Abstract:
A transporter and storage and lift unit, particular suited for tires includes an elongated vehicle frame capable of traveling over the underlying terrain includes a plurality of elongated object supports. Pairs of parallelogram linkages are provided for each of the object supports so as to mount them for movement between transport and/or storage positions overlying the frame and positions substantially engaging the underlying terrain for the addition of or removal of tire to or from the supports.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to apparatus for storing and transporting articles, most notably vehicular tires.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The overwhelming majority of vehicles in use today employ tires as grounding engaging elements by which the vehicle may traverse the underlying terrain. As fully expected, the tires require periodic replacement and/or servicing.  
         [0003]     In many locales, tire replacement and servicing facilities are separated by very large distances, making it difficult to achieve access to the facility for tire replacement and/or servicing. This is all the more true where a vehicle develops tire problems in a remote location and as a consequence of the tire problem, cannot be moved to a tire replacement or maintenance facility.  
         [0004]     Consequently, many tire dealers employ a fleet of service vehicles that may be utilized for replacing and/or maintaining tires by driving from a central location to the location of the vehicle whose tires must be replaced and/or serviced. These types of operation are quite common in agricultural areas, mining areas, and the like.  
         [0005]     Furthermore, with the large variety of tires around as well as the fact that a number of relatively specialized vehicles utilizing tire require tire maintenance from time to time and may require tires of somewhat unusual sizes, it is not always practical for a multi-location tire servicing operation to maintain an inventory of all possible tires that might be required by its customers at each of its locations. Such an operation may keep a few sizes of tires at one location and completely different sizes at another. When the need arises, the tires may be moved from the location having them and placed in inventory at the location that does not when the latter is servicing a tire of a particular size.  
         [0006]     While many, relatively small tires do not present a particular handling problem to an experienced tire maintenance person, larger tire sizes are heavy and frequently difficult to manipulate. This job becomes even more difficult where tires must be handled in remote locations such as an agricultural field or the like.  
         [0007]     Service vehicles heretofore known can accomplish these various tasks when used by a skilled operator but not without some difficulty. For example, a service vehicle may be equipped with a small crane for moving tires to and from the bed of the vehicle and which also may be used during a servicing operation. This requires the loading or unloading of the tires one at a time and may require multiple personnel, one to help guide the tire as it is being loaded and unloaded and another to operate the crane. Similarly, such a vehicle may have limited tire carrying capacity and consequently cannot serve as a storage space for storing tires as part of an inventory that is sufficiently varied so as to be useful in accomplishing several servicing jobs in one trip, all on vehicles having different size tires.  
         [0008]     Thus, there is a real need for a vehicle in the form of a truck or trailer for holding or storing a large variety of tires while additionally having the capability of carrying the tires to and from desired locations while allowing the operator to lower the tires to the ground for easy handling.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved storage and transporter apparatus. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved tire lift, storage and transporter apparatus that may be incorporated into a vehicle such as a truck or a trailer. It is also an object of the invention to provide a lift and storage device for a variety of goods that may be useful in applications where a transportation mode of operation is not required.  
         [0010]     An exemplary embodiment achieves the first of these objects in a transporter and storage unit which includes an elongated vehicle frame having a front and rear interconnected by elongated opposite sides. Ground engaging means are located on the frame whereby the frame may traverse the underlining terrain and at least two movably elongated object supports extend forwardly from the rear on at least one of the sides above the frame. The object supports are movable between positions overlying the frame and positions substantially engaging the underlying terrain. A pair of parallelogram linkages are provided for each of the object supports. Each parallelogram linkage has long links and short links and has pivots at corresponding ends of the links which interconnect the same. A first two of the pivots of each linkage of each pair is pivoted to a part of the frame defining one of the short links or to a short link joined to the frame. The first two pivots for the linkages of each pair are aligned with one another. A second two of the pivots of each linkage of each pair are pivoted to a part of a corresponding one of the object support which define a second one of the short links or to a short link joined to the object support. The second two pivots for the linkage of each pair are aligned with one another.  
         [0011]     In a preferred embodiment, the foregoing structure contemplates that both of the object supports are located to the same side of the frame and the long links of one of the pairs are longer than the long links of the other of the pairs.  
         [0012]     In an alternative embodiment, one of the object supports is located to one of the opposite sides and the other of the object supports is located to the other of the opposite sides.  
         [0013]     A preferred embodiment contemplates the use of extendable motors, one for each linkage, which extend generally between opposite ones of one the first two pivots and one of the second two pivots.  
         [0014]     The invention also contemplates the use of an object support rests on the frame which are engageable by the object supports when the object supports are in a position overlying the frame.  
         [0015]     A highly preferred embodiment contemplates that there should be four objects support, two located to one of the opposite sides and two located to the other of the opposite sides of the frame.  
         [0016]     One embodiment contemplates that the two object supports on each of the sides are vertically separated with one being higher on the frame than the other when both are in the positions overlying the frame.  
         [0017]     In such an embodiment, it is preferred that the lowermost ones of the object supports be shorter than the uppermost ones of the object supports and that each pair of linkages includes a linkage located at each end of the corresponding object supports. The first two pivots of one linkage are shared by the other linkage at the corresponding ends of the object supports located to the same side of the frame.  
         [0018]     A highly preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates that the long links of the pair of linkages connected to the uppermost object supports when the object supports are overlying the frame be longer than the long links of the pair of linkages connected to the lowermost object support when the object supports are overlying the frame.  
         [0019]     In a preferred embodiment, the extendable motors are extendable fluid motors.  
         [0020]     In a preferred embodiment, each object supports includes an end plate at each end thereof and each such end plate defines a short link to which the second two pivots are attached.  
         [0021]     In one embodiment, each object supports includes a plurality of bars extending between its end plates and defining a support for articles to be transported or stored.  
         [0022]     According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided that includes a frame having two spaced cross members connected to one another by at least one elongated stringer. The elongated stringer has an upper, relatively low support surface. A generally centrally located upright element extends upwardly from each of the cross members and terminates at an upper, relatively high support surface. A plurality of parallelogram linkages, each having two relatively short links with four first linkages having relatively long links and four second linkages having intermediate length links to provide four linkages having the relatively long links connected by pivots to their ends to the relatively short links and four linkages having the intermediate length link linkages connected by pivots to the relatively short links to respectively form first and second linkages. Each of the cross members mounts one of the first linkages and one of the second linkages on each side of the upright element at one of the relatively short links with the first linkages being outermost and the second linkages being innermost. Four cradles each have spaced end plates connected by at least one support member with the end plates defining one of the relatively short links. Stub shafts extend from the end plates to define those of the pivots connecting the relatively long links and the intermediate length links to the short links defined by the end plates. The relatively long links have lengths so that the cradles mounted to the first linkages which are movable between positions substantially engaged with the terrain underlying the frame and resting on the relatively high support surfaces. The intermediate length links have a length so that cradles mounted to the second linkages are movable between positions substantially engaged with terrain underlying the frame and resting on the relatively low support surfaces. Motors are provided for independently moving the cradles between the positions.  
         [0023]     In a preferred embodiment, the relatively long lengths and intermediate length links are formed of channels which open toward each other and the motors are four cylinders extending between opposite ones of the pivots in each linkage. The cylinders are housed by the channels when the corresponding cradle is resting on its support surface.  
         [0024]     Other object and advantages will become apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lift, storage and transporter apparatus made according to the invention incorporated in a truck;  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a rear view or the embodiment of the invention showing all of the cradles overlying the frame;  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  but illustrating the cradles in a variety of different positions;  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a frame used in the apparatus; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an object support, specifically intended for supporting tires, employed in a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     While the invention will be described herein as being mounted on the frame of a self-propelled vehicle such as a truck, be understood that the invention could be employed with other vehicles as, for example, a trailer to be towed by a tractor or even a truck which may or may not also have the invention installed thereon. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that where a transporting mode of operation is not required, the invention may be employed in a stationary setting for storage and lifting purposes and usable with objects other than tires.  
         [0031]     With the foregoing in mind, attention is directed to  FIGS. 1 and 2  wherein a vehicle, generally designated  10 , in the form of truck having a forward cab  12  and wheels  14  for engaging the underlying terrain is provided. As best seen in  FIG. 2 , extending rearwardly from the cab, the truck  10  includes generally parallel frame member  16  on which an embodiment of the invention is mounted. As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the apparatus include four cradles including two upper cradles  20  and two lower cradles  22 , there being one upper cradle  20  and one lower cradle  22  on each side of the frame  16 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the cradles  20 ,  22 , extend from the rear  24  of the vehicle  10  toward the front  26  of the vehicle.  
         [0032]     The illustrated embodiment includes a total of eight parallelogram linkages including four first linkages, generally designated  28  (only three of which are shown in  FIG. 1 ) and four second linkages, generally designated  30 , only three of which are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The cradles  20 ,  22  are elongated as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, and each cradle has a parallelogram linkage at each of its two ends. Specifically, the upper cradles  20  are connected to the first parallelogram linkages  28  while the lower cradles  22  are connected to the second linkages  30 .  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a frame, generally designated  32  is provided. The frame  32  may be integral with the frame members  16  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) or more preferably, for ease of manufacturing and installation, is separate therefrom but secured thereto by any suitable means (not shown). The frame  32  includes a front cross member  34  and a rear cross member  36  which are spaced from one another and extend across the length of the vehicle  10  and which are interconnected by spaced stringers  38  such as box beams. The stringers  38  each have an upper, relatively low, support surface  40  for purposes to be seen.  
         [0034]     Generally centrally of each of the stringers  34  and  36  are a pair of box beam uprights  42  which terminate in a generally horizontal cradle support  44  having an upper, relatively high support surface  46 , also for purposes to be seen.  
         [0035]     A pair of cross members  48  extend between the stringers  38  to strengthen the same.  
         [0036]     Each of the cross members  34 ,  36 , at each end thereof, mounts a series of three plates  50 ,  52 , and  54 . The plates  50  are rearward most while the plates  54  are forward most and the plates  52  located between the plates  50  and  54 . Each of the plates includes spaced pivot pin receiving pin apertures  56  and  58  with the apertures  56  in each series being aligned with each other and with the apertures  56  in the series on one side of the frame  32  being aligned with the apertures  56  in the plates  50 ,  52 ,  54  in the other series on the same side of the frame  32 . The apertures  58  in the plates  50 ,  52 ,  54  are similarly aligned.  
         [0037]     That part of the frame  32  defined by the plates  50 ,  52 ,  54  defines a short link for the parallelogram linkages on the same side of the frame  32  and it will be appreciated that such short links can be integrally formed with the corresponding cross member  34 ,  36  or may be on separate plates such as the plates  50 ,  52  and  54  secured to the ends of the corresponding cross member  34  or  36 .  
         [0038]     Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each of the first linkages  28  is made up of two relatively long links  60  of identical length. One end of each of the links  60  is connected by appropriate pivot pins  62  to the short links defined by the plates  50 ,  52 ,  54 .  
         [0039]     The second linkages  30  are made up of two parallel, identical intermediate length links  64  which are likewise connected to corresponding one of the cross members  34 ,  36  by the pivot pins  62  at one end. That is to say, the pivot pins  62  at each of the short links defined by the plates  50 ,  52 ,  54 , are shared by the corresponding first linkage  28  and second linkage  30  at the corresponding location.  
         [0040]     As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each of the links  60  and  64  is formed of a channel and the two links  60  open toward one another as do the links  64 .  
         [0041]     Turning to  FIG. 5 , one of the cradles  22  will be described in greater detail, it is being understood that both of the cradles  22  are identical one to another and are generally identical to the cradles  20  except for the length differences mentioned earlier and other small differences to be described hereinafter. Each of the cradles includes spaced, end plates  68  which are interconnected by a plurality of bars  70  to provide support for the object with which the apparatus is to be used. The configuration illustrated in  FIG. 5  is particularly designed for the storage and transportation of tires but it should be understood that the support may take on different forms for different objects.  
         [0042]     Each of the end plates  68  includes two stub shafts  72  which are connected to the ends of the links  64  remote from the pivot pins  62 . As can be seen from both  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the location of the stub shafts for the cradles  20  is somewhat different then the location for the stub shafts  72  utilized with the cradles  22 . Moreover, the cradles  22  which, it will recalled are connected into the apparatus by the intermediate length links  64  are somewhat shorter, end to end, than the cradles  20 , which are connected to the apparatus by the relatively long links  60 .  
         [0043]     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the end plates  68  for the cradles  20  and  22  form a second set of short links for each of the linkages  28  and  30  to complete the eight parallelogram linkages  28  and  30 . The result is an apparatus wherein all of the cradles  20 ,  22  may be moved to a position such as shown in  FIG. 2  above and overlying the frame  32 . In this situation, the cradles  20  will be resting on the upper, relatively high support surfaces  46  for support while the lower cradles  22  will fit under the upper cradles  20  and rest on the upper support surfaces  40  of the stringers  38 . The ultimate length of the links  60  and  64  is chosen so that the lower cradles  22  may be moved between a position substantially resting on the underlying terrain as shown in the left side of  FIG. 3  to a position overlying the frame and resting on the support surface  40  of the frame  32  as illustrated in the right hand side of  FIG. 3  and in  FIG. 2 . The cradles  20  may be moved from a position substantially resting on the underlying terrain as illustrated in the right hand side of  FIG. 3  to a position overlying the frame  32  and resting on the support surfaces  46  as illustrated on the left side of  FIG. 3  and in  FIG. 2 . As alluded to earlier, the cradles  22  are slightly shorter than the cradles  20  so that first linkages  28  are outermost on the frame  32  with the second linkages  30  being innermost, thereby avoiding any possible interference between the cradles on the same side of frame  68  or  32  during movement of the cradles between the two positions.  
         [0044]     As seen in  FIG. 3 , an extendable motor  76  in the form of a fluid cylinder, preferably a hydraulic cylinder, is interconnected between opposite ones of the pivot pins  62  and stub shafts  72  for each of the eight linkages  28 ,  30 . The cylinder  76  is located between the legs of the channel forming the links  60  and consequently, will be substantially housed by the channels when the cradles  20  are in their position overlying the frame. Extendable motors, again, preferably fluid motors, and even more preferably, hydraulic cylinders  78  similarly interconnects one of the pivots  62  and an opposite one of the stub shafts  72  on the ends of the lower cradles  22 . The cylinders  78  will likewise be housed by the channels defining the intermediate length links of  64  when the lower cradles  22  are placed in a position overlying the frame  16 ,  32 . There are a total of four of the hydraulic cylinders  76  and four of the hydraulic cylinders  78  employed, one for each of the linkages each of the first linkages  28  and one of the second linkages  30 . Conventional controls can be employed and typically counterbalance valves (not shown) are used to control the over center positioning of the cradles  20  and  22  which is evident comparison of their respective extreme positions as seen in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0045]     As a result of the foregoing, objects such as tires may be stored in significant numbers in the cradles  20 ,  22  as well as transported as desired. The hydraulic cylinders  76 ,  78  provide for powered movement of the cradles  20 ,  22  to a lower position so that heavy tires and wheel combinations or simply tires alone may be more easily handled by the operator of the vehicle at a point of use.  
         [0046]     Thus, the apparatus of the invention when provided with a transportation mode is ideally suited for moving a large quantity of tires between location or moving a variety of different size tires to a point where another vehicle requires tire replacement. Moreover, even without the transportation mode, the apparatus provides an ideal means of storing large quantities of objects such as tires while eliminating much of the labor of handling such tires and moving them from an elevated storage position to a position where they can be easily accessed and moved to a point of use.