US 2006/0220366 A1 · Vehicle ballast system

Abstract

A vehicle ballast system for improving the balance of a vehicle. The system is particularly well suited for use in the bed of a pickup truck but is not limited to that deployment. The system includes one or more ballast units. Each ballast unit includes a frame set and a ballast element. The frame set retains the ballast element therein. The ballast element may be one or more concrete blocks. The frame set includes an upper frame and a lower frame. The respective frames are connected together in a manner to contain the ballast element using a front retaining rod and a rear retaining rod is preferably affixable to a bracket secured to the rear of the vehicle. A tether may be removably connected between the upper frame and a securing point of the vehicle. A shock-absorbing lanyard may be employed at the rear of the system as a restraint upon sudden deceleration of the vehicle.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vehicle ballast system to improve vehicle balance, the vehicle ballast system comprising:

a. a frame set including an upper frame and a lower frame;
b. a first retaining rod and a second retaining rod, wherein the first retaining rod and the second retaining rod are each removably affixable to the upper frame and the lower frame;
c. a ballast element removably retainable within the frame set;
and
d. means for removably retaining the frame set to the vehicle.

2 more elements

A vehicle ballast system to improve vehicle balance, the vehicle ballast system comprising:

a. a first frame set including a first upper frame and a first lower frame;
b. a first front retaining rod and a first rear retaining rod, wherein the first front retaining rod and the first rear retaining rod are each removably affixable to the first upper frame and the first lower frame;
c. a first ballast element removably retainable within the first frame set;
d. first means for removably retaining the first frame set to the vehicle;
e. a second frame set spaced from the first frame set, the second frame set including a second upper frame and a second lower frame;
f. a second front retaining rod and a second rear retaining rod, wherein the second front retaining rod and the second rear retaining rod are each removably affixable to the second upper frame and the second lower frame;
g. a second ballast element removably retainable within the second frame set;
and
h. second means for removably retaining the second frame set to the vehicle.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle ballast system

Life of this patent

Vehicle ballast system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20