Rear loading, drop down ladder rack system and method of use
AssigneeAdrian Steel Company
InventorsNolin Miller Livingston, Michael Duane Gettel, Mark Dankow, Thomas Richter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One embodiment of a ladder rack system and method of use are described. The system may have a ladder rack frame with an inner rail and an outer rail. The system may also have a ladder rack bed that is selectively moveable with respect to the ladder rack frame. The ladder rack bed may have an inner beam and an outer beam. The system may also have a driveshaft and at least one driveline arm that are connected together. The driveline arm is also connected to the ladder rack bed.
Claims27
A ladder rack system, comprising:
- a ladder rack frame comprising an inner rail and an outer rail wherein both rails each have a roller on an end portion;
- a ladder rack bed selectively moveable with respect to said ladder rack frame, said ladder rack bed comprising an inner beam and an outer beam, wherein said beams have longitudinal channels in which said rollers move;
- a driveline system comprised of a driveshaft and at least one pivotable driveline arm,
- wherein said at least one pivotable driveline arm is connected at one end portion to a first end portion of said driveshaft for rotation therewith, said at least one pivotable driveline arm is connected at an opposite end portion to said ladder rack bed, and
- wherein said driveline arm is located between said inner and outer rails,
- wherein said driveshaft is located beneath said inner and outer rails;
- wherein said inner and outer rails are connected to an inner bracket and an outer bracket, wherein said inner and outer brackets are located between said inner and outer rails, wherein each bracket supports a bushing that rotatably receives a first end of said driveshaft.
A ladder rack system, comprising:
- a ladder rack frame comprising an inner rail and an outer rail;
- a ladder rack bed selectively moveable with respect to said ladder rack frame, said ladder rack bed comprising an inner beam and an outer beam,
- a ladder retention system located on said ladder rack bed comprising an upper ladder rung retention member and a pivotal lower ladder rung retention member,
- wherein said upper ladder rung retention member comprises an L-shaped member with a lower leg and an upper leg,
- wherein said pivotal lower ladder rung retention member comprises a base plate that is pivotally connected to two side brackets, said side brackets extending parallel and connected to said inner beam and said outer beam,
- wherein at least one dampening device connects said side brackets with said base plate, and an L-shaped handle.
The ladder rack system of 10, wherein the upper ladder rung retention system is attached to an adjustment plate which is attached to an upper cross bracket connected with the inner and outer beams.
The ladder rack system of 10, wherein the lower ladder rung retention system has two dampening devices connected between the side brackets and the base plate.
A ladder rack system, comprising:
- a ladder rack frame comprising an inner rail and an outer rail wherein both rails each have a roller on an end portion;
- a ladder rack bed selectively moveable with respect to said ladder rack frame, said ladder rack bed comprising an inner beam and an outer beam, wherein said beams have longitudinal channels in which said rollers move;
- a driveline system comprised of a driveshaft and at least one pivotable driveline arm,
- wherein said at least one pivotable driveline arm is connected at one end portion to a first end portion of said driveshaft for rotation therewith, said at least one pivotable driveline arm is connected at an opposite end portion to said ladder rack bed, and
- wherein said driveline arm is located between said inner and outer rails,
- wherein said driveshaft is located beneath said inner and outer rails;
- wherein said at least one driveline arm has an upper ball stud mount on one side of the driveline arm and a lower ball stud mount on an opposite side of the driveline arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.