the tray (1), as shown in figure 2, and the cargo moved onto the tray (1). If required the lift platform (9) could be then raised slightly above the height of the tray (1), to prevent backward movement of cargo. A tailgate/ramp (5) could be connected to the rear end of the lift platform (9), as shown in figure 2 & 3. Further side panels (11 ) could be hingedly connected to the tray (1 ) to allow access to the side of the tray (1). Whilst the present invention has been shown in a preferred embodiment there are many variations possible which would fall within the scope and the spirit of the present invention. The drive means could be worm drives or pneumatically driven rams. The post on the lift platform could be located on the centre of the platform side between two lifting rams or only one lifting ram per side could be used with any number of posts. Further the lift support could be a separate structure which is attached to an existing tray. It should be obvious to people skilled in the art that modifications and alterations could be carried out to the above described invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention

Claims: The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A vehicle cargo lift comprising: a bed having posts parallel to each other extending from said bed; a support frame adapted to be connected to a vehicle, said support frame comprising two opposed side frames forming a well therebetween so as to accommodate the bed ; at least one elongated member located in each side frame; and drive means to move said bed between a raised transport position and a ground engaging loading position such that the bed retains substantially the same orientation throughout its movement between said transport position and said loading position, with said elongated members being telescopically engaged with respective posts of the bed. 2. A vehicle cargo lift according to claim 1 , wherein said support frame comprises a rear arch frame spanning the well across the rear of the side frames, and a front arch frame joined to each other by said side frames and a roof frame. 3. A cargo lift according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side frames comprise a bottom rail through which the drive means extends to engage the bed. 4. A cargo lift according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side frames comprise a bottom rail through which the posts of the bed pass.. 5. A cargo lift according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one elongated members are integral with the rear arch frame. 6. A cargo lift according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive means comprises hydraulic cylinders. 7. A cargo lift according to claim 6, wherein the there are two hydraulic cylinders on each side of the lifting bed 8. A cargo lift according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bed has at least one transversely extending roller to assist the movement of cargo therealong. 9. A cargo lift according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bed has a tailgate which can be closed when the bed is in its transport position. 10. A combined tray and vehicle cargo lift for fitting to the chassis of a vehicle behind the cab, comprising : a tray adapted to be fitted onto a standard chassis of a vehicle, and having a front portion adapted to be located adjacent the cab of the vehicle and a rear portion; a support frame; having a front frame, two opposed side frames and a roof frame; extending over the tray; a bed having posts parallel to each other extending from said bed; the rear portion of the tray having a well formed therein, so as to accommodate the bed; at least one elongated member extending from each side frame extending beside the well; and drive means to move said bed between a raised transport position and a ground engaging loading position such that the bed retains substantially the same orientation throughout its movement between said transport position and said loading position, with said elongated members being telescopically engaged with respective posts of the bed. 11. A combined tray and vehicle cargo lift according to claim 10, further comprising a rear arch frame spanning the well between the rear of the side frames, and wherein said front frame is in the form of an arch which is joined to said rear arch frame by said side frames and said roof frames. 12. A combined tray and cargo lift according to claims 10 or 11 , wherein the side frames comprise a bottom rail through which the drive means extends to engage the bed. 13. A combined tray and cargo lift according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the side frames comprise a bottom rail, through which the posts of the bed pass. 14. A combined tray and cargo lift according to any one claims 10 to 13, wherein said at least one elongated members are integral with the rear arch frame. 15. A combined tray and cargo lift according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the drive means comprises hydraulic cylinders. 16. A combined tray and cargo lift according to claim 15, wherein the there are two hydraulic cylinders on each side of the lifting bed 17. A combined tray and cargo lift according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the tray and the bed have transversely extending rollers to assist the movement of cargo therealong. 18. A combined tray and cargo lift according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the bed has a tailgate which can be closed when the bed is in its transport position. 19. A combined tray and cargo lift according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the bed in its transport position sits above the surface of the tray. 20. A cargo lift substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings 21. A combined tray and cargo lift substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings

Inventors: PAGE ROBERT LEONARD GEORGE, PAGE, ROBERT, LEONARD, GEORGE
Applicants: PAGE ROBERT LEONARD GEORGE, WORKMAN IND PTY LTD, PAGE, ROBERT, LEONARD, GEORGE, WORKMAN INDUSTRIES PTY. LTD.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B60P1
IPC codes: B60P1