Abstract: A wheeled transporter for air cargo includes a load carrying platform having rollers, connected at one edge to a power console incorporating a prime mover, and supported at the other edge with unpowered castoring wheels. The transporter is driven by two steerable wheels located beneath the console adjacent opposite ends. Each steerable wheel is driven by a reversible motor, and is steerable so that when one wheel is turned in one direction the other is turned in an opposite direction. The transporter can thus be driven in either direction along path (X), and turned or rotated on (Z). By turning the wheels through 90 degrees to the longitudinal direction, the transporter can be driven along a path (Y) in either direction, and steered by varying the differential speed of the wheels. A container carried on the deck can be moved and rotated in directions X', Y' and Z'.

Abstract: A roller comprises an axle (2), a pair of inner collars (3) one adjacent each end of the axle, a bearing (4, 5) mounted on each inner collar (3), an outer collar (6) mounted on each bearing, and a cylindrical member (7) mounted on and spanning the outer collars. The fit of the inner collar (3) onto the axle (2) is relatively loose or of high tolerance, relative to the fit of the collars (3, 6) onto the bearing (4, 5). Preferably the inner collars (3) are rebated (22), so that parts of the inner collar remain substantially clear of the axle (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently moving containers, cargo and similar objects (39) over a surface includes two parallel chains (1, 2) of links (3) with rollers (4, 5) perpendicular to and attached between the chains, alternate rollers projecting upwardly (4) and downwardly (5), respectively. The apparatus is preferably provided in association with a retrieving and dispensing apparatus (27, 28, 29, 31) so that the rollers can be positioned on a surface (32) and removed therefrom.