Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor for loading and unloading a bulk cargo from a stationary or movable receptacle includes a plurality of elongate slats arranged side-by-side along the bottom of the receptacle and grouped into three slat sets each set movable along the bottom of the receptacle. The conveyor includes three cross members each attached to a respective slat set. The cross members and slats are moved by a slat drive which simultaneously moves all slats and cross members in a first direction and then moves the slat sets and cross members in a second direction, opposite the first direction, one cross member and slat set at a time. An angled bulkhead overlies the cross members and drive and shields the member and drive from the contents of the receptacle.

Abstract: A reciprocating slat conveyor for loading and unloading a bulk cargo from a stationary or movable receptacle includes a plurality of elongate slats arranged side-by-side along the bottom of the receptacle and grouped into three slat sets each set movable along the bottom of the receptacle. The conveyor includes three cross members each attached to a respective slat set. The cross members and slats are moved by a two-cylinder slat drive which simultaneously moves all slats and cross members in a first direction and then moves the slat sets and cross members in a second direction, opposite the first direction, one cross member and slat set at a time.

Abstract: A cargo carrying vehicle including a body; one or more movable support surfaces mounted on the internal floor of the body for movement relative thereto; drive apparatus for moving each one of the one or more movable support surfaces back and forth between a first position and a second position spaced longitudinally from the first position; a movable bulkhead mounted in the interior of the body above the one or more movable support surfaces for movement relative to the internal floor; and drive apparatus for moving the movable bulkhead back and forth between a first position and a second position spaced longitudinally from the first position.

Abstract: A cargo carrying vehicle 10 including a body 12, a movable bulkhead 34 mounted in the interior 14 of the body 12 for movement relative to the body 12, and a plurality of inexpensible cables for stabilizing the movable bulkhead 34 against pivotal movement relative to the internal sidewalls 18, 24 of the body 12. A clamp that is movable relative to the movable bulkhead 34 grips and releases one or more of the inextensible cables, driving the movable bulkhead 34 along the inextensible cables in either direction. The clamp also restrains the movable bulkhead 34 against unwanted forward movement due to quick stops and prevents the load from retreating when the movable bulkhead 34 is used in connection with a reciprocating full or partial floor.

Abstract: A cargo carrying vehicle including apparatus for unloading cargo from the vehicle by the general method of (1) shuttling a flat plate that covers a portion of the floor back and forth longitudinally and (2) preventing the cargo being unloaded from following the floor on its retract (forward) stroke by use of a movable bulkhead.

Abstract: A cargo-carrying vehicle including a forward cargo-carrying body; a rearward cargo-carrying body; and an apparatus for locking the forward cargo-carrying body and the rearward cargo-carrying body together so that the forward and rearward cargo-carrying bodies can be backed as one unit. In some embodiments, the apparatus can provide at least three spacings between the forward cargo-carrying body and the rearward cargo-carrying body.

Abstract: A load carrying apparatus designed to be very low relative to its length, to be capable of crawling under a string of loaded pallets in a crawl mode, to be capable of carrying the string of loaded pallets in a walk mode, and to be capable of moving a string of loaded pallets forward or backward relative to the apparatus.

Abstract: A forklift truck is provided which is capable of raising and lowering itself and a load back and forth between two surfaces at different levels. The forklift truck comprises a body; telescoping rear legs which carry powered, ground-engaging wheels; one or more powered, steerable, ground-engaging wheels on the body; a vertically movable lift mast; and a pair of front legs which can be moved back and forth between a work position in which they support the load and a carry position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a loading and unloading apparatus for a load-carrying vehicle. The arrangement includes a plurality of cables which are laid on the floor of the vehicle and which support loads placed thereon. The cables can be moved in either longitudinal direction on the vehicle floor whereby loads supported on the cables are moved along the vehicle floor to facilitate loading and unloading of the vehicle. The cables are for all practical purposes endless and have a load supporting run and a return run. The return run is so arranged as to not interfere with the understructure of the vehicle and the fifth wheel connection, in the case of a trailer of a tractor-trailer rig. The cables are driven by means of a driven bulkhead which is connected to the cables and which is, in turn, driven by a chain drive mechanism.

Abstract: A conveyor primarily useful for handling palletized loads comprising in combination a walking beam conveyor and a non-powered roller conveyor. The palletized load is normally supported on a static support and the roller conveyor, but when it is desired to shift the load longitudinally, the walking beam conveyor lifts the load only a distance sufficient to lift a portion of the load resting on the static support by taking advantage of the inherent flexibility in the pallet while the pallet still rests on the roller conveyor. The walking beam conveyor then shifts the load longitudinally along the roller conveyor.