WO1998007591A1

WO1998007591A1 - A raisable/lowerable vehicle bed for carrying loads

Info

Publication number: WO1998007591A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond John Cox
Original assignee: Razorback Vehicles Corp Ltd
Current assignee: Razorback Vehicles Corp Ltd
Priority date: 1996-08-16
Filing date: 1997-08-15
Publication date: 1998-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 1999-02-16

Abstract

A vehicle including a cabin (11) which is attached to a load carrying assembly (13). The assembly (13) includes a 'U-shaped' frame (14) which supports a load receiving bed (17) movable between a raised transport position and a lowered position adjacent a surface upon which the vehicle rests. A tailgate (19) is pivotally attached to the bed (17) with catches extending between the tailgate and arms which when engaged inhibit relative movement between the arms. The forward portion of the bed (17) is provided with a pin (30) which is engaged by a catch member (31) to aid in retaining the bed (17) in the raised position. Springs (39) are maintained in a compressed condition extending between the bed (17) and the arms while latch members (28) engage pins (31) to also aid in retaining the bed (17) in the raised position.

Description

A RAISABLE LOWERABLE VEHICLE BED FOR CARRYING LOADS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to vehicles such as motor vehicles and towed vehicles, and more particularly, to motor vehicles having a load receiving tray or bed

5 which is movable from a raised transport position to a lowered position at which the bed is located adjacent ground level, with the bed being maintained in a generally horizontal orientation.

Background of the Invention

Disclosed in US Patent 5,035,462 is a motor vehicle which has a chassis provided

10 with a cab, and a rear assembly including a vertically movable load receiving bed which is movable between an upper transport position, and a lower position located substantially at ground level. The bed is maintained generally horizontally oriented. The vehicle is front wheel drive and the rear suspension is a "trailing arm" suspension, with each wheel assembly being supported by a leaf spring assembly and shock i s absorber. The chassis of the vehicle extends the full length of the vehicle and the movable bed is supported between two rearwardly extending frame arms formed by part of the chassis. Extending upwardly from the chassis is a transverse brace (located generally centrally of the vehicle) and a diagonal brace extending downwardly from the transverse brace to each of the rearwardly extending frame arms between which the bed 0 is located. A pair of pivoting arms raise and lower the bed. Attached to the bed is a pivotally mounted tailgate, with a mechanism being provided to raise and lower the tailgate in coordination with the raising and lowering of the load receiving bed.

The vehicle of US Patent 5,035,462 has many disadvantages. Firstly, the vehicle needs to be "specially constructed" and cannot be adapted to currently manufactured

25 motor vehicles. This is particularly prohibitive due to the capital cost of constructing such a vehicle. A further disadvantage is the rear suspension. The rear suspension gave the motor vehicle most undesirable handling characteristics. A further disadvantage is the use of the above mentioned transverse brace and diagonal braces which projected well above the sides of the vehicle. This increased the cost of the 0 vehicle and detracted from its overall appearance.

US Patent 4,673,328 discloses a trailer, again having a load receiving bed which is raised and lowered. This particular trailer is not a self-propelled vehicle, and in particular is not adapted to be formed as an integral part of a vehicle. There is no tailgate and no suspension provided. A further disadvantage is the construction of the 5 generally "U-shaped" frame of the trailer. The two parallel arms supporting the wheels would deflect vertically relative to each other, but more particularly transversely and therefore the trailer would be generally unstable during use. US Patent 4,902, 188 describes and shows a vehicle to transport shopping trolleys. The vehicle has a load receiving bed which is raised and lowered, with the tailgate being arranged so as to be raised and lowered in coordination with the load receiving bed. The vehicle has a unitary chassis and is front wheel driven. It suffers the same 5 disadvantages of the vehicle of US Patent 5,035,462, as well as the disadvantages of the trailer of US Patent 4,673,328.

US Patent 3,707,238 shows a vehicle to transport mobile homes. The vehicle has a pair of elongated load supporting arms between which the mobile home is located. A pair of raised and lowered flanges engage beneath the mobile home to lift the home for ιo transport purposes. The flanges are maintained generally horizontal. Again, the vehicle is constructed with a generally unitary frame and the vehicle would have the same difficulties as the above discussed vehicles and trailer.

There are innumerable vehicles in which the load receiving bed is tiltable to aid loading, particularly of a vehicle to be carried by the primary vehicle. Such vehicles i5 having tiltable beds suffer from the disadvantage that the bed is not retained generally horizontally oriented.

A problem encountered in vehicles having a "U-shaped" frame supporting a vertically movable load receiving floor is that the rearward extending arms do not provide a rigid frame structure as normal load conditions will cause them to deflect 2o relative to each other.

The present invention also relates to modifications of the vehicle described in International Application PCT/AU96/00255.

Object of the Invention

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate 25 the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

There is disclosed herein a load carrying assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising: a generally "U-shaped" frame providing a transverse base joining two generally 30 parallel and coextensive arms which extend rearwardly from the base to rear extremities; a wheel assembly mounted on each arm toward the extremity thereof, with the wheel assemblies having a transverse rotational axis; a load receiving bed located between the arms and movably supported thereby 35 for movement between a raised transport position and a lowered position adjacent a surface upon which the wheel assemblies are resting; means to raise and lower the bed; and a tailgate extending between the extremities of the arms and pivotally attached to a rear portion of the bed, the tailgate being pivotable between a raised generally upright position and a lowered position extending from said rear portion to adjacent said surface when said bed is in its lowered position. In a first invention disclosed herein, the bed and transverse base of the above described load carrying assembly has cooperating catch means to aid in supporting and retaining the bed in the raised position.

Preferably in the above mentioned first invention, the means to raise and lower the bed is coordinated with the catch means so that the bed is slightly raised during disconnection of the catch means when the bed is to be lowered.

In a second invention disclosed herein, the tailgate and extremities of the arms have cooperating catch means which when engaged inhibit relative movement between the two arms.

In a third invention disclosed herein, the above mentioned load carrying assembly includes a suspension supporting each wheel assembly, which suspension includes a spring and/or shock absorber which extends through a portion of its associated arm.

In a fourth invention disclosed herein, the tailgate is provided with a plastics material on a rearwardly facing surface, which plastics material engages the surface upon which said wheel assemblies rest when said tailgate is in the lowered position, to thereby aid in supporting the tailgate on the surface upon which the wheel assemblies rest.

There is still further disclosed herein a load receiving assembly to be fixed to a vehicle cabin, said assembly comprising: a "U-shaped" frame having a transverse base to be fixed to the cabin and a pair of generally transversely spaced parallel arms extending rearwardly from the base; a wheel assembly on each arm; a load receiving bed supported between the arms and movable between a transport raised position and a lowered position adjacent a surface upon which the vehicle rests, with the bed being maintained in a generally horizontal orientation; motor means to move the bed between the raised position and the lowered position; and means to secure the bed in the raised position to said frame, said means comprising a plurality of latches which engage the bed and maintain the bed in a raised position fixed to the frame, and resilient means operatively extending between the bed and the frame and compressed as the bed moves toward the raised position and maintained in a compressed state by the bed when the latches are engaged with the bed in the raised position. Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred forms of the present inventions will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a front wheel drive motor vehicle 5 having a cabin and a load carrying assembly attached thereto;

Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of the frame of the load carrying assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic front plan view of the frame of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic parts exploded perspective view of a hydraulic circuit ι o employed in the load carrying assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a schematic elevation of a catch assembly employed in the load carrying assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation of the catch assembly of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a schematic side elevation of a suspension assembly employed in 15 the load carrying assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 is a schematic side elevation of the tailgate and catch assembly therefor of the load carrying assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 9 is a schematic rear end elevation of the tailgate of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a schematic end elevation of the tailgate as shown in Figure 9; 20 Figure 11 is a further schematic side elevation of the tailgate of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a further schematic end elevation of the tailgate of Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a schematic side elevation of a load receiving assembly for a vehicle;

Figure 14 is a schematic side elevation of the rear portion of the assembly of 25 Figure 13; and

Figure 15 is a schematic side elevation of the front portion of the assembly of Figure 13.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The present preferred embodiment is a modification of the vehicle described in 30 the above mentioned PCT application.

In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a front wheel drive vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 has a cabin portion 1 1 which is provided with the engine transmission and driven wheel assemblies 12. Attached to the rear of the cabin portion 1 1 is a load carrying assembly 13 The load carrying assembly 13 includes a 35 "U-shaped" frame 14 providing a transverse base 15 from which there extends a pair of generally parallel coextensive arms 16.

Each of the arms 16 is provided with a wheel assembly 18, with the wheel assemblies 18 having a transverse rotational axis. Supported by the arms 16 is a load receiving bed which is movable between a raised transport position and a lowered position at which the bed 17 is located adjacent a surface upon which the wheel assemblies 18 are resting.

Pivotally attached to a rear portion of the bed 17 is a tailgate 19 which is movable between a generally upright position (as illustrated in Figure 2) when the bed 17 is in the raised position, and a lowered position extending rearwardly from a rear portion of the bed 17 to the surface upon which the wheel assemblies 18 rest. The tailgate 19 is raised and lowered as the bed 17 is raised and lowered by the mechanism described in the above mentioned PCT application. Each arm 16 consists of a top rail 20 and a bottom rail 21 between which there extends struts 22.

Each arm 16 is provided with a crank 23. Each crank 23 is pivotally attached to the bottom rail 21 by means of a pivot pin 24. Each crank 23 includes a first portion 25 which has its extremity pivotally attached to the bed 17, and a second portion 26 which is pivotally engaged by a hydraulic cylinder 27. The hydraulic cylinders 27 act in unison to cause pivoting of the cranks 23 to raise and lower the bed 17. Each arm 16 is also equipped with a link 28 which is pivotally attached at one end to the rail 21 and pivotally attached at the other end to the bed 17. The link 28 in combination with the crank 23 maintains the bed 17 generally horizontally oriented as the bed 17 is raised and lowered.

The bed 17 is provided with a forwardly projecting pin 30 which is engaged by a catch member 31 pivotally attached to the base 15 The catch member 31 is of a "hook" configuration. The catch member 31 is fixed to a lever 29 engaged by a hydraulic cylinder 32. The cylinder 32 is pivotally attached to the upper extremity of the lever 29 and is pivotally attached to a portion of the base 15. Operation of the cylinder 32 causes pivoting of the catch member 31. Cooperating with the catch member 31 and pin 30 is a locating plate 33 having a recess 34 within which the pin 30 is received and engaged by the catch member 31.

The base 15 is provided with a lower rail 35 which pivotally supports the catch member 32, and an upper rail 36. Plates 38 are provided to engage a corresponding plate mounted on the rear of the cabin portion 1 1. The plate 38 is provided with a plurality of apertures 39 through which threaded fasteners pass to secure the plates 38 to the corresponding plates on the cabin portion 11.

Each of the wheel assemblies 18 is supported by a suspension assembly 40. Each suspension assembly 40 includes a pivotally mounted arm 41 pivotally attached for movement about an axis generally transverse of the vehicle 10. Pivotally attached to each arm 41 is a shock absorber 42, with the shock absorber 42 passing out through a housing 43 formed in the lower rail 21 , so that effectively the shock absorber 42 passes through the general plane of the lower rail 21. Each arm 42 terminates at its extremity with a hollow mounting member 44 which receives a coil spring 45, which coil spring 45 abuts an underside of the rail 21. The mounting member 44 then supports an axle of the wheel assembly 18.

The tailgate 19 consists of a body 46 having a ramp portion 47. Each side edge 48 of the body 46 is provided with a striker member 49 which engages a striker plate 50 attached to a rear portion of the adjacent arm 16. Each striker plate includes an upper flange 51 and a lower flange 52 having a lip 53. Each flange 52 is provided with a recess into which the striker member 49 enters.

Each striker member 49 is pivotally attached to its associated edge 48 and when engaged with the striker member 50, is located in the position depicted in Figure

8. The striker member projects between the two spaced portions of the flange 42 so that lateral movement is inhibited between the striker member 49 and the associated striker plate 50.

Each striker member 49 includes a first lug 54 which is located between the two portions of the flange 52, and a second lug 55 which abuts the flange 51. The lug

55 by engaging the flange 51 and by further engagement with the flange 52, vertical relative movement between the striker member 49 and the striker plate 50 is inhibited, together with any horizontal fore and aft movement.

As mentioned previously, there is a striker member 49 on each of the edges 48. The striker members 49 are linked by a shaft 56 which has a crank pivotally attached to a link. The link is pivotally attached to an eyelet 57 of the pivoted handle 58. The handle 58 pivots about a pivot pin 59 attached to the body 46. Pivoting movement of the handle 58 to the position "A" of Figure 8 moves the striker member 59 to the position "B" of the grate. When the handle 58 is in the position "C" the striker member 59 is in the position "D" . It should further be appreciated that the handle 58 is spring loaded to the position "C".

The handle 58 is provided with a key operable lock 60 which is operable to retain the lever 58 in the position "C" .

Interaction between the striker plates 50 and the striker members 49 (when in the engaged position) aid in binding together the rearwardly extending arms 16 to inhibit relative movement between the arms 16. This in combination with the pin 30 and catch member 31 aid in combining the bed 17 with the frame 14 to form a generally rigid assembly.

The rearwardly facing surface of the tailgate body 46 is provided with bumper members 61 formed of resilient material such as plastics. The bumper member 61 provide a surface 62 which is intended to abut the surface 66 upon which the wheel assemblies 18 rest. Accordingly, when a load is passing over the tailgate 19 to be supported on the bed 17, the tailgate 19 is at least partly supported on the surface upon which the vehicle 10 is resting. Still further, by being made of plastics or resilient material the bumper members 61 are not as easily damaged by irregularities in the surface which they engage. Preferably the bumper member 61 would be easily replaced. The bumper member 61 also aid in reinforcing the body 47.

Operation of the hydraulic cylinders 27 and 32 is via a control assembly 63 5 which controls a motor and hydraulic pump assembly 64. Hydraulic fluid under pressure is delivered to the hydraulic cylinders 27 and 32 to raise and lower the bed 17 and operate the catch member 31. For example, the control assembly 32 may include a key operable valve which in a first position would prevent hydraulic fluid movement with respect to the cylinders 27 to retain the bed 17 in the raised transport position. ι o When the bed 17 is to be lowered, the tailgate 19 is opened and will be retained in a partly opened position (as best described in the above mentioned PCT application). Thereafter, the key is operated and hydraulic fluid delivered to the cylinders 27. The bed 17 is lowered as is the tailgate 19. Again, this is best described in the above mentioned PCT application. However, prior to the bed 17 being lowered, the catch i s member 31 has to be moved to release the pin 30. The key in moving from a position in which the cylinders 27 are located in the transport position, the key will move through an up position to a down position. In the down position the cylinders 27 receive hydraulic fluid to lower the bed 17. As the key passes through the up position, the cylinders 27 raise the bed 17 and movement of the cylinder 32 is initiated to move 0 the catch member 32 to release the pin 30. By the time the key reaches the down position and causes the cylinders 27 to move the bed 17 downward, the cylinder 32 has removed the catch 31 to a position releasing the pin 30. By means of this sequence of operations, the pin 30 is released with minimum stress applied to the catch member 31 since the load on the catch member 31 has been considerably reduced prior to it being 5 moved to the release position. When the key is moved to the up position, the tailgate 19 is raised as is the bed 17. The hydraulic cylinder is actuated to move the catch member 32 to a position at which it will engage the pin 30. The catch member 31 has a ramp surface 65 which is engaged by the pin 30 and causes the catch member 31 to pivot to a position permitting entry of the pin 30 to the recess 34. In that regard it 0 should be appreciated that the catch member 31 can move relative to the lever 29 when the pin 30 is to enter the recess 34.

In Figures 13 to 15 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a load receiving assembly 1 10 to be attached to the cabin to form a front wheel drive vehicle, as basically described in the above mentioned PCT application. 5 The assembly 110 has a front end 1 1 1 to be attached to the cabin of the vehicle and a rear end 1 12 which would receive a tailgate. The assembly 1 10 includes a generally "U-shaped" frame 1 13 consisting of a pair of generally parallel coextensive arms 1 14, extending rearwardly from a base 115. Supported between the arms 114 is a load receiving bed 1 16 which is movable between a raised transport position "A" and a lowered position "B" resting on a ground surface upon which the vehicle stands.

Each arm 114 would be provided with a wheel assembly (not illustrated) 5 towards the rear end 112 adjacent the catch assembly 127. A tailgate would extend between the rear portions of the arms 114 as best described in the above mentioned international application.

The load receiving bed 116 is moved between its raised and lowered positions by means of a pair of hydraulic rams (not illustrated). Each ram is associated with one ι o of the arms 1 14 and extends between pivot mountings 117 and 1 18. The mounting 117 is part of the arms 114, while the mounting 1 18 is an eyelet on a pivotally mounted lever 1 19. The lever 119 is angularly movable as illustrated, by being mounted on an axle 120. Elongation of the hydraulic rams causes pivoting motion of the lever 119 to raise the bed 116 from the position "B" to the position "A" . Retraction of the hydraulic 15 ram will cause lowering of the load receiving bed 1 16 from the raised position "A" to the lowered position "B". An eyelet 121 is connected to the load receiving bed 116 by means of a pivot pin 122.

The forward portion of the load receiving bed 1 16 is pivotally attached to a link 123 by means of a pivot pin 124. The link 123 is also pivotally attached to the 20 associated arm 114 by means of a pivot pin 125. The lever 119 and link 123 are configured so that as the bed 116 is raised it is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. In that regard it should be appreciated that there is a pair of links 123, one associated with each of the arms 114.

The bed 116 is provided with a pair of forward catch assemblies 126, one 25 associated with each arm 114, and a pair of rear catch assemblies 127, each associated with one of the arms 114.

Each catch assembly 126, 127 includes a latch member 128 having a hook portion 129 to engage a pin 130 attached to the bed 116. In that regard the pins 130 are attached to the bed 1 16 by being mounted on a respective one of the links 123 or the so levers 119.

Each latch member 128 is pivotally mounted by means of a pin 131 of an associated arm 114, while the latch members 128 of each arm 1 14 are coupled by a strap or rod member 132 so that the catch members 128 move in unison. Associated with each catch member 128 is a spring 133 which urges the associated catch member 35 to a position of engagement with the pin 130. Associated with the two front catch members 128, are hydraulic cylinders 133 which move all four catch members 128 to a position of non engagement with the pin 130.

Mounted on the bed 1 16 are four resilient assemblies 134, each assembly consisting of a mounting plate 135 to which there is attached a striker member 136. The striker member 136 has a shaft 137 terminating with a tapered head 138. Around the shaft 137 there is provided a spring 139 abutting the plate 135 and a washer 140 abutting the head 138. The spring 136 is maintained in compression. Mounted on the legs 1 14 are sockets 141. Each socket 141 will receive an associated one of the heads ε 138. As the bed 1 16 moves to the raised position "A", each head 138 engages within its associated socket 141 , so that the socket 141 engages the washer 140. The washer 140 moves down the shaft 137 causing further compression of the spring 136. The levers 1 19 and links 123, in their pivoting motion to the raised position "A" , move the pins 130 to a position at which they will be engaged by the catch members 128. This is ι o caused by extension of the hydraulic rams which extend between the mounting 1 17 and 1 18. Upon a slight contraction of the rams, the pins 130 will securely engage within the hook portions 129. When in this position the springs 139 are still maintained in a compressed condition aiding in securely mounting the bed 1 16 on the arms 1 14. This arrangement also provides the assembly 110 with improved structural rigidity.

15 Preferably to cause this slight contraction of the hydraulic rams, the rams are permitted to vent hydraulic fluid from the high pressure side to the low pressure side of the piston via a solenoid operated valve.

When the bed 1 16 is to be moved to the lowered position "B" , the rams extending between the mounting 1 17 and 1 18 are slightly extended releasing the pins 0 130 from their associated hook portions 129. Thereafter the hydraulic rams 130 are activated causing pivoting of the catch members 128 to a position in which they appear of the pins 130. Thereafter the rams extending between the mountings 117 and 1 18 are contracted to thereby cause pivoting of the levers 1 19 and the links 123 to lower the bed 116. 5 When the pins 130 are engaged with the hook portions 129, the hydraulic rams extending between the mountings 117 and 1 18 are locked to aid in maintaining the bed 1 16 securely attached to the arms 1 14.

The sockets 141 an engagement therewith by the heads 138 accurately mount the bed 116 in the frame 113.

Claims

CLAIMSThe claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A load carrying assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising: a generally "U-shaped" frame providing a transverse base joining two 5 generally parallel co-extensive arms which extend rearwardly from the base to rear extremities; a wheel assembly mounted on each arm toward the extremity thereof, with the wheel assemblies having a transverse rotational axis; a load receiving bed located between the arms and movably supported thereby ι o for movement between a raised transport position and a lowered position adjacent a surface upon which the wheel assemblies are resting; means to raise and lower the bed; a tailgate extending between the extremities of the arms and pivotally attached to a rear portion of the bed, the tailgate being pivotable between a raised generally 15 upright position and a lowered position extending from said rear portion to adjacent said surface when said bed is in its lowered position; and cooperating catch means on said base and bed which engage to aid in supporting the bed in the raised position and which are releasable to permit movement of the bed from the raised position to the lowered position. o

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein said catch means includes a pin and a movable catch member, said catch member being movable between a first position engaged with said pin to secure the bed to said base, and a second position permitting movement of the pin.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said catch member is of a "hook" 5 configuration and is movably mounted on said base, and said pin is fixed to said bed.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said catch member is pivotally moved to and from engagement with said pin.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the means to raise and lower the bed is coordinated with the catch means so that the bed is slightly raised during

30 disconnection of the catch means when the bed is to be lowered.

6. A load carrying assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising: a generally "U-shaped" frame providing a transverse base joining two generally parallel and coextensive arms which extend rearwardly from the base to rear extremities; 35 a wheel assembly mounted on each arm towards the extremity thereof, with the wheel assemblies having a transverse rotational axis; a load receiving bed located between the arms and movably supported thereby for movement between a raised transport position and a lowered position adjacent a surface upon which the wheel assemblies are resting; means to raise and lower the bed; a tailgate extending between the extremities of the arms and pivotally attached to a rear portion of the bed, the tailgate being pivotable between a raised generally upright position and a lowered position extending from said rear portion to adjacent 5 said surface when said bed is in its lowered position; and cooperating catch means on said tailgate and adjacent said extremities which when engage inhibit relative movement between the two arms.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said catch means includes a striker portion on each arm and a pair of striker members cooperating therewith and mounted ι o on the tailgate, the striker members being movable between a position of engagement with the striker portions retaining the tailgate in a closed position, and a release position permitting movement of the tailgate, the striker members and striker portions when engaged cooperate to inhibit relative vertical movement, as well as horizontal fore and aft relative movement between the striker members and striker portions. 15

8. A load carrying assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising: a generally "U-shaped" frame providing a transverse base joining two generally parallel and coextensive arms which extend rearwardly from the base to rear extremities, each arm including a bottom longitudinally extending rail; a wheel assembly mounted on each arm toward the extremity thereof, with the 0 wheel assemblies having transverse rotational axes; a load receiving bed located between the arms and movably supported thereby for movement between a raised transport position and a lowered position adjacent a surface upon which the wheel assemblies are resting; means to raise and lower the bed; 5 a tailgate extending between the extremities of the arms and pivotally attached to a rear portion of the bed, the tailgate being pivotable between a raised generally upright position and a lowered position extending from said rear portion to adjacent said surface when said bed is in its lowered position; and a suspension supporting each wheel assembly on its associated arm, each o suspension including a spring and/or shock absorber which extends through a portion of the lower rail of the associated arm.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the shock absorber extends through said rail and the spring extends between the rail and the wheel assembly.

10. The assembly of claim 8 or 9 further including a suspension arm 5 operatively associated with each wheel assembly, each suspension arm being pivotally attached to its associated arm with the shock absorbers and springs engaging the suspension arms.

11. A load carrying assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising: a generally "U-shaped" frame providing a transverse base joining two generally parallel and coextensive arms which extend rearwardly from the base to rear extremities, each arm including a bottom longitudinally extending rail; a wheel assembly mounted on each arm toward the extremity thereof, with the wheel assemblies having transverse rotational axes; a load receiving bed located between the arms and movably supported thereby for movement between a raised transport position and a lowered position adjacent a surface upon which the wheel assemblies are resting; means to raise and lower the bed; a tailgate extending between the extremities of the arms and pivotally attached to a rear portion of the bed, the tailgate being pivotable between a raised generally upright position and a lowered position extending from said rear portion to adjacent said surface when said bed is in its lowered position; and wherein said tailgate is provided with a plastics material on a rearward facing surface, which plastic material engages the surface upon which said wheel assemblies rest when said tailgate is in its lowered position, to thereby aid in supporting the tailgate on the surface upon which the wheel assemblies rest.

12. A load receiving assembly to be fixed to a vehicle cabin, said assembly comprising: a "U-shaped" frame having a transverse base to be fixed to the cabin and a pair of generally transversely spaced parallel arms extending rearwardly from the base; a wheel assembly on each arm; a load receiving bed supported between the arms and movable between a transport raised position and a lowered position adjacent a surface upon which the vehicle rests, with the bed being maintained in a generally horizontal orientation; motor means to move the bed between the raised position and the lowered position; and means to secure the bed in the raised position to said frame, said means comprising a plurality of latches which engage the bed and maintain the bed in a raised position fixed to the frame, and resilient means operatively extending between the bed and the frame and compressed as the bed moves toward the raised position and maintained in a compressed state by the bed when the latches are engaged with the bed in the raised position.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said resilient means which is compressed when the bed is in its raised position, which resilient means which when compressed urges said bed to move toward its lowered position from the raised position.

14. The assembly of claim 10, wherein said resilient means are springs mounted on the bed and which engage the arms as the bed moves towards the raised position.