Cargo loader

A cargo loader apparatus for use with a cargo, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongated passageway at least partially defined along an upper surface of an elongated bed, the passageway having an open end;
• a movable carriage configured to travel back and forth within the passageway between a cargo receiving position and a cargo loading position, the cargo loading position being adjacent the open end of the elongated passageway;
• a plurality of cargo receiving members coupled to the carriage to move therewith, the cargo receiving members extending outwardly from the carriage and being positioned within the passageway when the carriage is in the cargo receiving position, the cargo receiving members extending outside the passageway through and beyond the open end of the passageway and supporting the cargo thereon when the carriage is in the cargo loading position, the cargo receiving members being configured to receive the cargo when in the cargo receiving position inside the passageway and to carry the cargo as the cargo receiving members are moved by the carriage to extend outside the passageway through and beyond the open end of the passageway to thereby position the cargo outside the passageway when the carriage is in the cargo loading position;
• a cargo removing assembly configured to block the cargo from being carried by the cargo receiving members back into the passageway when the carriage is moved from the cargo loading position to the cargo receiving position to thereby remove the cargo from the cargo receiving members as the cargo receiving members are moved back into the passageway, the cargo removing assembly comprising a positioning assembly, a retention mechanism, and a cargo engaging portion, the positioning assembly being movable between a storage position and an engagement position relative to the upper surface of the bed, the retention mechanism being configured to be positioned by the positioning assembly, the positioning assembly positioning an upper portion of the retention mechanism in a raised position above the upper surface of the bed for engagement with the cargo when the positioning assembly is in the engagement position, and the positioning assembly positioning the retention mechanism at a sufficiently lower position so as not to engage the cargo when the positioning assembly is in the storage position;
• and
• an extension assembly coupled to the carriage to move therewith, the extension assembly being adjacent the cargo receiving members and positioned to be adjacent to the cargo removing assembly when the carriage is in the cargo loading position, the extension assembly having a hollow lower portion with at least one aperture formed therein, the hollow lower portion being configured to receive the upper portion of the retention mechanism positioned above the upper surface of the bed when the positioning assembly is in the engagement position, the cargo engaging portion being extendable outwardly from the hollow lower portion through the at least one aperture to engage the cargo when the positioning assembly is in the engagement position.