Storage or Tool box lift assembly for an automobile tow hitch receiver

Abstract

A frame that plugs into the tow hitch receiver of a vehicle that has two pivot arms used for the raising of a storage/tool box onto the frame for transport or lowered for placing the storage/tool box on the ground surface shared by the vehicle, at which point the storage/tool box can be disconnected from the frame and later re-attached for lifting and transport. The aforementioned pivot arms of the frame can be activated into motion via a driving force such as but not limited to a gas strut, hydraulics, cable or other means for pivoting the arms in the process of lifting a storage/tool box onto the connected frame for transport, or lowering a storage/tool box for disconnection after transport.

Claims

1. Apparatus that connects to an existing automobile tow hitch receiver to transport a tool/storage box, comprising: a tool/storage box having two outer sides defining a width; a frame having two integral pivot arms that when connected for rotation to the respective outer sides of the tool/storage box,. the pivot arms are operative to raise and lower the tool/storage box in a colinear direction of the automobile for either transport or disconnection of the tool/storage box; and wherein the pivot arms are activated via gas springs, pneumatics, hydraulics, cable system or other extensible/retractable mechanism.

2. Apparatus coupled to a receiver hitch for raising and lower a container with first and second outer sides defining a width, the apparatus comprising: a fork-shaped frame having a front member configured to be received by a vehicle receiver hitch, and a pair of right and left spaced-apart rearwardly extending members terminating in right and left ends; a pair of pivot arms, each with first and second ends; wherein the first end of each pivot arm is pivotably coupled to a respective one of the right and left ends of the fork-shaped frame, such that each pivot arm swings in a vertical plane; wherein the second end of each pivot arm is pivotably coupled to a respective one of the first and second outer sides of the container; and an extensible/retractable mechanism causing both of the pivot arms to swing up and down in parallel fashion between transport and deployed states, and wherein: in the transport state, the container is lifted above a ground surface, and in the deployed state the container is lowered toward a ground surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the extensible/retractable mechanism is gas or pneumatically driven.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the extensible/retractable mechanism comprises a cable system.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the extensible/retractable mechanism is hydraulically driven.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the extensible/retractable mechanism comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders, each cylinder being connected to the frame and a respective one of the pivot arms.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the fork-shaped frame comprises a front member with right and left ends and two side members extending rearwardly from the right and left ends of the front member; and the hydraulic cylinders each have a first end pivotably coupled to one of the right and left ends of the front member and a second end pivotable coupled to a respective opposing side of the container.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a rearward member that supports the tool/storage box in the transport state.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further including the tool/storage box with opposing first and second sides.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the tool/storage box has ground-contacting casters; and in the deployed state, the casters contact the ground surface.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1:

[0003] Is an isometric view of the storage/tool box lifting assembly and carrier. It depicts the assembly in it's lifted position. Item 1 in the drawing is the frame with a male extension to be received by an existing tow hitch receiver. Item 2 is the pivot arms that are the most essential part in the operation of lifting and lowering. Item 3 is the motion power source of the operation which in this illustration is a gas strut but can be hydraulic, pneumatic, cable driven or other similar power as to the rotation of the pivot arms. Item 4 is the pivot boss that the pivot arms pivot around. Item 5 is a union connection device used to connect the pivot arms to the tool/storage box and joining both to the motion power source.

[0004] FIG. 2:

[0005] Is an isometric view of the storage/tool box lifting assembly and carrier. This figure shows the Assembly in the extended/lowered position. For reference all numbered items are the same as FIG. 1.

[0006] FIG. 3:

[0007] Is a side elevation view of the storage/tool box lifting assembly and carrier attached to an automobile and in it's raised position. Item 1 is the automobile. Item 2 is a storage/tool box. Item 3 is the lifting assembly and carrier.

[0008] FIG. 4:

[0009] Is a side elevation view of the storage/tool box lifting assembly and carrier attached to an automobile. This figure shows the lifting assembly and carrier in it's extended/lowered position. For reference all numbered items are the same as FIG. 3.