Abstract:
Hitch Hoist system provides an effective and efficient means through which users may lift heavy objects into the backs of trucks. This innovative product preferably features four main components, including two legs, a coupling tee, and a boom containing a winch. The components are preferably held together using ordinary hitch pins, and can therefore be easily assembled and disassembled whenever necessary. Consumers may use this product to lift extremely heavy objects when help is not available, or when conserving time and labor is necessary. The present invention is convenient for home use, military use, as well as use in junkyards, farms, or construction sites.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/378,084, filed Aug. 30, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
       1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to the field of hoists and more specifically relates to vehicle hitch-mounted hoists. 
       2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0005]    Many different job tasks require individuals to lift extremely heavy and/or cumbersome objects. These objects may be required to be lifted into/onto vehicles for transport. Certain lightweight objects can be lifted by one or two individuals, but this may be very labor-intensive and time-consuming, as well as it may present the potential for serious back strain and injuries. Other objects can weigh many hundreds of pounds, and therefore cannot be lifted by people. Levering systems or hoists may be used in these instances. 
         [0006]    A hoist is a device typically used for lifting and/or lowering a load. Hoists may be built into buildings or may be free-standing. Built-in hoist systems may lift extremely heavy loads, but are not typically portable in nature. These style hoists may also be expensive to build and maintain. Machines and equipment designed to lift excessively heavy objects may not be compact or portable, and therefore may not be available for immediate use at all times and in remote locations. Free-standing versions of hoists normally are able to lift only small loads and may be cumbersome to operate over uneven surfaces. Additionally, since the free-standing versions are small and light they don&#39;t usually have much mass so are prone to tipping and thus may be dangerous to use. Neither the built-in or free-standing versions of hoists are typically designed for outdoor use. 
         [0007]    Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,211,526; 4,419,038; 5,540,537; 4,881,864; 5,064,078; and 4,746,263. This prior art is representative of hoists. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0008]    Ideally, a hitch hoist system should be user-friendly and, yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable portable hitch hoist system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known hoist art, the present invention provides a novel portable hitch hoist system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a convenient and safe lifting (and lowering) means for use in conjunction with a vehicle. 
         [0010]    Hitch Hoist of the present invention generally provides an effective and efficient means through which users may lift heavy objects into the backs of trucks. This innovative product preferably features four main components, including two leg jacks (hereinafter referred to as first and second leg jacks—the first being smaller than the second), a coupling tee, and a boom (beam) containing a winch. The components are preferably held together using ordinary hitch pins (or other suitable fastening means may be used), and can therefore be easily assembled and disassembled whenever necessary. Consumers may use this product to lift extremely heavy objects when help is not available, or when conserving time and labor is necessary. The present invention is ideal for home use, military use, as well as use in junkyards, farms, or construction sites. 
         [0011]    More specifically, a portable hitch hoist system is disclosed herein preferably comprising: at least one first leg jack; at least one second leg jack; at least one coupler, the coupler comprises a coupling tee; a plurality of connectors (preferably hitch pins); a frame assembly having a beam, the beam being hydraulically-operated and adjustable in relation to the frame; and at least one winch with a windable (and unwindable—spooled) cable with a hook (or other equivalent attachment means.) 
         [0012]    The first leg jack and said second leg jack are coupled together via the coupler; the first leg jack comprising a stabilizer and the second leg jack comprises a drop leg. The drop leg is able to move through about 29 inches of linear travel in relation to the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the first leg jack can hold up to about 2000 pounds and the second leg jack can hold up to about 8000 pounds. The first and second leg jack (via the drop leg) are independently-operably-adjustable to match the contour of a ground surface (regardless whether even or uneven) via rotatable adjustment via a crank or other. The first leg jack and the coupler comprise an outrigger so as to provide stabilization means for the system while lifting heavy objects by displacing the load along the length of a member and thereby maintaining a lower point of gravity. 
         [0013]    The first leg jack is preferably parallel to the second leg jack both of which retain a perpendicular relationship to the ground surface (on a similar plane) during an in-use condition (while lifting objects.) The coupler preferably provides a connection to a hitch receiver located on a vehicle such as to properly anchor the portable hitch hoist system to a sizable mass, this in combination with the outrigger system providing stability and safety during in-use conditions. The portable hitch hoist system is removably attachable to the vehicle, the vehicle acting in a capacity of an anchor such that the at least one item is able to be repeatedly moved between unlifted and lifted conditions. This combination is also convenient in that the user is able to lift the object into the vehicle (truck box or other) with relative ease (because the boom can rotate through 360 degrees) and/or onto a trailer or other carrier for transport. 
         [0014]    The coupling tee may be used to couple the first leg jack and second leg jack to the hitch receiver; wherein the plurality of connectors are used to connect the beam to the frame, the first and second leg jacks to the coupler, and the coupler to the hitch receiver into an assembled condition ready to lift objects. The portable hitch hoist system is also disassembleable during a non-use period for storage and/or transport making it convenient to move it between locations. Of additional convenience is the feature that the portable hitch hoist system is readily transportable in a coupled relationship (to the hitch receiver), wherein the first leg jack and said second leg jack are in retracted (up) positions. This provides that the portable hitch hoist system is already assembled for use and doesn&#39;t need to be assembled before ‘picking’/lifting actions commence, thus saving time. The winch is removably coupled to the frame such that the windable cable is able to be attached to at least one liftable item to be moved vertically and/or horizontally within an envelope via the beam, the beam being manipulatable by a hydraulic ram (operated manually or non-manually by the user.) 
         [0015]    The portable hitch hoist system comprises a kit as also disclosed herein, the kit including: the first and second leg jacks; a coupler; connectors; a frame (assembly) having a beam; a winch (manual or electric); and a set of user instructions. 
         [0016]    A method is described herein for using a portable hitch hoist system preferably comprising the steps of: inserting a coupler as a connection to a hitch receiver located on a vehicle; assembling the portable hitch hoist system including a first leg jack, a second leg jack, a coupler, a frame assembly including a beam, and a winch to the coupler via a plurality of connectors; operating the assembled portable hitch hoist system using the vehicle as an anchor to lift at least one movable item; and optionally disassembling the portable hitch hoist system and storing for at least one future use. Further, as mentioned above the portable hitch hoist system may be transported in an assembled condition as coupled to the hitch receiver. 
         [0017]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a portable hitch hoist system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, hitch hoist systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a hitch hoist system in an assembled transport condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view illustrating the hitch hoist system in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view illustrating the hitch hoist system in an in-use condition as ‘hooked’ to another object being lifted according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view illustrating the hitch hoist system in an in-use condition as ‘hooked’ to another object being lifted and lowered into a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the hitch hoist system in an unloaded condition according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a disassembled kit of the hitch hoist system (for transport or storage) according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a winch of the hitch hoist system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-5A . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the hitch hoist system as used to provide a mobile work center using a vice according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
       [0027]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a hoist device and more particularly to a portable hitch hoist system as used to improve the convenience and safety while lifting and lowering items into a vehicle, using the vehicle as a stabilizing means. 
         [0029]    Referring now generally to the present invention, the Hitch Hoist (system) provides an efficient and convenient means and method for lifting objects which are too heavy for one or two individuals alone to lift. The instant invention may comprise four main components, including a small (first) leg jack, a large (second) leg jack, a coupling tee, and a hydraulic boom containing a winch. All components may comprise tubular steel, and may be connected (assembled) using pins. The small leg jack can be capable of withstanding 2,000 pounds, and the large leg jack may be capable of withstanding 8,000 pounds. The large leg jack can also include a drop leg, having approximately 29″ of travel, and the boom may pivot 360 degrees for optimal adjustability, particularly on uneven ground. Weight may be added to the outrigger if desired to increase stability. 
         [0030]    The small leg jack may provide stability while the device is in use. The jacks may be connected by the coupling tee, which can be applied to the desired vehicle. The boom, which may be a three-ton hydraulic boom (larger and smaller capacity may be used), can be connected to the large leg jack. The winch affixed to the boom may include two gears and an 840 pound-capacity cable (larger and smaller capacity versions may be used.) The winch itself may possess a 2500 pound capacity (larger and smaller capacity versions may be used.) Consumers may easily assemble or disassemble this product, and may store the parts in the bed of a truck. The present invention can be disassembled into the four components mentioned above for ease of transport between loading and unloading locations. 
         [0031]    Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views,  FIG. 1  illustrating hitch hoist system  100  in an assembled transport condition  150  and  FIG. 2  showing a perspective view illustrating hitch hoist system  100  in an in-use condition  160  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0032]    Portable hitch hoist system  100  within the present invention preferably comprises: at least one first leg jack  110 ; at least one second leg jack  120 ; at least one coupler  130 ; a plurality of connectors  140 ; frame  170  having at least one boom (boom comprising beam  180 ), beam  180  being preferably hydraulically-operated via a bottle jack or other suitable means; and at least one winch  190  with a windable cable  192  with at least one hook  194  (or other suitably equivalent securing means.) Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other winching arrangements such as, for example, cables of braided/non-braided wire, rope, chain, etc., may be sufficient. Additionally, other securing means other than hooks may be used such as clasps, clamps, magnets, and the like and still be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0033]    In the particular embodiment shown, first leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  comprise implement jacks that may be rotated up or down on a screw by turning a crank handle ( FIG. 1  showing the rotated up position used for assembled transport condition  150  and  FIG. 2  showing the rotated down position for in-use condition  160 , also shown in  FIGS. 3   a - 4 .) Rotated up position serves to provide clearance of first leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  from road surfaces and obstacles so they are not damaged during transport occasions. First leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  are preferably removably coupled together via coupler  130 , wherein connectors  140  are preferably used. First leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  are oriented on the same plane, but a distance apart such that stability may be suitably achieved, thereby coupler  130  provides a force transferring means between first leg jack  110 , second leg jack  120  and vehicle  104 ; wherein weight distribution is thereby distributed as indicated in  FIG. 2 . Coupler  130  provides a connection to hitch receiver  106  located on vehicle  104 ; coupler  130  preferably comprising a coupling tee  132 , as shown. 
         [0034]    As previously mentioned a plurality of connectors  140  may be used, connectors  140  preferably comprising hitch pins  142  which are used to connect beam  180  to frame  170  (at a user-preferred distance as per lifting weight, size, etc.), first leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  to coupler  130 , and coupler  130  to hitch receiver  106 . Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other connecting arrangements such as, for example, bolts, keys, pins with spring-loaded rings, or combinations thereof, etc., may be sufficient. Hitch pins  142  are preferred due to their ready availability, durability, low cost and efficiency of use. 
         [0035]    Winch  190  is removably coupled to frame  170  (also referring now to  FIG. 5B ) such that windable cable  192  is able to be attached to at least one item (via winding or unwinding cable  192 ) to be lifted via beam  180 , beam  180  being manipulatable by at least one hydraulic ram  182  (bottle jack style or other.) 
         [0036]    In this way hitch hoist system  100  comprises portable hitch hoist system  102  which is removably attachable to vehicle  104 , vehicle  104  acting in a capacity of an anchor such that said at least one item is able to be repeatedly moved between unlifted and lifted conditions, as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . Portable hitch hoist system  102  is transportable in either a coupled relationship to hitch receiver  106 , (assembled transport condition  150  as shown in  FIG. 1 ); wherein first leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  are in retracted positions or alternately in a disassembled condition ( FIG. 5A .) 
         [0037]    Referring specifically now to  FIG. 2  showing a perspective view illustrating portable hitch hoist system  102  in an in-use condition  160  according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein an object has been lifted into vehicle  104  and is now at rest (stationary) for transport between locations. 
         [0038]    Portable hitch hoist system  102  preferably comprises first leg jack  110  wherein first leg jack  110  comprises a smaller size than second leg jack  120 . Second leg jack  120  comprises drop leg  122 . Drop leg  122  comprises about 29 inches of travel in relation to frame  170 , suitable to extend to meet virtually any planar ground surface.  FIGS. 2 ,  3   a  and  3   b  show drop leg  122  in a ‘down’ position in contact with ground surface. First leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  may be oriented at different lengths to accommodate varying ground surfaces. This is a convenient feature for use on uneven surface such as those found in outdoor environments. As such, portable hitch hoist system  102  may be used to load and unload various items, also alluded to in  FIGS. 3   a - 4 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , perspective views illustrating hitch hoist system  100  in an in-use condition  160  as ‘hooked’ to another object (an engine) being lifted and lowered according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2 . Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other items such as, for example, tanks, crates, pallets, or virtually any loadable liftable item etc., may be sufficient. The tank and engine as shown are shown as exemplary means and the scope of the invention is not to be construed as being in any way limited to these items, but rather that they have been provided as examples of the present invention&#39;s capability such that the invention is embodied in an in-use condition. 
         [0040]    First leg jack  110  comprises a stabilizer (acting as an outrigger) as also shown clearly in  FIG. 2  in this way the present invention is suitably stabilized from tipping by first leg jack  110  and by hitch receiver  106  because of its connection to vehicle  104 . This stability increases safety in use and minimizes damage to items being lifted. Coupling tee  132  is preferably used to couple first leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  to hitch receiver  106 . Using this particular configuration first leg jack  110  can hold up to about 2000 pounds and second leg jack  120  can hold up to about 8000 pounds. Second leg jack  120  is distributed more of the vertical force travelling downwardly as it is located closer in proximity to the item being lifted or lowered. The remaining downward forces are distributed to first leg jack  110  such they are both able to withstand the forces to avoid deformation of portable hitch hoist system  102 . 
         [0041]    First leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  comprise feet to further distribute the load on the ground surface such that first leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  remain above the ground surface, not sink into the ground. Additionally, this provides that first leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  remain at substantially perpendicular relationships with the ground and first leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  remain substantially parallel to each other to avoid potential for tipping or buckling under stress. It should be appreciated that it is preferable to use the present invention on stable, solid ground to maintain the desired positioning and stability. As eluded to above, first leg jack  110  and second leg jack  120  are independently-operably-adjustable to match a ground surface. First leg jack  110  and coupler  130  comprise an outrigger (outrigging means for weight, force distribution.) Ideally, first leg jack  110  is parallel to second leg jack  120  and both retain a perpendicular relationship to the ground surface during an in-use condition  160 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  showing a perspective view illustrating hitch hoist system  100  in an in-use condition  160  as ‘hooked’ to the object being lifted and rotated for placement in vehicle  104  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0043]    In-use condition  160  may include both lifting and rotating ( FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b ) or stationary positions as shown in  FIG. 2 . Portable hitch hoist system  102  as previously mentioned comprises beam  180  (boom arm) which may be adjustable in relation to frame  170  (preferably while not in in-use condition  160 .) As such beam  180  is able to rotate through a full 360 degrees. In this way an item may be lifted from behind vehicle  104  and set in vehicle  104  or on another suitable transportation means such as a trailer. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 5A , a perspective view of a disassembled kit  500  of hitch hoist system  100  (for transport or storage) according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 2-4 . 
         [0045]    Portable hitch hoist system  100  may comprise a kit  500 , kit  500  including: at least one first leg jack  110 ; at least one second leg jack  120 ; at least one coupler  130 ; a plurality of connectors  140 ; frame  170  having beam  180 ; at least one winch  190 ; and a set of user instructions. Portable hitch hoist system  102  is disassembleable during a non-use period for storage and/or transport. Portable hitch hoist system  100  may be sold as kit  500  and may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different winch, hydraulic (or non-hydraulic) jacking and lifting combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0046]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of winch  190  of hitch hoist system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 2-5A . Winch  190  is removably coupled to frame  170  such that the windable (spooled) cable  192  is able to be attached to at least one liftable item to be moved vertically and/or horizontally within a work envelope via beam  180 , beam  180  being manipulatable by a hydraulic ram  182  (operated manually or non-manually by the user.) 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another use for hitch hoist system  100  as used to provide a mobile work center using a vice according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0048]    As shown hitch hoist system  100  may take the form in many embodiments and for use in many different applications. The vice may be coupled within hitch hoist system  100  such that it provides a readily available means by which a pipe or other may be held and worked on (in a stable fixed position.) In this way the user is able to conveniently and comfortably work on various projects in remote areas. As envisioned this would work well for oilfield workers, welders, farmers, mechanics and the like. In this way portable hitch hoist system  102  is able to be used as vice-holder workbench. 
         [0049]    A method for using portable hitch hoist system  102  preferably comprises the steps of: inserting coupler  130  as a connection to a hitch receiver  106  located on vehicle  104 ; assembling portable hitch hoist system  102  including first leg jack  110 , a second leg jack  120 , coupler  130 , frame assembly  172  including beam  180 , and winch  190  to coupler  130  via a plurality of connectors  140 ; operating assembled portable hitch hoist system  102  using vehicle  104  as an anchor to lift at least one movable item; and disassembling portable hitch hoist system  102  and storing for at least one future use. 
         [0050]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0051]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.