Pneumatic Platform Tow Truck with Hinge

Abstract

A truck having a tiltable platform or other cargo bed and its methods of use. In some embodiments, the rear suspension of the truck may be lowerable to lower the platform or bed while it undergoes tilting. In other embodiments the rear suspension need not be lowerable and the platform or bed may remain at constant height before, during and after tilting. An integrated hinge and inflatable air bags may be used to move the platform or bed between a horizontal position and a tilted position. One or more loading ramps are deployable to facilitate loading of different types of cargo or vehicles. The platform or bed may be equipped with holes in which pulleys for multiple angles can be placed. Shrouded air bags may be used to prevent unwanted movement or rattling of ramps or other structures.

1 . A cargo truck comprising:
 a chasis,   front axle with front wheels attached thereto;   rear axle with rear wheels attached thereto;   a cab mounted on a front portion of the chasis;   a tiltable cargo bed mounted on a rear portion of the chasis; and   a winch;   a pull line connectable to the winch;   a plurality of right pulley mount locations positioned at spaced apart locations along a right side of the cargo bed;   a plurality of left pulley mount locations positioned at spaced apart locations along a left side of the cargo bed;   a first pulley alternately mountable on any selected one of the right plurality mount locations;   a second pulley alternately mountable on any selected one of the left pully mount locations;   the pull line being passable through the first and second pulleys and the winch being thereafter to pull the pull line from a plurality of different traction angles, each of said plurality of traction angles being defined by the particular selected right and left pulley mount locations at which the first and second pulleys are mounted.   
     
     
         2 . A cargo truck according to  claim 1  wherein the cargo bed comprises a platform upon which cargo is positionable for transport. 
     
     
         3 . A cargo truck according to  claim 2  wherein the platform has an upper surface. 
     
     
         4 . A cargo truck according to  claim 2  wherein the platform has a front portion and a rear portion, the upper surface of the rear portion extending at a downward angle relative to the upper surface of the front portion irrespective of whether the cargo bed in its tilted position or non-tilted position. 
     
     
         5 . A cargo truck according to  claim 4  wherein the upper surface of rear portion extends at a downward angle (A 1 ) of from about 182 degrees to about 188 degrees relative to the upper surface of the front portion. 
     
     
         6 . A cargo truck according to  claim 4  further comprising at least one loading ramp that is deployable from a rear end of the rear portion of the platform. 
     
     
         7 . A cargo truck according to  claim 6  wherein said at least one loading ramp comprises alternately deployable first and second loading ramps. 
     
     
         8 . A cargo truck according to  claim 7  wherein the alternately deployable first and second loading ramps differ in length. 
     
     
         9 . A cargo truck according to  claim 7  wherein, when deployed, one of the first and second loading ramps forms a steeper incline than the other of the first and second loading ramps. 
     
     
         10 . A cargo truck according to  claim 9  wherein, the first loading ramp forms an incline of about 17 degrees to about 23 degrees when it is deployed and the second loading ramp forms an incline of about 5 degrees to about 11 degrees when it is deployed. 
     
     
         11 . A cargo truck according to  claim 6  wherein said at least one loading ramp is stowable in a stowed position in or below a rear portion of the cargo bed and moveable from said stowed position to the deployed position. 
     
     
         12 . A cargo truck according to  claim 11  further comprising apparatus for holding said at least one loading ramp in the stowed position. 
     
     
         13 . A cargo truck according to  claim 12  wherein the apparatus for holding said at least one loading ramp in the stowed position comprises at least one inflatable member which, when inflated, contacts and frictionally holds said at least one loading ramp in its stowed position. 
     
     
         14 . A cargo truck according to  claim 13  wherein said at least one inflatable member comprises at least one shrouded air bag. 
     
     
         15 . A cargo truck according to  claim 14  wherein said at least one loading ramp comprises alternately deployable first and second loading ramps and wherein each of the first and second loading ramps is associated with at least one shrouded air bag which holds it in the stowed position. 
     
     
         16 . A cargo truck according to  claim 15  wherein the first loading ramp comprises a single ramp which spans all or a substantial portion of the width of the rear end of the cargo bed and the second loading ramp comprises right and left ramps which are deployable in side-by-side positions from the rear end of the cargo bed. 
     
     
         17 . A cargo truck according to  claim 14  wherein the shrouded air bag comprises an inflatable bladder and a rigid shroud which extends partially around the inflatable bladder such that, when inflated, the inflatable bladder protrudes in a direction away from the rigid shroud. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A cargo truck according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one inflatable member positioned under a front portion of the cargo bed, said inflatable member being inflatable to an inflated configuration that causes the cargo bed to move to a tilted position and thereafter deflatable to a deflated position which allows the cargo bed to assume an non-tilted position. 
     
     
         21 . A cargo truck according to  claim 20  further comprising a compressor, a pressure tank and control valves useable for inflating said at least one inflatable member. 
     
     
         22 . A cargo truck according to  claim 20  wherein said at least one inflatable member comprises a fore inflatable member located forward of the rear axle and wherein the cargo truck further comprises at least one aft inflatable member located rearward of the rear axle; said at least one aft inflatable member being deflated concurrently with inflation of said at least one fore inflatable member causing the cargo bed to move from its non-tiled position to its tilted position. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled)