Patent Publication Number: US-2011049207-A1

Title: Hitch mounted cargo carrier

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a cargo carrier adapted to be received in a hitch that is secured to a vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to such a hitch mounted cargo carrier that is vertically movable between a loading position and a transport position, and that includes an anti-sway mechanism. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is often desirable to carry cargo externally of a vehicle during transport. The need to stow cargo on the exterior of the vehicle may be due to a number of reasons, including, for example, a lack of internal cargo space and/or ease of loading and unloading the cargo. Hitch mounted cargo carriers are well suited to such a purpose and are well known in the art. Hitch mounted cargo carriers include a hitch member that is received in a hitch mounted to the vehicle and a platform or other surface or area on which the cargo may be placed. 
     In some instances it is also desirable for the cargo carrier platform to be capable of vertical movement between a loading position and a transport position. The loading position allows larger items such as, for example, a motorcycle to be easily positioned on the cargo carrier. The cargo carrier platform may then be raised to the transport position with the cargo already secured in place. Thus, vertical movement of the cargo carrier provides for easier and safer loading of the cargo. 
     A common problem associated with such cargo carriers is swaying of the carrier relative to the vehicle during transport. Uneven road surfaces and turning of the vehicle can increase these swaying problems, thereby making operation of the vehicle more difficult as well as increasing the likelihood of damage to the cargo. Conventional solutions to the swaying problem include attaching straps to the sides of the cargo carrier and to the vehicle. However, the straps often make loading and unloading of cargo more difficult and time consuming, and they are not entirely effective. 
     Thus, the need exists for a hitch mounted cargo carrier that is movable between a loading position and a travel position and that includes a mechanism to reduce swaying of the cargo carrier during transport. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a hitch mounted cargo carrier including a mechanism to reduce swaying of the cargo carrier relative to a vehicle. 
     It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a hitch mounted cargo carrier that is vertically movable between a loading position and a transport position. 
     It is still another aspect of the present invention to provide a hitch mounted cargo carrier including a locking pin and a generally tear shaped opening adapted to receive the locking pin, the tear shaped opening and locking pin acting to prevent swaying of the cargo carrier relative to the vehicle. 
     In general, a hitch mounted cargo carrier according to the present invention includes a hitch member having a horizontal rail adapted to be secured in a hitch and a vertical rail, and an aperture through the vertical rail. The cargo carrier also includes a carrier member movable between a transport position and a loading position and including a sleeve slidably positioned around the vertical rail of the hitch member. The carrier member is movable relative to the hitch member. A platform is provided that is adapted to carry cargo, and a pair of brackets define a channel, the brackets each having a teardrop shaped opening therethrough. The cargo carrier also includes a pin, wherein the hitch member is positioned in the channel defined by the brackets and the pin is received through the teardrop openings and the aperture through the vertical rail when the carrier member is in the transport position to secure the carrier member relative to the hitch member and prevent swaying of the platform. 
     In accordance with at least one aspect of the present invention, a hitch mounted cargo carrier includes a hitch member adapted to be secured in a hitch, and an aperture through the hitch member. The cargo carrier also includes a carrier member secured to the hitch member and movable relative to the hitch member between a transport position and a loading position, and a teardrop shaped opening through the carrier member. A pin is also provided, the pin being positioned in the aperture and the teardrop opening to secure the carrier member to the hitch member and to prevent movement relative thereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a full understanding of the invention reference should be made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear elevational view of a hitch mounted cargo carrier secured to a vehicle according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the hitch mounted cargo carrier of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the hitch mounted cargo carrier. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the hitch mounted cargo carrier in a raised transport position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the hitch mounted cargo carrier in a lowered loading position. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the hitch mounted cargo carrier as indicated in  FIG. 4  showing the teardropped shape opening and locking pin. 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view showing the hitch mounted cargo carrier in both a transport and a loading position. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the hitch mounted cargo carrier secured to a vehicle and having a motorcycle positioned thereon. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a hitch mounted cargo carrier is shown, and is generally indicated by the numeral  10 . Hitch mounted cargo carrier  10  (also referred to as cargo carrier  10 ) is received in a hitch (not shown) that is mounted to a vehicle  12 , as is known in the art. Although a conventional hitch is contemplated as a means of attachment herein, it should be appreciated that any method of securing cargo carrier  10  to vehicle  12  may be used. For example, cargo carrier  10  may alternately be secured directly to the frame of vehicle  12  by welding it thereto. Vehicle  12  may be any vehicle having a hitch mounted thereto, including, for example, a pick up truck, a moving truck, or a recreational vehicle (RV). 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 2-6 , cargo carrier  10  is shown in greater detail. Cargo carrier  10  includes a hitch member  14  adapted to be secured in the hitch mounted to vehicle  12 , as is known in the art, and a carrier member  16  that is slidingly secured to hitch member  14  and adapted to be movable vertically relative thereto. Hitch member  14  includes a horizontal rail  18  and a vertical rail  20  extending generally perpendicular from horizontal rail  18 . One or more corner support brackets  22  may be provided at the intersection of horizontal rail  18  and vertical rail  20  to strengthen hitch member  14 . Horizontal rail  18  includes an aperture  24  adapted to receive a pin passing through the hitch of the vehicle (not shown) to secure hitch member  14  in the hitch. Vertical rail  20  also includes an aperture  26  adapted to receive a pin  28  which acts to lock carrier member  16  relative to hitch member  14 , as will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     Carrier member  16  includes a vertical support tube  30  extending upwardly from a base member  32 . Base member  32  may be a generally horizontally oriented plate having a planar top surface and bottom surface, the top surface being secured to vertical support tube  30 . A pair of support brackets  34  are provided on opposed sides of vertical support tube  30  and are secured to both base member  32  and vertical support tube  30 . Support brackets  34  each extend beyond the edge of vertical support tube  30  and base member  32  creating a channel  36  between the support brackets  34 . 
     Each support bracket  34  also includes a teardropped shaped opening  38  adjacent to channel  36 . Teardrop openings  38  each have a width at the bottom end that is greater than the width at the top end, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Teardrop openings  38  are positioned in support brackets  34  so as to be aligned with one another, and are adapted to receive pin  28  therethrough. 
     A sleeve  40  is provided on one side of vertical support tube  30  and is positioned above channel  36 . Sleeve  40  is oriented vertically and is sized and shaped to receive vertical rail  20  of hitch member  14  therein. In order to allow vertical movement of carrier member  16  relative to hitch member  14 , at least a minimal amount of clearance is provided between the exterior surface of vertical rail  20  and the interior of sleeve  40 . The specific amount of clearance is not critical so long as vertical rail  20  can move within sleeve  40  without a significant amount of frictional resistance. This clearance, if not accounted for, is what allows for some swaying of carrier member  16  relative to hitch member  14 . 
     Base member  32  is attached to a plate  42  of a platform frame  44 , which supports a platform  46 . Base member  32  includes a plurality of holes  48 , and plate  42  includes a plurality of holes  50  sized and positioned to align with holes  48 . A mechanical fastener  52  passes through each pair of aligned holes  48 ,  50  to secure platform frame  44  to base member  32 . 
     Platform frame  44  includes a pair of extension tubes  54  secured to and extending from plate  42 . A pair of laterally spaced ribs intersect extension tubes  54  at approximately right angles. A platform support tube  58  passes through each of the distal ends of ribs  56  and each support tube  58  is positioned generally orthogonally to the ribs  56 . Each end of platform support tubes  58  includes a hook or opening  60  to facilitate the attachment of straps, as will be discussed in greater detail below. Platform  46  rests on and is secured to support tubes  58  by mechanical fasteners  62 . A secondary hitch  64  may also be provided opposite plate  42  of platform frame  44  so that a trailer or other tow behind cargo carrying device may be pulled behind vehicle  12 . 
     A linear actuator  66  is secured to an actuator mounting bracket  68  on hitch member  14 . Although a hydraulic linear actuator is contemplated, it should be appreciated that any known type of linear actuator may be used, such as, for example, a pneumatic or jack screw linear actuator. The actuator arm  70  of linear actuator  66  is secured to a mounting bracket  72  extending from sleeve  40 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, linear actuator  66  includes a pump mechanism  74  used to introduce pressure within actuator  66  and cause extension of actuator arm  70 . In addition, a release valve  76  is used to release pressure from within actuator  66  and cause contraction of actuator arm  70 . An actuator rod  78  is provided and is adapted to be received by pump mechanism  74 , and to fit over release valve  76 , and is used with both to cause movement of actuator arm  70 . Actuator rod  78  may be secured to cargo carrier  10 , such as by providing attachment brackets  80  extending from vertical support tube  30  that receive actuator rod  78  therein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , carrier member  16  is shown in a transport position. When in the transport position, actuator arm  70  is extended from linear actuator  66  causing vertical support tube  30  and sleeve  40  to be raised relative to hitch member  14 . Platform  46  is also raised due to its connection through platform frame  44  and base member  32  to vertical support tube  30 . Thus, when in the transport position, platform  46  is approximately at the same height as horizontal rail  18  of hitch member  14 , and the top of vertical support tube  30  is displaced from horizontal rail  18  by a distance D. In order to secure carrier member  16  at the transport height D, pin  28  is inserted through teardrop openings  38  and through aperture  26  in vertical rail  20 . As a result, and as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, carrier member  16  cannot be lowered relative to hitch member  14  during transport due to the presence of pin  28 . 
     The weight of carrier member  16 , including the weight of any cargo thereon, causes support brackets  34  to be pressed downward onto pin  28 . The shape of teardrop openings  38 , with a width at the upper end that is less than the width at the lower end, causes support brackets  34  to “lock” onto pin  28 . In one or more embodiments of the invention, the width of teardrop openings  38  at the top end is approximately equal to but slightly larger than the diameter of pin  28 , thereby allowing for little to no movement of support brackets  34  relative to pin  28 . In other embodiments, the width of teardrop openings  38  at the top end may be smaller than the diameter of pin  28 . 
     Carrier member  16  is shown in a loading position in  FIG. 5 , where actuator arm  70  is retracted into linear actuator  66 . As a result of the downward movement of actuator  70 , platform  46 , sleeve  40 , and vertical support tube  30  are all lowered relative to hitch member  14 . In the loading position the top of vertical support tube  30  is displaced from horizontal rail  18  of hitch member  14  by a distance D′, with D′ being less than the displacement D in the transport position as shown in  FIG. 4 . In order to allow carrier member  16  to be moved to the loading position as shown in  FIG. 5 , pin  28  must be removed from aperture  26  and teardrop openings  38 . Removal of pin  28  allows hitch member  14  to slide through channel  36  and into sleeve  40 . 
     When loading of cargo is complete and platform  46  is to be moved back to the transport position shown in  FIG. 4 , actuator rod  78  is inserted into pump mechanism  74  and is used to introduce pressure into linear actuator  66 , thereby causing actuator arm  70  to extend. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, extension of actuator arm  70  causes upward movement of vertical support tube  30  and platform  46  through the interconnecting structure. When platform  46  has been returned to the transport position shown in  FIG. 4 , pin  28  may be inserted through teardrop openings  38  and aperture  26  in vertical rail  20 , thereby again securing carrier member  16  in the transport position. After pin  28  is inserted through teardrop openings  28  and aperture  26 , pressure within linear actuator  66  may be removed, thereby allowing carrier member  16  to drop until pin  28  is engaged by the upper end of the teardrop openings  38 . 
     The vertical movement of carrier member  16  relative to hitch member  14  is more clearly depicted in  FIG. 7 . Carrier member  16  and platform  46  are shown in the transport position having a height T relative to the surrounding ground surface. While carrier member  16  is in the transport position the platform  46  is approximately level with horizontal rail  18  of hitch member  14 . The height T in the transport position allows vehicle  12  to travel without any significant danger of cargo carrier  10  contacting a ground surface. Carrier member  16  is also shown in a loading position having a height L. While in the loading position the height L of platform  46  is approximately level with the ground surface thereunder. Thus, loading and unloading of cargo onto and off of platform  46  is made significantly easier and safer. 
     The amount of travel allowed by cargo carrier  10  may vary, but ideally is sufficient to accommodate varying heights of vehicle mounted hitches. For example, the height of a hitch on a pick-up truck may be lower than the height of a hitch on a recreational vehicle, and cargo carrier  10  is preferably adapted to lower a sufficient distance H to accommodate the higher of the hitch levels. Because carrier member  16  typically rests on a ground surface G when in the loading position, a downward stop to secure carrier member  16  in the loading position will usually not be necessary. However, such a downward stop may be provided if deemed necessary or desirable. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a hitch mounted cargo carrier  10  is shown attached to a vehicle  12  and having a cargo, in this case a motorcycle  82 , secured thereon. Cargo carrier  10  is shown in a transport position, and motorcycle  82  is secured to platform  46  by a plurality of straps  84 . Straps  84  may be any suitable straps known to those skilled in the art that are capable of securing the cargo to platform  46 . Such straps are available commercially in a wide variety of forms, and may include a ratchet-like device to tighten the strap around the cargo. Straps  84  include a hook  86  at each end that is secured in hooks  60  on platform support tubes  58 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that when carrier member  16  is in the loading position as shown in  FIG. 4 , motorcycle  82  or other rolling cargo may be rolled directly onto platform  46 . Alternatively, cargo may be placed onto platform  46  by hand or with the help of machinery such as a forklift. Straps  84  may than be secured over motorcycle  82  and to hooks  60  before carrier member  16  is raised to a transport position, as shown in  FIG. 5 , by extension of actuator arm  70  of linear actuator  66  through pump mechanism  74 . Once in the transport position, pin  28  may be inserted into teardrop openings  38  and aperture  26  to secure carrier member  16  relative to hitch member  14  and prevent swaying of the cargo carrier  10  during transport. 
     It is thus evident that a hitch mounted cargo carrier constructed as described herein accomplishes the objects of the present invention and otherwise substantially improves the art. In accordance with the Patent Statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiment have been presented and described in detail, and the invention should not be limited by that description. For an appreciation of the true scope and breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.