초록 ▼

The present invention 10 discloses a loading platform 14 for motor vehicles 12 that is pivotably supported by a rigid stationary frame member 32 with a central square tube 34 that connects with a conventional trailer hitch 36 . The platform 14 may be locked securely to the stationary frame member 32

The present invention 10 discloses a loading platform 14 for motor vehicles 12 that is pivotably supported by a rigid stationary frame member 32 with a central square tube 34 that connects with a conventional trailer hitch 36 . The platform 14 may be locked securely to the stationary frame member 32 and released to allow for the pivoting movement thereof. A pair of bearing assemblies 42 allow for the axial rotation of the bearing blocks 46 and associated platform 14 around the bearings 44 that remain in a fixed position due to the square tube 34 extending therethrough. Pneumatic pistons 30 communicate between a central portion of the stationary frame member 32 and a distal portion of the platform 14 to provide stability and regulate the rotational movement of the platform 14.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for a pivoting loading platform for motor vehicles, the platform being connected to a trailer hitch attached to the rear of the motor vehicle, comprising:a) a trailer hitch fixedly attached to said rear end of said vehicle, said hitch having a square receptacle therein a square tube

1. An apparatus for a pivoting loading platform for motor vehicles, the platform being connected to a trailer hitch attached to the rear of the motor vehicle, comprising:a) a trailer hitch fixedly attached to said rear end of said vehicle, said hitch having a square receptacle therein a square tube member, wherein said square tube member has a plurality of holes therein for receiving a trailer hitch pin so that said square tube member can be removably fixedly attached to said trailer hitch;b) a platform, said platform being pivotal, said platform being substantially planar, said platform having a front and a rear end, a first and a second side, a top and a bottom, said platform having a wall disposed an said front, said rear end and said first side of said platform wherein said wall extends beyond said top and bottom of said platform to form a top and bottom wall around the platform wherein said wall can contain articles therein, said top and bottom wall having an inner and outer surface;c) a ramp disposed on said second side of said platform, wherein said ramp is extendable away from said second side of said platform to make it easier to load articles onto said platform;d) a pair of bearing assemblies having a square throughbore therein, said first bearing assembly being about intermediately mounted on said inner surface of said front, bottom wall and said second bearing assembly being about intermediately mounted on said inner surface of said rear, bottom wall, wherein said rear bottom wall has an aperture therein, said aperture being aligned with said square throughbore of said second bearing assembly to permit said square tube member to pass therethrough;e) wherein said square tube member has a first end and a second end wherein said first end of said square tube member has said plurality of holes therein for receiving said trailer hitch pin for connection to said trailer hitch, wherein said second end of said square tube member is disposed in said square throughbore of said first bearing assembly and said first end of said square tube member passes through said square throughbore in said second bearing assembly disposed on said rear, bottom wall to permit the square tube member and platform to pivot about the pair of bearing assemblies;f) a stationary frame having a pair of spaced apart, parallel members extending laterally from said square tube member to said inner surface of said first side of said bottom wall, wherein said stationary frame has at least one cross member for providing support to said pair of parallel members, each of said parallel frame members having a first and second end, wherein each of said first ends of said parallel members are fixedly connected to said square tube member and each of said second ends of said parallel members are removably fixedly connected to said outer surface of said first side of said bottom wall; and,g) a latch mechanism disposed on each of said second ends of said parallel members; said latch mechanism providing removable fixed connection to said outer surface of said first side of said bottom wall so that the platform can pivot when the latch mechanism does not connect the frame and wall of the platform. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pair of shock absorbers each having a first and second end, side first end of each said shock absorbers is connected to one of said pair of said parallel members intermediate said first and second end of said parallel members and said second end of each said shock absorber is connected to said inner surface of said first side of said bottom wall to provide stability to the platform as the platform is pivoted. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said shock absorber is a pneumatic shock absorber. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein edges of said ramp slide in a pair of tracks, wherein a first track is disposed on said inner surface of said front bottom wall and a second is disposed on said inner surface of said rear bottom w all, said ramp having a top surface and a bottom surface. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said top surface of said ramp is substantially coincident with said top of said platform as said ramp extends from said second side of said platform to permit articles to be easily loaded onto the platform. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said ramp extends substantially from said front and to said rear end of said platform to permit articles to be easily loaded onto the platform. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of said pair of bearing assemblies comprises:a) a bearing block being generally rectangular having a front face and a rear face, said bearing block having a plurality of holes therein, said holes extending from said front face to said rear face for receiving a corresponding bolt for attachment of said bearing block to said wall of said platform, said bearing block having a first and second aperture therein, said first aperture extending from said front face of said bearing block partially across said bearing block to a point adjacent to said rear face of said bearing block wherein a flange is formed between said first aperture and said rear face wherein a bearing is inserted into said first aperture, said bearing being complimentarily sized as said first aperture, said bearing having a square throughbore therein for receiving said square tube member, said second aperture being disposed in said rear face of said bearing block to allow said square tube member to pass therethrough;b) wherein said front face of each of said bearing blocks are attached contiguous to said inner surface of said bottom wall so that said bearing is captured between said wall of said platform and said flange in said bearing block; and,c) a plurality of bolts for attaching said bearing block to said wall of said platform corresponding to said holes in said bearing block. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an electrical power cord disposed on said rear of said vehicle, wherein at least one taillight disposed on said front end of said platform is connected by electrical wire to said power cord to permit said taillight to operate. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said top of said wall has a plurality of recesses therein, said recesses for receiving tie-downs which may be used to secure an article to the platform.