Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02275195 1999-06-15
HOISTING DEVICE FOR ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE
The present invention relates to a portable support boom for supporting a load
and particularly to a boom which is adaptable to an all terrain vehicle (ATV).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of all terrain vehicles has mushroomed in recent years. Generally,
many such all terrain vehicles are used for recreational purposes. However,
they have
increasingly started to find usefulness as vehicles for accessing sites not
readily
accessible by conventional vehicles such as automobiles. Furthermore, they are
increasingly used as utility vehicles by trades people.
Many jobs require that access be had to a location requiring the use of some
lifting or hoisting device. Such jobs can include window washing, the picking
of
fruits such as oranges and apples, the trimming of trees and/or hedges, and/or
general
repair work around a building. To date, ladders and/or specialized cranes have
been
used for these purposes.
It would inherently be desirable if there were available a boom type
arrangement which is relatively inexpensive and could be utilized with
vehicles such
as ATVs. Since ATVs are not nearly as expensive as other specialized vehicles,
and
due to their ready availability, a boom structure which could be used in
conjunction
with the ATV would find many uses.
Portable support booms for various purposes such as window washing have
been known in the art. However, the problems of transport of the same and
their
stability has limited use of the same.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a boom structure
which may be used in conjunction with an all terrain vehicle.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
combination of an all terrain vehicle having a frame, a body mounted on the
frame,
and wheels, and a hoisting device which comprises a hoisting device frame, at
least
one member extending rearwardly from the frame, the member being secured to a
portion of the all terrain vehicle, a boom having first and second ends, the
first end of
the boom being secured to the frame, means for raising and lowering the boom,
and a
device located proximate the second end of the boom and being carried thereby.
In greater detail, the combination of the present invention may be used in
conjunction with any suitable ATV. Many such makes of ATVs are available on
the
market. The present invention includes, as aforementioned, at least one member
extending rearwardly from the hoisting device frame and which is preferably
secured
to an underside portion of the all terrain vehicle. While many means of
securing the
member to the all terrain vehicle can be used, it is preferred that there be
at least a two
point attachment. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there
are
provided a pair of members extending rearwardly from the hoisting device
frame, with
a first attachment means comprising a "hand" which is adapted to seat on a
frame
portion at one end of the vehicle, with a further attachment being located
near the end
of the longitudinally extending members. As each all terrain vehicle is
different, there
may be provided means for adaptors designed for each particular type. Needless
to
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say, such adaptors can be readily removed from the longitudinally extending
members
such that different adaptors may be employed. Also, the hoisting device may be
secured to a suitable portion of the ATV by winch straps and the like.
Frequently, the
ATV will have a suitable frame structure at the front of the vehicle.
The hoisting device includes suitable wheels for transporting the same. In one
particular embodiment, there may be provided a pair of outwardly extending leg
support members at the end of which are mounted pneumatic wheels. A
particularly
preferred arrangement is one wherein the leg support members are pivotably
connected and so may be independently operated for adjustment to uneven
terrain.
The hoisting device may also include a pair of stabilizing members which carry
wheels thereon and which extend laterally outwardly. Preferably, such members
are
retractable onto the frame of the hoisting device.
The boom itself may be either a single boom member or alternatively and
preferably, is of a telescoping nature to provide for maximum flexibility.
Suitable
winch means to operate the telescoping boom may be provided.
At the distal end of the boom, there may be provided different attachments
conventionally used with booms. For example, one could provide a hook or other
type
of clamping member depending upon the job for which the boom is employed. In a
particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
platform
structure designed to accept a person thereon. This arrangement would thus
allow the
user to gain access to otherwise inaccessible spots.
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The boom is also preferably rotatable about a central post so as to provide
maximum flexibility and permit access to different locations without having to
move
the ATV and boom structure.
The various drive means utilized with the boom structure of the present
invention may be any conventional. Preferably, the boom structure includes a
power
means such as one or more batteries which then may drive electric winches
andlor
cylinders. Alternatively, one could use the power means of the ATV with
suitable
interfaces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an all terrain vehicle and a hoisting
device;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a slightly modified version of the
hoisting
device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the hoisting device shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the base;
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the base platform and members mounted
thereon; and
Figure 6 is an end view of the base platform.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Refernng to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto,
there is illustrated in Figure 1 a hoisting device generally designated by
reference
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numeral 10 and which is designed to be used with an all terrain vehicle
generally
designated by reference numeral 12.
The hoisting device includes an attachment portion 14 for attaching hoisting
device 10 to all terrain vehicle 12, a base portion 16, a boom structure 20,
and a
support platform generally designated by reference numeral 22.
Support platform 22 is used to support a user although other structures or
attachments may likewise be employed. Support platform 22 includes a mesh
bottom 26 upon which the user can stand and a pair of structural posts 28
extending on
either side thereof. A door arrangement 30' (Figures 2 and 3) or retaining
member 30
(Figure 1) is hingedly connected with respect to posts 28 and there may be a
locking
mechanism 32 associated therewith. Hydraulic cylinder 36 extends between an
upper
U-shaped member 34 and a side post 28 to adjust the angle of the support
platform 22.
Cylinder 36 can be locked in a desired position.
Boom structure 20 includes an outer boom member 40 which is pivotably
connected at one end thereof by means of a bracket 42 to base portion 16 as
will be
described in greater detail hereinbelow. Mounted in a telescopic relationship
with
outer boom member 40 is an inner boom member 44. An electric winch 46 is
mounted on outer boom member 40 and is designed to telescopically move inner
boom
member 44 with respect to outer boom member 40 by means of cable 48. In this
respect, there are provided an upper pulley and bracket arrangement generally
designated by reference numeral 50 and a lower pulley and bracket arrangement
generally designated by reference numeral 52 for accepting cable 48.
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As may be seen in Figure 1, a hook member 54 is provided at the distal end of
inner boom member 44. Hook member 54 may be utilized for securing a safety
belt
and/or securing tools.
As may be seen in Figure 1, a further pulley support and bracket 56 is mounted
on outer boom member 40 for reasons to be described hereinbelow.
Base portion 16 includes a base member 60. Extending diagonally outwardly
from base member 60 are two pairs of leg support brackets 62 as may be best
seen in
Figures 3 and 4. A pair of jacks 70 having actuating handles 71 are mounted on
base
member 60 for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.
Extending outwardly from between each pair of leg support brackets 62 are leg
supports 64. Leg supports 64 are pivotably connected to leg support brackets
62 for
reasons discussed hereinbelow. At the distal end of each leg support 64, there
is
provided a wheel mounting bracket 66, each wheel mounting bracket receiving a
pneumatic wheel 68.
A jack 70 is associated with each leg support 64. Each jack 70 has a bracket
75
mounted thereon and the upper portion 73 of each jack 70 is vertically
moveable
through actuating handle 71. In operation, a chain (not shown) extends between
bracket 75 and an end of leg support 64 such that vertical movement of upper
portion 73 of jack 70 will cause a pivoting movement of leg support 64 to
adjust each
wheel 68 to the particular terrain on which the device is placed.
As may be best seen in Figure 3, a pair of tubular members 72 are mounted on
base member 60 and are designed to receive therein a second tubular member to
which
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are mounted wheels 61. The second tubular members and wheels may be extended
or
retracted to function as stabilizers.
Also mounted on base member 60 is a lower post 76 which telescopically
receives an upper post 78. Suitable bearing arrangements are provided
interiorly
thereof; upper post 78 is designed to rotate about lower post 76.
Mounted on upper post 78 is a winch 86 which is mounted on a winch base 84.
Winch 86 is operatively connected by means of a winch cable 85 to a first
winch
bracket 80 mounted on outer boom member 40 and to a second winch cable
attachment 90 mounted on post 78. Also provided is an electric cylinder 88
which is
operatively connected to upper post 78 to turn the same. A retractable safety
belt 93
of the automotive type connects post 78 and outer boom member 40 to prevent a
sudden lowering of the boom.
Attachment portion 14 includes a pair of longitudinally extending rails 92
and 94, one end of which is secured to base member 60. A transverse cross
member 96 is provided intermediate the ends of rails 92 and 94. Cross member
96 is
adapted to receive a mounting member or hand 98 which is designed for the
particular
ATV. At the distal end of rails 92 and 94, there is provided a threaded rod
100 which
is designed to removably receive frame clasps 102. Frame clasps 102 will again
be
customized for the particular ATV and are designed to grasp a portion of the
frame at
either the rear or front of the vehicle.
In operation, the all terrain vehicle 12 is placed in a desired position such
that
hand 98 and frame clasps 102 are located in the desired location with respect
to the all
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terrain vehicle. Subsequently, connecting straps may be connected to a front
frame F
of the ATV. Jacks 70 may then be operated to ensure proper contact of wheels
68
with the terrain. The stabilizing members are also extended outwardly.
The boom structure may then be operated as desired and to this end, there is
preferably provided a remote control member 104 which is mounted on mounting
member 106 for controlling the different operations of the boom structure -
i.e. the
telescoping of the boom by means of winch 46, the lifting of the same by means
of
winch 86, and rotation by means of cylinder 88.
It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of
illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
_g_
