Abstract: There is provided a working vehicle capable of simplifying a structure and reducing manufacturing costs by realizing a configuration in which a tying-down attachment point doubles as a lifting attachment point. A working vehicle according to the present invention includes tying-down attachment points for locking a tightening member for preventing reversal at the time of transportation or parking in at least the front of a vehicle body, in which the tying-down attachment points are arranged at right-and-left two places on a front end surface of the vehicle body, capable of locking a lifting member for lifting the vehicle body upward and having strength in a vertical direction enough to withstand a load applied at the time of lifting the vehicle body upward after locking the lifting member, thereby doubling as lifting attachment points.

Abstract: A system for lifting a vehicle via multiple slings comprises a vehicle not engineered with structural facility to withstand lifting forces, including a frame which unmodified will deform in response to vertically imposed lifting forces, frame reinforcing elements affixed to the frame at selected locations which are subject to lifting deformation, at least two lifting members at spaced-apart forward frame locations, at least two lifting members at spaced-apart rearward frame locations, and a plurality of elongate slings extending respectively between each lifting member and a common lifting vertex. Each lifting member has an enlarged lower base portion rigidly affixed to the frame and an upper lifting portion. The frame reinforcing elements resist deformation of the frame in response to vertically imposed lifting forces. The enlarged base portions of the lifting members apply forces over a correspondingly enlarged area of the frame and the reinforcing elements without deforming the frame.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for safely lifting large off-highway truck bodies and also allows for lifting these truck bodies inside off-highway truck service bays with limited overhead lifting clearances. The invention minimizes the stresses on the truck body and on the lifting cables/slings. This lifting apparatus and method incorporates temporary lifting eyes installed through lifting hole receivers in the truck body floor. The temporary lifting eyes can be designed such that their strength is gained thru interlocking steel members versus simply welding.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for lifting a vehicle. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for lifting a vehicle. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a structure with an integrated cable, strap, chain or the like for the purpose of vehicle lifting.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for use in lifting a trailer from a railcar, wherein the trailer includes a tandem rear axel with wheel assemblies having tires coupled thereto, for use in combination with an overhead crane having a plurality of lifting shoes for engaging the trailer at a plurality of lifting points. The lifting apparatus includes a connector member for connecting the lifting apparatus to a lower portion of particular ones of the plurality of lifting shoes and a retaining member for engaging the tandem rear axel and a particular one of the wheel assemblies in order to secure the particular one of the wheel assemblies in a fixed position and to bear the weight of the tandem rear axel and the wheel assemblies. The lifting apparatus also includes an adjustment member for determining an amount of engagement between the retaining member and the tandem axel and the particular one of the wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A tire locating wheel restraint for securing a parked vehicle against movement in one direction is provided. The wheel restraint includes a trigger for sensing the position of a tire of the vehicle, and collapsible locking assembly for engaging and restraining the tire. The trigger and collapsible locking assembly travel along a path within a base on which the vehicle is parked. Once the tire is sensed, the collapsible locking assembly is erected and moves longitudinally relative to the trigger until the tire is engaged and restrained. The relative movement between the trigger and the locking assembly enables the wheel restraint to secure tires of different sizes.

Abstract: A platform based shipping container with folding endwalls which enable the empty container to be stacked up with a pile of similar folded containers for economical transport. There is a twistlock at each corner to interlock folded containers together and a top lift aperture at each corner to enable the pile to be lifted from above. At least one endwall can also fold outwardly away from the base to provide a ramp for the loading of vehicles. The endwalls are resiliently biased to provide for folding in either direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method for the recovery of motor vehicles submerged in bodies of water. The method comprises the steps of providing a noose comprising a length of material having a first and second end and an intermediate potion between the first and second ends, a slip attached to said first end through which the second end and the intermediate portion pass to thereby form a loop in the noose, and an attachment mechanism attached to the second end; placing the loop in the noose over the exposed portion of a tire and wheel assembly of a vehicle submerged in water such that an axis of an axle connected to the tire and wheel assembly passes through the loop in the noose; attaching the attachment mechanism of the noose to a pulling device; and applying tension to the noose by the pulling device thereby causing the loop in the noose to become smaller and secure itself to the submerged motor vehicle, thereby moving the vehicle.

Abstract: A lift link for external lift of dual High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicle's HMMWV's) includes first and second ends, the inner portion of each end pivotally attached to inner and outer sliders, respectively, said sliders communicating to provide axial movement for said lift link. In operation, a pair of lift links are attached to abutted rear ends of two HMMWV's. The links allow at least 4 degrees of movement for easy hook-up while maintaining the rigid platform necessary to transport the attached vehicles by helicopter lift.

Abstract: The invention is a rig useful in preventing relative movement between two hicles or other payloads suspended from a helicopter. The rig has two triangular plates which are in connection between the vehicles, the connection being loose before cables from the helicopter to the triangular plates are tensioned. When the helicopter rises, tension on the cables raises the triangular plates, thereby pivoting clevises which are engaged with the triangular plates and which are mounted on on the vehicles. The pivoting of the clevises draws the vehicles into tight abutment with abutment plates at the ends of the triangular plates so that the vehicles act as a single, more stable load. A cross member is connected both between the triangular plates and between the vehicles to inhibit relative lateral movement of the vehicles.

Abstract: In external cargo carrying helicopters single or multiple point suspension argo slings are attached to cargo hooks on the undersides of helicopter fuselages. It is common practice to use such helicopters to transport motorized vehicles with those cargo slings, but transporting such vehicles presents a rigging problem. This method of transporting such vehicles is frequently impractical, either because of the excessive number of sorties necessary to transport the vehicles, or because when two vehicles are carried at once they bump against each other. By this invention a cargo adapter is provided by which two vehicles can be carried without bumping against each other during flight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle lifting and towing device and particularly to an improved low profile lifting and towing device capable of efficient placement of the lower lifting boom while providing added ballast against the tipping moment of the towing vehicle, as well as a column configuration permitting the upper boom to be generally horizontal providing improved driver vision from the cab of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A truck axle grasping attachment for use with towing vehicles for lifting a truck by its front axle. The attachment is in the form of a cradle having a pair of spaced apart upstanding tangs, one of the tangs, that being the front tang, being fixed, and the other of the tangs, that being the rear tang, being mounted for movement so that the attachment may be slidably positioned for receipt of the truck axle within the cradle without interference of the axle by the rear tang. In one embodiment the rear tang is pivotably mounted on the base of the cradle and has an integral arm adapted to be contacted by the axle as the attachment moves into axle capturing relationship, and when so doing moves the rear tang into operative position. In other embodiments the rear tang is removably carried by the base of the cradle.

Abstract: Vehicle towing apparatus is disclosed which is capable of being mounted on a pickup truck or van without losing the use of any substantial part of the truck or van body.

Abstract: A lifting bracket kit for a vehicle wheel on a vehicle connects with a bumper jack or body jack supplied with the vehicle or other type of lifting device so the vehicle can be raised by the wheel for maintenance and other purposes. Avoids spring extension and allows vehicle to be placed on blocks.

Abstract: An improved carrying assembly is provided for using with, and controlled from, a helicopter to seize and lift immobilized vehicles from freeways and other limited access highways. The carrying assembly may be composed of an integrated and framework having four selectively adjustable vertical leg members, each horizontally positionable one to another, for seizing and supporting the vehicle at appropriate points on its chassis whereby the carrying assembly can engage vehicles of many different sizes and configurations. Control and actuation of each of the different segments of the framework is preferably achieved from within the helicopter, whereby the vehicle targeted from removal can be directly approached from overhead, and whereby the vehicle can be securely seized and lifted without assistance from personnel on the ground.