High-strength vehicle-mounted cargo transport apparatus

Abstract

The invention is a vehicle-mounted cargo transport apparatus and a method for mounting the cargo transport apparatus on a vehicle is such a way that increases both the loading capacity and stability of the cargo transport apparatus. At a minimum, the cargo transport apparatus comprises a lifting device and at least one load-bearing member. The lifting device is connected to the vehicle and has a cargo holding area, such as a platform, connected to the lifting device for loading cargo. The cargo holding area has at least two positions: a traveling position and a loading position. Cargo is loaded onto the cargo holding area in the loading position and then raised to a vertical position above the traveling position. At least one load beam, preferably two load beams, are then connected to the vehicle in a location where the load-supporting member can support the lifting device in the traveling position. If more than one load-supporting member is used, both the load-bearing members should be spaced apart so that the load is evenly distributed between them. After the load beam(s) are in place, the cargo holding device is lowered onto the load beam(s) so that the load beams at least share the load of the lifting device and cargo when the vehicle is traveling.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.