Vehicle boom assembly and method

Abstract

An assembly and method is disclosed for moving a load into and out of an enclosure such as the enclosure of a van. The assembly may include an upright shaft rotatably mounted within a side portion of the enclosure. A boom assembly extends from the shaft. The boom assembly includes a beam to which an arm is pivotally mounted. An extension member is also pivotally attached to the arm such that as the shaft rotates the angular orientation of the arm with respect to the beam is controlled by the extension member whereby the load may be moved in a substantially straight direction into or out of the enclosure in response to rotation of the shaft. A length of the extension member may be adjusted to move the line of movement of the load closer or nearer to the shaft. A motorized winch is preferably mounted to the end of the arm to lift the load.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.