Abstract:
A device that may be mounted on a bed of a pickup truck to enable smaller vehicles, such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, or all-terrain vehicles to enter from the ground level upon a platform of the loading device. This is accomplished by the loading device having a ramp that can be pulled outwardly or rearwardly from said device, and a motorcycle can drive up the ramp to the platform. A dolly slide is pulled outwardly from the device, and extends above the tailgate. The ramp then extends downwardly from the dolly slide, so that no weight or load is displaced on the tailgate.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation in part application, which claims priority from a parent application Ser. No. 12/425,373 still pending as of the filing of this CIP application, which claims priority from provisional patent application No. 61/1,045,288 filed on 16 Apr. 2008, titled LOADING DEVICE. 
     
    
     GOVERNMENT RIGHTS 
       [0002]    This invention was not made with Government support. The Government does not have any rights in this invention. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Loading devices may be used to load, or unload things from one level, to a different level. For example, a loading device may be used to assist in loading motorcycles onto the beds of pickup trucks. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,125 (“the &#39;125 patent”) illustrates one type of loading device, called a truck ramp assembly 10. This discloses a platform assembly having an closed front end (no reference numeral); a pair of longitudinally extending track members (no reference numerals); evenly spaced transverse support members 40; a hollow interior 26; and a pair of wheels 70 on opposite sides thereof at a first end (no reference numeral). The &#39;125 patent requires the use of a tailgate because a pair of wheels 70 rest on the tailgate. Further, wheels 82 also rest on the tailgate. Because the fore mentioned wheels rest on the tailgate of the pickup truck, the tailgate may encounter loads, which may damage the tailgate or the operation of the tailgate. The &#39;125 patent also has apertured brackets 32 to secure the platform assembly 10 to a vehicle 12. The &#39;125 patent does not disclose a way to accommodate for varied pickup truck bed lengths. The &#39;125 patent does not disclose an apparatus by which a short bed pickup, such as 8 ft., can accommodate a load requiring a bed or platform length of a long bed, such as 11 ft. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,025 to Roberson discloses a Truck Bed Extender and Telescoping Ramp. Roberson has an extender telescopically and slideably received within said casing for slideably extending rearward cantilevered over the truck tailgate when the tailgate is in a horizontal position. However the casing in Roberson cannot be fixed in a horizontal position so that it can be used as a working surface. 
         [0006]    As can be seen, there is a need for a loading device that does not cause weight to bear on the tailgate; that can accommodate for varied pickup truck bed lengths; and that can allow a short bed truck to receive a load requiring a truck bed or platform length of a long bed pickup truck. 
         [0007]    There is also a need to loading device that can be positioned in a substantially horizontal position to use as a working surface. 
         [0008]    There is also a need to have a surface that can flip forwardly after the casing is extended rearwardly, so the entire length of the bed can be used. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    One aspect of the present invention is a loading device, comprising a housing  600  slideably disposed to a bed  500 ; a dolly slide  460  slideably disposed to said housing  600 ; and a ramp  40  slideably disposed to said dolly slide  460 ; whereby said housing  600  can slide relative to said bed  500 . 
         [0010]    Another aspect is a loading device  10 , comprising: a platform side  22  secured to opposed sides of a ramp  40 ; a mounting bracket  60  secured to said platform side  22  and a bed  500  of a vehicle; said platform side  22  having a decking channel  118 ; and a ramp channel  120  disposed under said decking channel  118 . 
         [0011]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention in the stowed position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side pictorial view of an embodiment of the present invention in the deployed position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side pictorial of an embodiment of the present invention, used as a workbench. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is another pictorial of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  is a pictorial of components of one embodiment of the present invention, used to secure the loading device to a bed. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5B  is a sectional pictorial of one embodiment of the platform side and the sliding block. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5C  is a non-sectional pictorial of one embodiment of the platform side. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5D  is a side view of the platform side. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  is a pictorial of a front hinge plate on one side of the loading device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6B  is a pictorial of a front hinge plate on the other side of the loading device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a pictorial of the rear view from the stowed position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a sectional pictorial of a side view of the stowed position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a pictorial view of the ramp composed of decking. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a pictorial view of a side view of the dolly slide and ramp extender. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a pictorial view of the dolly slide, which allows the ramp to be pulled out from under the platform. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is sectional pictorial of a closer view from  FIG. 8 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is another sectional pictorial of a closer view from  FIG. 8 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a closer view of a portion from  FIG. 7 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a pictorial view of platform side and an embodiment of a ramp. 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a pictorial view of an embodiment of a platform side. 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a pictorial of an A-type platform side. 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is a pictorial of the platform side with the mounting bracket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to e taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
       REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0035]      10  loading device 
         [0036]      20  platform 
         [0037]      22  platform side 
         [0038]      30  member 
         [0039]      32  decking 
         [0040]      34  decking tongue 
         [0041]      35  decking support member 
         [0042]      36  decking groove 
         [0043]      37  ramp side 
         [0044]      40  ramp 
         [0045]      50  hinge plate 
         [0046]      52  hinge plate tongue 
         [0047]      54  hinge plate groove 
         [0048]      60  mounting bracket 
         [0049]      70  mounting bracket slot 
         [0050]      80  mounting bracket base 
         [0051]      90  mounting bracket arm 
         [0052]      100  mounting bracket finger 
         [0053]      102  hook portion 
         [0054]      110  platform top 
         [0055]      112  first side surface 
         [0056]      114  second side surface 
         [0057]      116  finger securement catch 
         [0058]      118  decking channel 
         [0059]      120  ramp channel 
         [0060]      121  wheel stopper 
         [0061]      122  decking support 
         [0062]      123  locking means 
         [0063]      124  extension 
         [0064]      126  ramp support 
         [0065]      130  ramp-platform displacement wheel 
         [0066]      140  leg 
         [0067]      142  leg extension 
         [0068]      150  ramp extender 
         [0069]      218  decking channel 
         [0070]      220  ramp channel 
         [0071]      222  platform side or side 
         [0072]      240  sliding channel 
         [0073]      241  sliding channel stop member 
         [0074]      250  sliding blocks 
         [0075]      255  sliding block extension 
         [0076]      258  fixator bolt 
         [0077]      340  second embodiment ramp 
         [0078]      360  second embodiment platform 
         [0079]      380  forward hinge plate 
         [0080]      381  forward hinge plate leg 
         [0081]      400  platform lock or platform locking means 
         [0082]      404  locking pin 
         [0083]      420  base frame 
         [0084]      460  dolly slide 
         [0085]      470  ramp wheel 
         [0086]      480  carriage 
         [0087]      500  bed 
         [0088]      510  handle 
         [0089]      520  hinge 
         [0090]      132  stop member 
         [0091]      550  ramp leg housing 
         [0092]      560  leg top channel 
         [0093]      570  dolly slide side 
         [0094]      572  inside 
         [0095]      574  inside lower member 
         [0096]      580  ramp wheel stopper 
         [0097]      600  housing 
         [0098]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a loading device  10  installed on the bed  500  of a pickup truck. A motorcycle is illustrated with the front tire resting on the forward hinge plate  380 . The rear tire is resting on the platform  20 . 
         [0099]      FIG. 2  illustrates a pictorial of a motorcycle on the ramp  40 . The ramp  40  is pulled out; and the ramp extender  150  may also be deployed. The ramp  40  may be supported by a leg  140 . The forward hinge plate  380  may be folded forward. The dolly slide  460  is pulled out; and the platform  20  is illustrated as pulled out rearwardly with respect to the truck bed  500 . The forward hinge plate  380  may be folded rightwardly or rearwardly so that it rests on the platform  20 . The platform  20  or loading device  10  may be locked in place by the locking means  400  in a stowed position, for example, when in transit. In one embodiment the locking means  400  may be a locking pin  404  that may engage with a locking hole  402  so that the loading device  10  or platform does not move. This may be preferred when the vehicle on which the loading device  10  is displaced is in transit. 
         [0100]      FIG. 3  illustrates a pictorial of the loading device  10  used as a workbench by the ramp  40  being oriented in a substantially horizontal position by a leg  140 , and a let extension  142  that may telescope and lock in place by any conventional means. 
         [0101]      FIG. 4  illustrates another pictorial view of one embodiment of the present invention  10 . The loading device  10  is illustrated with the front hinge plate  380  or forward hinge plate  380  extended leftwardly or forwardly via a hinge  520 . The dolly slide  460  is shown as disposed rearwardly. The rear hinge plate  50  is shown as flipped forwardly via a hinge  520 . The rear hinge plate  50  may be flipped rearwardly also. The rear hinge plate  50  may also be removed. Removal of the rear hinge plate  50  may be useful when a motorcycle or other vehicle is on the platform  20 , and an exhaust pipe extends in such a way to prevent the rear hinge plate  50  from flipping rearwardly on to the ramp  40 . The ramp extender  150  is shown as deployed or flipped rearwardly from the ramp  40 . The ramp extender  150  and the rear hinge plate  50  may both be flipped or folded to rest on the ramp  40  via a hinge  520 . This way the ramp  40  may be pushed or displaced under the platform  20 . This position may be referred to as the stowed position. The legs  140  may be removable so that the ramp  40  may be displaced in the stowed position. 
         [0102]      FIG. 5A  illustrates one embodiment of securing the loading device  10  hinge plate  50  from flipping rearwardly on to the ramp  40 . The ramp extender  150  is shown as deployed or flipped rearwardly from the ramp  40 . The ramp extender  150  and the rear hinge plate  50  may both be flipped or folded to rest on the ramp  40  via a hinge  520 . This way the ramp  40  may be pushed or displaced under the platform  20 . This position may be referred to as the stowed position. The legs  140  may be removable so that the ramp  40  may be displaced in the stowed position. 
         [0103]      FIG. 5A  illustrates one embodiment of securing the loading device  10  to a pickup truck bed  500 . A base frame  420  may be disposed on a pickup truck bed  500  in a location to not disrupt wiring a gas tank beneath. A sliding block extension  255  may be secured immediately above a pickup truck bed  500 . A sliding block  250  may be disposed immediately above and secured to the sliding block extension  255 . A sliding channel stop member  241  may be disposed between said sliding block extension  255  and said sliding block  250 . Two base frames  420  may be disposed on the bed  500  of a truck. 
         [0104]      FIG. 5B  illustrates on embodiment of the base frame  420  as illustrated in  FIG. 5A .  FIG. 5B  illustrates an embodiment whereby a portion of the sliding block  250  may be disposed in a sliding channel  240 . This allows the entire B-type platform side, also referred to as side  222  to move forwardly and rearwardly with respect to a pickup truck bed  500  to which it may be slideably disposed. The platform  20  may be secured to the B-type platform side  222  via the B-type decking channel. This relationship is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0105]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a pictorial whereby the platform side  222  may be secured to a sliding channel stop member  241  via fastener, such as a bolt  258 . 
         [0106]      FIG. 5D  illustrates an embodiment of the B-type platform side  222 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , having a locking means  400 . The locking means  400  may be a locking pin  404  that may be removably disposed within a lock hole  402 . When the locking pin  404  is removed from engagement with the lock hole  402 , then the loading device  10  may slide forwardly and rearwardly via the sliding blocks  250 , which may be secured to the bed  500  of a truck via a sliding block extension  255 . This way the loading device  10  may be stowed entirely within the bed  500  of a truck when the front hinge plate  380  is folded rearwardly; or it may be pulled out from the bed, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . A bolt  258  may secure the type platform side  222  to a sliding channel stop member  241 . 
         [0107]    The platform  40  may be secured to a platform side  222  on opposed sides, as seen in  FIG. 7 , to define a housing  600 . The ramp dolly slide  460  may then be slideably disposed within the housing  600 . The ramp  40  may also be slideably disposed within the housing  600 . 
         [0108]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an embodiment when a front hinge plate  380  is hingedly disposed on one side of the platform side  222 . This is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 .  FIG. 6B  illustrates another embodiment whereby a front hinge plate  380  may be disposed on the other side of the platform side  222 . In the embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 6B , the front hinge plate  380  may flip rearwardly. 
         [0109]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a rear pictorial showing the front hinge plate  380  hingedly disposed to the platform side. Front hinge plate legs  381  may extend from the front hinge plate  380 . The platform  20  may be securely disposed within the decking channel  218 . The platform  40  may be slideably disposed within a B-type ramp channel  220 . The sliding block  250  may be slideably disposed within the sliding channel  240 . The platform  20  may be securely disposed within the B-type decking channel  218 . A handle  510  may be disposed on the end of the ramp  40 . The sliding block  250  may be secured to a sliding block extension  255  and a bed  500  via a fastener, such as a bolt  258 . 
         [0110]    Although a sliding block  250  is disclosed as one means by which the loading device  10  may slide back and forth, other means may be used. Such as ball bearings or wheels. 
         [0111]      FIG. 8  illustrates a sectional side view pictorial of an embodiment of the present invention  10 . The front hinge plate  380  may be hingedly connected to the B-type platform side  222 . The rear hinge plate  50  may be hingedly disposed to one side of the ramp  40 . The ramp extension  150  may be hingedly disposed to the other side of the ramp  40 . The ramp  40  may have a ramp wheel  470  slideably engaged with the dolly slide  460  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The dolly slide  460  may have a ramp-platform displacement wheel  130  that may rotatably engage and roll within the B-type ramp channel  220 . This allows the loading device  10  to be pulled or displaced rearwardly by the sliding block  250  sliding relationship with the sliding channel  240  until a stop member  132  contacts a sliding block  250 . This allows the loading device  10  to be pulled rearwardly with respect of a truck bed  500 . Then the handle  510  can be pulled out or rearwardly to pull the ramp  40  dolly carriage  460  out from under the platform  40 . Typically, the dolly carriage  460  extends out above a tailgate so that no load or weight is applied to the tailgate. Then the handle  510  can be further pulled to deploy the ramp  40 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The dolly carriage  460  may be limited from pulling entirely out by any conventional means that may stop the ramp-platform displacement when  130 . 
         [0112]    If the stop member  540  was not there, then the entire loading device  10  may be pulled from the bed  500  and fall upon the ground. However, other means for preventing the loading device from falling out may be utilized. 
         [0113]      FIG. 9  illustrates one embodiment of a ramp  40 , constructed of decking  32 . The decking  32  may be of a variety of lengths. The decking  32  may have a tongue  34  on one side that may engage with a groove  34  on a separate decking  32 . This way the ramp  40  size may be constructed or altered by adding, removing, or replacing to existing decking  32 . The decking  32  may have a decking support member  35  extending downwardly to support the decking  32  within a B-type decking channel  218 . In one embodiment a ramp-leg housing  550  may be securely disposed to the ramp  40 . The ramp-leg housing  550  may have a leg top channel  560  that is capable of receiving a leg  140  that may be removably disposed within the ramp-leg housing  550 . 
         [0114]      FIG. 11  is a pictorial of an embodiment of a dolly slide  460  of the present invention  10 . The dolly slide  460  may be rollably engaged within the B-type ramp channel  220 , as seen in  FIG. 5B . The ramp-platform displacement wheel  130  may be rotatably disposed to a dolly slide side  570 . The ramp-platform displacement wheel  130  may roll within the B-type decking channel  218 . The ramp wheel  470  may be rollably disposed within the inside  572  of the dolly slide side  570 . For example, the ramp wheel  470  may roll along an inside lower member  574 . A ramp wheel stopper  580  (as seen in  FIG. 13 ) may prevent the ramp wheel  470  from falling out of the inside  572 . 
         [0115]      FIG. 12  is a pictorial of a closer view of a portion of  FIG. 8 . The sliding block  250  may be secured to the bed  500  via a bolt  258  (as seen in  FIG. 5D ). The stop member  132  may be secured within the sliding channel  240  (as seen in  FIG. 5B ) to limit the displacement of the loading device  10 , by contacting the sliding block  250  after a certain distance. 
         [0116]      FIG. 13  is a pictorial of a closer view of the ramp  40  and the ramp leg housing  550 . 
         [0117]      FIG. 14  is a pictorial of a closer view of the bed  500 , the platform side  222 , the sliding channel  240 , the B-type ramp channel  220 , the B-type decking channel  218 , and other components. 
         [0118]      FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate an embodiment of a platform side  22 . The platform side  22  is disposed on the left side of a bed, and the other on the right side. Only the left side is illustrated in  FIG. 17 . The platform side  22  may have a decking channel  118  to receive decking  32 . The decking may rest on the decking support  122 . A ramp channel  120  may be disposed downwardly from said decking channel  118 . The ramp channel  120  may be defined by an inside of a second side surface  114 , an extension  124  extending inwardly from said second side surface  114 , and a ramp support  126  disposed downwardly from said extension  124 . 
         [0119]    The platform side  22  may have a finger securement catch  116 , which mates with the hook portion  102  of the mounting bracket  60  to secure the platform side  22  to the bed, as seen in  FIG. 18 . This is another means of securing the loading device  10  to a bed  500 . The platform side  22  may be used with the mounting bracket  60 . 
         [0120]      FIG. 18  illustrates how the mounting bracket  60  may be secured to the platform side  22  on the top of the bed of the pickup truck. 
         [0121]    In the platform side  22  the platform  20  may be secured in the decking channel  118 . In the platform side  22 , the dolly slide  460  may be slideably disposed within the ramp channel  120  in the same way that it is disposed in the type ramp channel  220 . 
         [0122]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.