Abstract:
A load carrying apparatus for attachment to a motorized vehicle having a first supporting frame, a second supporting frame, a wheel, a hopper, and an actuator. The second supporting frame is hingedly affixed to the first supporting frame and is moveable between a first position and a second position. The wheel is secured to the first supporting frame, and the hopper attached to the second supporting frame. The actuator interconnects the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame and moves the second supporting frame between the first position and the second position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/206,401, filed on Aug. 18, 2015, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to front-mounted load carrying devices for motorized vehicles, and more particularly to front-mounted load carrying devices for motorized vehicles that incorporate an articulating, power-actuated load carrying bed. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Yard and garden work can occasionally require hauling of dirt, lawn clippings, leaves, or other materials from one location to another. Such hauling can be tiresome and physically exhausting, especially if the materials are hauled without the use of a carrier, such as a wheelbarrel or a trailer. To further minimize the physical labor that is required, individuals that are responsible for maintaining large amounts of acreage will frequently use a motorized vehicle in conjunction with the carrier, such as a riding lawn mower or a utility vehicle. 
         [0004]    Currently, when a carrier is used with a motorized vehicle, the carrier is mounted to the rear of the motorized vehicle. Because the carrier is hauled behind the motorized vehicle, it can be difficult for the operator to monitor the condition of the carrier and the materials in the carrier. Once the carrier is near the desired location for the load in the carrier, the operator must unload the materials from the carrier. However, current carriers that can be mounted to a motorized vehicle do not provide the ability to power actuate the carrier into a titled position so that the materials in the carrier can be easily unloaded. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Disclosed herein are load carrying apparatuses for attachment to motorized vehicles. According to a first embodiment, a load carrying apparatus comprising a first supporting frame, a second supporting frame, a wheel, a hopper, and an actuator. The second supporting frame is hingedly affixed to the first supporting frame and is moveable between a first position and a second position. The wheel is secured to the first supporting frame, and the hopper attached to the second supporting frame. The actuator interconnects the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame and moves the second supporting frame between the first position and the second position. 
         [0006]    According to a second embodiment, an apparatus comprising a motorized vehicle and a carrier. The motorized vehicle is drivable in forward and reverse directions and has a frame extension extending away from the motorized vehicle in the forward direction. The carrier is mounted to the frame extension of the motorized vehicle. The carrier has a first supporting frame, a second supporting frame, a wheel, and an actuator. The second supporting frame is pivotally connected to the first supporting frame. The wheel is secured to the first supporting frame. The actuator interconnects the first supporting frame and the second supporting frame and moves the second supporting frame between a first position and a second position. 
         [0007]    These and other aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description of the embodiments, the appended claims and the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a power-actuated carrier mounted on a motorized vehicle; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an adapter of the power-actuated carrier; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a first side view of the power-actuated carrier with a hopper in a substantially vertical position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a fourth side view of the power-actuated carrier with the hopper in the substantially vertical position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a first side view of the power-actuated carrier with the hopper in a substantially horizontal position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a second side view of the power-actuated carrier with the hopper in the substantially horizontal position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a third side view of the power-actuated carrier with the hopper in the substantially horizontal position; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is partial perspective view of a controller of the power-actuated carrier. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    A power-actuated carrier  100  that can be mounted on a motorized vehicle  99  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The power-actuated carrier  100  can be mounted to the front of the motorized vehicle  99  and provides a hopper  150  that is moveable between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position. A power actuation assembly  200  moves the hopper  150  between the substantially horizontal position and the substantially vertical position. 
         [0018]    In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the motorized vehicle  99  is a zero-turn radius riding lawn mower that is capable of accepting various front-mounted implements, such as an aerator, edger, blower, or snow thrower. However, the power-actuated carrier  100  can be used with other types of motorized vehicles, such as traditional riding lawn mowers, utility tractors, garden tractors, utility task vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles. It is also anticipated that the power-actuated carrier  100  could be used with a non-motorized vehicle. The motorized vehicle  99  can include a frame  90 , an operator&#39;s seat  91 , and controls  92  by which an operator can control the movement and function of the motorized vehicle  99 . The motorized vehicle  99  can also be provided with a plurality of wheels  93 , at least one of which is driven by a motor to permit the motorized vehicle  99  to be operated in forward and reverse directions. 
         [0019]    To connect the power-actuated carrier  100  to the motorized vehicle  99 , the frame of  90  of the motorized vehicle  99  includes at least one frame extension  94 . Each frame extension  94  can be configured as part of a male or female coupling, with the power-actuated carrier  100  providing the other portion of the coupling. For example, if the frame extension  94  on the motorized vehicle  99  is the male portion of the coupling, the power-actuated carrier  100  or an adapter  50  can provide the female portion of the coupling. In the illustrated, non-limiting example, there are two frame extensions  94 , each having a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a bore (not shown) that is adapted to telescopingly receive a first end  51  of the adapter  50 . An aperture (not shown) extends substantially perpendicular through the frame extension  94  and can receive a fastener, such as a pin (not shown). 
         [0020]    In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the adapter  50  is used to secure the power-actuated carrier  100  to the motorized vehicle  99 . However, the power-actuated carrier  100  could be connected directly to the motorized vehicle  99  without the use of the adapter  50 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the adapter  50  is comprised of two substantially similar supports  53  and a cross-support  54 . The supports  53  and the cross-support  54  have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional configuration and can be solid or hollow. The supports  53  extend substantially parallel to one another, and the cross-support  54  extends substantially perpendicular to the supports  53 . The cross-support  54  is welded to the supports  53  approximately halfway between the first end  51  and a second end  52  of each support  53 . Each support  53  has a first aperture  55  extending substantially perpendicular through the first end  51  and a second aperture (not shown) extending substantially perpendicular through the second end  52 . The first aperture  55  and the second aperture can each receive a fastener, such as a pin  57 , which are used to secure the adapter  50  to the power-actuated carrier  100  and the motorized vehicle  99 . 
         [0021]    To connect the adapter  50  to the power-actuated carrier  100 , the power-actuated carrier  100  provides at least one frame extension  111 . In the illustrated, non-limiting example, there are two frame extensions  111  that are similar to the frame extensions  94  of the motorized vehicle  99 . The frame extensions  111  each have a rectangular cross-sectional configuration with a bore  112  that is adapted to telescopingly receive the second end  52  of the adapter  50 . An aperture  113  extends substantially perpendicular through the frame extension  111  and can receive a fastener, such as the pin  57 . However, other configurations and arrangements are possible. For example, there could be only one frame extension  111  or the frame extensions  111  could be the female portion of the coupling, which would allow the frame extension  111  of the power-actuated carrier  100  to connect directly to frame extension  94  of the motorized vehicle  99 . When the power-actuated carrier  100  is attached to the motorized vehicle  99 , the frame extensions  111  and a first supporting frame  120  are substantially parallel to the surface that the power-actuated carrier  100  and motorized vehicle  99  is on, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0022]    So slight movement is allowed between the power-actuated carrier  100  and the motorized vehicle  99 , the frame extensions  111  are pivotally connected to a first base plate  127  of the first supporting frame  120  through the use of two pivot supports  114 . Using the pivot supports  114  allows the power-actuated carrier to pivot between left and right and between front and back as needed to provide a smoother ride. One end of each pivot support  114  is pivotally connected to the first base plate  127 , and the other end of each pivot support  114  is fixedly attached to one of the frame extensions  111 . 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the first supporting frame  120  is comprised of a pair of first side supports  121 , a second side support  122 , a pair of third side supports  123 , a fourth side support  124 , a first mounting plate  125 , a second mounting plate  126 , the first base plate  127 , and a second base plate  128 . The pair of first side supports  121  are substantially parallel to the pair of third side supports  123 , and the second side support  122  is substantially parallel to the fourth side support  124 . The pair of first side supports  121  are welded to one end of the second side support  122  and one end of the fourth side support  124 , and the pair of third side supports  123  are welded to the other end of the second side support  122  and the other end of the fourth side support  124 . 
         [0024]    The first base plate  127  connects the frame extensions  111  to the first supporting frame  120 . The first base plate  127  is welded substantially perpendicular to the fourth side support  124  and extends downward. The second base plate  128  is welded substantially perpendicular to the second side support  122  and extends downward. The first mounting plate  125  and the second mounting plate  126  have a generally L-shaped configuration. The longer leg of the L-shaped configuration of the first mounting plate  125  is welded to the pair of first side supports  121 , and the shorter leg of the L-shaped configuration of the first mounting plate  125  is welded to the second side support  122 . The longer leg of the L-shaped configuration of the second mounting plate  126  is welded to the pair of third side supports  123 , and the shorter leg of the L-shaped configuration of the second mounting plate  126  is welded to the second side support  122 . 
         [0025]    To allow the hopper  150  to move between the substantially horizontal position and the substantially vertical position, a second supporting frame  130  is pivotally connected to the first supporting frame  120 . In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the first support frame  120  surrounds the second supporting frame  130 , and the second supporting frame  130  is comprised of a first side support  131 , a second side support  132 , a third side support  133 , a fourth side support  134 , a first mid-section support  135 , and a second mid-section support  136 . The first side support  131 , the third side support  133 , the first mid-section support  135 , and the second mid-section support  136  are substantially parallel to one another. The second side support  132  and the fourth side support  134  are substantially parallel to one another. One end of the second side support  132  is welded to one end of the first side support  131 , and the other end of the second side support  132  is welded to one end of the third side support  133 . One end of the fourth side support  134  is welded to the other end of the first side support  131 , and the other end of the fourth side support  134  is welded to the other end of the third side support  133 . The first mid-section support  135  and the second mid-section support  136  are spaced between the first side support  131  and third side support  133  with one end of each welded to the second side support  132  and the other end of each welded to fourth side support  134 . One end of a first hinge  137  is welded to second side support  132  of the second supporting frame  130  between the first side support  131  and the first mid-section support  135 , and the other end of the first hinge  137  is welded to the second side support  122  of the first supporting frame  120  near the first mounting plate  125 . One end of a second hinge  138  is welded to second side support  132  of the second supporting frame  130  between the second mid-section support  136  and the third side support  133 , and the other end of the second hinge  138  is welded to the second side support  122  of the first supporting frame  120  near the second mounting plate  126 . 
         [0026]    The hopper  150  is used to contain loads being transported by the power-actuated carrier  100 . The hopper  150  can be constructed of any suitable material, such as rotary molded or blow molded plastic, and is comprised of a first side wall  151 , a second side wall  152 , a third side wall  153 , a fourth side wall  154 , and a base  155 . In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the first side wall  151 , the third side wall  153 , and the fourth side wall  154  extend substantially perpendicular to the base  155 . A substantially obtuse angle is formed between the base  155  and the second side wall  152 , which assists with unloading the load in the hopper  150  when the hopper  150  is in the substantially vertical position. A lip  156  can extend around the hopper  150  along the free ends of the first side wall  151 , the second side wall  152 , the third side wall  153 , and the fourth side wall  154 . A first chamfer  157  can be formed between the base  155  and the fourth side wall  154 , and a second chamfer  158  can be formed on the opposite side of the fourth side wall  154 . 
         [0027]    So that the hopper  150  moves with the second supporting frame  130 , the base  155  of the hopper  150  is fixed to the second supporting frame  130 . The affixation can be removable. In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the hopper  150  provides four apertures (not shown) that each allow a fastener  159  to extend through and be connected to corresponding apertures  139  in the second supporting frame  130 . Washers  160  and/or O-rings (not shown) can be used with the fastener  159  to help secure the connection between the hopper  150  and the second supporting frame  130 . 
         [0028]    To allow movement of the power-actuated carrier  100  by the motorized vehicle  99 , at least one wheel  140  is attached to the first supporting frame  120 , as shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . In the illustrated, non-limiting example, there are two pairs of wheels  140 , and each wheel  140  has a rubber tire. Each pair of wheels  140  is coaxially aligned and affixed to a yoke  141  of a swivel caster  142 . The swivel caster  142  is mounted to the first supporting frame  120 . One pair of wheels  140  is mounted to the first mounting plate  125  of the first supporting frame  120 , and the other pair of wheels  140  is mounted to the second mounting plate  126  of the second supporting frame  130 . 
         [0029]    As previously stated, the power actuation assembly  200  moves the hopper  150  between the substantially horizontal position and the substantially vertical position. The power actuation assembly  200  includes an actuator  201 , a pump  202 , and high pressure hoses  203 . As shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the actuator  201  provides a cylinder  204  and a piston  205 . One end of the cylinder  204  is pivotally connected to the second base plate  128 , and the piston  205  extends from the other end of the cylinder  204 . The other end of the piston  205  is fixedly attached the fourth side support  134  of the second supporting frame  130  between the first mid-section support  135  and the second mid-section support  136 . In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the actuator  201  is a hydraulic actuator. However, it is anticipated that other types of actuators could be used to move the hopper  150  between the substantially horizontal position and the substantially vertical position. 
         [0030]    To provide pressure to the actuator  201 , the pump  202  includes a hydraulic reservoir  207  that contains a quantity of hydraulic fluid, and the actuator  201  and the hydraulic reservoir  207  are connected via high pressure hoses  203 . In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the pump  202  is connected to the pair of third side supports  123  of the first supporting frame  120 . It is anticipated, however, that the actuator  201  and the pump  202  could be provided elsewhere, such as the fourth side support  124  of the first supporting frame  120 . The high pressure hoses  203  are positioned along the first supporting frame  120  and the second supporting frame  130  in a manner that does not impede movement of the second supporting frame  130 . 
         [0031]    A power source is used to provide power to the pump  202 , which in turns provides power to relays  206  that control valves (not shown). The power source can be the motorized vehicle  99  itself, or the power-actuated carrier  100  could have its own independent power source, such as a battery. The high pressure hoses  203 , the relays  206  and the valves allow the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic reservoir  207  to be selectively in communication with the actuator  201 , so that the actuator  201  can be selectively extended or retracted. This in turn moves the second supporting frame  130  and the hopper  150  between the substantially horizontal position, where the base  155  of the hopper  150  is substantially horizontal as shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , and the substantially vertical position, where the base  155  of the hopper  150  is substantially vertical as shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . 
         [0032]    A controller  208  can be provided on the power-actuated carrier  100  or the motorized vehicle  99  that controls operation of the power actuation assembly  200 . In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the controller  208  is attached to a handle  95  on the motorized vehicle  99  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The controller  208  is connected to the power actuation assembly  200  through the use of wires  209 . 
         [0033]    In a typical operation, the power-actuated carrier  100  is temporarily affixed to the front of the motorized vehicle  99 . In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the adapter  50  is used to mount the power-actuated carrier  100  to the motorized vehicle  99 . The supports  54  of the adapter  50  are inserted into the bore  112  of the frame extensions  111  of power-actuated carrier  100  and secured by inserting the pins  57  through the first apertures  55  of the supports  54  and the apertures  113  of the frame extensions  111 . The second ends  52  of the supports  54  are received by the frame extensions  94  of the motorized vehicle  99 , and pins are similarly used to secure the adapter  50  to the motorized vehicle  99 . The wires  209  are connected to the controller  208  on the motorized vehicle  99 . 
         [0034]    With the hopper  150  in the substantially horizontal position, the operator can place loads in the hopper  150  and drive the motorized vehicle  99  and the power-actuated carrier  100  to a desired location. The use of the swivel casters  142  with the wheels  140  makes the power-actuated carrier  100  highly maneuverable and allows the operator to effectively perform near zero-radius turns. Once the operator has positioned the hopper  150  in its desired location, the operator uses the controller  208  to move the hopper  150  into the substantially vertical position. In the substantially vertical position, the load within the hopper  150  can easily be removed. The controller  208  can then be used to return the hopper  150  to the substantially horizontal position. The operator can then disconnect the power-actuated carrier  100  from the motorized vehicle  99  in a manner opposite of how it was attached. 
         [0035]    While the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.