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US 8,708,400 B1Granted
Translating cargo bed
AssigneeExcel Industries, Inc.
InventorHarlan J. Bartel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a plurality of wheels and a cargo bed assembly. A cargo bed translation mechanism is operable between the vehicle frame and the cargo bed to translate the cargo bed between a range of positions including a first transport position, a plurality of raised position a variety of loading positions. A cargo bed dumping mechanism is operable for tipping the cargo bed to dump the contents of the cargo bed at least from the transport position and the raised positions.
Claims3
A translating cargo bed assembly operable for use with a vehicle having a vehicle frame, comprising:
- (a) a cargo bed sub-frame including a transversely extending hub shaft,
- (b) a translation mechanism connecting between the vehicle frame and the cargo bed sub-frame, the translation mechanism operable for translating the cargo bed assembly between at least a transport position in which the cargo bed assembly is mounted on the vehicle in a position suitable for transporting the cargo bed assembly and a loading position wherein the cargo bed assembly is in a lowered position behind the vehicle, the translation mechanism arranged such that the cargo bed sub-frame remains in a generally level orientation in relation to the vehicle when the cargo bed assembly moves between the transport and loading positions,
- (c) a cargo bed slidably mounted to the cargo bed sub-frame, such that the cargo bed may be translated between a first mounted position and a second unmounted position,
- (d) at least one tilt mechanism including a pivot arm and a linear actuator, the pivot arm having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the pivot arm rotatably mounted to the hub shaft of the cargo bed sub-frame, the linear actuator having proximal and distal ends and operable for movement between a retracted position and an extended position and also operable for movement to a partially extended position between the retracted and extended positions, the proximal end of the linear actuator pivotably connected to the sub-frame and the distal end of the linear actuator pivotably connected to the distal end of the pivot arm,
- (e) a pivot arm receiving structure fixed to the cargo bed operable for receiving the pivot arm of the tilt mechanism when the cargo bed is mounted to the sub-frame, and,
- (f) a latch mechanism for selectively securing the pivot arm to the pivot arm receiving structure.
3 more elements
A cargo bed assembly, comprising:
- (a) a cargo bed sub-frame including a transversely extending hub shaft,
- (b) a cargo bed slidably mounted to the cargo bed sub-frame, such that the cargo bed may be translated between a first mounted position and a second unmounted position,
- (c) at least one tilt mechanism including a pivot arm and a linear actuator, the pivot arm having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the pivot arm rotatably mounted to the hub shaft of the cargo bed sub-frame, the linear actuator having proximal and distal ends and operable for movement between a retracted position and an extended position and also operable for movement to a partially extended position between the retracted and extended positions, the proximal end of the linear actuator pivotably connected to the sub-frame and the distal end of the linear actuator pivotably connected to the distal end of the pivot arm, the distal end of the pivot arm also presenting a notch,
- (d) a pivot arm receiving structure fixed to the cargo bed operable for receiving the pivot arm of the tilt mechanism when the cargo bed is mounted to the sub-frame, and,
- (e) a latch mechanism for selectively securing the pivot arm to the pivot arm receiving structure including a pivoting member that presents a locking tang operable for selectively engaging the notch at the distal end of the pivot arm and securing the pivot arm to the receiving structure of the cargo bed when the pivot arm is received by the receiving structure of the cargo bed.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.