Trailer with non-tilting movable bed
AssigneeBil-Jax, Inc.
InventorMatthew D. Stringer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer for use in transporting a load from one area to another area has a frame and a bed operatively mounted to the frame which is capable of being moved from a first or lowered position to a second or elevated position in a substantially vertical manner or nontilting manner. At least one lifting mechanism is operatively connected to the bed, which applies the greatest force for lifting the bed from the lowered position to the elevated position at the beginning of the lift, rather than at an end or midpoint of the lift. At least one over-center latching mechanism secures the bed to the frame when the bed is in the elevated position.
Claims12
A trailer (10) comprising
- a frame (11) having first and second longitudinally extending frame members (12) in opposed relationship, and a plurality of spaced apart cam members (18) on the frame members (12).
- a bed (20) operatively mounted to the frame (11), the bed (20) including a plurality of spaced apart cam follower tracks (26), each cam follower track (26) including a horizontal section (27) which is adjacent the bed (20), each of the cam follower tracks (26) engaging a corresponding cam member (18) on the frame (11), the bed (20) being capable of being moved or lifted from a first, or lowered, position to a second, or elevated, position in a substantially vertical and non-tilting manner,
- at least one lifting mechanism (40) operatively connected to the bed (20), the lifting mechanism (40) being mounted adjacent the bed in a substantially horizontal direction, the lifting mechanism applying a maximum force sufficient to lift the bed from the lowered position to the elevated position at the beginning of the lift rather than at an end or midpoint of the lift, the lifting mechanism being in a fully engaged position when the bed is in the second, or elevated, position and each cam member (18) is engaged in the corresponding horizontal section (27) of the corresponding cam follower track (26), and
- at least one securing mechanism (80) for securing the bed to the frame when the bed is in the second, or elevated, position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.