Patent ID: 12214632

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to some specific examples of the present invention, including any best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying figures. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described or illustrated embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Example embodiments of the present invention may be implemented without some or all these specific details. In other instances, process operations well known to persons of skill in the art have not been described in detail in order not to obscure unnecessarily the present invention. Various techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be noted that some embodiments include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple mechanisms, unless noted otherwise. Similarly, various steps of the methods shown and described herein are not necessarily performed in the order indicated, or performed at all, in certain embodiments. Accordingly, some implementations of the methods discussed herein may include more or fewer steps than those shown or described. Further, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes describe a connection, relationship or communication between two or more entities. It should be noted that a connection or relationship between entities does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a variety of other entities or processes may reside or occur between any two entities. Consequently, an indicated connection does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, unless otherwise noted.

The following list of example features corresponds with the attached figures and is provided for ease of reference, where like reference numerals designate corresponding features throughout the specification and figures:5Container7Bottom Container Mounting Block7.1Bottom Mounting Block Hole7.2Bottom Mounting Block Hole8Top Container Mounting Block8.1Top Mounting Block Hole8.2Top Mounting Block Hole8.2-1Interior Wall8.2-1Exterior Wall8.3Top Mounting Block Hole10Pickup Truck12Pickup Truck Bed Ball Joint15V-Lift Frame15.1Top V-Lift Frame Bars15.2Bottom V-Lift Frame Bars15.3Struts15.4Strut Pivot Mounting Plates15.5Strut Pivot Pin15.6Winch15.7Winch Plate15.8Winch Plate Cross Supports15.9Winch Cable16Controller20Gooseneck20.1Gooseneck Section20.2Gooseneck Section20.3Bolt25Top Block Connection Assembly25.1Upper Plug25.2Frame End Plate25.3Plug Pivot Plate25.4Plug Pivot Bolt25.5Plug Mounting Bolt25.6Plug Mounting Bolt Flange25.6-1First (Obstruction) Portion of the Flange25.6-2Second (Seating) Portion of the Flange25.6-3Threaded Hole25.6-4Bolt Axis25.6-5Rotational Plane25.7Pivot Bolt Receiver Hole25.8Mounting Bolt Receiver Hole25.8-2Mounting Bolt Receiver Hole25.9Rotation of Plug Mounting Bolt Flange25.10Rotation of Plug Mounting Bolt25.11Translational Movement of Plug Mounting Bolt Flange25.12Mounting Bracket25.13Bracket Mounting Structure26Plug Flat Sides27Expanded Rim28Bearings30Bottom Block Connection Assembly31Cam Lug31.1Connection Post31.2Post Hole31.3Cam Flange31.4Set Bolt Threading31.5Necked Lug31.6Oblong Tip31.7Cam Lug Rotation32Orthogonal Connection Bar33Heim Joint34Heim Support Bolt35Heim Supports36Cross-Bar Connector37Set Bolt38Lug39Bolt40Bolt41Bolt45Cross Bar45A Cross-Bar Section45B Cross-Bar Section45.1Cross-Bar Eyelet Bracket46Bolt47Position to Attach Winch Cable48Direction of Cross Bar Slide50Container Saddle55Container Saddle Wheel60Leaf Spring65Axle

FIG.1illustrates a V-Lift frame15connecting a pickup truck10to a top mounting block8and to a bottom mounting block7of a container5. The pickup10has a ball joint that is attached to the gooseneck20of the V-Lift Frame15. The container5sits within a container saddle50with wheels55.

FIGS.2and3illustrate in more detail the connection of the V-Lift frame15with the container mounting blocks7,8through the top block connection assembly25and the bottom block connection assembly30.

FIGS.4through8illustrate the V-Lift frame10in greater detail. Specifically, the gooseneck20connects to the top V-Lift frame bars15.1that extend away from the gooseneck and have the top block connection assembly25at the distal end of each V-Lift frame bar15.1. Also connected to and extending from the gooseneck15are the bottom V-Lift frame bars15.2that connect to the top V-Lift bars15.1near the distal end. Cross supports15.8extend between and connect to the top V-Lift frame bars15.1, forming a strong and rigid A-frame. Strut mounting plates15.4may be connected to the top V-Lift Frame bars15.1, and extending from those plates are struts15.3. A bottom block connection assembly30is connected to the end of each strut15.3. A cross bar45extends between the bottom block connection assemblies30, providing more rigidity to the V-Lift frame15. A winch plate15.7may be connected to the cross supports15.8, supporting a winch15.6, which may include an electrical motor and its controller (16).

The cross bar45includes a cross-bar eyelet bracket45.1, onto which a winch cable15.9may be attached (at position47inFIGS.8and22A), allowing the winch15.6to lift the cross bar45, and consequently the container. The gooseneck20may have two sections (20.1,20.2), one of which slides into the other. A bolt20.3may be tightened to securely fix the two sections together. This allows the gooseneck20to be lengthened or shortened to accommodate different heights.

FIGS.9Athough10detail the top block connection assembly25. Located at the end of each top v-Lift Frame bar15.1, it includes plug pivot plates25.3extending from a frame end plate25.2. The plug pivot plates25.3support a pivot bolt25.4that can be inserted through the upper plug25.1, which may have bearings28. A plug mounting bolt25.5extends from the upper plug25.1. A mounting bolt flange25.6connects to the plug mounting bolt25.5and secures the top block connection assembly25to the top container mounting block8. The upper plug25.1may pivot about the plug pivot bolt25.4, as shown inFIG.11. The rotational freedom assists when installing the V-Lift frame to the container and relieves stress between the container5and the V-Lift frame15during transit. The upper plug25.1may be an oblong dome shape with flat sides26that assist in the alignment and insertion into the top mounting block holes. The upper plug25.1may also have an expanded rim27(FIG.12A) with a diameter that is larger than the top mounting block hole, such that the expanded rim27prevents the upper plug25.1from further insertion into the top mounting block hole.

The upper plug25.1is shown in detail with preferred dimensions inFIG.12A. Holes25.7and25.8receive the plug pivot bolt25.4and the plug mounting bolt25.5, respectively.FIG.12Billustrates the upper plug25.1with a third mounting hole25.8-2.FIGS.12C-12Hillustrate the installation of the upper plug25.1with a third mounting hole25.8-2into a container mounting block.

FIGS.13through16illustrate the top block connection assembly25connected to the top container mounting block8of a container5. The upper plug25.1is inserted into the top mounting block hole8.1; then, the plug mounting bolt25.5is inserted through the top mounting block hole8.2and affixed to the upper plug25.1. Importantly, the plug mounting bolt flange25.6must be aligned with the mounting hole8.2so that the plug mounting bolt25.5can be fully inserted and connected to the upper plug25.1, shown inFIG.13A. Once it is inserted, the flange25.6may be rotated (see arrow25.9,FIG.13BandFIG.10) by turning the plug mounting bolt25.5, thus forcing the mounting bolt25.5against the back interior wall of the top container mounting block8, and also rotating the first (obstruction) portion of the flange25.6-1to prevent the bolt25.5from escaping through the hole8.2, and seating the second (seating) portion of the flange25.6-2within the hole8.2, preventing the rotation of the flange25.6(seeFIG.13). As shown inFIG.13C, the second (seating) portion of the flange25.6-2seats into the top mounting block hole8.2. Because the plug mounting bolt25.4is threaded, once the second (seating) portion of the flange25.6-2seats within the hole8.2, turning the bolt (arrow25.10,FIG.13D) causes the flange25.6to laterally travel along the plug mounting bolt25.4(arrow25.11,FIG.13D), pressing the first (obstruction) portion of the flange25.6-1against the interior wall8.2-1of the mounting block, and providing a secure connection of the top block connection assembly25to the container5. InFIGS.13A-13D, the flange25.6secures a structure (such as the upper plug25.1) to the interior of the mounting block (7,8).

As shown inFIGS.13E and13F, amounting bracket25.12with amounting structure25.13may be connected to the mounting bolt25.1and is securely fixed to the top container mounting block8. In this embodiment, the mounting bracket25.12is constructed to press against an exterior wall of the mounting block8.2-2when in the secure configuration (seeFIGS.13G and13H).FIGS.13I-13Killustrate cross-sectional views that show the mounting bracket25.12pressing against the exterior wall of the mounting block8.2-2. InFIGS.13E-13K, the flange25.6secures a structure (such as the mounting bracket25.12) to the interior of the mounting block (7,8).

As detailed inFIG.13L, the flange (25.6) has a threaded hole25.6-3that defines a bolt axis25.6-4and a rotational plane25.6-5that is perpendicular to the bolt axis25.6-4. The first (obstruction) portion25.6-1is shaped to pass through the elongate mounting hole8.2in a first rotational orientation within the rotational plane (seeFIGS.13A and13N). But when in a second rotational orientation, the first (obstruction) portion25.6-1is prevented from passing through the elongate mounting hole8.2(seeFIGS.13C and13O). The second (seating) portion25.6-2is shaped to seat into the elongate mounting hole8.2when the flange25.6is in the second rotational orientation, and thereby preventing rotation of the flange25.6. A bolt25.5is disposed in the threaded hole25.6-3. The first rotational orientation is shown to be offset 90 degrees from the second rotational orientation (seeFIGS.13N and13O). Other offsets may be possible without deviating from the invention. A schematic with preferred dimensions of the flange is presented inFIG.13M.

FIGS.13P-13Xillustrate a flange made according to a second design. Like the previously discussed flange, the flange inFIGS.13P-13Xhas a first rotational orientation that allows the flange to enter the container mounting block hole and a second rotational orientation where the first (obstruction) portion of the flange prevents the flange from passing through the container mounting block hole. The second portion of the flange25.6-2seats into the mounting hole while in the second orientation, thereby preventing rotation of the flange. As demonstrated by the two flange designs detailed herein, the first portion of the flange and the second portion of the flange can take various shapes, but those shapes must allow for the insertion of the flange in a first rotational orientation and allow for the seating of the flange in the second rotational orientation.

FIG.13Aillustrates an insertion configuration wherein the flange25.6is in the first rotational orientation and first (obstruction) portion25.6-1and the second (seating) portion25.6-2pass through the elongate mounting hole8.2.FIG.13Bis the transition from the insertion configuration to a seating configuration shown inFIG.13C, wherein the bolt25.5is rotated25.10to place the flange25.6in the second rotational orientation25.9, seating the second (seating) portion25.6-2into the elongate mounting hole8.2and preventing the rotation of the flange25.6.FIG.13Dillustrates a secure configuration, wherein the bolt25.5is rotated25.9, causing the flange25.6to (1) move along the bolt axis25.11and (2) press against an interior wall of the mounting block8.2-1.

FIGS.17A through18detail the bottom block connection assembly30. Located at the end of each strut15.1, the bottom block connection assembly30includes a Heim joint33, rotationally connected via support bolt34to the Heim supports35extending from the cross-bar connector36. The cross bar45extends through the cross-bar connector36and is secured thereto by the bolt41. The cross bar45also extends through the orthogonal connection bar32and is affixed to the cross bar45by bolt40. A lug38extends from the orthogonal connection bar32and is constructed to be inserted into the bottom mounting block hole7.2. The cross-bar connector36also connects to a cam lug31and is affixed thereto by bolt39. Set bolts37secure the cam lug31to the bottom container mounting block7. The cam lug31attaches to a first face of the bottom container mounting block7, while the lug38of the orthogonal connection bar32attaches to a second face of the container mounting block7that is orthogonal to the first face.FIG.24Aillustrates the bottom mounting block hole7.1into which the cam lug31connects, as well as the bottom mounting block hole7.2into which the lug38of the orthogonal connection bar32attaches.

FIGS.22A and22Bdetail the cross bar45and the cross-bar eyelet bracket45.1. Bolts46may be removed to allow the cross bar45(which may have two sections,45A and45B, as shown) to slide into the cross-bar eyelet bracket45.1, which is shown by the arrows48, which indicate the directions of the sliding movement of the cross-bar sections45A,45B into the cross-bar eyelet bracket45.1. This freedom of movement allows for an easy installation of the bottom block connection assembly30to the container5.

FIGS.23A and23Bshow the cam lug31in greater detail. The cam lug31comprises a cam flange31.3with set bolt threading31.4, connected to a necked lug31.5with an oblong tip31.6. The cam flange31.3is triangularly shaped with rounded corners. A connection post31.1with a post hole31.2allows the cam lug31to be fixably mounted to the container mounting blocks, as shown inFIGS.24A-24D. The mounting hole7.1is oblong. First, the necked lug31.5of the cam lug31is inserted into the mounting hole7.1(FIGS.24A-24B); then, the cam lug31is turned 90-degrees (arrow31.7,FIG.24C), which locks the mounting hole7.1to the cam lug31. However, in the absence of the cam flange31.3, the necked lug31.5will slide vertically within the mounting hole7.1. The cam flange31.3is shaped to allow the insertion of the necked lug31.5into the mounting hole7.1. When the cam lug31is rotated, the cam flange31.3pushes against the ground, lifting the necked lug31.5up against the inner top surface of the bottom container mounting block7. Thus, there is substantially no vertical play. Also, when the necked lug31.5is rotated 90 degrees after insertion, the long side of the oblong tip31.6is up against the inner top surface of the bottom container mounting block7. Having a greater surface area of contact with little to no vertical play yields a much stronger and stabler connection. Finally, once the cam lug31is in the proper position, the set bolts37can be threaded through the set bolt threading31.4, mounting the cam lug31to the bottom container mounting block7.

FIGS.25A and25Bdetail the container saddle50, upon which the container5may be mounted. As shown inFIGS.25C and25D, the saddle50may support a leaf spring60and an axle65, upon which wheels50may be mounted.

Installation of the V-Lift Frame15will now be described. The following installation steps are not presented in any order and are not intended to be limited as such.

The two bottom block assemblies30and the cross bar45are attached to the container5as follows: (A) into each bottom corner of the container5, the cam lugs31are installed into the bottom container mounting block7, as shown inFIGS.24A-24Dand described above; (B) the cross-bar connectors36slide over the connection posts31.1of the cam lugs31and are secured by bolts39inserted through the post holes31.2; (C) each cross-bar connector36receives one section45A of the cross bar45(see arrow70,FIG.17A); (D) the cross-bar eyelet bracket45.1receives both cross-bar sections45A,45B (see arrows48,FIG.22B); (E) the lug38for each orthogonal connection bar32receives one section45A of the cross bar45(see arrow70,FIG.17A) and is inserted into the bottom container mounting block7(in the mounting hole with a face that is orthogonal to the face of the mounting hole that supports the cam lug31); and (F) bolts40and46are tightened to secure the bottom block assemblies30and to secure the cross bar45to the container5.

The gooseneck20is mounted to the pickup bed ball joint, and the upper plugs25.1are aligned and inserted into the top container mounting block8. Alignment is facilitated by the rotational freedom of the upper plug25.1relative to the V-Lift Frame15(seeFIG.11). Once inserted, the plug mounting bolt25.5is inserted through the top mounting block8.1with the flange25.6in the proper rotational position to allow insertion (FIG.13A), and the plug mounting bolt25.5is secured to the upper plug25.1. While securing, the first (obstruction) portion of the flange25.6-1is rotated within the top container mounting block8such that the plug mounting bolt25.5cannot exit, and the second (seating) portion of the flange25.6-2seats within the hole8.2, preventing the rotation of the flange25.6(seeFIGS.13,13B,13C and13D).

The winch cable15.9is connected to the cross-bar eyelet bracket45.1, and the winch15.6is actuated to lift the bottom of the container5. Once it is lifted sufficiently, the Heim joints33are aligned between the Heim supports35, and the Heim support bolts34are inserted and secured. At this point, the container5may be transported.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently-preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter that is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.