Vehicle-mounted hoist systems and methods
OwnerRalph L. Leonardinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.
Claims10
A method of operating a lift assembly for a vehicle, the method comprising:
- providing a lift assembly comprising:
- at least one support member, the at least one support member having a longitudinal axis;
- a mast having a proximal end and a distal end, the mast having a mast axis, wherein the mast is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end via at least one first gear;
- a boom pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end;
- and
- a lift line coupled with the boom;
- coupling the lift assembly with a roof rack of the vehicle;
- and
- turning the at least one first gear to cause the mast to pivot from a first position, at which the mast axis and the longitudinal axis are substantially parallel, to a second position, at which the mast axis is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis, wherein the angle exceeds 90 degrees.
A method of operating a lift assembly for a vehicle, the vehicle being disposed on a non-level surface, the method comprising:
- providing a lift assembly comprising:
- at least one support member;
- a plurality of jacks coupled with the at least one support member;
- a mast having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the mast is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end via at least one gear;
- a boom pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end;
- and
- a lift line coupled with the boom;
- coupling the lift assembly with a roof rack of the vehicle such that the plurality of jacks are disposed between the roof rack and the at least one support member;
- actuating at least one of the plurality of jacks to level the at least one support member relative to a horizontal plane;
- and
- turning the at least one gear to align the mast relative to a vertical axis disposed at a right angle to the horizontal plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.