Patent Application
20080279668
The present invention is generally related to the crane, lift or hoisting arts and, in particular, to the application of such arts in combination with a utility truck or a service vehicle.
As is known in the art, utility trucks or service vehicles comprise a low-riding, heavy duty vehicle with larger side tool and equipment boxes.
Utility trucks are of the type utilized by electric power companies, telephone companies and many other equipment service and replacement organizations.
In addition to normal installation and repair duties, utility trucks are often called into service during or in the aftermath of serious weather conditions such as snow storms, blizzards, tornados, hurricanes and the like.
Utility trucks are often utilized when new electric power equipment or telephone equipment must be installed as rapidly and efficiently as possible to restore critical power and telephone services to customers on line.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to describe a utility truck capable of carrying and unloading a new equipment box without the need for a separate unloading crane, lift or hoist unit.
It is a further object of the invention to set forth a utility truck having top portions of the lateral tool boxes cut out to accommodate a specially designed hoist or lift apparatus.
It is a further object to describe a combined utility truck and hoist/lift system in which the hoist or lift is provided with a solid mounting base and is positioned for maximum lifting capabilities. The described system and method also enables the loading of a damaged or non-functioning equipment box onto a utility truck for removal as needed.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated by those of skill in the utility and service truck arts.
During the course of preparing this specification for submission to the U.S. Patent Office, a full search of the prior art was conducted.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,112 teaches the use of a crane in combination with a utility truck. The design has a single lower mounting base shown at numeral 2.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,935 teaches the use of a lifting apparatus in the bed of a pickup truck. A particular mounting configuration and method of operation is described.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,397 describes a hoist system and method of use wherein hoist component parts are separable and broken down for storage in the truck bed when not in use.
The present invention is described and claimed so as to clearly define over all prior art teachings known to those in the utility truck and related crane industries.
A utility truck rear assembly is shown as having a front wall, a bed and a left side tool box area.
The utility truck rear assembly further includes a right side tool box area.
A lift installed in the utility truck rear area includes a lower hydraulic drive and an angled support for an upper lift section.
Support areas are cut out in both the left side tool box area and the right side tool box area.
The cut out support areas include a first and forward horizontal support and a second, rearward horizontal support.
The first and second horizontal supports are connected by an angled support portion.
The cut out design provides for enhanced stability of the overall lift system and also provides for protection from weather elements for enhanced performance and extended life of the system.
a through 1f show a hydraulically driven lift, hoist or crane unit in various possible positions from the in or lowered position of
Referring to the drawing figures,
The various components are numbered in
a pair of arms 11 and 12 are connected by a cross-arm indicated at numeral 14;
the lower ends of arms 11 and 12 have angled rocker elements 17 and 18;
numerals 21 and 22 indicate lower support and drive elements;
the ends of the drive elements are shown at numerals 23 and 24 as angled to receive the angled upper rocker elements;
a winch unit is shown at numeral 16.
The winch unit 16 is utilized to pick up a load 29 as indicated in
As indicated in the progression of
Referring to
Unit 30 has a front wall 31, a bed area 32 and lateral elongated tool boxes or compartments shown at numerals 33 and 34.
Referring to
a lower horizontal interior shelf 40,
an upper horizontal interior shelf 42,
and an angled interior shelf 44 which extends between and connects the horizontal shelves 40 and 42.
Referring to the schematic drawing of
These shelves 50, 52 and 54 are the mirror image of the shelves 40, 42 and 44 and thus serve to support the lift unit 10 in a nestled or tucked-in manner in relation to the utility truck assembly 30.
Referring to the end rear view of
The cut out portions of the tool boxes 33 and 34 are also indicated in the rear view of
The particular overall arrangement of the lift unit 10 in combination with the utility truck 30 achieves a maximum amount of support and protection for the lift unit.
The arrangement shown allows a protective cover or cap 60 to be placed over side walls and lift portions to prevent exposure to harsh weather conditions when in storage or in transit to a work site.
The overall system is thus highly advantageous in such climates extant in the northern United States, Canada, northern Europe, northern Asia and Russia.
Protection from the snow and wind elements in such climates is readily achieved.
The method steps involved in practice of the invention are as follows:
Suitable attaching means of types known in the art would of course be utilized to fasten the lift to the utility truck.
Referring to the arrow 70 in
The tucked-in or nestled structure provided for the lift or hoist enables its drive mechanism to be shielded from the adverse weather elements.
The invention is thus highly useful in colder climates such as Canada and other northern regions of the earth.
Referring to
While a particular system and method of use have been shown and described, it is intended in this specification to include all equivalent systems and methods which would reasonably occur to those of skill in the art.
The invention is further defined by the claims appended hereto.
