Cargo handling device for vehicle

A cargo handling device for a vehicle user of a vehicle to lift a cargo to and from a horizontal cargo floor that is accessible through a rear vehicle opening comprising:

• a cargo platform having an end facing the rear vehicle opening and sides that overlie the cargo floor,
• a center track assembly mounted on the vehicle body and having the cargo platform mounted thereon so that the cargo platform moves between a horizontal stored position overlying the cargo floor and a horizontal extended position deployed through the rear vehicle opening;
• at least one guide track extending parallel to the center track assembly to support the cargo platform until the cargo platform reaches the horizontal extended position outside the rear vehicle opening;
• a pivot with a longitudinal extending pivot axis acting between the cargo platform and the center track assembly , said pivot having a pivot axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle and located intermediate the sides of the cargo platform and perpendicular to the end of the cargo platform, so that upon the cargo platform reaching the horizontal extended position the cargo platform can be pivoted via the pivot between the horizontal extended position and a generally vertical position in which one side of the cargo platform is adjacent the ground so that a cargo resting on the ground can be positioned against the cargo platform;
• a latch acting between the cargo platform and the at least one guide track assembly to latch the cargo platform to the at least one guide track assembly so that the cargo platform is supported in the horizontal position and against pivoting about the pivot until the latch is unlatched, and upon unlatching of the latch the cargo platform is permitted to pivot;
• a handle provided on the side of the cargo platform opposite the one side of the cargo platform that is adjacent the ground to permit the vehicle user to use the cargo platform as a lever to pivot the cargo platform and a cargo positioned against the cargo platform about the pivot axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle, from the vertical position to the horizontal position in which the cargo platform is again latched to the guide track assembly;
• a foot gate mounted on the one end of the cargo platform and extending perpendicular to the cargo platform so that upon the cargo platform reaching the generally vertical position the foot gate is horizontal and the cargo may be rested upon the foot gate;
• and a restraint for restraining the cargo on the cargo platform.

A cargo handling device for a vehicle user of a vehicle to lift a cargo to and from a horizontal cargo floor that is accessible through a rear vehicle opening comprising:

• a cargo platform having an end facing the rear vehicle opening and sides that overlie the cargo floor,
• a center track assembly mounted on the vehicle body at the center of the cargo floor and having the cargo platform mounted thereon so that the cargo platform moves between a horizontal stored position overlying the cargo floor and a horizontal extended position deployed through the rear vehicle opening;
• a first guide track extending parallel to the center track assembly to support the cargo platform until the cargo platform reaches the horizontal extended position outside the rear vehicle opening;
• a pivot acting between the cargo platform and the center track assembly, said pivot having a pivot axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle and located intermediate the sides of the cargo platform and perpendicular to the end of the cargo platform, so that upon the cargo platform reaching the horizontal extended position the cargo platform can be pivoted about the pivot axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle and provided by the center track assembly, between the horizontal extended position and a generally vertical position in which one side of the cargo platform is adjacent the ground so that a cargo resting on the ground can be positioned against the cargo platform;
• a latch mechanism acting between the first guide track and the cargo platform so that the cargo platform will be latched against the pivoting movement until the latch is unlatched;
• a second guide track extending parallel to the center track assembly and the first guide track and provided on the vehicle floor on the opposite side of the center track assembly from the first guide track, said second guide track being engaged by the cargo platform to provide additional support for the cargo platform against pivoting movement until the cargo platform reaches the horizontal extended position;
• a foot gate pivotally mounted on the one end of the cargo platform for movement between a stowed position and a use position extending perpendicular to the cargo platform so that upon the cargo platform reaching the generally vertical position the foot gate is horizontal and the cargo may be rested upon the foot gate;
• and a restraint for restraining the cargo on the cargo platform.