# US 10,501,021 B2 · Rear loading, drop down ladder rack system and method of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,021 B2 - Document ID: US10501021B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/884,744 - Filed: 2018-01-31 - Published: 2018-09-13 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-07 - Assignees: Adrian Steel Company - Applicants: Adrian Steel Company - Inventors: Nolin Miller Livingston; Michael Duane Gettel; Mark Dankow; Thomas Richter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501021B2 ## CPC - B60R 9/042: Carriers characterised by means to facilitate loading or unloading of the load, e.g. rollers, tracks, or the like - B60R 9/0423: {for ladders} - B60R 9/0485: {for ladders (B60R9/0423 takes precedence)} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ladder rack system of claim 1, wherein said ladder rack frame inner rail and outer rail are coplanar and parallel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ladder rack system of claim 1, wherein said ladder rack frame inner rail and outer rail are connected to one another by at least one cross piece. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ladder rack system of claim 1, wherein said rollers are fixed opposite one another on said inner and outer rails. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ladder rack system of claim 1, wherein said driveshaft extends transversely with respect to said inner and outer rails. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ladder rack system of claim 1, wherein said at least one pivotable driveline arm extends transversely with respect to said driveshaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ladder rack system of claim 1, wherein said at least one driveline arm has an aperture for receiving said driveshaft therethrough. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The ladder rack system of claim 1, wherein two pivotable driveline arms are connected to said driveshaft and spaced apart from one another on the driveshaft. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The ladder rack system of claim 1, wherein a second end portion of said driveshaft is connected to a handle rod, said handle rod extending in a non-transverse direction with respect to said driveshaft. ### Claim 10 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. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The ladder rack system of claim 10, wherein said lower leg of said upper ladder rung retention member is attached to said adjustment plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The ladder rack system of claim 13, wherein said lower leg of said upper ladder rung retention member creates a gap between the upper leg and the adjustment plate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The ladder rack system of claim 14, wherein said lower leg is slotted to slide on a fastener. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The ladder rack system of claim 10, wherein a top bracket, extending parallel the lower leg, is located on an upper portion of the adjustment plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The ladder rack system of claim 10, wherein a lower bracket cross member connects the inner and outer rails, said lower ladder retention member connected to the lower bracket cross member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The ladder rack system of claim 10, wherein two side brackets, located parallel one another and the inner and outer rails, are connected to the lower bracket cross member, wherein the lower ladder rung retention member is pivotally attached to the two side brackets. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The ladder rack system of claim 18, wherein a base plate of the lower ladder rung retention member has two attachment ears, wherein pins extend through the attachment ears and the two side brackets, the pins support pivotal movement of the base plate about a single, fixed axis. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The ladder rack system of claim 19, wherein one end of at least one dampening device is connected to the base plate and the other end is connected to one of the side brackets. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The ladder rack system of claim 20, wherein an L-shaped handle portion is attached to the base plate. ### Claim 22 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. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The ladder rack system of claim 22, wherein said at least one driveline arm has a body portion located between said ball stud mounts and an outer end portion. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The ladder rack system of claim 23, wherein said outer end portion extends transverse to said body portion. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The ladder rack system of claim 23, wherein said outer end portion is pivotally connected to said ladder rack bed. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The ladder rack system of claim 22, wherein at least one forward dampener is connected to said upper ball stud mount. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The ladder rack system of claim 22, wherein at least one rear dampener is connected to said rear ball stud mount.