Abstract:
A cargo carrying system for use with a vehicle. The system includes a platform having roller members on an underside thereof to facilitate movement of the platform along the ground. Also included is a connection assembly which serves to permit the attachment of the platform to a vehicle. In one embodiment, both a first height adjustment mechanism and a separate, finely adjustable height mechanism are included between the connection assembly and the platform. Also included is an intermediate, slidable member used between the platform and connection member to facilitate the connection of the platform to the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/863,282, filed Oct. 27, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     Embodiments described herein relate to a cargo carrying system for use with a motor vehicle. More particularly, embodiments relate to a dual purpose cargo carrying system which provides a platform for movement along a surface and attachment to a motor vehicle.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Vehicle cargo carriers are well known in the art. One example involves a platform which is mountable at the rear of a motor vehicle, typically a pick up truck or a utility vehicle. These vehicles usually include hitch receivers already installed for use with trailers. The platform has sides and an insert portion matable with the trailer hitch receiver. The platform provides additional space for storage at the rear of the vehicle while not increasing the vehicle&#39;s overall width. Examples of prior art cargo carriers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,813,584, 6,099,035, and 5,427,289. Problems with the prior art cargo carriers are obvious. They are bulky, heavy, and difficult to install due to their size. These carriers must be installed while they are unloaded and then unloaded prior to being removed from the vehicle. Storage of the devices when they are not in use is problematic due to their weight and bulk, and they have no use whatsoever when not installed on a vehicle.  
         [0006]     There is a need therefore, for a more versatile, easy to use cargo carrier for use by itself and/or with a motor vehicle.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Embodiments described herein relate to a cargo carrying system for use with a vehicle. The system includes a platform having roller members on an underside thereof to facilitate movement of the platform along the ground. Also included is a connection assembly which serves to permit the attachment of the platform to a vehicle. The connection assembly includes a vehicle attachment member for connection to a vehicle and a platform attachment member for connection of the assembly to the platform. In one embodiment, both a first height adjustment mechanism and a separate, finely adjustable height mechanism are included between the connection assembly and the platform. Also included is an intermediate, slidable member used between the platform and connection member to facilitate the connection of the platform to the vehicle. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective, exploded view of the connection assembly of the invention including a vehicle insert portion and a platform insert portion.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the connection assembly as it appears prior to connection at the rear of a vehicle.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the connection assembly installed at the rear of a vehicle.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a view of the underside of the platform.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  shows the connection assembly after connection to the vehicle but prior to connection to the platform.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  shows an intermediate sliding member extending between the platform insert portion of the connection assembly.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  shows the vehicle and connection assembly prior to connection to the platform.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  shows the platform insert portion of the assembly having been lowered to a level slightly below the level of the platform receiver.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  shows the connection assembly being connected to the platform via the extension of the intermediate sliding member.  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  shows the platform having been lifted with a hand operated winch to a higher position relative to the rear of the vehicle.  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  shows the connection assembly being connected to a platform.  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  shows the connection assembly being connected to a platform.  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  shows the connection assembly being connected to a platform having a ramp.  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  shows the connection assembly being connected to a platform having a ramp.  
         [0023]      FIG. 14A  shows a hinge assembly for the ramp.  
         [0024]      FIG. 15  is a perspective, exploded view of the connection assembly of the invention including a vehicle insert portion and a platform insert portion.  
         [0025]      FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of the upper portion of the connection assembly.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     One embodiment described herein is made up of two portions: a platform and a connection assembly for connection of the platform to a motor vehicle.  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the connection assembly  100 . The assembly includes a lower portion  105  constructed and arranged to extend telescopically downward from an upper portion  110 . The lower portion is fixable at one of several locations with a pin  112  and apertures  115 . The lower portion includes a platform insert  120  which extends horizontally and is intended to be inserted into a receiver of the platform as will be described herein. The upper portion  110  of the assembly includes a vehicle insert  130  which is intended to be inserted into a receiver located at the rear of a vehicle. In addition to the telescopic action of the lower portion, the connection assembly includes a mechanical winch  135  which is operated by a hand crank  140  to adjust the height of the platform insert relative to the vehicle insert. Mechanically operated winches are well known in the art and are often seen used in connection with trailers, boats, and other recreational vehicles to adjust the location of an object relative to a vehicle. Using the mechanical winch, the height of the platform insert  120  can be precisely adjusted relative to the height of the vehicle insert  130 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the connection assembly  100  ready for installation at the rear of a vehicle  150  with the vehicle insert  130  and platform insert portion  120  set at an equal height. As illustrated, the vehicle insert  130  portion will be inserted into a vehicle receiver  145  and locked therein.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the connection assembly  100  installed in the vehicle receiver  145 . The vehicle insert  130  may be retained with a pin  112 , aperture, and retainer wire  113 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a view of the underside of the platform  200 . As shown, the platform is rectangular in shape. The platform  200  may have four wheels  210  and a handle  211  for pulling, much like a child&#39;s wagon. Like a wagon (or a motor vehicle), the front wheels of the platform are pivotable, while the rear wheels are fixed at a position parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the platform. It should be appreciated that any number and combination of the wheels  210  may be used including, but not limited to, casters adapted to rotate 360 degrees and roll along the ground. The receiver portion  220  for mating with the connection assembly  100  may be located mid way along a side of the platform  200 . It should be appreciated that any wheel configuration may be used so long as the platform is capable of easy manipulation once disconnected from the vehicle  150 . The wheels  210  and/or the handle  211  may have a lock (not shown) adapted to maintain the wheels  210  and/or handle  211  in a stationary position during transport of the platform  200  by the vehicle  150 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the connection assembly  100  prior to attachment to the platform  200 . Rather than a single insert/receiver arrangement, the receiver portion  220  of the platform is equipped with an intermediate sliding member  225  that is manually extendable from the receiver with a hand-operated lever  230 . The intermediate sliding member  225  is especially useful due to the design of the platform. Although the intermediate sliding member  225  is shown as being coupled to the receiver portion  220 , it should be appreciated that the intermediate sliding member  225  may be integral with the platform insert  120 , the vehicle insert  130 , and/or the trailer hitch. When the platform  200  is attached via the connection assembly  100  to a vehicle  150 , it is arranged with its long side running parallel to the rear bumper of the vehicle ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ). Because the receiver portion  220  of the platform is located along its length, the sliding member  225  allows the user to avoid having to drag the platform to a position where the platform insert  120  of the connection assembly  100  is mated with the receiver portion  220  of the platform  200 .  
         [0032]     A comparison of  FIGS. 5 and 6  shows the connection of the platform  200  to the connection assembly  100  and the use of the intermediate sliding member  225 . In  FIG. 5 , the platform is shown adjacent the connection assembly  100 . In  FIG. 6 , the intermediate sliding member  225  has been extended to mate with the platform insert portion  120  of the connection assembly  100  and is fixed using a pin  112  and aperture arrangement. The intermediate sliding member  225  may be fixed to the receiver portion  220  using a pin as described above once the connection assembly  100  is fixed to the platform  200 . Further, the intermediate sliding member  225  may be biased toward the retracted position, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The bias is such that an operator may overcome the bias force during connection of the platform  200  to the connection assembly  100  by pulling the lever  230 . The bias would automatically pull the intermediate sliding member  225  to the retracted position once the wheels of the platform  200  lift off of the ground.  
         [0033]      FIGS. 7-10  show how the platform  200  is typically installed at the rear of a vehicle  150 . In  FIG. 7 , the connection assembly  100  is shown installed at the rear of a vehicle  150  and the platform  200  has been maneuvered to a location adjacent the vehicle  150  and the connection assembly  100 . As stated, the platform  200  may be “side mounted” relative to the vehicle  150 . In  FIG. 8 , the lower portion  105  of the connection assembly  100  has been adjusted to place the platform insert  120  at a location slightly lower than the platform receiver  220 . In  FIG. 9 , the mechanical winch  135  is utilized to accurately place the platform insert  120  at a height equal to that of the platform receiver  220 . Any side adjustments are made by simply rolling the platform  200  to move it relative to the receiver. Also in  FIG. 9 , the intermediate sliding member  225  is shown extended out to mate with the platform insert  120 . Upon insertion, the intermediate sliding member  225  will be fixed to the connection assembly  100 . Finally, in  FIG. 10  the mechanical winch  135  has been used to lift the entire platform  200  to a height where the vehicle  150  can be safely operated. In order to release the platform  200 , the process is basically reversed.  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIGS. 7-10 , the platform  200  may include sides high enough to permit a variety of cargo to be carried. Typically, there is also a door or gate that can be opened or lowered to provide access to the cargo area of the platform. Further, the platform  200  may be a fully enclosed cargo carrier having one or more doors to provide access to the interior of the cargo area. Further, the platform  200  may have a flatbed configuration as shown in  FIGS. 11-14 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 11  shows an additional and/or alternative embodiment of the platform  200 . The platform  200  includes a ramp  1100 . The ramp  1100  is shown in a locked position in  FIG. 11  and a loading position in  FIG. 12 . In the locked position, the ramp  1100  is secure and may secure cargo being carried by the platform  200 . In the locked position, the ramp  1100  is stationary relative to the platform  200  thereby allowing the vehicle  150  to move without the risk of damaging the ramp  1100 . In the loading position, the ramp  1100  engages the ground and the platform  200 . Thus, in the loading position, cargo may easily be moved and/or wheeled up the ramp  1100  and onto the platform  200 . The ramp  1100  may be attached to the platform by a hinge  1102  which allows the ramp  1100  to pivotally move from the locked position to the loading position. As shown, the ramp  1100  is attached to the side of the platform  200  opposite the vehicle  150 ; however, it should be appreciated that the ramp  1100  may be located on any side of the platform  200  except the vehicle side. The ramp  1100  may include a telescopic portion, or folding portion, (not shown) adapted to extend the length of the ramp  1100  in the loading position.  
         [0036]      FIG. 13  shows an additional embodiment of the ramp  1100 . In this embodiment, the ramp  1100  is adapted to lay substantially flat on the platform  200  when not in use. Further, the platform  200  may include a recess (not shown) adapted to house the ramp  1100  when the ramp  1100  is flat on the platform  200 , thereby arranging the top of the platform  200  and the ramp  1100  in a substantially planar fashion when the ramp  1100  is flat on the platform  200 .  
         [0037]     The ramp  1100  and/or the winch may be run by one or more electric motors (not shown). The motors would allow an operator to automatically operate the ramp  1100  and/or the winch. This feature may be of particular importance for the assistance of the handicap. For example, a handicap person may be able to automatically lower the ramp  1100  then maneuver a wheel chair or motorized mobility assistance device, such as a scooter, onto the platform  200 . The person may then automatically raise the ramp  1100  to the locked position. The person may then automatically raise the platform  200  as described above.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 14 and 14 A show the hinge  1102  having a plurality of manually adjustable positions. The hinge  1102  includes one or more hinge pins  1400 , several apertures  1402 , and a pin  1404 . The pin  1404  is adapted to lock the ramp  1100  into a desired position by locking the pin  1404  in the aperture  1402 . There may be any number of apertures  1402  depending on the desired amount of positions of the ramp  1100 .  
         [0039]      FIGS. 15 and 15 A show an additional and/or alternative embodiment of the mechanical winch  135 . The handle  140 , as shown, is removable from the connector assembly  100  by removing a pin  1500 . With the pin  1500  removed, the handle  140  may be removed from the connector assembly  110  as shown in  FIG. 15A . The removal of the handle  140  exposes a shaft  1502  configured to operate the winch. The shaft  1502  is configured to be turned by a torquing member  1504 , shown schematically. The end of the shaft  1502  is engaged by a torque connector  1506 . The torque connector  1506  prevents relative rotation between the torque connector and the shaft  1502 . Thus, as the torque connector  1506  is rotated, the shaft  1502  is rotated, thereby operating the winch in a similar manner to the handle  140 . The torquing member  1504  may be any tool adapted to be rotated or to rotate the torque connector  1506  including, but not limited to a drill, a handle, a vice grip, an electric motor, pliers, or wrenches. The torque connector  1506  can be any member adapted to grip the shaft  1502  including, but not limited to, a bolt receiver, a drill chuck, a profiled female member, a profiled male member, jaws of vice grips, pliers, or wrenches. The shaft  1502 , as shown, is cylindrical; however, it should be appreciated that it may have any cross sectional shape configured to allow a torquing member to rotate the shaft by rotating the torque connector including, but not limited to, a hexagon, an octagon, pentagon, polygon, rectangle, a square, a triangle, or a profiled shaft. Further, it should be appreciated that the handle  140  may be eliminated from this configuration, thereby allowing an operator to simply connect the torque connector  1506  to the shaft  1500 . The operator may then operate the torquing member  1504  in order to rotate the torque connector  1506  and the shaft  1500 , thereby operating the winch.  
         [0040]     In operation, the platform  200  may be rolled to a location where cargo is to be loaded on to the platform  200 , for example, a retail store. The cargo is then loaded onto the platform  200  and secured in the platform  200  thereby preventing any damage to the cargo. The platform  200  may then be wheeled to the location of the vehicle  150 . The connection assembly  100  may then be coupled to the vehicle  150  or the platform  200 . The platform  200  may be aligned with trailer hitch of the vehicle  150  by rolling the platform  200 . With the platform  200  aligned with the trailer hitch, the connector assembly  100  may be height adjusted, as described above, in order to horizontally align the connector assembly  100  with the trailer hitch or the receiver portion  220 . The intermediate sliding member  225  may be extended in order to engage the connector assembly  100  with the trailer hitch or the receiver portion  220 . The connector assembly  100  may then be secured to the vehicle  150  or the platform  200 . With the connector assembly  100  connected to the vehicle  150  and the platform  200 , the winch may be manipulated in order to raise the platform  200  off of the ground. The vehicle  150  may then be safely operated without damaging the platform  200  or the cargo.  
         [0041]     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.