Abstract: A coupling device for a handling trolley comprises a drawbar (22) arranged at the front of the trolley and designed to co-operate with the hook (24) provided at the back of a tractor, in particular a trolley preceding a line of trolleys. The drawbar (22) comprises a longitudinal slot (36) wherein the hook (24) is designed to slide such that the hook can slide in the longitudinal slot between a position spaced apart wherein the trolley (10) is at a maximum distance from the tractor while it is being towed and a closer position wherein the trolley is at a minimum distance from the tractor to reduce the space requirement when it is stopped.

Abstract: The present invention comprises sets of teeth that are spaced apart from each other in a sawtooth configuration and project horizontally outward from the front and rear ends of a hand propelled, wheeled cart. The front teeth of one cart are capable of intermeshing with the opposed rear teeth of another cart. The intermeshing teeth restrict the carts from independent lateral motion, so that when two or more carts are pushed from the rear, all carts stay in alignment with each other. This allows two or more carts to be pushed as one unit, either in a straight line or around turns.

Abstract: An expandable utility trailer system that included multiple trailer bed sections that are attached together to form a utility trailer of the desired size and disconnectable for storage in a small area. The expandable utility trailer system including a main trailer bed assembly, a front bed assembly, a back bed assembly; a number of side barrier sections, a brake light/turn signal circuit including a turn signal reverse operation switch, and a trailer tongue assembly.

Abstract: A device and a method for stabilizing a combination of a tractor vehicle and at least one semitrailer or trailer is described, where the trailer or semitrailer is automatically braked if the semitrailer or trailer buckles with respect to the tractor vehicle at a buckling rate which is greater than a predetermined limit buckling rate.

Abstract: A demountable multiple platform cart includes a lead cart module having a horizontal load-supporting platform and a trailing cart module having a horizontal load-supporting trailing platform. A releasable interconnection mechanism couples the rear end of the lead cart module demountably to the front end of the trailing cart module. The interconnection mechanism comprises an upstanding flange carried by the rear end of the lead cart platform at a spaced distance therefrom to provide an upwardly open continuous side to side slit and further comprises a downwardly extending flange carried on the front end of the trailing cart platform to be received within the slit. A longitudinally extending lock mechanism can be carried beneath a cart platform to receive a lock latch mounted on a handle which is pivotally and slideably mounted to move from an upstanding position to a generally horizontal position and telescopes longitudinally to locked stowed position.

Abstract: A towable pallet jack includes a pallet jack, a hitch pump handle, a removable male hitch, and a handle portion. The hitch pump handle extends from a pump unit at a rear of the pallet jack. A locking cavity is formed on the other end of the hitch pump handle and is sized to receive a hitch ball. The removable male hitch is inserted into the pair of forks. A second embodiment of the towable pallet jack utilizes a scissors pallet jack with a pivotal hitch attached to a rear of the pallet jack. A third embodiment of the towable pallet jack includes a pallet jack and hitch pump handle. The hitch pump handle is offset such that thereof may be attached to a fork of a succeeding pallet jack. A fourth embodiment of the towable pallet jack uses a straight hitch pump handle which is pivotally attached to a rear of the pallet jack at one side thereof. A fifth embodiment of the towable pallet jack including a female swinging hitch and a hitch pump handle with a expandable male hitch.

Abstract: A double gooseneck trailer for hauling large, heavy loads wherein there is provided: a jeep having a connector for connecting the jeep to a hitch on a tractor and a first hitch; a dolly having a second hitch and a plurality of axles; and a load unit having a removable front gooseneck with a connector for releasably attaching the load unit to the first hitch, a removable rear gooseneck for releasably attaching the load unit to the second hitch, and a plurality of steerable wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly including a suspension hydraulic cylinder in communication with a hydraulic cylinder on either the front gooseneck or the rear gooseneck such that a portion of a load placed on the load unit will be distributed between the wheel assemblies and the goosenecks.

Abstract: The present invention is a trailer extension support dolly with a frame supported by a pair of articulating, free castering support wheels. The trailer extension support dolly attaches between a trailer and a tow vehicle to at least partially support the tongue weight of the trailer. The trailer extension support dolly is attached to the trailer via a conventional ball and socket and a pair of linkage arms extending from the trailer extension support dolly frame rearward to the trailer hitch bar. Each of the trailer extension dolly support wheels is mounted on a respective stub axle which is attached to an articulating axle support bracket via a swivel mount so that each wheel is allowed to caster during turning operations. In order to provide proper castering while going either in a forward direction or a reverse direction, the angle of each axle support bracket is adjustable so that the stub axle swivel connection can be selectively angled forward or rearward.

Abstract: A steering system for a multiple vehicle train that is pulled by a prime mover. A series of connected adjacent leading and trailing vehicles each have a single axle mounted under a rear body portion and are equipped with a triangular linkage. The linkage is defined by three connections: a pivotal connection of the axle to a rear portion of the vehicle body; a pivotal connection between the bodies of the leading and trailing vehicles; and a fore and aft movable connection between the body of the trailing vehicle and a tongue that extends back from the axle. When the vehicle train is traveling straight ahead, the movable connection is in its forwardmost position and the three connection points are aligned in a straight line where the axle is disposed perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A spray cart with pivoting suspension assemblies that include articulating trailing wheels with a hitch arrangement that can vary the amount of weight of the spray cart that can be transferred either to a towing vehicle or to an implement towed by the spray cart. The advantage of this variable weight transfer includes reducing soil compaction by the spray cart wheels by shifting weight to the tractor or by shifting weight to a towed disc, the disc is more effective. The spray cart has means of attachment to a towed disc or plow that effectively creates a single unit out of the spray cart and the towed disc or plow. This combined with the articulating trailing wheels reduces side loads on the wheels.

Abstract: A rotator for holding and rotating a steel shipping container includes a n frame and a cradle frame attached to the main frame to allow relative rotation between the main frame and the cradle frame under the power of a hydraulic jack or the like. The container is secured to the cradle frame while the cradle frame is horizontal, and compressed air is supplied to the jack to tilt the cradle frame and the container for refurbishing. Pins are provided to hold the cradle frame in both the horizontal position and the tilted position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cart system for moving product from one point to another. The system includes at least one inner cart and at least one outer cart. The outer cart includes a gate for receiving the inner cart and also includes couplers for coupling a plurality of outer carts in tandem.

Abstract: Coupling for controlling the angular offset between two road transport units (A and B) connected to one another by an intermediate self-supporting unit (C), unites (A) and (B) being respectively oriented thereto at angles .alpha. and .beta., the intermediate unit (C) being articulated to units (A) and (B) by two swiveling articulations (D) and (E). The invention consists of an oblique coupling (F) extended by a diverter (H) controlled by a cam actuator (I) for yaw angular offset control based on a law for the angular correction of angles .beta. as a function of angles .alpha., having a central region with a slight slope terminated at each of its ends by a transition region. The invention is of interest to manufacturers of articulated public road transport vehicles.

Abstract: A convertible chassis for a dual axle semitrailer for converting the semitrailer to a single axle trailer having an attached dolly to pull a second trailer thereon.

Abstract: A retractable trailer coupling assembly rearwardly disposable from a trailer and adapted for towing an additional trailer having a coupling frame, in mechanical connection with the underside of the trailer; a coupling dolly, having a fifth wheel, adapted for towing a trailer, and an axle carrier, in slidable connection with the coupling frame between a first position wherein the axle carrier and the fifth wheel are entirely positioned under the trailer and a second position wherein the axle carrier and the fifth wheel are positioned a sufficient distance rearward of the trailer to allow connection of the additional trailer. A lock is in functional connection between the coupling frame and the coupling dolly, for selectively locking the coupling dolly in a fixed relationship with the coupling frame in the first and second positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for securement of an automobile to a motor home and for carrying articles thereon has a tow bar (A) for attachment on one end to the motor home, a connecting frame (B) supporting a carrier platform member (C) with provision of a pair of transversely spaced retractable wheels (D) together with a towing connection (E) carried by the connecting frame adjacent a rear of said platform member so as to limit horizontal movement of the automobile in respect to the connecting frame but permitting pivotal movement in a vertical plane during towing.

Abstract: A telecommunications booth providing business travelers a variety of services including telephone, facsimile, and various information options which result in automatic telephone dialing to desired destinations. The various telephonic devices function through a restrictor to access a single public communications channel. The restrictor prevents calls to certain classes of numbers, like 900 numbers. Billing data on the computer may be accessed through a modem.

Abstract: An articulated trailer utilizing two pivot points and an angular transfer system to control the radial movement of the front axle during turning is disclosed. The articulated trailer comprises an elongated carriage having two spaced-part, wheeled axles. The rear axle rigidly attaches to the carriage while the front axle is pivotally mounted. The carriage front end comprises two spaced-apart pivot points, a hollow jack column assembly and a tongue assembly. A structural assembly supports the jack column assembly and the tongue assembly. A draw bar extends from the tongue assembly to the draft vehicle. Tie-rods attach the ends of the upper tongue assembly to a pair of plates. The plates are interconnected by a shaft. A responder plate is coupled to an electric motor. The electric motor selectively rotates to effect the radial movement of the tongue assembly to transfer angular movement to the jack column assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for securement of an automobile to a motor home and for carrying articles thereon has a tow bar (A) for attachment on one end to the motor home, a connecting frame (B) supporting a carrier platform member (C) with provision of a pair of transversely spaced retractable wheels (D) together with a towing connection (E) carried by the connecting frame adjacent a rear of said platform member so as to limit horizontal movement of the automobile in respect to the connecting frame but permitting pivotal movement in a vertical plane during towing.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a hinge connection for connecting vehicle parts 1 and 2 of a multiple-unit rail-borne vehicle in an articulated manner by a rolling bearing 3, which is held on a support 2a projecting beyond the end of one of the vehicle parts 2. The hinge cooperates with a support 1a projecting beyond the end of another vehicle part 1 in an articulated manner, and permits horizontal and vertical deflecting movements of the vehicle parts 1 and 2 in relation to one another. The design of the hinge connection is such that the rolling bearing is relieved of wear-promoting loads and greater horizontal buckling angles between the connected vehicle parts can be obtained. This objective is accomplished by the support 2a of the second vehicle part 2 being fixed, via an elastomer hinge 4, to the inner ring 3a of the rolling bearing 3, which has neither radial nor axial play, at least in the installed state.

Abstract: A back-up direction guide for a pup trailer dolly having a frame sprung from a wheel equipped axle and connected to the rearward end of a truck-trailer by an A-frame tongue portion is formed by a rigid plate clamped in overlying relation to the forward end portion of the pup trailer dolly frame. Load binders are pivotally connected with the respective ends of the plate and tensioned flexible members connected with the respective load binder and the respective outer lower limit of the rearward end portion of the truck-trailer guide the pup trailer dolly in a selected direction during rearward backing movement of the truck-trailer.

Abstract: An articulated joint for pivotally connecting adjacent sections of a vehicle. The joint includes a first slewing ring and a second slewing ring and each slewing ring has an outer member connected to an inner member. A bearing race is located between the outer member and the inner member to permit relative rotation of the members. The outer member of each slewing ring is constructed for connection to one section of a vehicle and the inner member of each slewing ring is constructed for connection to another section of the vehicle. Location sleeves are located radially inwardly of the inner members of the slewing rings and a shim is located between the ends of the location sleeves.

Abstract: A steerable, load-supporting dolly is provided wherein the dolly is self-steerable in response to the loading thereon. Controllable responsiveness of the steering is provided by at least one king-pin, the castor of which may be selectively varied.

Abstract: A transporter for carrying trash cans or bins includes a mainly circular platform which is provided preferably with three radially extending slots. Holding and guide rods or plates are mounted so as to extend vertically up through the slots, preferably to a height of at least one-fifth of the diameter of the platform. The holding rods or plates are continuously adjustable in the radial direction. The holding plates may either be curved in order to provide firm surface contact with the outer surface of a mainly cylindrical trash can, or may be angled so that two of the holding plates securely hold the trash bin along two corner edges, with the third angled holding plate providing double line contact along an opposite side of the trash bin. When using holding plates, the platform is provided with raised regins and ridges to provide lateral and radial stability to the plates.

Abstract: A converter dolly for interconnecting and facilitating backing up of a tandem trailer assembly pulled by a tractor is disclosed. The converter dolly is coupled to the rear of a first trailer for pivotable movement relative thereto about a substantially vertical axis. The converter dolly includes a wheeled frame. A fifth wheel is fixed on the wheeled frame and has a front end defining opposing front corner portions. The wheeled frame includes a coupling assembly for coupling the wheeled frame to a second trailer for pivotable movement about a substantially vertical axis. A locking mechanism cooperates with the fifth wheel and includes a spaced pin housing secured at each front corner portion of the fifth wheel so that when the fifth wheel pivots up or down, the housings move as units with the fifth wheel. A pin is positioned in each housing and movable therein from a retracted to an extended position.

Abstract: A trailer having front and rear pairs of wheels, each wheel being rotatably supported on a knuckle arm having a pivotal shaft tilted inwardly for biasing the wheel to a straight line position, a front tow bar pivotally mounted on a front steering member pivotally secured to the trailer body, a rear steering member pivotally mounted on a rear portion of the trailer body, a pair of tie rods connecting the knuckle arms of the front wheels and the front tow bar and a pair of rear tie rods connecting the knuckle arms of the rear wheels and the rear steering member, a rear stabilizer rear stabilizer having a spring for urging the rear steering member straight ahead between the rear steering member and the trailer body and a front stabilizer between the front tow bar and the body.

Abstract: A travel and utility trailer combination includes a house trailer with a wheel mounted main frame supporting a main closure or house. The main frame has two spaced-apart side beams rearwardly thereof. An auxiliary trailer is hitched to the main frame to have position between the side beams. Side beam extensions are pivoted to the ends of the side beams to have end portions underlying the axle of the auxiliary trailer. A hydraulic linear motor is provided to raise the side beam extensions to horizontal positions to lift the auxiliary trailer wheels off of the ground for over-the-road travel. Removable positioning pins passing through openings in the side beam extensions and plates integral with the side beams maintain these extensions in horizontal position.

Abstract: Novel highway trailers can be mounted on railtruck assemblies to form a train of highway trailers, the railtruck assemblies including a conventional railtruck which supports a novel intermodal adaptor. The novel highway trailers include a forwardly extending tongue and coupling structure at the rear to which may be secured to the tongue of a following trailer and the intermodal adaptor of a railtruck assembly. The intermodal adaptor is mounted on the center plate bowl of the bolster of the railtruck. The adaptor includes locating means adapted to be received within the coupling structure of a leading highway trailer, which locating means permits the leading highway trailer and intermodal adaptor to become aligned with each other upon relative movement.

Abstract: A material transport system having a material container for receiving material to be transported, motive members connected to the material container for allowing the material container to move from one place to another, and an unloader device positioned within the material container for unloading material therefrom. The material container has a generally flat floor extending between a pair of sidewalls. The unloader includes a tractor extending between the sidewalls of the material container and a shovel articulated to the tractor. The shovel has a size suitable for fitting between the sidewalls of the material container. The material container comprises a plurality of railroad cars having a generally flat roadway extending throughout the plurality of railroad cars. Each of the railroad cars is articulated to an adjacent car. The floor comprises a series of floor segments overlapping each other in the same direction.

Abstract: Modular element of module (M) for an articulated vehicle formed therefrom. The vehicle must be able to travel over various obstacles (corridors, staircases, level changes). The modules (M) are joined by double hinges (20) and have internal degrees of freedom (flexible chassis, twisting displacement, adjustment of the pitch of the load 69), so that the vehicle is given flexibility and stability. The vehicle is intended to operate in hostile or dangerous environments.

Abstract: A heavy load hauler for travelling on conventional road ways to move, for example heavy construction equipment such as cranes or the like from one work site to another. The hauler includes a front tractor drawn carriage, a rear carriage and a load unit disposed between and carried by such carriages. The front carriage is supported upon a multiplicity of independent wheel and axis units. There is a first fifth wheel coupling at the leading end of the front carriage, for connecting to the fifth wheel coupling of a tractor, and a second fifth wheel coupling spaced rearwardly therefrom. The load carrying rear carriage is also supported upon a multiplicity of independent wheel and axle units and there is a fifth wheel coupling intermediate the leading and trailing ends of such carriage.

Abstract: A rail bogie is provided with a truck having a platform and railroad wheels beneath it for riding on railroad tracks; a first fifth wheel being mounted on the platform. A draw-bar, also mounted on the platform, includes a vertical leg and a horizontal foot on which are provided a lift plate, a further fifth wheel on the lift plate and a lift mechanism capable of moving the lift plate vertically relative to a connection block located at the upper end of the leg. The bogie is for use in combination with a road vehicle provided, at its rear end, with a hooking block in contact with the vertical leg of the draw-bar; the hooking block being formed with a socket into which is received the connection block of the rail bogie for vertical displacement when the lift plate is moved by the aforesaid lift mechanism. Projecting from the lower end of the hooking block is a coupling king pin lockingly engaged in the fifth wheel of the lift plate.

Abstract: A steerable trailer to be drawn by a vehicle is disclosed having a pair of first and a pair of second steerable wheels. Each of the steerable wheels are retained by a wheel support which is rotatable relative to the trailer frame about a steering axis. A tongue is pivotably attached to the frame for connecting the trailer to the towing vehicle. A flexible tensile member is attached to the tongue and extends about an engagement surface affixed to the wheel supports. The first and second wheel supports rotate in opposite directions in response to the pivoting of the tongue relative to the frame to steer the trailer.

Abstract: Novel highway trailers can be mounted on railtruck assemblies to form a train of highway trailers, the railtruck assemblies including a conventional railtruck which supports a novel intermodal adaptor. The novel highway trailers include a forwardly extending tongue and coupling structure at the rear to which may be secured the tongue of a following trailer and the intermodal adaptor of a railtruck assembly. The intermodal adaptor is mounted on the center plate bowl of the bolster of the railtruck. The adaptor includes a locating assembly adapted to be received within the coupling structure of a leading highway trailer, which locating assembly permits the leading highway trailer and intermodal adaptor to become aligned with each other upon relative movement.

Abstract: A trailer assembly including a cab, a first trailer hitched to the cab, a second trailer having a dolly hitched to the first trailer, and a third trailer having a dolly hitched to the second trailer. Each dolly has a framework with a front hitch and has a wheel assembly fixedly connected to the framework. The wheel assembly has an axle and four wheels and leaf springs. The dolly has a thrust bearing unit with a bearing axis. The thrust bearing unit has a bottom race fixedly connected to the framework and has a top race angularly displacable relative to the bottom race about the bearing axis. The top race has a pivot plate with a horizontal pivot axis. The pivot plate has trunnions with pivot pins for pivoting of the pivot plate about the horizontal pivot axis relative to the top race. The pivot plate has a hinge groove for connecting to a hinge pin under the overlapping trailer. The thrust bearing unit has brake means, operated by a driver in the cab by controlling a fluid meter.

Abstract: A unique versatile high-speed material handling system is provided for the postal service using specially designed pallet-platform trucks to minimize the cost of transport to and from bulk mail centers and to speed-up the processing and delivery of mail. Each bulk mail center is provided with a multiplicity of compact nestable four-wheel dual-function trucks with a flat retractable shelf of a size to receive a standard-size pallet and with a removable vertical rear end frame which is stored on the permanent vertical front end frame. The specially designed trucks function in one mode with both end frames as platform trucks to carry mail sacks and in another mode with only one end frame as pallet carriers to carry pelletized loads. They are able to track effecively when pulled around sharp corners and through narrow aisles in trains of 3 to 8 trucks.

Abstract: To avoid skidding of the driving wheels of a tractor (1) which runs on tires and which is fitted with hydraulic lifting devices (3, 4) on which are mounted working tools (35, 45) which are buried in the ground (in this case ploughs), the apparatus includes detector structure for determining the force for forward movement of the tractor, comparing that force to a reference value and producing pulses of less than one second, for alternately raising the two lifting devices (3, 4), the amplitude of the pulses being proportional to the excess of the forward movement force, up to a limit amplitude of centimeters approximately. The pulses are too short for the tools (35, 45) to lift with respect to the ground and the amplitude of the raising movement appears as squashing of the tires, which increases grip in order to overcome the excess of forward movement force.

Abstract: The invention provides a low-profile agricultural trailer with power assisted wheels for use in orchards particularly during nut harvesting. A rectangular paneled trailer body has an open top partially covered by a sectional opened-top longitudinal hood, and is formed internally with hopper-like structure having sliding doors as openable bottom closures. The sliding doors move horizontally operated manually by levers at both ends of the trailer body. The hood has expanded metal see-through corners so nut loading can be watched and the nuts retained. A continuous loop load leveler has chains with angular load leveling paddles attached operational adjacently below the opened top of the hood. A base framework having trailer tow hitches at both ends supports the trailer body. An axle fastened to the base framework passes through a wheel housing downwardly opened transversely centrally through the trailer body. Two automotive type wheels with road tires are attached, one to each end of the axle by wheel hubs.

Abstract: An improved railway train of highway trailers. The highway trailers are interconnected to each other and their adjacent ends are supported solely by railtruck assemblies. Each trailer is provided with a portion connectible to a corresponding portion of the railtruck assembly. Each railtruck assembly includes an intermodal adapter mounted upon a transversely extending bolster of a railtruck, the assembly being essentially symmetrical about a vertically shiftable coupler pin carried by the adapter so that the railtruck assembly can be interconnected to trailers disposed to either side of the railtruck assembly. In addition, improved hydraulic shifting apparatus is provided for shifting the vertical coupler pin carried by the intermodal adapter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a rear trailer to a front trailer in a tandem tractor-trailer assembly in which a boom attachment for a lift truck is provided with a vertical rotary lock pin adapted to be secured to a mobile connector carrier for lifting, rotating and moving the carrier to a working position between the front and rear trailers. The boom lift attachment is designed to rotate the mobile connector carrier relative to the lift truck in order to accurately position the mobile connector carrier in a working space between the trailers and to move the carrier into locking engagement with the front trailer, prior to rearward movement of the front trailer to engage the kingpin of the rear trailer with the mobile connector carrier.

Abstract: A multi-axle road vehicle has an equalizing resilient suspension for equalizing the load over the axles of a multi-axle set. The suspension is itself carried on a suspension subframe that is in turn mounted on the vehicle to pivot about a transverse, horizontal axis. The use of a pivoting subframe provides for equal axle loading over a much wider range of road conditions. The suspension system is especially suited for application to the "B" train multiple vehicle configuration, where the common suspension will be mounted on a subframe pivoted to the lead vehicle and carrying a fifth wheel for the following vehicle.

Abstract: A construction transportation assembly comprising a buoyant general construction component having eight corner portions defining a rectangular parallelpiped locus with a length and a width generally corresponding to those of an ISO standard freight container, and two specialty components mounted on top of the general component laterally adjacent each other and lying within the length and width of the locus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an omnibus which is suitable for train formation, can be driven independently and can either be freely steered or guided on tracks. In order not to disfigure the omnibus front by protruding coupling devices, and to be able to carry out the coupling operation without an assistant from the driver's position of the particular omnibus to be coupled, it is envisaged that at least the front coupling is designed in the form of a bar which can be extended or retracted under remote control. In the extended state, the bar can be moved under control within limits and can be engaged with the counter coupling head of the omnibus in front. The coupled omnibuses of a train are simultaneously and uniformly controlled from the driver's position of the first omnibus with regard to all their traction and braking functions.

Abstract: A steerable dolly for a truck trailer resting thereon comprising a steering linkage to turn the dolly wheels relative to the dolly frame, the linkage including an engagement with the trailer that senses the yaw articulation angle of the trailer relative to the dolly frame and causes the linkage to steer the dolly wheels in response to the yaw articulation angle. The steering ratio of the dolly wheels to the yaw articulation angle is a function of the dolly tow bar length for a B-Dolly configuration, the rear overhang of the towing vehicle and the wheel base of the trailer resting on the dolly fifth wheel. The steering ratio may be adjusted by adjusting the effective length of one of the links in the steering linkage.

Abstract: Novel highway trailers can be mounted on railtruck assemblies to form a train of highway trailers, the railtruck assemblies including a conventional railtruck which supports a novel intermodal adaptor. The novel highway trailers include a forwardly extending tongue and coupling structure at the rear to which may be secured the tongue of a following trailer and the intermodal adaptor of a railtruck assembly. The intermodal adaptor is mounted on the center plate bowl of the bolster of the railtruck. The adaptor includes a locating assembly adapted to be received within the coupling structure of a leading highway trailer, which locating assembly permits the leading highway trailer and intermodal adaptor to become aligned with each other upon relative movement.

Abstract: A semi-trailer and its releasable coupler for use in rail transportation of intermodal containers and other adaptable cargo. That capability is met by structuring a centered longitudinal beam to the cargo deck and fitting it with the releasable coupler of this invention, permitting the trailer to be one of an infinite number of like trailers joined end to end as a train, the flexibility and longitudinal strength gained through the beam/coupler assembly. Ease of releasing and engaging a trailer from or to the train is made practical by this coupler and the front end supports, the latter having ability to raise and lower the front section of the trailer and separating the coupler segments.

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 bogie for use in an intermodal transport system has wheels rotatably mounted about two spaced parallel axes, and a coupling device (33) for securing the bogie to a wheeled rail wagon, one end of which is supported on the bogie. The coupling device (33) cooperates with a coupling device, provided at that end of the wagon, which are adapted to couple the wagon to another wagon or to a locomotive in normal use of the wagon.An intermodal transport system comprises such a wagon; a drive device, e.g. a tractor for road and a locomotive for rail; and a bogie provided with road wheels or rail wheels of a gauge different to that of that of the wagon, in accordance with the mode of transport over which the wheeled wagon is to be transported.

Abstract: An intermediate trailer for use between a standard tractor and a standard trailer, the intermediate trailer having a chassis mounted at its rear end, consisting of a first portion which is fixed to the trailer and a second portion which is slidable relative to the first portion from a first position under the trailer to a second position extending rearwardly of the trailer, the second portion having wheels mounted thereon.

Abstract: Novel highway trailers can be mounted on railtruck assemblies to form a train of highway trailers, the railtruck assemblies including a conventional railtruck which supports a novel intermodal adaptor. The novel highway trailers include a forwardly extending tongue and coupling structure at the rear to which may be secured the tongue of a following trailer and the intermodal adaptor of a railtruck assembly. The intermodal adaptor is mounted on the center plate bowl of the bolster of the railtruck. The adaptor includes locating structure adapted to be received within the coupling structure of a leading highway trailer, which locating structure permits the leading highway trailer and intermodal adaptor to become aligned with each other upon relative movement.