Fixture for hoisting and removal of truck beds

• US 5,803,520 A
• Filed: 03/05/1996
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Henry Bagrowski III
• Original Assignee: Henry Bagrowski III
• Inventors: Bagrowski, Henry III
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERRY, JOHNNY DAN
• Application Number:
  US08/610,991
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 294/67.1, 294/67.3, 294/67.33, 294/67.5, 294/81.1-81.4, 294/81.5, 294/81.54, 294/81.62, 294/90, 294/93, 294/94, 294/119.1
• US Class Current: 294/67.33
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/16 Slings with load-engaging platforms or frameworks
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/48 Manually-movable jib cranes for use in workshops

Abstract

A fixture to be used in conjunction with a standard engine crane for the hoisting of fleet-bed truck bed is disclosed and claimed. The fixture comprises a pair of struts joined at their center by a cross member, thus forming an I-shaped structure. At the end of each strut is an adjustable extension arm assembly, configured so that the I-shaped structure may be lowered into the truck bed, adjusted for a snug fit, and the adjustments fixed and secured. One or more brackets are located on the I-structure, so that a chain or other device may be fastened between the I-structure and engine crane, allowing a single operator to perform all the manipulations required to easily and safely lift the truck bed off the truck chassis.

Claims

1. A fixture to be used in conjunction with an engine crane for the hoisting of trucks of the type which comprise a bed and a frame, the bed having an open part into which cargo can be loaded, the bed further having a lip formed about said open part, and the fixture comprising:

a central beam having a first end and a second end;

a left strut and a right strut, each strut having two ends and a midpoint, the central beam detachably attached at its first end to the midpoint of the right strut, the central beam detachably attached at its second end to the mid point of the left strut, thereby forming an I-structure;

four strut extension arms, each of which is adjustably attached to a strut end and each strut extension arm comprising;

an extension main member; and

an extension diagonal member rigidly affixed to the extension main member and

extending diagonally from the extension main member;

a lift fitting rigidly attached to the I-structure; and

means for fixing the position of the strut extension arms on the struts, whereby the fixture may be lowered onto the bed and then the strut extension arms may be adjusted so that all four arms engage said lip and are captured therein, and so that the engine crane may be attached to the lift fitting and the bed lifted off the frame thereby.

2. The fixture of claim 1, further comprising means for fixing the detachable attachments between the central beam and the struts.

3. The fixture of claim 2, wherein each strut extension arm further comprises

an extension load support rigidly affixed to the diagonal member, whereby each strut extension arm may be adjustably attached to a strut end and positioned so that the extension load support fits under the lip of the truck bed, the position of the strut extension arms on the struts are fixed by means of the means for fixing said position, and the entire fixture thus adjusted to fit snugly and securely under the lip of the truck bed so that raising the fixture will likewise raise the truck bed.

4. The fixture of claim 3, wherein the lift fitting comprises a bracket with means for attaching said bracket to the engine crane.

5. The fixture of claim 4, wherein the means for fixing the detachable attachments between the central beam and the struts and the means for fixing the position of the strut extension arms on the struts comprise friction-adjuster means.

6. The fixture of claim 5, wherein the means for attaching the brackets to the engine crane comprise chain means.

7. The fixture of claim 3, wherein the lift fitting comprises a multiplicity of brackets with means for attaching said brackets to the engine crane.

8. The fixture of claim 7, wherein the means for fixing the detachable attachments between the central beam and the struts and the means for fixing the position of the strut extension arms on the struts comprise friction-adjuster means.

9. The fixture of claim 8, wherein the means for attaching the brackets to the engine crane comprise chain means.