Side puller accessory frame for a car carrier and for a tow truck

Abstract

A side puller accessory frame for a tow truck having a cab and a truck frame mounts to the truck frame behind the cab. The accessory frame preferably includes two stiff legs, a wire rope winch mounted transverse to the longitudinal axis of the truck that provides pulling force via a removable pivotable center sheave that directs the pulling force to sides or the rear of the truck as desired. The accessory frame may include a removable pivotable side sheave that may mount in a side sheave mounting tube. The side puller accessory frame makes a conventional car carrier with a roll back bed a recovery truck.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A side puller mounted on a recovery vehicle having a vehicle frame, comprising:
 an accessory frame oriented transversely to a longitudinal axis of the recovery vehicle, the accessory frame connected to the vehicle frame; and   a winch whose cable is carried by the accessory frame, the cable capable of being oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the recovery vehicle so as to facilitate recovery of a disabled vehicle located in a remote direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the recovery vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . The side puller of  claim 18 , wherein the cable may be extended in either direction remote from, and substantially transverse to, the longitudinal axis of the recovery vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The side puller of  claim 18 , further comprising two nesting legs connected to the accessory frame and capable of extending on either side of the recovery vehicle. 
     
     
         21 . The side puller of  claim 18 , wherein the accessory frame comprises bracing including a top horizontal frame tube and two diagonal frame tubes. 
     
     
         22 . The side puller of  claim 21 , further comprising two support tubes each connected between the horizontal frame tube and a diagonal frame tube. 
     
     
         23 . The side puller of  claim 22 , wherein each of the support tubes has an extendable leg. 
     
     
         24 . The side puller of  claim 23 , wherein the extendable leg is movable by a hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         25 . The side puller of  claim 18 , wherein the accessory frame includes at least one sheave for supporting and redirecting the cable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. 
     
     
         26 . The side puller of  claim 18 , wherein the accessory frame includes a center sheave mounted centrally on the accessory frame and at least one side sheave mounted on one end of the accessory frame. 
     
     
         27 . The side puller of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one sheave comprises a removable, pivotable sheave. 
     
     
         28 . The side puller of  claim 26 , wherein the winch and the sheaves are oriented relative to the bracing to allow the winch cable to feed to and from the winch selectively upwards and downwards through the center sheave, and then through a side sheave to a load to be side-pulled.