Alignment system for vehicle load bed

Abstract

An elevating system for a vehicle load bed including a vehicle suspension system incorporating a .Iadd.suspension .Iaddend.support assembly pivotally mounted at one end to the load bed and releasably mounted at the second end .Iadd.thereof.Iaddend.. Selective release of the .[.secured.]. .Iadd.second .Iaddend.end allows pivotal separation of the load bed and suspension system .[.and.]. .Iadd.resulting in .Iaddend.a corresponding elevation of the load bed. Jacks interposed between the load bed and the suspension system control the pivotal separation. .Iadd.The elevating system is adapted to be installed on a conventional vehicle load bed and suspension system either during assembly of the vehicle or as an after market addition. .Iaddend.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a vehicle including a load bed structure having at least one loading end, a ground-engaged wheel suspension system below said loading end, said suspension system .[.having an elongate.]. .Iadd.including a .Iaddend.support .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.with opposed end portions mounted to said load bed structure and a wheel assembly mounted between said opposed ends and depending from said support .Iadd.subframe.Iaddend.; the improvement comprising an alignment system for selectively elevating the .[.laoding.]. .Iadd.loading .Iaddend.end of the load bed structure while at least a portion of the wheel .[.suspension system.]. .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.is maintained in engagement with the ground, said alignment system comprising pivot means securing one end .[.portion of said opposed end portions of the elongate support.]. .Iadd.of said subframe .Iaddend.to said load bed structure for vertical pivotal movement of the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.and suspension system about said pivot means and relative to said load bed structure, lock means locking a second end .[.portion of said opposed end portions.]. .Iadd.of said subframe .Iaddend.to said load bed structure and fixing said .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.and suspension system against pivotal movement relative to said load bed structure about said pivot means, release means for selectively releasing said lock means allowing free vertical swinging of said second end .[.portion.]. .Iadd.of said subframe .Iaddend.about said pivot means and relative to said load bed structure, and jack means mounted between said load bed structure and suspension system remote from said pivot means for effecting a selective pivotal movement of the suspension system, upon release of said lock means, relative to said load bed structure and in a manner effecting a vertical adjustment of the load bed structure. 
     
     
       2. In the construction of claim 1, said .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.of said suspension system comprising a pair of laterally spaced elongate support beam assemblies having first ends constituting said one end portion of the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.and second ends constituting said second end portion of the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe.Iaddend.; said improvement further comprising a first bracket rigid with said load bed structure adjacent each of said beam assembly first ends, and a companion second bracket rigid with each of said beam assembly first ends and positioned in transverse alignment with the corresponding first bracket, said pivot means comprising aligned shaft journals on the companion first and second brackets associated with each beam assembly first end, and a pivot shaft component within the aligned shaft journals of the companion brackets. 
     
     
       3. In the construction of claim 2, the improvement further comprising cooperating brackets associated with each of the second ends of the support beam assemblies and including a third bracket rigid with said load bed .[.assembly.]. .Iadd.structure .Iaddend.adjacent a second end and a fourth bracket rigid with the adjacent second end and positioned in transverse alignment with the cooperating third bracket, said lock means comprising aligned apertures in the transversely aligned brackets, and a reciprocating lock pin received through the aligned apertures, said release means comprising means engaging said lock pin and effecting a selected withdrawal thereof from the aligned apertures. 
     
     
       4. In the construction of claim 3, the improvement further comprising a jack bracket mounted on each beam assembly, said jack means comprising a jack associated with each beam assembly and including a lower end mounted to the beam assembly jack bracket and an upper end mounted .Iadd.to .Iaddend.an overlying portion of the load bed structure. 
     
     
       5. In the construction of claim 4, .[.the.]. said jack means comprising fluid rams. .[.6. In the construction of claim 1, said elongate support comprising a pair of laterally spaced elongate spring assemblies having first ends constituting said one end portion of the elongate support and second ends constituting said second end portion of the elongate support..]. .[.7. In the construction of claim 6, said jack means comprising a jack associated with each spring assembly, each such jack including an upper end adjustably mounted on said load bed structure and a lower end selectively engageable with the associated spring assembly for a manipulation thereof..]. .[.8. In the construction of claim 7, the lower end of each jack being selectively withdrawable from engagement with the associated spring assembly to allow unencumbered operation of said spring 
     
     
        assembly..]. 9. In a vehicle including a load bed structure having a loading end, a ground-engaging wheel suspension system below said loading end, said suspension system having .[.an elongate support.]. .Iadd.a subframe .Iaddend.with opposed ends mounted to said load bed structure and a wheel assembly mounted between said opposed ends and depending from said .[.support.]. .Iadd.subframe.Iaddend.; a method of modifying the vehicle to enable a selective elevation of the load bed structure, adjacent the loading end, relative to the suspension system .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.while maintaining the suspension system in vehicle supporting ground engagement, said method comprising the steps of providing a pivotal mount at one end of the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.between the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.and the load bed structure, providing a releasable mount .[.at.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.the second end of the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.between the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.and the load bed structure, said releasable mount selectively fixing the second end to the load bed structure and selectively releasing said second end of the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.from the load bed structure to permit relative pivotal movement of the suspension system about the pivotal mount of the first end of the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe.Iaddend., and providing selectively extendable means between the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.and the load bed structure for effecting a relative pivotal movement between the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe .Iaddend.and the load bed structure subsequent to release of the locking .[.mount.]. .Iadd.at .Iaddend.the second end of the .[.elongate support.]. .Iadd.subframe.Iaddend., said relative pivotal movement effecting a vertical adjustment of the load bed structure relative to the ground for alignment with loading docks and the like. .[.10. In a vehicle comprising a vehicle load bed and a wheeled suspension system, a method of aligning the vehicle load bed with a loading dock, said method comprising the steps of disconnecting a portion of the wheeled suspension system for interconnected movement of the suspension system and vehicle bed relative to each other, vertically adjusting the vehicle load bed and suspension system relative to each other and aligning the load bed with the loading deck in a substantially coplanar relationship, and maintaining at least a portion of the suspension system wheels in ground engagement throughout the relative adjustment..]. .Iadd.11. In a conventional load transporting vehicle including a load bed structure having at least one loading end, and a ground engaging wheel suspension system having a subframe underlying the vehicle load bed structure and a wheel assembly depending from the subframe, an alignment system for selectively elevating the loading end of the load bed structure while at least a portion of the wheel assembly is maintained in engagement with the ground, said alignment system comprising: pivot means pivotably securing one end of the subframe to the load bed structure for vertical pivotal movement of the subframe and suspension system about said pivot means relative to the load bed structure;   lock means locking a second end of the subframe to the load bed structure and fixing the subframe and suspension system against pivotal movement relative to the load bed structure about said pivot means;   release means for selectively releasing said lock means allowing free vertical swinging of said second end of the subframe about said pivot means and relative to the load bed structure; and   jack means mounted between the load bed structure and the subframe remote from said pivot means for effecting a selective pivotal movement of the suspension system, upon release of said lock means, relative to the load bed structure and in a manner effecting a vertical adjustment of the load   
     
     
        bed structure..Iaddend. .Iadd.12.  The alignment system as defined in claim 11 wherein the vehicle is a trailer and the load bed structure comprises a substantially planar load bed having a mainframe structure, the mainframe structure of the load bed abuttingly overlying the subframe of the wheel suspension system whereby said pivot means, said lock means, said release means, and said jack means are mounted between the subframe and the load bed structure..Iaddend. .Iadd.13. The alignment system as defined in claim 12 wherein said jack means comprises at least one jack having an upper end mounted to the existing mainframe of the load bed structure and a lower end mounted to the existing subframe of the wheel suspension system..Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The alignment system as defined in claim 12 wherein the subframe comprises a pair of laterally spaced elongaged support beam assemblies having first ends constituting said one end portion of the subframe and second ends constituting said second end portion of the subframe and further comprising a first bracket rigid with the load bed structure adjacent each of said beam assembly first ends and a companion second bracket rigid with each of said beam assembly first ends positioned in transverse alignment with said corresponding first bracket..Iaddend. .Iadd.15. The alignment system as defined in claim 14 wherein said pivot means comprises aligned shaft journals on said companion first and second brackets associated with each of said beam assembly first ends, and a pivot shaft component within said aligned shaft 
     
     
        journals of said companion brackets..Iaddend. .Iadd.16.  The alignment system as defined in claim 14 and further comprising a third bracket rigid with the load bed structure adjacent said second end of said beam assemblies and a companion fourth bracket rigid with said second end of said beam assemblies positioned in transverse alignment with said companion third bracket, said lock means comprising aligned apertures in said transversely aligned brackets and a reciprocating lock pin received through said aligned apertures, said release means comprising means engaging said lock pin and effecting a selected withdrawal thereof from said aligned apertures..Iaddend. .Iadd.17. The alignment system as defined in claim 16 wherein said first bracket and said third bracket are rigidly secured to the existing mainframe structure of the load bed structure..Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The alignment system as defined in claim 16 wherein said second bracket and said fourth bracket are rigidly secured to 
     
     
        the existing subframe of the wheel suspension system..Iaddend. .Iadd.19. In a vehicle including a load bed structure having at least one loading end, a ground-engaged wheel suspension system below said loading end, said suspension system having an elongate support with opposed end portions mounted to said load bed structure and a wheel assembly mounted between said opposed ends and depending from said support; the improvement comprising an alignment system for selectively elevating the loading end of the load bed structure while at least a portion of the wheel suspension system is maintained in engagement with the ground, said alignment system comprising pivot means securing one end portion of said opposed end portions of the elongate support to said load bed structure for vertical pivotal movement of the elongate support and suspension system about said pivot means and relative to said load bed structure, lock means locking a second end portion of said opposed end portions to said load bed structure and fixing said elongate support and suspension system against pivotal movement relative to said load bed structure about said pivot means, release means for selectively releasing said lock means allowing free vertical swinging of said second end portion about said pivot means and relative to said load bed structure, and jack means mounted between said load bed structure and suspension system remote from said pivot means for effecting a selective pivotal movement of the suspension system, upon release of said lock means, relative to said load bed structure and in a manner effecting a vertical adjustment of the load bed structure; said elongate support of said suspension comprising a pair of laterally spaced elongate support beam assemblies having first ends constituting said one end portion of the elongate support and second ends constituting said second end portion of the elongate support; said improvement further comprising a first bracket rigid with said load bed structure adjacent each of said beam assembly first ends, and a companion second bracket rigid with each of said beam assembly first ends and positioned in transverse alignment with the corresponding first bracket, said pivot means aligned shaft journals on the companion first and second brackets associated with each beam assembly first end, and a pivot shaft component within the aligned shaft journals of the companion brackets; cooperating brackets associated with each of the second ends of the support beam assemblies and including a third bracket rigid with said load bed structure adjacent a second end and a fourth bracket rigid with the adjacent second end and positioned in transverse alignment with the cooperation third bracket, said lock means comprising aligned apertures in the transversely aligned brackets, and a reciprocating lock pin received through said aligned apertures, said release means comprising means engaging said lock pin and effecting a selected withdrawal therefor from the aligned apertures..Iaddend. .Iadd.20. In a vehicle including a load bed structure having at least one loading end, a ground-engaged wheel suspension system below said loading end, said suspension system having an elongate support with opposed end portions mounted to said load bed structure and a wheel assembly mounted between said opposed ends and depending from said support; the improvement comprising an alignment system for selectively elevating the loading end of the load bed structure while at least a portion of the wheel suspension system is maintained in engagement with the ground, said alignment system comprising pivot means securing one end portion of said opposed end portions of the elongate support to said load bed structure for vertical pivotal movement of the elongate support and suspension system about said pivot means and relative to said load bed structure, lock means locking a second end portion of said opposed end portions to said load bed structure and fixing said elongate support and suspension system against pivotal movement relative to said load bed structure about said pivot means, release means for selectively releasing said lock means allowing free vertical swinging of said second end portion about said pivot means and relative to said load bed structure, and jack means mounted between said load bed structure and suspension system remote from said pivot means for effecting a selective pivotal movement of the suspension system, upon release of said lock means, relative to said load bed structure and in a manner effecting a vertical adjustment of the load bed structure; said elongate support comprising a pair of laterally spaced elongate spring assemblies having first ends constituting said one end portion of the elongate support and second ends constituting said second end portion of the elongate support; said jack means comprising a jack associated with each spring assembly, each such jack including an upper end adjustably mounted on said load bed structure and a lower end selectively engageable with the associated spring assembly for a manipulation thereof; the lower end of each jack being selectively withdrawable from engagement with the associated spring assembly to allow unencumbered operation of said spring assembly..Iaddend. .Iadd.21. In a vehicle including a load bed structure having an underlying load bed frame supported on opposite sides thereof near a bed loading end by a suspension system, said suspension system comprising: leaf springs on each of said frame sides with opposed ends of said springs being positioned beneath and in supporting engagement with the load bed frame;   a withdrawable pin under one end of said leaf springs;   a wheel assembly associated with each of said leaf springs;   means extending across the width of said load bed structure and secured to central portions of said leaf springs for carrying said wheel assemblies;   means for selectively elevating the loading end of said load bed structure comprising jack means mounted on each side of said load bed having opposite ends adapted to engage the load bed frame and said wheel assembly carrying means, said jack means being contractable to engage only one of said bed frame and said wheel assembly carrying means during road travel to allow unencumbered operation of said leaf springs and being extendable when the pin under said one spring end is withdrawn to elevate the bed loading end by applying a force between said bed frame and said wheel assembly carrying means tending to separate said bed frame and said wheel assembly carrying means..Iaddend. .Iadd.22. In a vehicle including a load bed structure having an underlying load bed frame supported on opposite sides thereof near a bed loading end by a suspension system, said suspension system comprising:   leaf springs on each of said frame sides with opposed ends of said springs being positioned beneath the load bed frame with one end of each spring mounted to allow free swinging movement of the other spring ends upon release of the other spring ends;   means for selectively locking said other spring ends for road travel and releasing said other spring ends for allowing the bed loading end to be elevated;   a wheel assembly associated with each said leaf springs;   means extending across the width of said load bed structure and secured to central portions of said leaf springs for carrying said wheel assemblies; and   means for selectively elevating the loading end of said load bed structure comprising jack means mounted by said load bed having opposite ends adapted to engage the load bed frame and said wheel assembly carrying means, said jack means being contractable to engage only one of said load bed frame and said wheel assembly carrying means during road travel to allow unencumbered operation of said leaf springs and being extendable when said other spring ends are released to force a swinging movement of said other spring ends relative to said load bed frame and thereby elevate said bed loading end..Iaddend.