Vehicle mounted loader

Abstract

A loader is releasably mounted to an associated vehicle rack. The loader has a first generally horizontal position for transporting an associated boat and a second position inclined downwardly at an angle of inclination to the generally horizontal first position for launching and loading the associated boat in a predominately upright position. The loader comprises an outer frame assembly and an inner frame assembly. The outer frame assembly is configured for pivotal engagement with the associated vehicle rack. The inner frame assembly is at least partially telescopically received in the outer frame assembly. In the first position, the inner frame assembly is releasably secured within the outer frame assembly. In the second position, the outer frame assembly is at least partially rotated about a horizontal transverse axis defined by the associated vehicle rack and the inner frame assembly at least partially extends telescopically outwardly from the outer frame assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, an embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle mounted loader according to the present invention, the loader being removably mounted on a vehicle top rack.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the loader of FIG. 1 mounted to a pickup truck, the loader being in an extended and tilted position to pull a boat out of a body of water.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the loader of FIG. 1 showing a boat pulled to its loaded position above a roof rack of a pickup truck.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the loader of FIG. 1 showing the loader in a generally horizontal transport position above the vehicle roof rack.

Claims

1. A loader releasably mounted to an associated vehicle rack, the loader having a first generally horizontal position for transporting an associated boat and a second position inclined downwardly at an angle of inclination to the generally horizontal first position for launching and loading the associated boat in a predominately upright position, the loader comprising: an outer frame assembly configured for pivotal engagement with the associated vehicle rack; andan inner frame assembly at least partially telescopically received in said outer frame assembly,wherein in said first position, said inner frame assembly is releasably secured within said outer frame assembly,wherein in said second position, said outer frame assembly is at least partially rotated about a horizontal transverse axis defined by the associated vehicle rack and said inner frame assembly at least partially extends telescopically outwardly from said outer frame assembly.

2. The loader of claim 1, wherein said outer frame assembly includes first and second spaced apart, longitudinally extending rails and at least one transverse member connected to at least one of said first and second rails.

3. The loader of claim 2, wherein said first and second rails are rotatably connected to the associated vehicle rack.

4. The loader of claim 2, wherein said at least one transverse member is rotatably connected to the associated vehicle rack.

5. The loader of claim 2, wherein said outer frame assembly includes at least two spaced apart transverse members, each transverse member being connected to said first and second rails.

6. The loader of claim 2, wherein said outer frame assembly further includes an end assembly connected to a first end section of at least one of said first rail and said second rail, said end assembly configured to secure the associated boat to said loader in said first position.

7. The loader of claim 6, wherein said outer frame assembly further includes at least one strengthening member, said at least one strengthening member having a first end section connected to one of said first rail and said second rail and a second end section connected to said end assembly.

8. The loader of claim 1, wherein said inner frame assembly includes first and second spaced apart, longitudinally extending rails.

9. The loader of claim 8, wherein said inner frame assembly is generally U-shaped, a respective end section of said first rail and said second rail being connected to a cross member.

10. The loader of claim 1, wherein said outer frame assembly is generally ladder-shaped.

11. The loader of claim 1, further comprising a lifting system for pulling the associated boat onto the loader and for allowing the associated boat to be controllably lowered off the loader, said lifting system including: a winch mounted to one of said loader and the associated vehicle rack,at least one pulley mounted to said outer frame assembly, said at least one pulley being operably connected to said winch, andan elongated connecting element operably engaged with said at least one pulley, said elongated connecting element having a first end section connected to said winch and a second end section connected to the associated boat.

12. The loader of claim 1, wherein said outer frame assembly is formed of a corrosion resistant, low-friction material.

13. The loader of claim 1, wherein said inner frame assembly is formed of a corrosion resistant, low-friction material.

14. A loader releasably mounted to an associated vehicle rack for launching, loading and transporting an associated boat in a predominately upright position, the loader comprising: an outer frame assembly pivotally connected to the associated vehicle rack, said outer frame including: a first longitudinally extending rail,a second longitudinally extending rail spaced from said first rail, andat least one transverse member connected to at least one of said first rail and said second rail;an inner frame assembly including first and second longitudinally extending rails, said first rail being telescopically housed in said first rail of said outer frame assembly, said second rail being telescopically housed in said second rail of said outer frame assembly; anda lifting system operably connected to said outer frame assembly for pulling the associated boat onto the loader and for allowing the associated boat to be controllably lowered off the loader.

15. The loader of claim 14, wherein said first and second rails of said outer frame assembly are pivotally connected to the associated vehicle rack.

16. The loader of claim 14, wherein said at least one transverse member of said outer frame assembly is pivotally connected to the associated vehicle rack.

17. The loader of claim 14, wherein said lifting system includes: a winch mounted to one of said loader and the associated vehicle rack,at least one pulley mounted to said outer frame assembly, said at least one pulley being operably connected to said winch, anda cable operably engaged with said at least one pulley, said cable having a first end section connected to said winch and a second end section connected to the associated boat.

18. A loader releasably mounted to an associated vehicle rack, the loader having a first generally horizontal position for transporting an associated boat and a second position inclined downwardly at an angle of inclination to the generally horizontal first position for launching and loading the associated boat in a predominately upright position, the loader comprising: a generally ladder-shaped outer frame assembly having a first end section pivotally mounted to the associated vehicle rack;a generally U-shaped inner frame assembly telescopically housed in said outer frame assembly for movement between a stowed position and an extended position; anda winch system operably connected to one of said outer frame assembly and the associated vehicle rack for pulling the associated boat onto the loader and for allowing the associated boat to be controllably lowered off the loader.

19. The loader of claim 18, further including an end assembly connected to and extending generally perpendicular from an end section of said outer frame assembly and at least one strengthening member connected to said outer frame assembly and said end assembly.

20. The loader of claim 18, wherein in said second position, the loader is approximately twice the length of the associated boat.