Abstract:
An improved transport bed for use with trailers or the like and having improved clamp-down and tie-down structures is disclosed. A telescoping clamp-down device operable in conjunction with a retention channel mounted in the bed provides variably positioning capabilities of clamp-down. Slidable tie-down mechanisms can be utilized in the same retention track. Improved structural members for supporting and protecting the bed material are also disclosed.

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/558,439 filed on Nov. 16, 1995, and now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to bed structures for hauling; and more particularly, to a light-weight structure having improved clamp-down and tie-down mechanisms adjustably positioned thereon. 
     2. State of the Prior Art 
     Various structures for supporting and transporting snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles, garden tractors, motorcycles, and the like have been described. Many of these structures are associated with trailers that can be towed behind a vehicle. Many general hauling structures included fixed tie-down devices around the periphery of the bed that are utilized in conjunction with chains, ropes, elastic style hooked tie-down devices, or retractable web tie-down material. Tying objects or various types of recreational vehicles in this manner is time consuming, inconvenient, and in many instances unsafe and inadequate. 
     Various types of specialty tie-down and clamp-down devices have been developed to be utilized in conjunction with specific objects. For example, various types of snowmobile trailers have bar structures that can be affixed across the tops of the snowmobile skis and are affixed to the edge frame of the trailer structure. These devices characteristically are in fixed position and do not accommodate a snowmobile being at various locations along the length of the bed. In some cases portions of the frame are adapted to receive part of skis and retain them. These arrangements are lacking in versatility, and in some cases do no adequately restrain the vehicles. 
     Certain types of trailers utilized for transporting motorcycles and the like have a longitudinal channel in which the wheels are placed to prevent the wheels from sliding sideways, and the tie-down is accomplished by various devices as mentioned above. While assisting the positioning of the motorcycle, these channels substantially impair the use of the trailer for any other function, and do nothing to prevent the forward and backward motion of the motorcycle. 
     Many of the transport beds are constructed of a supporting frame to which a deck or bed is affixed. Various structures and devices have been utilized to affix the bed to the frame, including bolts, clamps, screws and sundry fixtures and fasteners. The prior art type of fastening is costly in assembly and does not readily allow replacement of worn or damaged bed material. An improvement has been recognized in the prior art wherein side structural members have channels in which the bed material can be inserted and supported along its length. These prior art arrangements generally only deal with the entire bed and require substantial additional fastening structures across the width of the bed to the various frame support members. Such structures are not readily repairable or replaceable even with the sliding channels at the sides. 
     OBJECTS 
     It is a primary objective of this invention to provide an improved transport bed structure. 
     Yet another objective is to provide a transport bed that has improved clamp-down and tie-down mechanisms. 
     Still a further object of the invention is to provide a rotatable telescoping clamp-down mechanism. 
     Another objective of the invention is to provide an improved clampdown mechanism operable in conjunction with a retention channel for variable placement. 
     Still a further object is to provide an improved tie-down mechanism operable with a retention channel. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an improved bed mounting structure. 
     Still a further object of the invention is to provide bed mounting structures that minimize the cost of construction and maximize the ease of repair and replacement. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide improved clamp-down and tie-down mechanisms that are light-weight, durable, and relatively maintenance free. 
     These and other more detailed and specific objectives will become apparent from a consideration of the following description of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a bed structure utilized for transporting objects, and includes an improved clamp-down mechanism. One aspect of the improved clamp-down mechanism involves a telescoping clamping member that is associated with an elongated retention channel integrated as part of the bed structure, where the telescoping clamp mechanism can be selectively positioned along the length of the retention channel and utilized to clamp at various locations on the bed. One or more retention channels may be utilized in a spaced apart relationship. The telescoping clamp members can be retracted and rotated for installation into the clamp position and for releasing from the clamp position. 
     A tie-down mechanism can also be used within the same retention channels and is likewise subject to variable positioning along the retention channel to form a tie-down relationship with an object. 
     The telescoping clamp-down mechanism and the tie-down mechanism are each retained in the retention channel by a rotatable cam that hold the mechanisms in the retention channel in a first position and allows them to be removed from the retention channel in a second position. 
     The retention channels and the structural frame members are adapted to have bed retaining channels along their lengths to support, retain, and protect the edges of the bed material without additional clamps or fastening mechanisms. 
     The rear frame member generally has a channel cross-section and is adapted for mounting lights within the channel recess to protect them from damage. In one configuration the rear member has a lower limit or lip portion for protecting the rear frame member if the associated bed structure is lowered to contact the surface for loading. The upper portion of the rear frame member includes a predetermined number of protrusions extending along the length thereof. A slidably engagable ramp structure is adapted with a longitudinal channel configured to match the arrangement of longitudinal protrusions on the rear frame member. The ramp member is slidably attached to the rear frame member when the bed structure has been put in place, and is adapted to retain and protect the rear edge of the bed. The ramp structure is sloped to allow ease of loading from the rear when the bed structure is utilized with a tiltable supporting structure. 
     All of the component parts are integrally formed from extruded light-weight material and cut to lengths required for assembly, there providing an efficient and cost-effective manufacturing system for various sizes of bed structures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer frame that can be utilized to support the improved bed structure; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the improved bed structure; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a telescoping clamp-down mechanism; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken at line  4 — 4  in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the retention channel; 
     FIG. 6 is a side-view of a tie-down mechanism operable with the retention channels; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of the retention cam; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial view of a portion of the telescoping clamp-down mechanism having a tie-down portion; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates the shape of the side panel of the frame structure; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view that shows the shape of the rear frame member; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view that shows the shape of the rear ramp and bed retention member; and 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the rear frame member with the rear ramp and bed retention member slidably engaged in cooperation with a portion of the bed. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer frame and associated tongue having a pair of channels disposed at opposite sides and running longitudinally. The trailer frame  10  is made up of front beam  12 , side panels  14  and  16 , and rear channel member  18 , each of which has a deck support portion. A pair of cross beams  20  and  22  are spaced front-to-back by spacers  24 ,  26  and  28 . A pair of frame support members  30  and  32  are positioned parallel to one another and are arranged longitudinally to side support panels  14  and  16 . These support members  30  and  32  are arranged for providing support to the entire frame  10  on an axle, represented by dashed line  34 , and on a pair associated wheels shown as dashed lines  36  and  38 . Support members  30  and  32  cooperate with slidable mounting structures (not shown in FIG. 1) to allow slidable adjustment of the axle  34  either forwardly or rearwardly of the frame, as illustrated by arrow  39 . This configuration of the trailer frame  10  is illustrative only, and various other configurations of members can be utilized as necessary to serve various uses, size considerations, and strength requirements. 
     A generally channel shaped member  40  is arranged to cooperate with a portion of tongue  42  and is located and affixed to the undersides of front beam  12  and cross beam  22 , and is utilized for providing a vertical span support, as well as a lateral support for tongue  42 . 
     The front end  44  of tongue  42  is adapted to have a hitch  46  attached as by bolts (not shown) extended through holes aligned on dashed lines  48 . Tongue  42  has longitudinal opposed channels  50  and  51  extending along at least a portion of its length. 
     For fixed tongue trailer frames, channel  40  would be firmly affixed to tongue  42 , as by bolts, welding, or other suitable interconnection. For those trailer frames that are characterized as tilt bed, end  52  of tongue  42  is pivotally mounted (not shown) to the tongue mount  40  near end  52 . A releasable tongue catch (not shown in FIG. 1) is mounted forward of front beam  12  and operates to releasably couple tongue  42  within channel  40 . When the tongue catch is released, trailer frame  10  is allowed to rotate about axle  34  in a clockwise direction until the bottom of rear channel  18  touches the surface, thereby allowing a snowmobile or other vehicle to drive onto or off of the trailer. Once weight is placed forward on the trailer, the frame rotates back until channel  40  re-engages tongue  42  and the tongue clamp is utilized to hole the tongue in place. While channel  40  is shown to have a planar top until a pair of downwardly extending side members, it should be understood that various other configurations could be utilized with tongues of differing cross-sections, or to achieve some other structural goal. 
     Rear channel  18  has a pair of tail lights  54  and  56  mounted within the channel, so that the lights are protected from breakage or damage during loading. Electric power is provided from the tow vehicle through plug  58  and cable  60 . Cable  60  extends through hole  62  in the top of tongue  42  and runs inside tongue  42  toward end  52 . The cable  60  then is run inside beams  22  and  14  to the rear where electrical connection is made to lights  54  and  56 . Running cable  60  inside the tongue and the beams protects it from damage and breakage. An alternative connection for cable  60  can be provided. The cable can be extended out through end  52  and attached externally to the underside of spacers  26  and  28 , and extended to the back of end channel  18 . Either interconnection will function. Various other electrical wiring configurations can be utilized. 
     A desired number of stake holders such as stake holder  64 , can be mounted at desired points along side panels  14  and  16 . 
     The tongue  42 , end channel member  18 , tongue channel  40 , side panels  16 , stake holder  64 , and the beams are all fabricated from aluminum. The beams and spacers are all adapted to support a trailer deck (not shown) that characteristically will be constructed of plywood or some other suitable material. The aluminum members are fabricated by heating and formed by extruding to the desired shapes, and are joined together by welding or by corrosion resistant fastener devices as needed. The extrusion process provides members that are strong and are not stressed by bending and forming processes. The extruded structures are cut to length for the size trailer framer desired, thereby providing an efficient and cost-effective manufacturing process. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the improved bed structure. In this configuration the bed structure  90  is comprised of three sections  92 ,  94 , and  96 , with bed sections  92  and  94  separated by retention channel  98 , and bed sections  94  and  96  separated by retention channel  100 . In this configuration bed section  92  is slidably supported by bed retention channels in side member  16  and by retention channel  98 , and at the front by a portion of front beam  12  and at the rear by a portion of rear frame member  18 . Bed section  94  is slidably retained by retention channels  98  and  100  along its length and at the ends by front beam  12  and rear frame member  18 . Bed section  96  is slidably supported between side panel  14  and retention channel  100 , and at the ends by front beam  12  and at the rear by rear frame member  18 . A telescoping clamp-down mechanism  102  is shown in the clamping position with a partial ski  104  clamped beneath extended end portion  106  and the surface of bed section  92 . Telescoping clamp-down mechanism  108  is shown with its ends  110  and  112  telescoped inwardly and rotated in a manner to allow any vehicle or snowmobile to straddle it while being loaded without interference. 
     Retention channels  98  and  100  are substantially parallelly disposed and extend longitudinally on bed  90  in this configuration. It is of course understood that the retention channels may be greater or lesser in number than two, may not necessarily extend over the entire length of the bed  90 , or may also be situated in other configurations, such as horizontally, depending upon the intended usage of the overall transport structure. 
     For illustrative purposes another clamp-down mechanism  114  is shown mounted at a fxed location  116  in the bed portion  94 . It is of course understood that in this arrangement the clamp-down mechanism  114  is not adjustable as to location, but is rotatable so that it can be positioned in any position around mounting position  116  and clamped in place. 
     Tie down mechanism  118  is shown slidably mounted in retention channel  98 . It too can be positioned longitudinally along retention channel  98  and provide tie-down capability in addition to the clamp-down action of clamp-down mechanism  102 . It is of course understood that tie-down mechanism  118  can also be fixedly mounted at any position desired on bed  90  and will operate as a fixed tie-down facility. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a telescoping clamp-down mechanism. The entire clamp-down mechanism is referenced generally by arrow  120  and has main body portion  122  with a pair of slidably engaged end portions  124  and  126  at opposite ends thereof. Telescoping members  124  and  126  are slidably engaged and can be totally retracted within the main body portion  122 . The clamp-down mechanism includes an elongated bolt  128  that extends vertically through the main body portion  122  and has a cam mechanism  130  affixed to one end. A clamping handle  132  can be utilized to turn a clamping nut  134  either downwardly to contact washer  136  or upwardly as far as stop mechanism  138 . 
     FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view taken at line  4 — 4  in FIG.  3 . It can be seen that the shape of the main body portion  122  is oval in the preferred embodiment and has internal shape that substantially matches the slidably engaged end portion  126 . Of course the same configuration exists with respect to end portion  124 . It is understood that different cross-sectional shapes may be selected. 
     FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of the retention channel. 
     In this configuration there is a base member  140 , and a pair of spaced apart upwardly extending members  142  and  144  that have retention members  146  and  148  formed therewith respectively. The channel formed between retention members  146  and  148  is utilized to retain the cam structure  130 . The longitudinal channels  150  and  152  are utilized to engage and retain respectively associated sides of sections of the bed. Note that upper members  146  and  148  are each slightly angled with respect to the base  140 . This arranged such that when bed members are inserted into channels  150  and  152  there is a separating pressure between the base  140  and retention members  146  and  148 . 
     FIG. 6 is side-view of a tie-down mechanism operable with the retention channels. The tie-down mechanism  160  utilizes an elongated bolt  162  having a tie-down eye member  164  at one end thereof and cam mechanism  166  at the other end thereof Intermediate is situated washer  168  and retention nut  170  that is operable by handle  172 . 
     FIG. 7 is plan view of a retention cam. The cam structure  174  has a lower member  176  that has a length dimension that is similar to the width of separation of members  142  and  144  in the retention channel  146 . It has an upper member  178  that is essentially square and has a dimension that approximates the distance between upper member  146  and  148  of the retention channel. These dimensions are such that when the cam  174  is rotated in the direction of arrow  180  it will be retained within an associated retention channel, and when rotated in the direction of arrow  182  will be positioned so that it is length wise of the retention channel opening and may be removed therefrom. 
     FIG. 8 is partial view a of portion of a telescoping clamp-down mechanism having a tie-down portion. This illustrates an end  184  of a clamp-down mechanism with its associated slidably engaged end member  186  exposed. A tie-down ring  188  is mounted at the end of end member  186 . This illustrates that the clamp-down mechanism can also serve as a tie-down should that capability be required. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates the shape of the side panel of the frame structure. This illustrates that side panel  16  has an outwardly extending upper member  190 , and a lower inwardly extending member  192 . A pair of longitudinal spaced apart bed retaining members  194  and  196  are adapted to allow the associated portion of the bed to be slidably extended therebetween and retained in place. The upper portion  197  provides an upper edge around the bed, and the lower portion  198  is utilized in fabrication with other structural members to provide the bed support. 
     FIG. 10 is cross-sectional view that shows the shape of the rear frame member. Here rear member  200  has a vertical portion  202  with its lower end formed into a rearwardly extending stop member  204 . The upper member  206  has longitudinal protrusions  208  and  210  that form a predetermined configuration for use in slidably mounting and associated rear ramp and bed retention member. The channel that is formed between lower member  204  upper member  206  is utilized for mounting lights (not shown) and protecting them from damage. It is of course understood that additional or differently spaced or placed longitudinal protrusions can be utilized. 
     FIG. 11 is cross-sectional view that shows the shape of the rear ramp and bed retention member. The rear ramp and bed retention member  212  has an upper lip  214  and a vertical face structure  216  formed therewith that are utilized to clamp and protect the rear end of the bed. A configured longitudinal channel  218  has a configuration that mates with the protrusions  208  and  210  on the rear frame member  200 , and is adapted to allow the rear ramp and bed retention member  212  to be slidably engaged with the rear frame member  200 . A ramp portion  220  is utilized to provide improved means of loading ground driven vehicles when used with a tilt-bed trailer structure. 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the rear frame member with the ramp and bed retention member slidably engaged in cooperation with a portion of the bed. It can be seen that rear frame member  200  supports a portion of the bed  222  on its upper surface of upper member  206 . The rear ramp and bed retention member  212  is slidably engaged such that protrusions  208  and  210  are firmly and slidably engaged with configured channel  218 . 
     The rear ramp and bed retention member provides several functions in addition to the ease of loading mentioned above. As shown, it can be readily removed by simply sliding it from its slidable engagement with rear frame member  200 . This allows the portions of the bed exposed to be slidably removed to the rear for repair or replacement. The rear ramp and bed retention member also acts as a wear strip such that if it becomes damaged through extensive use it may be quite readily removed and replaced without disruption of any of the bed structure. Further, during initial construction it allows the portions of the bed to be slidably inserted and it can then be affixed to the rear frame member to lock the portions of the bed in place. 
     Having described the preferred embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the drawings, it can be seen at the various stated purposes and objectives have been achieved, and at various modifications and extensions will be apparent to those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, what is intended to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended Claims.