FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This application relates generally to transportable cargo containers. More specifically, this application relates to cargo containers adapted to be retained by a tow truck wheel lift assembly and thereby transported behind the tow truck.
BACKGROUND
Frequently trucks, including tow trucks, include a vehicle towing assembly designed to engage the lower portion of the vehicle tires of one axle with a bar or portions of a front bar extending across a width across the tires, and engaging the lower rear of the tires with a further rear bar or bar portions also extending across the with across the tires so that the when the front and rear bar or bar portions are raised, the vehicle tires rest on and partially between the front and rear bar or bar portions.
It is desirous to transport material other than or in addition to vehicles having tires mounted on axle(s). However, the addition of the towing assembly or the construction of the tow truck generally precludes the inclusion of a place to receive such material, and often precludes the inclusion of a facility to allow the connection of a towed trailer. However, even if the ability to tow a trailer is provided, it is often not desirable due to do so. Thus, despite the capacity of tow trucks to move substantial vehicles, their utility beyond towing vehicles is noticeably marginal at best.
SUMMARY
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cargo container includes a body comprising or including a flat bottom or a bottom substantially flat at regions corresponding to the distances at which vehicle tires are spaced on an axle of a vehicle to be towed, whereon a plurality of surfaces which extend out of the body bottom or flat regions are disposed to engage the tow truck wheel lift assembly draw bar and the extension (when deployed) and permit the cargo container to be lifted, moved or otherwise retained by the tow truck.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.
FIG. 1 is perspective view of a one embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an upward planar view of the container according to a further embodiment showing engagement with a typical wheel lift assembly at an initial stage and partially deployed stage of wheel lift assembly engagement; and
FIG. 3 is an upward planar view of the container according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 showing a fully deployed wheel lift assembly engagement therewith.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An exemplary embodiment 50 is shown in FIG. 1, wherein a wheel lift assembly 60, typically attached to the rear of another vehicle, e.g. a tow truck, extends under an exemplary container 70 and engages members 80A attached thereto. In the embodiment 50, the members 80A, 80B comprises two pairs of flanges formed by sections of angle iron having corresponding edges 82A, 82B of each pair fastened (e.g. by welding) to extend out from the bottom 72 of the container 70 at and provide outwardly facing surfaces spaced between the pairs approximating the spacing of a portion of the automobile tires typically engaged and carried by the wheel lift assembly 60 (e.g. ______ to ______ inches in the exemplary embodiments shown), wherein the unattached ends 84A, 84B of the angle iron sections face outward from each other to form the flange ends which further engages the wheel lift assembly 60, especially if and when upward (relative to the wheel lift assembly 60) forces or motion is encountered. However, alternate embodiments without the ends (e.g. 84A, 84B) are within the scope of the present invention.
The embodiment 50 of FIG. 1 may also include an additional pair of members 80C which are mounted to the bottom 72 and extend outward therefrom with each element of the pair being fastened between a pair of members 80A and 80B and if having a surface such surface would typically be orthogonal thereto, and providing relatively facing surfaces spaced apart at a distance approximating the distance between facing sides of tires on an axle of a vehicle carried by the wheel lift assembly 50, typically ______ to ______ inches in the exemplary embodiment shown. The members 80C may also be fabricated by angle iron or equivalent and further include unattached ends which form flange ends that are disposed to face each other and provide further engagement of the wheel lift assembly 60.
In operation, the embodiments according to the present invention are retained by the wheel lift assembly by first introducing the retracted or stowed wheel lift assembly between pairs of members until contact is made therewith, as shown in a container 90 of FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating the subsequent engagement with a typical tow truck wheel lift assembly, 60. In the container 90, pairs of members 92A, 92B are disposed to extend out of the substantially planar container 90 bottom 94 each have a surface which is initially engaged by a draw bar 62 of the assembly 60 and substantially lying on the line defined by the confronting edge of the draw bar 62. The typical wheel lift assembly includes additional “L” arms 64 having an end pivotally connected to the drawbar 62 to position the “L” arms at a distance substantially corresponding to a typical spacing between wheels on an axle of a vehicle to be towed, and are shown in FIG. 2 in a stowed position 66 and a partially deployed position 68.
When fully deployed as shown in FIG. 3, the end of the “L” arms 64 not pivotally connected to the drawbar 62 become substantially parallel to the drawbar 62 and capture the members 92A and 92B therebetween by engaging the outward facing surfaces of the members 92A and 92B. Accordingly, the container 90 is retained by the wheel lift assembly 60 in lateral directions (in the plane of the drawings) as well as being lifted (into the plane of the drawing). Moreover, an additional facing pair of members 92C is mounted on the bottom 94 at a relative distance from the drawbar 62 between the distances of the members 92A, 92B relative to the drawbar 62, and having facing surfaces spaced a distance corresponding to the facing tire surfaces which the wheel lift assembly is expected to engage, or at a distance which permits the “L” arm to fully deploy as shown in FIG. 3. Additionally, the members 92A, 92B, 92C may further include flange ends (similar to 84A, 84B, 84C of FIG. 1) to provide enhanced retention in the wheel lift assembly.
To disengage, the container is lowered to be supported on the ground, e.g. by wheels 96 or other supports mounted to the bottom 94, and the “L” arms (or corresponding element in the wheel lift assembly) are withdrawn into a position which permits the wheel lift assembly 60 to be moved away from the container, e.g. 70 and 90.
The embodiments according to the present invention are useful with other towing or wheel lift assemblies which engage opposing surfaces with or without the “L” arms. Furthermore, the flanges 80A, 80B, 80C surfaces and equivalents in other embodiments according to the present invention may be other than continuous and/or flat surfaces, such as separated segments thereof, and may also be formed in various manners, e.g. as contiguous portions of a single member. Moreover, since the upper surfaces of the wheel lift assemblies which engage tires of the vehicles to be towed are likely to be substantially of the same plane, so to should the bottom 94 (or 72) surfaces be, or include portions which are substantially co-planar at least in the regions having the members 80A, 80B for best stability.
The container including the bottom 72 or 94 may comprise a simple platform or a structure having one or more removable or permanent sidewalls (e.g. 76A, 76B of FIG. 1) and/or a top to provide an enclosed volume, and be appropriately sized to carry material as desired.
Further modifications and substitutions made by one of ordinary skill are within the scope of the present invention which is not to be limited except by the claims which follow.
Patent Application
20100178145
