Cargo lifting platform

Abstract

The present invention is a lifting mechanism designed to be releasably attachable to a support, such as a hitch on the rear of a vehicle. The mechanism includes a housing that is securable to the hitch and encloses an operating mechanism having a pair of openings in which lift arms can be connected to be rotated by the operating mechanism. Each lift arm is movably and releasably connected to a platform which can be raised from a lowered position to a raised position by the operating mechanism and the lift arms in order to enable an item placed on the platform to be elevated from a position adjacent the ground to a position generally level with the cargo space of a vehicle, such as the bed of a pickup truck. The components of the mechanism are detachable from one another in order to easily store the mechanism when not in use.

1 . A lifting mechanism comprising: 
 a) an operating mechanism attachable to a vehicle;    b) at least one lift arm rotatably connected to the operating mechanism; and    c) a lifting implement securable to the at least one lift arm.    
   
   
       2 . The mechanism of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of lift arms releasably connected to the operating mechanism.  
   
   
       3 . The mechanism of  claim 2  wherein the pair of lift arms are rotatable in opposite directions by the operating mechanism.  
   
   
       4 . The mechanism of  claim 2  wherein each of the pair of lift arms comprises: 
 a) a securing section secured to the operating mechanism;    b) a central section secured to the securing section opposite the operating mechanism; and    c) a support section secured to the central section opposite the securing section.    
   
   
       5 . The mechanism of  claim 3  wherein the central section comprises: 
 a) a first part secured to the securing section; and    b) a second part secured to the support section, wherein the first part is releasably secured to the second part.    
   
   
       6 . The mechanism of  claim 5  further comprising at least one extension releasably secured between the first part and the second part.  
   
   
       7 . The mechanism of  claim 5  further comprising at least one extension releasably secured to the second part.  
   
   
       8 . The mechanism of  claim 2  wherein the lifting implement is a platform releasably secured between the pair of lift arms.  
   
   
       9 . The mechanism of  claim 8  wherein the platform is slidably and rotatably secured to the pair of lift arms.  
   
   
       10 . The mechanism of  claim 9  wherein the pair of lift arms each includes a number of sliding members engaged between the pair of lift arms and the platform.  
   
   
       11 . The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the operating mechanism further comprises: 
 a) a housing attachable to the vehicle;    b) at least one rotatable member disposed at least partially within the housing, the at least one rotatable member defining an aperture for receiving one end of the at least one lift arm; and    c) a motive mechanism disposed within the housing and operatively connected to the at least one rotatable member and configured to rotate the at least one lift arm.    
   
   
       12 . The mechanism of  claim 11  further comprising: 
 a) a pair of rotatable members disposed at least partially within the housing, each of the pair of rotatable members defining an aperture therein; and    b) a pair of lift arms secured to the pair of rotatable members, each of the pair of lift arms being rotatable by the motive mechanism in opposite directions.    
   
   
       13 . The mechanism of  claim 12  wherein each of the pair of rotatable members is operatively connected to a motive mechanism disposed within the housing.  
   
   
       14 . The mechanism of  claim 12  wherein the motive mechanism is adapted to be connected to a power source spaced from the housing.  
   
   
       15 . The mechanism of  claim 12  wherein the motive mechanism comprises: 
 a) a drive member disposed within the housing and connected to a power source for the drive mechanism; and    b) at least one connection member secured to the drive member at one end and to the pair of rotatable members at the opposite end.    
   
   
       16 . The mechanism of  claim 15  wherein the at least one connection member comprises a chain.  
   
   
       17 . The mechanism of  claim 15  wherein the at least one connection member comprises a link.  
   
   
       18 . The mechanism of  claim 15  wherein the at least one connection member comprises a pinion.  
   
   
       19 . The mechanism of  claim 11  wherein the housing is pivotably attached to the vehicle.  
   
   
       20 . The mechanism of  claim 11  further comprising at least one stabilizer secured to the housing.  
   
   
       21 . The mechanism of  claim 11  further comprising at least one brace roller secured to the at least one lift arm opposite the at least one rotatable member.  
   
   
       22 . The mechanism of  claim 11  further comprising a support connector disposed on the housing opposite the at least one rotatable member.  
   
   
       23 . The mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the implement is a hook.  
   
   
       24 . A method for lifting an item into a cargo area of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a lifting mechanism including an operating mechanism releasably connectable to the rear of the vehicle, at least one lift arm connectable to the operating mechanism, and a lifting implement releasably connectable to the at least one lift arm;    b) connecting the lifting mechanism to the rear of the vehicle;    c) engaging the item to be lifted with the lifting implement; and    d) activating the operating mechanism to elevate the at least one lift arm, the implement and the item with respect to the vehicle.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising the step of detaching the lifting mechanism from the vehicle after activating the operating mechanism.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the step of detaching the lifting mechanism from the vehicle comprises: 
 a) removing the lifting mechanism from the vehicle; and    b) disassembling the lifting mechanism for storage.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising the step of reassembling the lifting mechanism for reattachment to the vehicle.