Vehicle mounted lift
View Patent ↗An apparatus for transporting small vehicles within the bed of a truck which comprises a frame sized to be locatable within the bed of a truck, a platform slidably supported by the frame movable between a first position parallel to and proximate to the bed of the truck and a second position parallel to and vertically spaced above the first position and an actuator operable to move the platform between the first and second positions. The actuator may comprises a winch and the apparatus may include at least one catch for selectively engaging and supporting the platform at the second position.
1. An apparatus for transporting small vehicles within the bed of a truck, the apparatus comprising:
a frame having four corner columns sized to be locatable within the bed of a truck;
a platform slidably supported between said corner columns said frame movable between a first position parallel to and proximate to a bottom horizontal surface of said bed of said truck and a second position parallel to and vertically spaced above said first position;
an actuator, operable to move said platform between said first and second positions; and
wherein each corner upright includes a catch for selectively engaging and supporting said platform at said second position, wherein each catch comprises a pivotable body having a support surface, said pivotable body being rotatable into a first position such that said platform rests upon said support surface and a second position out of a path of travel of said platform.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said columns at a front portion of the truck bed are connected to each other at top portion thereof by a cross-member.
3. The apparatus to claim 1 wherein said platform is slidably located between said columns.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said platform is maintained parallel to the bed of the truck by crossed interlinked scissor members.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said platform is sized to support a small vehicle thereon.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said platform is sized to support a small vehicle selected from the group consisting of all terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a winch located at an upper portion on a front portion of said frame, said winch having an elongate tension member extending in a downward direction to said platform so as to be operable to lift said platform to said second position.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said winch includes a pair of elongate tension members each extending to an opposed side of the platform.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said each of said pair of elongate tension members passes over a roller so as to extend in a substantially vertical direction between said a roller and said platform.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said winch comprises an electric winch utilizing an electrical system of the truck as a power supply.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said catch is biased towards said second position by a release spring.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said catch is selectably biased towards said first position by a retaining spring.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said retaining spring is selectably coupleable to said catch so as to selectably bias said catch to said first position when said retaining spring is connected to said catch and towards said second position when said retaining spring is decoupled from said catch.