Abstract: An aerial weapons handling trailer includes a frame comprising longitudinally extending beams and a cross beam interconnecting the front ends of the longitudinally extending beams. The frame is supported on wheels which are pivotable between positions wherein the trailer is movable longitudinally and positioned wherein the trailer is movable laterally. The wheels include drive motors for positioning the trailer. A plurality of lift arms are pivotally supported on the longitudinally extending beams of the frame and in turn support lift beams. The lift arms include inwardly offset portions, and the lift beams are separated by a distance not greater than the width of a weapons package that is lifted and positioned by the trailer. The lift arms are actuated by hydraulic cylinders which are provided with load lock valves to prevent inadvertent lowering of the load carried by the lift beams.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus (30) includes longitudinally extending primary frames (36, 38) and a cross frame (34) which interconnects the front ends of the primary frames. Lift masts (72, 74, 76 78) are mounted on the primary frame (36, 38) and extend upwardly therefrom. A load beam (80) is supported from the lift masts (72, 74, 76 78) and includes latching mechanisms (96) adapted for connection to a container. Secondary frames (50) are pivotally supported on the primary frames (36, 38) are in turn rotatably support driven wheel members (52). The pivotal relationship between the secondary frames (50) and the primary frames (36, 38) is regulated and controlled by spring/shock absorber/cylinder assemblies (54). The cross frame (34) is selectively retractable and the load beam (80) is selectively foldable to reduce the width of the apparatus.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus having a pair of side frames and a cross frame. The apparatus also has four lift mechanisms for attachment to a container. Each lift mechanism is mounted on one end of a secondary lift arm. Four primary lift arms are connected to the side frames and to the midpoint of each of the secondary lift arms. A cam follower on the lower end of each secondary lift arm follows a cam horizontally along one of the side frames. Hydraulic cylinders rotate the primary lift arms about a pivot connection to the side frames. This causes the upper ends of the secondary lift arms to move vertically to raise and lower the lift mechanisms and the container. Transducers connected between the primary arms and the side frames equalize the amount of rotation of each of the primary lift arms and automatically keep the positions of the four lift mechanisms at the same height.

Abstract: An adverse terrain vehicle is provided which includes a system for controlling a number of vehicular functions. The vehicle includes at least two variable displacement hydraulic motors, each for driving at least one wheel member on one side of the vehicle independently of the wheel members on the opposing side thereof. At least two variable displacement hydraulic pumps are mounted on the vehicle for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor on one side of the vehicle independently of the hydraulic motor on the opposing side thereof. The hydraulic pumps are driven by an engine. A sensor detects a decrease in the power output of the vehicle below that selected by the vehicle operator. Overload protection circuitry is responsive to the overload sensor and adjusts the displacement of the hydraulic motors and pumps to increase the power output capacity of the vehicle. Braking control circuitry coordinates with braking of the vehicle steering to effect turning of the vehicle while braking.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for powering a trailer. The system includes a trailer having a tongue for connecting the trailer to a towing vehicle. The trailer is supported by at least one wheel mounted on each of opposing sides of the trailer frame. Mounted on the trailer is a motor for driving the trailer wheels. Power is supplied to the motor from the towing vehicle.

Abstract: An undercarriage (12) includes a primary frame (22) and a plurality of secondary frames (26) which in turn carry wheel members (28). The secondary frames (26) are urged to pivot away from the primary frame (12) by spring mechanisms (38). An undercarriage (112) includes a primary frame (122) and a plurality of secondary frames (126) which in turn carry wheel members (128). Pivotal movement of the endmost secondary frames (126e) is controlled by spring/shock absorber assemblies (134). Pivotal movement of the center secondary frame (126c) is controlled by a spring/shock absorber/cylinder assembly (136). Spring/shock absorber/hydraulic cylinder assemblies (250) may be used to control the positioning of all of the wheels of an undercarriage (422, 452, etc.).

Abstract: An undercarriage (12) includes a primary frame (22) and a plurality of secondary frames (26) which in turn carry wheel members (28). The secondary frames (26) are urged to pivot away from the primary frame (12) by spring mechanisms (38). The center secondary frames (26c) are each biased outwardly by two spring mechanisms (38) while the endmost secondary frames (26e) are biased outwardly by a single spring mechanism (38). An undercarriage (112) includes a primary frame (122) and a plurality of secondary frames (126) which in turn carry wheel members (128). Pivotal movement of the endmost secondary frames (126e) is controlled by spring/shock absorber assemblies (134). Pivotal movement of the center secondary frame (126c) is controlled by a spring/shock absorber/cylinder assembly (136) which selectively positions the center wheel member (128) below the end wheel member to facilitate skid steering, or in alignment with the end wheel members to facilitate high speed operation.

Abstract: An undercarriage (250) is provided for supporting and propelling a mechanism (252). The undercarriage (250) includes a main frame (256) and side frames (258) pivotally mounted at the fore and aft ends of the main frame and on either side thereof. Two axles (270) are rotatably supported on each side frame (258) and on opposite sides of the pivotal axis of the side frame. An inner wheel (266) and an outer wheel (268) are mounted on the axles (270). A double-acting fluid cylinder (284) is interconnected between the main frame (256) and each side frame (258). Pressurized fluid may be provided to the chambers within the fluid cylinders (284) to lock the side frames in a position so that the inner wheels (266) extend below a plane defined by the bottom surfaces of the outer wheels (268) to facilitate skid steering.

Abstract: An auxiliary lift adapter (10) comprises spaced, parallel top load beams (40), bottom load beams (30) positioned beneath the top load beams, and scissors mechanisms (50) for raising and lowering the top load beams (40). Each scissors mechanism (50) comprises an exterior arm (52) pivotally connected to its bottom load beam (30) and slidably connected to its top load beam (40), an interior arm (54) pivotally connected to its top load beam (40) and slidably connected to its bottom load beam (30), and a pin (56) pivotally interconnecting the midpoints of the arms. Hydraulic cylinders (76) are provided for actuating the scissors mechanisms (50) and include safety locking valves for preventing operation of the cylinders in the event of loss of hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: An aerial weapons handling trailer includes a frame comprising longitudinally extending beams and a cross beam interconnecting the front ends of the longitudinally extending beams. The frame is supported on wheels which are pivotable between positions wherein the trailer is movable longitudinally and positioned wherein the trailer is movable laterally. The wheels include drive motors for positioning the trailer. A plurality of lift arms are pivotally supported on the longitudinally extending beams of the frame and in turn support lift beams. The lift arms include inwardly offset portions, and the lift beams are separated by a distance not greater than the width of a weapons package that is lifted and positioned by the trailer. The lift arms are actuated by hydraulic cylinders which are provided with load lock valves to prevent inadvertent lowering of the load carried by the lift beams.

Abstract: A wheeled undercarriage unit (10) adapted to replace a tracked unit comprises elongate hollow side frames (12, 14) rigidly interconnected by cross frames (16, 18). Six wheels (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) are rotatably supported in pairs on the side frames (12, 14). The wheels on each side of the unit (10) are drivingly interconnected by chain and sprocket transmissions located within the side frames (12, 14). The drive means for the wheels (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) are located between the side frames (12, 14) and cross frames (16, 18). The middle wheels (22, 28) extend below a plane lying tangent to the end wheels (20, 24, 26, 30) to facilitate skid steering. Mounting pads (96) are provided for attaching a mechanism to the undercarriage unit (10). In addition to the capability of operating over adverse terrain, a vehicle incorporating the unit (10) can be operated over a paved surface without the damage thereto that would be caused otherwise by a tracked unit.

Abstract: An armored personnel carrier (10) includes a hull (14) supported on two undercarriages (12). Each undercarriage (12) includes a primary frame (22) and a plurality of secondary frames (26) which in turn carry wheel members (28). The secondary frames (26) are urged to pivot away from the primary frame (12) by spring mechanisms (38). The center secondary frames (26c) are each biased outwardly by two spring mechanisms (38) while the endmost secondary frames (26e) are biased outwardly by a single spring mechanism (38). The wheel members (28) are driven by a drive mechanism (64), a primary transmission (58) enclosed within the primary frame (22) and a plurality of secondary transmissions (82) each enclosed within one of the secondary frames (26).

Abstract: An undercarriage for adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having at least three axles rotatably supported thereon. The axles support wheel members and each middle wheel member is positioned below the endmost wheel members to facilitate skid steering. The axles are drivingly interconnected by a transmission which may comprise: one or more planetary gear sets; one or more differential gear sets; one or more chain and sprocket drives; one or more idler gears; one or more drive shafts; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprising an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprising an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.