Ladder rack apparatus and method

Abstract

A motorized ladder rack for loading or unloading a ladder on a vehicle is provided. The motorized ladder rack comprises a stationary front cradle, a pivotable and extendable rear cradle and a side rail. The rear cradle includes a motorized drive assembly which may be remotely controlled. The front and rear cradles are secured to the vehicle. The front cradle includes a support member, front and side guides removably secured to the support member and a side stop removably secured to the support member. The side rail is secured to the front and rear cradles and extends therebetween. The ladder rack is movable between a first position and a second position by activation of the motorized drive assembly.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A motorized ladder rack for loading or unloading a ladder on a vehicle, said motorized ladder rack comprising: 
 a stationary front cradle secured to said vehicle, said front cradle including a support member, a side guide removably secured to the support member, a front guide removably secured to the support member, and a side stop removably secured to the support member;    a pivotable and extendable rear cradle secured to said vehicle;    a side rail secured to said front and rear cradles and extending therebetween;    wherein said ladder rack is movable between a first position and a second position by activation of a motorized drive assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 1  wherein said side guide includes a horizontally extending mounting portion, a vertically extending retaining portion extending upwardly from said mounting portion and a guiding portion extending upwardly and outwardly from said mounting portion at a fixed angle relative to said mounting portion.  
     
     
         3 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 2  wherein said fixed angle is between 125 and 165 degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 2  wherein said mounting portion and said guiding portion of said side guide are on the same side of said retaining portion.  
     
     
         5 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 2  wherein said horizontally extending mounting portion of said side guide has at least one aperture for connection to the support member.  
     
     
         6 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 1  wherein said side guide is adjustable relative to said support member.  
     
     
         7 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 1  wherein said front guide extends forwardly from the support member.  
     
     
         8 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 1  wherein said front guide includes a horizontally extending mounting portion, a vertically extending retaining portion extending upwardly from said mounting portion and a guiding portion extending upwardly and outwardly from said mounting portion at a fixed angle relative to said mounting portion.  
     
     
         9 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 8  wherein said fixed angle is between 115 and 155 degrees.  
     
     
         10 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 2  wherein said horizontally extending mounting portion of said front guide has at least one aperture for connection to the support member.  
     
     
         11 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 1  wherein said front guide is adjustable relative to said support member.  
     
     
         12 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 1  wherein said side stop includes a vertically extending retaining portion extending upwardly from a mounting portion, the mounting portion having a horizontally extending portion and tab portions extending downwardly from the horizontally extending portion.  
     
     
         13 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 1  wherein said side rail has a circular cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         14 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 1  wherein at least one portion of said side rail is curved.  
     
     
         15 . A motorized ladder rack for loading or unloading a ladder on a vehicle, said motorized ladder rack comprising: 
 a stationary front cradle secured to said vehicle, said front cradle including a support member, a side guide secured to the support member, a front guide secured to the support member, and a side stop removably secured to the support member, said front and side guides being adjustable relative to said support member;    a pivotable and extendable rear cradle secured to said vehicle;    a side rail secured to said front and rear cradles and extending therebetween;    wherein said ladder rack is movable between a first position and a second position by activation of a motorized drive assembly.    
     
     
         16 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 15  further comprising a side grip connected to the side stop, the side grip having a vertically oriented mounting portion and horizontally oriented retaining portion to prevent upward movement of a ladder.  
     
     
         17 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 15  wherein said side rail includes a linear portion and a curved portion secured to said linear portion.  
     
     
         18 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 15  wherein said curved portion of said side rail extends outwardly from said linear portion of said side rail.  
     
     
         19 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 15  wherein said side rail includes a linear portion and curved portions secured to said linear portion at the ends thereof.  
     
     
         20 . A motorized ladder rack for loading or unloading a ladder on a vehicle, said motorized ladder rack comprising: 
 a stationary front cradle secured to said vehicle, said front cradle including a support member, a side guide secured to the support member, a front guide secured to the support member, and a side stop secured to the support member;    a pivotable and extendable rear cradle secured to said vehicle;    a side rail secured to said front and rear cradles and extending therebetween, said side rail having a straight portion and two curved portions at the ends of the straight portion;    wherein said ladder rack is movable between a first position and a second position by activation of a motorized drive assembly.    
     
     
         21 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 15  wherein said side and front guides are removably secured to said support member.  
     
     
         22 . The motorized ladder rack of  claim 15  wherein said front guide is adjustable relative to said support member.