• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A slidable platform assembly suitable for use on a load supporting surface such as a pick-up truck bed. Aplurality of rollers disposed on the platform cooperate with a pair of tracks on the support surface such that the platform slides between a first position above the support surface and a second position where the platform is engaged with the tracks at one end and extends beyond the tracks at the opposite end. The platform assembly also includes a collapsible leg attached to the bottom of the platform. When the platform is extended, the free end is supported by the collapsible leg to form a work table.
    公开号:CA2278874A1
    申请号:C2278874
    申请日:1999-07-26
    公开日:2000-01-27
    发明作者:Robert Walter Bauer
    申请人:Robert Walter Bauer；
    IPC主号:B60P1-43
    专利说明:
    REAR EXTENDING PICK-UP TRUCK BED TABLE Applicant hereby claims pxiority based on Pzovisiot~al Application No. 60/09x.,2.93 filed July 27, 1998, and entitled "Rear Extending Pick-Up Truck Bed Table," which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF TNVENTION The present invention relates to a loading platform and more particularly to a platform assembly slidably mounted within a truck bed so as to enhance the loading, accessibility and unloading of equipment and/or cargo. The platform assembly also includes a collapsible leg that supports the platform when it is extended outside the truck bed such that the plal:Lorm can be used as a work table.l0 PACKGR.OUND OF THE INVENTION One problem that has arisen in the use of pickup trucks, flat bed trucks, vans and the like is that the loading and unloading of equipment or cargo from the truck bad can be relatively difficult due to the configu.rati.on of the truck bed and, if present, the surrounding sidewalls. Previously these functions, particularly as to heavy cargo, required the user l:o lift the cargo onto the truck bed at the rear end thereof and then carry the cargo to the proper location within the bed confines for transport. Upon unloading, the user had to enter the confines of the truck bed and carry the cargo to the rear thereof. In either case the cargo may have been dragged across the truck bed and marred the same. In other cases it may be desirable to have access to tools ox other equipment stored on the bed. At times it may be necessary to enter the confines of the truck bed eo as to facilitate access to such equipment. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a truck bed that facilitates the loading and unloading of cargo from the confines of a truck bed as well as alJ.ows easy access to the equipment or cargo stored thereon. It is also desirable to have a sliding platform of S the type described above that could also function as a wot'k table . In many i nsraTlCPC . tohan norf."-",i r,..r ..,..,.Ltasks at a remote location it would be convenient to have a surface above the ground to work on. The present invention meets the above-described needs by providing a slidable platform assembly that slides within tracks mounted to the floor of the cargo hold of a vehicle. A movable support platform is 1.5 mounted inside the bed of a vehicle such that loading and unloading of items inside the truck bed is much easier. Also, the slidable platform assembly includes a collapsible leg that converts the platform assembly into a portable work table. The work tab~.e is formed when 20 anc cod of the platform assembly is moved beyond the tracks and a collapsible leg is unfolded and extended below the table to support the end of the platform assembly from a support surface such as the ground. In a preferred embodiment, the slidable platform 25 assembly includes a pair of tracks that are mounted on a load supporting surface such as the bed of a pickup truck. The tracks extend along the support surface in the direction of the sliding movement. A load supporr.i.ng platform with a plurality of rollers 30 cooperates with the tracks to move the platform along the support surface. The platform moves from a first position where it is disposed above the support surface to a second position where it extends beyond the tracks suhatantially paral.l.el to the support surface_ 35 When the platform slides away from the support suxface into its fully extended position, a cantilever effect is created with a moment arm about the end of the platform attached to the tracks. In order to provide support for the platform when it is in this position, a collapsible leg extends .from underneath the platform such that the platform r_an be supported from a second support surface such as the ground. With the collapsible leg in position, the platform can be used as a work table. Accordingly, the platform assembly of the present invention advantageously provides a sliding load supporting platform that facilitates the loading and unloading of the cargo area of a vehicle. Also, the sliding platform provides a remote work table supported in part by the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters designate the same or sirnil.ar parts throughout the figures of which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the slidahle platform assembly of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the present invention mounted to the bed of a pick-up truck; Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the present invention with the collapsible leg extended to the second support surface; Fig. 4 is an enlarged view taken fxom Fig. 3; Fig. S is a bottom plan view of the slidable platform assembly of thp present invention; and, Fig. 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention having a locking arechanism. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In Fig. 1, the platform assembly 10 of the present invention includes a platform 13. Platform 13 is preferably substantially planar and constructed of a rigid, durable material such as steel, wood, plastic, fiberglass, composites, and the like. Platform 13 is preferably rectangular. The platform has opposed ends 19:, 16. A pair of sides 19, 22 extend parallel ro one another and substantially perpendicular to the ends. The overall dimensions of the platform 13 depend on the dimensions inside the vehicle where the platform 13 is to be mounted_ The thickness of the platform 13 depends on the material, the loads, and the desixed weight, but ie generally to be minimized due to weight considerations. An upstanding wall 25 is disposed around a portion of platform 13. The wall 25 is attached to the platfozm 13 by gluing, fasteners, or the like and prevents items from sliding off of the platform 13. The wall 25 has two side portions 28, 31 disposed in spaced apart parallel fashion. A back portion 34 extends between side portions 28, 31. The front of side portions 28, 31 is preferably rounded such that it will not puncture or damage items being slid inl:o Lhe portion or platform 13 enclosed by the wall 25. An upstanding xail 37 is disposed at the front end Z4 of platform 13. The ,rail 37 preferably extends across the entire width of the platform 13. The rail. 3~provides a hacidle and a leverage point for gripping the platform to move the platform 13 into and out of the vehicle. The rail 37 also supports a bolt type lock shown in Fig. 6. 1~ bore inside rail 37 houses a sliding bolt that is spring biased to lock the platform 13 through engagement with a locking member attached to the vehicle. A release mechanism compresses the spring such that the sliding bolt disengages from the locking mechanism to allow the platform 13 to slide out from the bed bf the vehicle, A pair of collapsible and adjustable legs 40 are shown extending from the front of the platform 13. The legs 40 fold up underneath the platform 13 for storage. The folding and locking mechanism for the legs 40 is S well known in the art pertaining to folding tables. A plurality of openings 43 disposed along the length of the legs 40 provide for adjustment of a pair of feet 46 attached to the ends of the legs 46. By lining up holes in a tube attached to the feet with holes 43 in the legs 40 and inserting a pin (~ioL shown), the length of the legs 40 can be adjusted to engage the support surface below the feet 46. Turning to Fig. 2, the slidable platform assembly of the present invention is shown in the bed 52 of a pick-up truck 55. The platform 13 extends over the lift gate 58 and away from the back of the truck a distance D. A plurality of rollers 61 are attached to the platform 13. The rollers 61 roll inside a track 64 (best shown in Figs. 3 and 4). In Fig. 3, a pair of support members 70, 73 are attached to the bottom of the platform 13. The support members 70, 73 Carxy the roliers 61. The support members 70, 73 extend along the Length of the platform 13 in the direction of sliding. The support members 70, '73 are preferably attached to the platform by mechanical fasteners such as screws, nails, bolts, or the like or by gluing_ Alternately, the support members 70, 73 could be integrally formed in platform 13_ The support members '~0, 73 are preferably spaced inward from the side of the platform 13 in order to better distribute the load. Turning to Fig. 4, the track 64 preferably comprises a pair of C-shaped c:hannPls 82 having- a bot.torn wall 85, a top wall 88, and a vertical sidewall 91 3S connecting the top arid bottom walls. The track 64 is w 6 -fixedly attached to the truck bed 52 or it could be attached to an insert for the bed 52. The track 64 is preferably cotlstructed of steel or other material suitable for a bearing surface. The tracks 64 on each side of the platform .t3 constrain the rollers 61 to movement in a straight line in and out of the bed 52. In Fig. 5, a stop 102 is shown attached to the bottom of platform 13. The stop 102 is attached by mechanical fasteners such ds nails, bolts, screws, or the like or by adhesives. The stop 102 engages with an obstruction mounted on the truck bed 52 such that the platform 13 cazznot slide completely off of the r_rarks 64. Turning to Fig. 6, a mechanical lock 110 of the sliding bolt type is shown. A locking member 113 is attached to the truck bed 52. The locking member ~.x3 has an opening 126 for sliding a bolt therein. ThP rail 37 on platform 13 has an internal bore 119 with a sliding bolt 122 disposed therein. The bolt 122 is biased out of the bore 119 by a mechanical coil spring 125, the bolt 122 is preferably attached by a chain 128 to a ring 130 that extends from the front of the platform 13. When the vehicle is in motion the platform 13 is locked into position and thereby prevented from movement by the bolt 122 engaging with the locking member 113. When the ring 130 is pulled, the bolt 122 slides out of the locking member 113 and compresses the spring 125. Once the bolt 122 clears the edge of the locking member 113, the platform 13 can slide out of the bed 52. Accordingly, the present invention advantageously provides a sliding plarfo.rm assembly that is disposed in the cargo hold of a vehicle such as a pick-up truck and provides a sliding planar surface that facilitates the loading, unloading, arid storage of items within the truck. The present invention also provides an apparatus and a method for providing a portable work table. The slidable platform of the present invention is advantageously equipped with a pair of collapsible legs that provide support for a distal end of the sliding platform when the platform is extended from the back of the pick-up truck.while the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred Pmbodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and eguivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invenr_.i,on as. defined by the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (20)
    [1] 1. A slidable platform assembly for placement atop a load supporting surface, the platform assembly comprising:a) a pair of tracks mounted on the load supporting surface and extending in the direction of slidable movement;b) a load supporting platform having a plurality of bearing members that cooperate with the tracks to move the platform between a first position where the platform is disposed above the load supporting surface and a second position where the platform is engaged with the tracks at one end and extends beyond the tracks at the opposite end; and, c) a leg collapsibly mounted to the platform such that the leg is capable of supporting the platform from a second support surface.
    [2] 2. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the tracks have a bottom wall, a top wall, and a vertical side wall connecting the top and bottom wall.
    [3] 3. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing members comprise rollers.
    [4] 4. The platform assembly of claim 1, wherein the length of the leg is adjustable.
    [5] 5. The platform assembly of claim 4, wherein the leg is adjustable in telescopic fashion.
    [6] 6. The platform assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pair of support members disposed on the bottom of the platform.
    [7] 7.~The platform assembly of claim 6, wherein the bearing members are mounted to the support members.
    [8] 8. The platform assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sliding bolt locking mechanism disposed on the platform such that the platform can be locked into a fixed position relative to the tracks.
    [9] 9. A slidable platform assembly for placement atop a load supporting surface, the platform assembly comprising:a pair of tracks mounted on the load supporting surface and extending in the direction of slidable movement, the tracks disposed in spaced apart relation, each track having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a vertical side wall connecting the top and bottom walls;a load supporting platform having a plurality of bearing members mounted thereon that cooperate with the tracks to move the platform between a first position where the platform is disposed above the load supporting surface and a second position where the platform is engaged with the tracks at one end and extends beyond the tracks at the opposite end;a leg collapsibly mounted to the platform such that the leg is capable of supporting the platform from a second support surface, the leg having a foot at one end, the foot telescopingly engaging with the leg such that the length of the leg is adjustable; and, a locking mechanism mounted on the platform such that the platform is capable of releasably locking to the load supporting surface to prevent motion relative to the tracks.
    [10] 10. The platform assembly of claim 9, wherein the bearing members comprise rollers.
    [11] 11. The platform assembly of claim 9, further comprising a pair of support members disposed on the bottom of the platform.
    [12] 12. The platform assembly of claim 11, wherein the bearing members are mounted to the support members.
    [13] 13. A method for providing a work table comprising the steps of:providing a slidable platform assembly for placement atop a load supporting surface, the platform assembly comprising a pair of tracks mounted on the load supporting surface and extending in the direction of slidable movement; a load supporting platform having a plurality of bearing members that cooperate with the tracks to move the platform between a first position where the platform is disposed above the load supporting surface and a second position where the platform is engaged with the tracks at one end and extends beyond the tracks at the opposite end; and, a leg collapsibly mounted to the platform such that the leg is capable of supporting the platform from a second support surface;sliding the platform along the tracks into the second position; and, extending the leg to the second support surface such that the platform provides a work table located above the second support surface.
    [14] 14. The method of Claim 13, wherein the load supporting surface is the bed of a pick-up truck.
    [15] 15. The method of Claim 14, wherein the second support surface is the ground.
    [16] 16. The method of Claim 13, wherein the tracks have a bottom wall, a top wall, and a vertical side wall connecting the top and bottom wall.
    [17] 17. The method of Claim 13, wherein the bearing members comprise rollers.
    [18] 18. The method of Claim 13, wherein the leg is adjustable in telescopic fashion.
    [19] 19. The method of Claim 13, wherein the slidable platform assembly further comprises a sliding bolt locking mechanism disposed on the platform such that the platform can be locked into a fixed position relative to the tracks.
    [20] 20. The method of Claim 19, wherein the sliding bolt locking mechanism is disposed inside a bore in the platform.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    US6491331B1|2002-12-10|Extendable cargo deck for pickup trucks
    US5090335A|1992-02-25|Table for truck bed
    CA2135296C|1998-12-01|Portable work table for being removably positioned within a storage compartment of a vehicle
    US5257894A|1993-11-02|Small vehicle stowable ramp system
    US4950123A|1990-08-21|Retractable bed for truck
    US5975826A|1999-11-02|Hand-truck with attachments
    US5870788A|1999-02-16|Portable ramp device
    US5848668A|1998-12-15|Portable lifting system for easy movement of moderately heavy items
    US5186479A|1993-02-16|Multi-function cart
    US6386560B2|2002-05-14|Dolly for large appliances
    US5570988A|1996-11-05|Cart carrying device
    US9199569B2|2015-12-01|Telescoping and magnetic tailgate ramp
    US7475887B2|2009-01-13|Pallet jack
    USRE40004E1|2008-01-15|Adjustable shelf for vehicular campers
    US5277439A|1994-01-11|Hand truck
    US5634408A|1997-06-03|Vehicle cargo tray
    US7811045B2|2010-10-12|Tilt rack
    US6474929B1|2002-11-05|Linear incline lift and dump device
    EP0497498B1|1996-04-03|Improvements relating to trailers
    US8079798B2|2011-12-20|Tiltable loading ramp
    US6648569B2|2003-11-18|Vehicle cargo bed with movable platform
    CA2396625C|2006-12-12|Multi-functional cargo bed liner assembly
    US8104725B1|2012-01-31|Lifting device for litter boxes
    US6517137B2|2003-02-11|Multi-functional cargo bed assembly
    US20090314187A1|2009-12-24|Portable Work Table
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    CN110065515A|2019-05-08|2019-07-30|郑州铁路职业技术学院|A kind of railroad freight car convenient for loading and unloading goods|
    US10829059B1|2019-01-08|2020-11-10|David Addison|Extensible truck bed platform|
    法律状态:
    2002-07-26| FZDE| Dead|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US9429398P| true| 1998-07-27|1998-07-27||
    US60/094,293||1998-07-27||
    [返回顶部]