Gene Walter Sharp

US Patent:

20090189133, Jul 30, 2009

Filed:

Jan 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/020493

Inventors:

Gene Sharp - Mesa AZ, US

Assignee:

U-HAUL INTERNATIONAL, INC. - Phoenix AZ

International Classification:

B66F 1/00

US Classification:

254384

Abstract:

A portable hoist assembly is provided for lifting a hitch to be installed on the underside of a vehicle platform. The hitch has a hitch ball hole and the vehicle platform has a hole to be aligned with the hitch ball hole when the hitch is installed. The hoist assembly includes a hoist frame and a winch for paying out and drawing in a cable. The winch is supported by the frame above the vehicle platform hole. An elongated member is attached to the cable. The elongated member can be oriented in a first position wherein it can pass through the vehicle platform hole and the hitch ball hole. Also, the elongated member can be oriented in a second position wherein it cannot pass through the hitch ball hole. The elongated member can be lowered through the vehicle platform hole and the hitch ball hole in the first orientation and can secure the cable to the hitch in the second orientation.