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An apparatus for loading the bed of a pickup truck comprises a brace for supporting a load from the ground, the brace preventing the load from applying weight to the tail end of the bed with damaging consequences while being drawn into position by a winch and cable system. A pallet is used to stage

An apparatus for loading the bed of a pickup truck comprises a brace for supporting a load from the ground, the brace preventing the load from applying weight to the tail end of the bed with damaging consequences while being drawn into position by a winch and cable system. A pallet is used to stage the load on the ground and to provide a structure with a low angle of attack to the brace, the low angle of attack facilitating the transition of the load to the bed by reducing the tipping moment over the brace.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for loading a load onto a truck with a bed having an open end, comprising: a brace capable of supporting the load from the ground separately from the truck, the brace comprised of at least two upright stiff legs joined proximate the top by a crossbar, the crossbar at or above the lev

1. An apparatus for loading a load onto a truck with a bed having an open end, comprising: a brace capable of supporting the load from the ground separately from the truck, the brace comprised of at least two upright stiff legs joined proximate the top by a crossbar, the crossbar at or above the level of the bed, the brace stabilized by at least one connector bar hingingly attached between the brace and the open end;a pallet on which the load is placed while resting on the ground;a means for drawing the loaded pallet over the crossbar and into the bed;a means for unloading;whereas, during said drawing, the weight of the loaded pallet is substantially supported by the brace from the ground to avoid thereby a dynamic weighting of the open end, and the horizontal thrust from pivoting the weight over the brace is transferred to the truck through the at least one connector bar, the bed under loading capable of recoiling vertically through the articulation of the hinged attachment of the at least one connector bar. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an extension to the pallet perpendicular to the crossbar, thereby essentially reducing the angle of attack to the crossbar and achieving minimal tipping moment of the pallet over the crossbar. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the extension is achieved by light-weighting the extension structure. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising rollers at contact points of the pallet with the crossbar and the ground to reduce frictional drag. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one connector bar is hingingly attached through one hinge at the open end and another hinge at the brace, the hinges cooperating bi-laterally to isolate the brace from movement of the bed. 6. An apparatus for loading and unloading a load onto a truck with a bed having an open end, comprising: a brace capable of supporting the load from the ground separately from the truck, the brace comprised of at least two upright stiff legs joined proximate the top by a crossbar, the crossbar at or above the level of the bed, the brace stabilized by at least one connector bar hingingly attached between the brace and the open end;a pallet on which the load is placed while resting on the ground;a first winch and cable system attached between the bed and the pallet for drawing the loaded pallet over the crossbar and into the bed; anda second winch and cable system attached between the brace and the front of the pallet for drawing the pallet over the crossbar and onto the ground, the second winch and cable system having an at least third stiff leg placed centrally with respect to the crossbar, the at least third stiff leg serving to operationally direct the cable of the second winch and cable system, the at least third stiff leg providing a vertical rail to prevent the pallet from diving beneath the crossbar;whereas, during said drawing, the weight of the loaded pallet is substantially supported by the brace from the ground to avoid thereby a dynamic weighting of the open end, and the horizontal thrust from pivoting the weight over the brace is transferred to the truck through the at least one connector bar, the bed under loading capable of recoiling vertically through the articulation of the hinged attachment of the at least one connector bar. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an extension to the pallet perpendicular to the crossbar, thereby essentially reducing the angle of attack to the crossbar and achieving minimal tipping moment of the pallet over the crossbar. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the extension is achieved by light-weighting the extension structure. 9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising rollers at contact points of the pallet with the crossbar and the ground to reduce frictional drag. 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one connector bar is hingingly attached through one hinge at the open end and another hinge at the brace, the hinges cooperating bi-laterally to isolate the brace from movement of the bed. 11. An apparatus for loading a truck with a bed having an open end, comprising: a unitary load with a rigid structure;a brace capable of supporting the load from the ground separately from the truck, the brace comprised of at least two upright stiff legs joined proximate the top by a crossbar, the crossbar at or above the level of the bed, the brace stabilized by at least one connector bar hingingly attached between the brace and the open end;a means for drawing the unitary load over the crossbar and onto the bed; anda means for unloading;whereas, during said drawing, the weight of the unitary load is substantially supported by the brace from the ground to avoid thereby a dynamic weighting of the open end, and the horizontal thrust from pivoting the weight over the brace is transferred to the truck through the at least one connector bar, the bed under loading capable of recoiling vertically through the articulation of the hinged attachment of the at least one connector bar.