Abstract:
The problems of how to safely load and unload a small vehicle into a truck bed, and how to transport any ramps, etc., used to load the vehicle, and/or any other cargo in the truck bed occupied by the vehicle, are addressed by providing a carrier/lift adapted to be mounted in a truck bed, and having a carrying platform that pivots and translate in a constrained manner along a pair of tracks to an inclined loading position for safe and convenient loading of the vehicle into the bed of a truck. A platform having a recess for storage of a pair of nestable loading ramps is disclosed. The platform can be supported above the floor of a truck bed to provide usable storage space in the bed of the truck between the platform, with the nested ramps stowed therein, and the floor of the truck bed.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/199,735, filed Apr. 25, 2000. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to an apparatus for loading and carrying a small vehicle in a truck bed, and more particularly to such an apparatus providing usable storage space in the truck bed while carrying the vehicle.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Persons wishing to transport a small vehicle, such as a snowmobile, a motorcycle, an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), or a lawn tractor in the bed of a truck are faced with two problems: how to safely load and unload the vehicle into the truck bed; and how to transport any ramps, etc., used to load the vehicle, and/or any other cargo with the truck bed occupied by the vehicle.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    My invention addresses the first of these problems by providing a carrier/lift adapted to be mounted in a truck bed, and having a vehicle carrying platform that pivots and translates in a constrained manner along a pair of tracks to an inclined loading position for safe and convenient loading of the vehicle into the bed of a truck. My invention addresses the second problem defined above by utilizing a platform having a recess for stowage of a pair of nestable loading ramps. The platform can be supported above the floor of the truck bed to provide usable storage space in the bed of the truck between the platform, with the ramps stowed therein, and the floor of the bed.  
           [0005]    In one form of my invention, a carrier/lift for loading and carrying a small vehicle in the bed of a truck includes a pair of longitudinal tracks adapted for mounting one track adjacent each side of the bed of a truck. A transverse beam is adapted at the ends thereof to engage the longitudinal tracks for translating movement of the transverse beam along the tracks. A platform is mounted on the transverse beam for pivoting movement between a carrying position, in which the platform extends generally parallel to the longitudinal tracks, and a loading position in which the platform is inclined with respect to the longitudinal tracks. The pivoting movement of the platform on the transverse beam, in combination with the translating movement of the transverse beam along the longitudinal tracks, provide a pivoting and translating motion of the platform that facilitates loading and carrying the small vehicle in the bed of a truck.  
           [0006]    In some forms of my invention, the carrier/lift also includes a frame adapted for supporting the longitudinal tracks above the bed of a truck.  
           [0007]    In another form of my invention, the transverse beam of the carrier/lift includes a roller at each end thereof adapted to engage one of the pair of longitudinal tracks, and each of the tracks is adapted to receive the roller and constrain the roller for translating rolling movement of the roller along the track. The transverse beam may include two rollers at each end thereof for engaging one of the pair of longitudinal tracks, one of the two rollers at each end being mounted to the transverse beam forward of the first pivot axis and the other roller being mounted to the transverse beam aft of the first pivot axis.  
           [0008]    The frame of the carrier/lift may include left and right rail assemblies, each including one of the pair of longitudinal tracks and a front and rear leg extending downward from the longitudinal track, the legs being adapted to support the longitudinal track above the floor of the bed of a truck. A front support assembly is adapted for joining the left and right rail assemblies at a forward end thereof, and a rear spacer bar is adapted for joining the left and right rail assemblies at a aft end thereof. The tracks may have a generally C-shaped cross section configured to receive and constrain the rollers on the end of the transverse beam. The tracks may open at an aft end thereof for receipt of the rollers, and the rear spacer bar may be adapted for attachment to the left and right rail assemblies after installation of the rollers into the tracks, and at a position along the left and right rails for limiting aftward translation of the transverse beam.  
           [0009]    The carrier/lift may include a left and right swing arm for guiding movement of the platform between the loading and carrying positions, and for partially supporting the platform while guiding the movement thereof. The left swing arm may be pivotally attached at one end thereof to the left rear leg of the frame at a lower end of the left rear leg, and pivotally attached at the other end thereof to the platform at a point aft of the first pivot axis. The right swing arm may be pivotally attached at one end thereof to the right rear leg of the frame at a lower end of the right rear leg, and pivotally attached at the other end thereof to the platform at a point aft of the first pivot axis.  
           [0010]    The transverse beam may include a right and left transverse beam pivot point defining a first pivot axis. The platform may include a right and left platform pivot point defining a second pivot axis. The carrier lift may include a pair of links for attaching the platform to the transverse beam, one link having a first end pivotally attached to the left transverse beam pivot point, to pivot about the first pivot axis, and a second end pivotally attached to the left platform pivot point, to pivot about the second pivot axis. The second link may have a first end pivotally attached to the right transverse beam of pivot point, to pivot about the first pivot axis, and a second end pivotally attached to the right platform pivot point to pivot about the second pivot axis. Smoother motion of the platform, between the carrying and loading positions, is achieved through articulation of the pair of links about the first and second pivot axes.  
           [0011]    The platform may include at a forward end thereof, a deck support adapted to engage the front support assembly of the frame when the platform is in the carrying position for partially supporting the forward end of the platform. The platform may further include at an aft end thereof, a rear handle and ramp support, adapted to allow a user to grip the handle for moving the platform between the carrying and loading positions, and further adapted to receive and retain a upper end of a loading ramp.  
           [0012]    The carrier/lift may include a loading ramp attachable in a first position to the platform for loading a small vehicle onto the platform, and attachable to the platform in a second position for stowage in a manner providing cargo space between the platform with the stowed ramps and the floor of the bed of a truck. In another form of my invention, an apparatus for carrying a small vehicle in the bed of a truck includes a platform, and a pair of nestable loading ramps, with the platform having a centrally located recess therein for receipt and storage of the nested loading ramps. The apparatus may further include a frame adapted for supporting the platform above the floor of the bed of the truck, to thereby provide storage space beneath the platform and stowed ramps. The platform and ramps may be configured such that, when the apparatus is utilized in a truck having a tailgate, the tailgate can be closed with the apparatus installed in the bed of the truck and the ramps stowed in the recess of the platform, to thereby provide an enclosed space for storage within the bed of the truck beneath the platform and stowed ramps. The platform and ramps may be configured such that when the apparatus is installed in the bed of the truck, the ramps can be secured to the platform. Each of the ramps may include longitudinally extending ribs joined on an upper surface thereof by threads, the ramps being nestable by inverting one ramps and placing the other ramp on top of the inverted ramp with the longitudinally extended ribs of the two ramps offset from one another. The ramps may be identical, with the treads having a tread width, and the longitudinal ribs having a rib width, and the nested pair having a total width equal to the tread width plus one rib width.  
           [0013]    The platform may include a left and right deck plank joined on the underside thereof by crossbeams, with the left and right deck planks spaced apart by a gap of approximately the width of the nested ramps, with the crossbeams and gap forming the recess for receiving the nested ramps. Each ramp may be configured in a ladder-like fashion, having three longitudinal ribs, with one rib extending along each side of the ramps, and one rib extending along a longitudinal center line of the ramps. The ramps may include a hook at an upper end of the ramps for attaching the ramps to the platform, and a plurality of treads attached to the longitudinal ribs and spaced apart from one another.  
           [0014]    These and other features, forms, and advantages of my invention will be apparent upon review of the following detailed description and attached drawing figures. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier/lift mounted in the bed of a pick-up truck for transporting an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV);  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is an orthographic depiction of the carrier/lift of FIG. 1 in a loading position;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a orthographic depiction of the carrier/lift of FIG. 1 in a carrying position;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a rear view of the orthographic depiction of FIG. 3;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the left and right ends respectively of a transverse beam of the carrier/lift depicted in FIGS.  1 - 4 ;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a frame assembly of the carrier/lift depicted in FIGS.  1 - 6 ;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is an enlarged orthographic view showing the cross sectional shape of a longitudinal track of the carrier/lift depicted in FIGS.  1 - 7 ;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a locking pin installed through a swing arm and rear leg of the frame depicted in FIG. 7, to lock the platform of the carrier/lift of FIGS.  1 - 8  in the carrying position; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 10 a - c  are orthographic projections depicting the platform and a pair of nestable ramps which are storable in the platform for the carrier/lift depicted in FIGS.  1 - 9 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1 shows a carrier/lift  10  for carrying a small vehicle  12  in the bed  14  of a truck  16 . As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and  4 , the carrier/lift  10  includes a pair of longitudinal tracks  18 ,  20  adapted for mounting adjacent the left and right sides  22 ,  24  respectively of the bed  14  of the truck  16 . A transverse beam  26  is adapted at the left and right ends thereof  28 ,  30  to engage the longitudinal tracks  18 ,  20  for translating movement of the transverse beam  26  along the tracks  18 ,  20  in a forward and aft direction with respect to the truck  16 . A platform  32  is mounted on the transverse beam  26  for pivoting movement between a carrying position in which the platform  32  extends generally parallel to the longitudinal tracks  18 ,  20 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and a loading position in which the platform  26  is inclined with respect to the longitudinal tracks  18 ,  20 , as shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0025]    The pivoting movement of the platform  32  on the transverse beam  26 , in combination with the translating movement of the transverse beam  32  along the longitudinal tracks  18 ,  20  provides a pivoting and translating movement of the platform  32  that facilitates loading and carrying the small vehicle  12  in the bed  14  of the truck  16 .  
         [0026]    As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the transverse beam  26  in the exemplary embodiment includes a carrier  34 , in the form of a rectangular tube, having a wide lower surface thereof attached at both ends  28 ,  30  by a pair of bolts  35  to a top surface of a carrier end  36 , in the form of a square tube. The carrier ends  36  are oriented perpendicular to the carrier  34 .  
         [0027]    At both ends  28 ,  30  of the transverse beam  26 , the upper rear corners of the carrier tube  34  are tapped to receive a capscrew  38  for attachment of a lower end of a link  40 . The centers of the tapped holes in the upper rear corners of the carrier  34  define a left and a right transverse beam pivot point, which in combination define a first pivot axis  42 , the left end of which is indicated in FIG. 5. The platform  32  is pivotally attached to the transverse beam  26  along the first pivot axis  42  by the links  40 , as described in more detail below.  
         [0028]    The left and right ends  26 ,  28  of the transverse beam  26  each have three rollers  44 ,  46 ,  48  for engaging the left and right longitudinal tracks  18 ,  20  respectively. The carrier ends  36  of the transverse beam  26  extend forward and aft of the first pivot axis  42  and are adapted for mounting a first roller  44  on each end  28 ,  30  of the transverse beam  26  forward of the first pivot axis  42 , and further adapted for mounting a second roller  46  aft of the first pivot axis  42 . The carrier ends  34  have sufficient longitudinal length to allow the first and second rollers  44 ,  46  to be widely spaced from each other, and from the first pivot point  42 , to provide smooth and straight tracking of the transverse beam  26  along the longitudinal tracks  18 ,  20 .  
         [0029]    In the exemplary embodiment, each carrier end  36  of the transverse beam  26  also includes a third roller  48  mounted between the first and second rollers  44 ,  46  to reduce the loading on the rollers  44 ,  46 ,  48  and promote long term, maintenance free operation of the carrier/lift  10 . The rollers  44 ,  46 ,  48  are formed from a self-lubricating polyolefin material to promote smooth rolling translation of the rollers  44 ,  46 ,  48  in the tracks  18 ,  20 . The rollers  44 ,  46 ,  48  are attached to the carrier ends  36  with shoulder bolts, which function as axles for the rollers, to minimize the number of parts required for mounting the rollers. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tracks  18 ,  20  are extruded 6061-T6 aluminum having a generally C-shaped cross section with a smooth internal surface finish to receive and constrain the rollers  44 ,  46 ,  48  in a manner that promotes smooth movement of the transverse beam  26  along the tracks  18 ,  20 .  
         [0030]    The carrier/lift  10  of the exemplary embodiment also includes a frame  50  adapted for supporting the longitudinal tracks  18 ,  20  above the floor  15  of the bed  14  of the truck  16 . As shown in FIG. 7, the frame  50  includes a left and a right rail assembly  52 ,  54 . The rail assemblies  52 ,  54 , are mirror images of one another. The left rail assembly  52  includes the left longitudinal rail  18 , and a front and a rear leg  56 ,  58 . The right rail assembly  54  includes the right longitudinal rail  20  and a front and a rear leg  56 ,  58 . The front and rear legs  56 ,  58  on both the left and right rail assemblies  52 ,  54  extend downward from the left and right tracks  18 ,  20  respectively, and are adapted to support the tracks  18 ,  20  above the floor  15  of the bed  14  of the truck  16 . The left and right rail assemblies  52 ,  54  further include an angled brace  60  extending between each of the legs  56 ,  58  and the tracks  18 ,  20 , to provide additional stability and strengthening of the rail assemblies  52 ,  54 . The braces  60  are angle-iron shaped aluminum extrusions in the exemplary embodiment, having slotted holes  61  adapted to receive hooks on the end of web tie-down straps which are used to attach the carrier/lift  10  to tie-down hooks in the four corners of the bed  14 .  
         [0031]    The front and rear legs  56 ,  58  of the exemplary embodiment are extruded aluminum tubes having a square cross-section. The front legs  56  are longer than the rear legs  58 , and extend vertically past the tracks  18 ,  20  to provide an open end of the tubular front legs  56 , for receipt of a front support assembly splice  62 . The rear legs  58  are joined to the underside of the tracks  18 ,  20  in the rail assemblies  52 ,  54 , so that the aft ends of the tracks  18 ,  20  remain open for receipt of the rollers  44 ,  46 ,  48  of the transverse beam  26 .  
         [0032]    The frame  50  further includes a front support assembly  64  adapted for joining the forward ends of the left and right rail assemblies  52 ,  54 . The front support assembly  64  includes a U-shaped main support bar  66  of square tubular cross-section, having a straight horizontal top bar  68  joined by smooth corner radii to a left and right vertical leg  70 ,  72 . The lower ends of the vertical legs  70 ,  72  are open for receipt of the upper end of the front support assembly splices  62 .  
         [0033]    The front support assembly  64  further includes a front platform support bar  74 , extending horizontally between the vertical legs  70 ,  72  at a lower end of the vertical legs  70 ,  72 , and an intermediate support bar  76 , extending horizontally between the vertical legs  70 ,  72  at a point on the vertical legs  70 ,  72  between the top bar  68  and the front platform support bar  74 . The front platform support  74  and the intermediate support bar  76  each have a square tubular cross-section. A pair of short vertical bars  78  are joined between the top bar  68  and the intermediate support bar  76 . The short vertical bars  78  are spaced from one another on opposite sides of a vertical center line of the front support assembly, and include holes for receipt of a winch hook attachment bar  80 .  
         [0034]    The front support assembly  64  is connected to the left and right rail assemblies  52 ,  54  by inserting the lower ends of the front support assembly splices  62  into the openings in the upper ends of the front legs  56  of the rail assemblies  52 ,  54 , and inserting the upper ends of the splices  62  into the openings in the lower ends of the left and right vertical legs  70 ,  72  of the front support assembly  64 , The splices  62  are secured with bolts passing through the front legs  56  of the rail assemblies  52 ,  54  and the vertical legs  70 ,  72  of the front support assembly. The splices  62  are long enough to extend above the intermediate support bar  76  and downward through much of the front legs  56 , to thereby provide a double-walled construction for reinforcing the juncture of the rails  52 ,  54  and the front support assembly  64 . The splices  62  also provide significant additional stiffening of the front support assembly  64  against bending forces exerted when a winch attached to the winch hook attachment bar  80  is used in loading a vehicle onto the platform  32  of the carrier/lift  10 .  
         [0035]    The frame  50  further includes a rear spacer bar  82  adapted for joining the aft ends of the left and right rail assemblies  52 ,  54 . The rear spacer bar  82  in the exemplary embodiment is a rectangular shaped tube adapted to be attached by bolts (not shown) to the left and right longitudinal tracks  18 ,  20  after the transverse beam  26  is installed into the tracks  18 ,  20 . The rear spacer bar  82  is positioned in the tracks  18 ,  20  to also function as a stop, for limiting aftward travel of the transverse beam  26  in the tracks  18 ,  20 , as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.  
         [0036]    As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the exemplary embodiment of the carrier/lift  10  also includes a left and a right swing arm  84 ,  86  for guiding the movement of platform  32  between the loading and carrying positions, and for partially supporting the platform  32  while it is being moved from the loading to the carrying position, to thereby significantly reduce the amount of lifting force required for moving the platform  32  from the loading to the carrying positions with a vehicle  12  on the platform. The left swing arm  84  is pivotally attached at a lower end of the left swing arm  84  to the lower end of the rear leg  58  of the left rail assembly  52 , and pivotally attached at an upper end of the left swing arm  84  to the platform  32  at a point aft of the first pivot axis  42 . Similarly, the right swing arm  86  is pivotally attached at a lower end of the right swing arm  86  to the lower end of the rear leg  58  of the right rail assembly  54 , and pivotally attached at an upper end of the right swing arm  86  to the platform  32  at a point aft of the first pivot axis  42 .  
         [0037]    To provide smoother motion of the platform  32  between the loading and carrying positions, a pair of links  40  are utilized for pivotally attaching the platform  32  to the transverse beam  26 , as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and  5 . The platform  32  includes a left and a right pivot point which together define a second pivot axis  88 , one end of which is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and  5 . The upper ends of the links  40  are pivotally attached to the platform  32  by capscrews  38  centered on the second pivot axis  88 , so that the links  40  can pivot about both the first and second pivot axes  38 ,  88 . By mounting the platform  32  in this manner, all of the pivoting joints of the carrier/lift  10  can be closely fitting, to avoid slop in the joints and provide smooth operation of the carrier/lift  10  without fear that the pivoting joints will bind against one another. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second pivot axes  38 ,  88  are offset vertically from one another when the platform  32  is in the carrying position, so that the transverse beam  26  can move to a location relative the platform  32  in the carrying position where the bottom of the platform  32  will rest directly on the carrier  34  of the transverse beam  26 . With the platform  32  resting on the carrier  34 , the weight of the platform  32  and a vehicle  12  on the platform is transferred directly to the carrier  34  without having to be supported by the pivot joints at the ends of the links  40 , thus promoting long, maintenance free life of the carrier/lift  10 .  
         [0038]    The swing arms  84 ,  86  in the exemplary embodiment are configured as U-shaped extrusions which wrap around the rear legs  58  and extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal tracks  18 ,  20  of the rail assemblies  52 ,  54  when the platform is in the carrying position, as shown in FIG. 3, and are further configured to extend generally parallel to the longitudinal tracks  18 ,  20  when the platform  32  is in the loading position, as shown in FIG. 2. As also shown in FIG. 2, the swing arms  84 ,  86  are configured in a preferred embodiment to rest on the bed  14  or the tailgate  90  of the truck  16 , when the platform  32  is in the loading position, to support the aft end of the platform  32  and limit the incline of the platform  32 .  
         [0039]    Each of the U-shaped swing arms  84 ,  86  and rear legs  58  include aligned holes for receipt of a locking pin  92 , for locking the swing arms  84 ,  86  to the rear legs  58  when the platform  32  is in the carrying position. With the locking pins  92  inserted, the swing arms  84 ,  86  are locked to the rear legs  58 , and the mechanical linkages of the carrier/lift  10  described above prevent the platform  32  from moving out of the carrying position.  
         [0040]    As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and  10   a , the platform  32  of the exemplary embodiment includes a left and a right deck plank  96 ,  98 , joined at a forward end of the platform  32  by a front deck support  98  having a lip  100  extending froward from the platform  32  for engaging and resting on the top surface of the front platform support bar  74  of the front support assembly  64  when the platform  32  is in the carrying position, for partially supporting the forward end of the platform  32 . The front deck support  98  further includes a second lip  102  extending under and attached to the forward end of the left and right deck planks  94 ,  96  which functions as a forward cross beam of the platform. The platform  32  further includes an aft cross beam  104  joining the left and right deck planks, and also having a tapped hole at both ends for receipt of a shouldered bolt for pivotally connecting the upper ends of the swing arms  84 ,  86  to the platform.  
         [0041]    The aft end of the platform  32  includes a U-shaped rear handle and ramp support  106 , formed from square aluminum tubing. The handle and ramp support  106  allows a user to grip the handle for moving the platform  32  between the carrying and loading positions, and also provides a means for receiving and retaining the upper end of a loading ramp.  
         [0042]    The carrier/lift  10  of the exemplary embodiment includes a pair of nestable loading ramps  108 , which can be stowed when nested in a centrally located recess  110  of the platform  32 , as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10 a - c . The ramps  108  are configured in a ladder-like fashion with three longitudinal ribs  112 , having a rectangular tubular cross section, joined at an upper end of each ramp  108  by a hook  114 , for attaching the ramp  108  to the rear handle and ramp support  106  of the platform  32 , and further joined by a plurality of treads  116  attached to the longitudinal ribs  112  and spaced apart from one another. One of the longitudinal ribs  112  extends along either side of the ramp  108 , and the third rib  112  extends along a longitudinal centerline of the ramp  108 . The ramps  108  are thus identical with one another and symmetrical about the longitudinal centerline of the ramps  108 .  
         [0043]    When one of the ramps  108  is inverted and the second ramp  108  is placed on top of the inverted ramp  108  with the longitudinal ribs  108  of the ramps  108  offset from one another, and with the sides of the ribs  112  of the first and second ramp  108  contacting each other, the nested pair will have a total width equal to the tread width plus one rib width. The left and right deck planks  94 ,  96  of the platform are spaced apart from one another by a gap of approximately the width of the nested pair of ramps  108 , with the gap between the deck planks  94 ,  96 , in combination with the top surfaces of the aft platform cross beam  104 , the forward platform cross beam  104  portion of the front deck support  98 , and the top surface of the carrier  34  of the transverse beam  26  forming the recess  110  for stowage of the nested ramps  108  within the platform  108 .  
         [0044]    To stow the ramps  108  in the recess  110 , one of the ramps  108  is inverted and placed in the recess  110  with the ribs  112  of the ramp facing up, and its hook  114  at the forward end of the platform  32 . The second ramp  108  is then nested into the inverted ramp  108  with its hook  114  hooked over the rear handle and ramp support  106  at the aft end of the platform.  
         [0045]    Having the ramps  108  and platform  32  configured as described above provides a number of advantages. The ladder-like construction of the ramps  108  is very strong, and yet light in weight for ease of handling. The ladder-like ramps can be easily gripped anywhere along their length, by grasping either the ribs  110  or the treads  116 . The spaced treads  116  allow dirt or mud on the wheels of a vehicle being loaded to fall to the ground between the treads  116 , rather than becoming packed and perhaps slippery as might be the case on a ramp having an imperforate upper surface. Stowing the nested ramps  108  within the recess  110  of the platform  32  also provides a usable storage space in the bed  14  of the truck  16 , beneath the platform and stowed ramps. This provides a big advantage over prior carrying devices in which loading ramps were stowed on the floor  15  of the bed  14 , therby preventing the bed  14  from being used for carrying other cargo.  
         [0046]    With the nested ramps  108  stowed in the recess  110 , the ramps  108 , and a vehicle  12  being carried on the platform  32  can readily be locked to the carrier/lift  10  using commercially available locking cables passed through the openings in the ramps  108  and around one or more parts of platform  32 , the transverse beam  26 , and the frame  50 . Where truck  16  has a tailgate that can be closed with the platform  32  in the carrying position, a totally enclosed space is available within the bed  14  beneath the platform  32  and stowed ramps  108 .  
         [0047]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 3  and  10   a , one or more wheel chocks  109  may be attached to the platform  32  for positioning and securing a vehicle  12  in the carrying position. The chocks illustrated in the drawings are commercially available chocks constructed from formed and plated tubular steel. Other forms of chocks and also be used to equal advantage.  
         [0048]    To load a vehicle  12  into the bed  14  of the truck  16 , the tailgate  90  is lowered, and the ramps are removed from the recess  110  and set aside for the moment. The locking pins  92  are removed, and by pulling on the rear handle  106 , the platform  32  is translated and pivoted into the loading position. The upper ends of the ramps  108  are then attached to the rear handle and ramp support  106  using the hooks  114 . The vehicle  12  is positioned at the lower end of the ramps  108 .  
         [0049]    If the vehicle is equipped with a winch, the winch cable is attached to the winch hook attachment bar  80 , and the winch is used to pull the vehicle  12  up the ramps  108  and onto the platform  32 . Alternatively, the vehicle  12  could be driven or pushed up the ramps  108  and onto the platform, but the use of a winch is highly preferred for safety, because even a small ATV can weigh 450 to 800 pounds.  
         [0050]    The vehicle  12  is secured to the platform  32 , and the platform  32  is moved to the carrying position. The ramps  108  can be left hooked to the rear handle  106  while the platform is being moved, but preferably they are removed and set aside while the platform  32  is being moved to the carrying position. The locking pins  92  are inserted through the swing arms  84 ,  86  and rear legs  58  to lock the platform  32  in the carrying position, and the ramps  108  are re-stowed in the recess  110  of the platform  32 .  
         [0051]    The amount of lifting effort required to move the platform  32  from the loading position to the carrying position will vary wit the weight and shape of the vehicle  12 , whether or not winch is used, and the configuration of the component parts of the carrier/lift  10 . By changing various aspects of the component parts of the carrier/lift, for example by moving the location of the second pivot axis  88  forward or aft on the platform  32 , the amount of lifting force that one must exert on the rear handle  106  to move the platform from the loading position to the lifting position can be changed significantly.  
         [0052]    Where a winch will be used for loading and unloading the vehicle, the winch will aide in moving the platform  32 , and the carrier/lift  10  is preferably constructed to require a lifting force of about 120 pounds with a 450 to 800 pound vehicle on the platform. Such a configuration will provide a smooth, slow movement of the platform from the loading to the to the carrying position, so that the front deck support  98  of the platform  32  will gently come to rest on the front platform support bar  74  as the platform reaches the carrying position. If the platform  32  will be lifted manually, without a winch, however, or where the vehicle to be loaded and carried is not heavy, it might be advantageous to adjust the design of the carrier/lift to require a lower lifting force.  
         [0053]    Although I have described my invention with reference to certain exemplary embodiments disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings, those having skill in the art will recognize that many other embodiments are also possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the structures described above are largely fabricated from aluminum extrusions in a manner resulting in a lightweight structure, having a total weight of about 150 pounds, to facilitate installation of the carrier/lift into the bed of the truck. The embodiments described above also were configured to be readily constructed in a manner resulting in a carrier/lift that, once assembled, can be left assembled and stored on a garage floor, for instance, but yet be capable of being conveniently shipped in a flat, knocked-down condition. There are many other materials and configurations that meet these constraints within my contemplation and the scope of the appended claims, and even more possibilities meeting only some or none of the constraints imposed on the design of the exemplary embodiments.  
         [0054]    I also wish to expressly state that although I have shown a pick-up truck in the accompanying illustrations, and utilized directional terms, such as forward, aft, left, right, upper and lower, with reference to the pick-up trucks in the illustrations, I fully contemplate that my invention can and will be used with other types of trucks, trailers, boats, etc., instead of a pick-up truck. I used the directional terms solely to facilitate understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein and depicted in the accompanying illustrations. It is certainly within my contemplation and the scope of the appended claims that an apparatus according to my invention could be mounted in a transverse direction on the bed of a truck or other vehicle, and that in such instance those skilled in the art would readily recognize that it would still be my invention that was being used.  
         [0055]    The scope of my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.