Abstract:
A loading/unloading system designed to easily load and unload wheeled vehicles from the bed of a larger vehicle. The loading/unloading system generally includes a vertically flexible support surface on wheels, U-shaped loading tracks for receiving the wheels of the support surface, a winch with accompanying cable assembly for pulling the support surface onto the loading tracks and into the bed of a vehicle, and a set of offloading springs with accompanying cable assemblies for pushing the support surface out of the bed of the vehicle when desired.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to devices for loading cargo into the bed of a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved loading and unloading system which enables the user to easily load and unload heavy and cumbersome cargo, such as motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, into and out of the bed of a vehicle. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Many wheeled vehicles (e.g., motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and the like) are often very heavy and cumbersome, making it difficult to lift them into or out of the bed of another vehicle. Trailers are sometimes used to carry such wheeled vehicles from one location to another, but trailers are heavy to tow, costly to rent or purchase, and difficult to handle on the road and while parking. Therefore, it is often more desirable to carry motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and the like in the bed of a larger vehicle, such as a pick-up truck or flat-bed truck. 
     Unfortunately, most people cannot load and unload such heavy and cumbersome vehicles onto and off the bed of a larger vehicle without some type of mechanical assistance. As a result, many cargo loading and unloading systems have been developed over the years. Representative examples of these systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,058 to Masse, U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,549 to Ogrodnick, U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,249 to Heine, U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,642 to Zoromski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,307 to Scott, U.S. Pat. No. 2,820,560 to Davis, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,354,337 to Smith. 
     None of the inventions disclosed in the aforementioned patents provide the unique features of the present invention, as discussed in more detail below. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a loading/unloading system that allows a user to easily load and unload wheeled vehicles from the bed of another vehicle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a loading/unloading system that employs an articulated loading/unloading surface that eliminates the danger and potential personal injuries and property damage caused when a rigid support surface is slid or rolled out of the bed of a vehicle and bangs down onto the ground when enough of the rigid support surface extends beyond the bed of the vehicle, or when a rigid support surface is slid or rolled at an angle from the ground into the bed of a vehicle and bangs down into the bed when enough of the rigid support surface extends into the bed of the vehicle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a loading/unloading system that virtually eliminates the risk of back strain from lifting heavy and cumbersome objects into and out of the bed of a vehicle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a loading/unloading system that stabilizes the wheeled cargo during loading, unloading, and in transit. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a loading/unloading system that provides a mechanism that forces the support surface out of the bed of the vehicle during the unloading process. 
     Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves the problems unresolved by the prior art by using a loading/unloading system that is designed to easily load and unload heavy and cumbersome cargo from the bed of a vehicle. The loading/unloading system generally includes a vertically flexible support surface on wheels, a pair of U-shaped loading tracks for receiving the wheels of the support surface, a winch with accompanying cable assembly for pulling the support surface into the bed of a vehicle, and a set of offloading springs with accompanying cable assemblies for forcing the support surface out of the bed of the vehicle when desired. 
     The support surface includes multiple planar segments, each of which are preferably rectangular in shape. The number and size of the planar surface segments depend on the size of the vehicle in which the loading/unloading system will be installed. For example, in a pick-up truck having a standard six-foot long bed, four 18-inch planar segments will be utilized. In a pick-up truck having a standard eight-foot long bed, either five 18-inch or four 24-inch planar segments will be used. 
     The planar segments are pivotly joined together in series, preferably using hinges that extend the entire width of the planar segments. The planar segments are independently supported by wheels that are preferably located at opposite sides of the planar surface segments, so that the wheels are receivable in the U-shaped loading tracks. 
     Wheel stops can be installed on any of the planar segments, as desired, to help prevent the loaded vehicle from shifting during loading, unloading, or in transit. 
     The U-shaped loading tracks facilitate the movement of the wheels of the movable support surface between the bed of the vehicle and the ground. The first section of the loading track is attached to the bed of the carrying vehicle, and preferably extends nearly the entire length of the bed. The second, third, and fourth sections of the loading track are pivotly attached in series to the first section and extend from the tail end of bed of the carrying vehicle to the ground. When not in use, the second, third, and fourth sections of the loading track can be folded into the bed of the carrying vehicle. 
     The offloading springs are designed to facilitate the unloading of a loaded vehicle. The front ends of the offloading springs are preferably fastened to the carrying vehicle in a position not to interfere with the movement of the movable support surface. The rear ends of the offloading springs are preferably connected to pulley assemblies, which include latching mechanisms that latch onto the movable support surface as it is pulled into the vehicle. The movement of the movable support surface causes the latching mechanisms to pull and expand the offloading springs. The offloading springs remain expanded until the unloading process, during which unloading process the offloading springs compress and force the movable support surface out of the bed of the vehicle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view of the present invention, showing the movable support surface flat on the ground with a motorcycle loaded thereon; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial elevational view of the present invention, showing the movable support surface in transition between the ground and the bed of a vehicle; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial elevational view of the present invention, showing the movable support surface laying flat in the bed of a vehicle, with a motorcycle loaded thereon; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial elevational view of the present invention, showing the loading tracks folded into the bed of a vehicle; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the movable support surface assembly of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an elevational view taken along lines  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines  7 — 7  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the wheel stops of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a portion of the wheel stops of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a partial top view of the loading tracks of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along lines  11 — 11  of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines  12 — 12  of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the present invention, showing the offloading springs is an extended position; 
     FIG. 14 is a partial top view of the loading tracks and offloading springs of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a partial elevational view of the loading tracks and offloading springs of the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a partial elevational view of the loading tracks of the present invention, showing the loading tracks folded into the bed of a vehicle; 
     FIG. 17 is a partial elevational view of the present invention, showing the loading tracks in its extended position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention will be described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments (and legal equivalents thereof) falling within the scope of the appended claims. 
     The loading system  10  of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. Loading system  10  generally includes a support surface  11 , loading tracks  40 , a winch  30  with accompanying cable assembly, and a set of offloading springs  70  with accompanying cable assembly. As demonstrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, and as discussed in more detail below, loading system  10  is designed to easily load and unload heavy and cumbersome cargo from the bed of a vehicle  61 . The various parts of loading system  10  can be constructed of any metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or carbon steel, or any other suitable material. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, support surface  11  includes multiple planar segments  12 , each of which are preferably rectangular in shape, and each of which have two longer edges  12 A and two shorter edges  12 B. The number, size, and shape of multiple planar segments  12  will depend on the size of vehicle  61  in which loading system  10  is installed. For example, in a pick-up truck having a standard six-foot long bed, each planar segment  12  will have a length  12 C of approximately 18 inches and a width  12 D of approximately forty-eight inches, thereby requiring four planar segments  12  to cover most of the bed of the pick-up truck. In a pick-up truck having a standard eight-foot long bed, either a fifth planar segment  12  with a length  12 C of approximately eighteen inches can be added to the series, or four planar segments  12  with a length  12 C of approximately 24 inches each would suffice. Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, planar segments  12  are pivotly joined together in series, preferably using hinges  13 . Hinges  13  are preferably positioned between the longer edges  12 A of two adjacent planar segments  12 . Hinges  13  can be welded to the two opposing longer edges  12 A, or attached by any other means known to those skilled in the art. For added stability, hinges  13  preferably extend approximately the entire width  12 D of planar segments  12 , as shown in FIG.  5 . 
     Center axles  15  preferably extend concentrically through hinges  13  along axis  16 , as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. For planar segments  12  that are located at each end of support surface  11 , corner axles  18  are secured near the outer most edges  12 A of planar segments  12 , as shown in FIG.  5 . 
     Wheels  14  are rotatably secured with locking pins  17 , or by any other means known to those skilled in the art, to both ends of each center axle  15  that concentrically extends through hinges  13 . Wheels  14  are also similarly secured to the outer most ends of corner axles  18  which are secured to planar segments  12  located at each end of support surface  11 , as shown in FIG.  6 . Wheels  14  roll along loading tracks  40  during the loading and unloading of a wheeled vehicle  60 , as discussed in more detail below. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the corner sections  12 E of multiple planar segments  12  are cutaway to provide clearance for wheels  14  to rotate freely as support surface  11  is moved to its loaded or unloaded position. Also, a lateral section  12 F can be cut away from leading edge  12 G of planar segment  12  which is nearest to cab  64  of vehicle  61  to provide clearance for winch  30 , which is preferably attached near the front of bed  62  of vehicle  61 , as shown in FIGS. 2-4. 
     Eyelet  19  is preferably welded or attached by any other suitable means near leading edge  12 G of planar segment  12  nearest to cab  64 . Eyelet  19  provides a means for connecting winch cable  31  to loading surface  11 , as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     Now referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, wheel stops  20  can be installed on any planar segment  12 , as desired, to help prevent wheeled vehicle  60  from shifting during loading, unloading, or in transit. Wheel stops  20  can be constructed of two pieces of angle iron  21 , which can be positioned approximately a few inches away from each other, as desired, and approximately parallel to each other. Wheel stops  20  are also preferably positioned approximately parallel to longer edges  12 A on any planar segment  12 , depending on where the wheels of wheeled vehicle  60  will be located when it is loaded onto support surface  11 . Wheel stops  20  can be equipped with a flat bar  22 , having a set of bolt holes  23  drilled therethrough. Wheel stops  20  can be secured to any planar segment  12  by drilling matching bolts holes  24  through planar segment  12  at the desired location, and then inserting a bolt  25  through bolt holes  23  and  24  and using a nut  26  for securing wheel stops  20  to planar segment  12 . 
     Padeyes  27  can also be welded or attached by any other suitable means to any planar segment  12 , as shown in FIGS. 1,  5 , and  6 . Tie downs  28  can be removably connected between padeyes  27  and wheeled vehicle  60  to further help prevent wheeled vehicle  60  from shifting during loading, unloading, or in transit. 
     Now referring to FIGS. 10 through 15, loading tracks  40  facilitate the movement of wheels  14  in and out of bed  62  of vehicle  61 . Loading tracks  40  can be constructed of a series of longitudinally connected rails, each having U-shaped cross sections, as shown in FIG.  11 . Each loading track  40  should be substantially identical to any other, and the following description pertains to any and all loading tracks  40  that may form a part of the present invention. 
     First section  41  of loading track  40  is welded or bolted or attached by any other suitable means to bed  62  of vehicle  61 , approximately parallel to any other first section  41 , as shown in FIG.  10 . First section  41  preferably extends approximately the entire length of bed  62  of vehicle  61 , as shown in FIG.  14 . Lateral support beams  45  can be connected between first sections  41  to keep first sections  41  aligned with each other, and also to possibly provide a means for anchoring first sections  41  to bed  62  of vehicle  61  by welding or attaching by any other suitable means lateral support beams  45  to bed  62 , as shown in FIGS. 10 and 14. 
     Second section  42  of loading track  40  is pivotly attached to tail end  46  of the corresponding first section  41 , preferably using a hinge  53 , as shown in FIG.  10 . Second section  42  is preferably parallel to other second sections  42  and extends half the length of tailgate  63  (if applicable). Third section  43  of loading track  40  is pivotly attached to tail end  47  of the corresponding second section  42 , preferably using a hinge  54 . Third section  43  is preferably parallel to other third sections  43  and also extends half the length of tailgate  63  (if applicable). Fourth section  44  of loading track  40  is likewise pivotly attached to tail end  48  of the corresponding third section  43 , preferably using a hinge  55 , as shown in FIG.  14 . Fourth section  44  is preferably parallel to other fourth sections  44  and extends down to the surface upon which vehicle  61  is sitting, so that fourth section  44  is at an angle  50  of approximately 30 to 55 degrees from said surface, depending on the height of bed  62  of vehicle  61 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     Vertical edges  56  at tail end  46  of first section  41 , along with vertical edges  57  and  58  at both ends  47 ,  48 ,  51 , and  52  of second and third sections  42  and  43 , in addition to vertical edges  59  at head end  49  of fourth section  44 , are all beveled, as shown in FIG. 17, to allow the second, third, and fourth sections  42 ,  43 , and  44  of loading track  40  to be folded into the bed  62  of carrying vehicle  61  when not in use, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 17. 
     Now referring to FIGS. 10,  12 , and  13 , offloading springs  70  are designed to facilitate the unloading of wheeled vehicle  60  from bed  62  of vehicle  61 . Each offloading spring  70  should be identical to the other, and the following description pertains to any and all offloading springs  70  that may form a part of the present invention. 
     Front end  71  of offloading spring  70  is preferably welded, bolted, or fastened using any other suitable means to lateral support beam  45  near the front of bed  62 , in a position not to interfere with the movement of support surface  11 , as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Rear end  72  of offloading spring  70  is fixably connected to first pulley device  73 . Second pulley device  74  is preferably welded, bolted or fastened using any other suitable means to lateral support beam  45  near the rear of bed  62 , also in a position not to interfere with the movement of support surface  11 , as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. First end  76  of pulley cable or cord  75  is fixably connected to second pulley device  74 , as shown in FIG.  12 . Pulley cable or cord  75  extends from its fixably connected position on second pulley device  74 , around the rotating wheel of first pulley device  73 , and around the rotating wheel of second pulley device  74 , where pulley cable or cord  75  terminates at a pulley cable hook or latch  77 , which is fixably connected to pulley cable or cord  75 , as shown in FIG.  16 . As support surface  11  is pulled into bed  62  of vehicle  61 , leading edge  12 G of planar segment  12  comes into contact with pulley cable latch  77  and pushes said latch  77  forward, thereby causing pulley cable  75 , along with first and second pulley devices  73  and  74 , to stretch offloading spring  70  into an expanded position, where offloading spring  70  will remain as such until wheeled vehicle  60  is unloaded, as explained in further detail below. 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, a winch  30  is preferably welded, bolted or attached by any other suitable means to vehicle  61  near the front end of bed  62 . Winch  30  is preferably equipped with a cable  31 , having a hook  32  fixably attached to the free end of cable  31 . During loading operations, hook  32  is removably attached to eyelet  19 , which is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, so that winch  30  can be used to pull support surface  11  up loading tracks  40  into bed  62  of vehicle  61 . 
     Operation of loading system  10  of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, and  16  and  17 . Beginning with FIGS. 1 and 17, loading system  10  is shown in a position before loading. Tailgate  63  is down (if applicable), and loading tracks  40  are unfolded and extended to the ground. Winch cable  31  is extended, allowing support surface  11  to be positioned flat on the ground. 
     In FIG. 1, wheeled vehicle  60 , in this case a motorcycle, is shown resting on support surface  11 . Front wheel  60 A of wheeled vehicle  60  is positioned between two wheel stops  20  (shown in FIG.  8 ), to help prevent wheeled vehicle  60  from shifting during loading, unloading, or in transit. Wheeled vehicle  60  is further supported with tie-downs  28 , which extend to padeyes  27 . As shown in FIG. 17, offloading springs  70  are fully compressed, with latch  77  in a position ready to latch onto leading edge  12 G of planar segment  12 . 
     The loading begins when winch  30  is activated. As winch  30  begins to wind cable  31 , the force exerted through cable hook  32  and eyelet  19  causes support surface  11  to approach ramp sections  44  of loading tracks  40 . As winch  30  continues to wind cable  31 , wheels  14  engage the U-shaped ramp sections  44  of loading tracks  40  and begin to track upward toward tailgate  63  (if applicable) of vehicle  61 . As the first planar segment  12  begins its climb, hinge  13  between the first and second planar segments  12  allows support surface  11  to articulate at this point. Each of the remaining hinges  13  perform the same articulating function as support surface  11  continues its climb. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, hinges  13  allow support surface  11  to articulate a second time as support surface  11  is pulled past the transition point between ramp sections  44  and tailgate sections  42  and  43  of loading tracks  40 . The articulating effect provided by planar segments  12  and hinges  13  are particularly beneficial at this stage of the loading process, in that a non-articulating support surface would continue to ramp upward at the same angle  50  of ramp section  44  until enough of the support surface had passed the transition point at the edge of tailgate  63  to allow the front end of the support surface to slam down into bed  62  of vehicle  61 . The same benefit is realized during the unloading process, where the back end of a non-articulating support surface would slam down onto ramp sections  44  when enough of the support surface had passed the transition point at the edge of tail gate  63 . 
     As winch  30  continues to wind cable  31 , leading edge  12 G of planar segment  12  reaches latch  77 . Latch  77  latches onto leading edge  12 G, thereby causing pulley cables  75 , along with first and second pulley devices  73  and  74 , to begin extending offloading springs  70 . 
     Winch  30  continues to wind cable  31  until support surface  11  reaches its final resting place in bed  62  of vehicle  61 , as shown in FIG.  3 . At that point, winch  30  is deactivated. Offloading springs  70  are fully extended and stand ready to provide a counter force when the loading process is reversed. 
     To complete the loading process, ramp sections  44  and tailgate sections  42  and  43  are folded into bed  62  of vehicle  61 , as shown in FIG.  4 . Tailgate  63  (if applicable) can then be closed, as shown in FIG.  16 . 
     To unload wheeled vehicle  60 , the process is essentially reversed. Once tailgate  63  (if applicable) is opened, and ramp sections  44  and tailgate sections  42  and  43  are unfolded, winch cable  31  is allowed to unwind while offloading springs  70  provide the extra force needed to easily move support surface  11  backwards far enough until gravity begins to pull support surface  11  down ramp sections  44 . 
     Thus, the present invention provides a new and useful system for loading and unloading heavy and cumbersome cargo from the bed of a vehicle.