Abstract: A trailer assembly for carrying coiled tubing includes a main beam assembly extending from a forward end of the trailer assembly to a rear end of the trailer assembly. The main beam assembly includes a forward portion that extends from the forward end of the trailer assembly, a rear portion that extends to the rear end of the trailer assembly, and a middle portion connected between the forward portion and the rear portion and configured to transfer load to the forward portion and the rear portion. The middle portion includes an upper beam section, and a lower beam section vertically separated from the upper beam section. The upper beam section is configured to share a load resultant from a bending force experienced by the lower beam section.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the technical field of mobile transformer substation, and in particular relates to a vehicle-mounted mobile transformer with a position-adjustable lead-out bushing.

Abstract: A mobile structure includes first and second rigid frames and first and second horizontal roof supports supported by the rigid frame. Each of the rigid frames includes a first vertical support, a second vertical support substantially parallel to the first vertical support, and a lateral rigid frame support extending perpendicularly at least from the first vertical support to the second vertical support. The mobile structure further includes a floor under the first and second horizontal roof supports, a wheel-axle assembly under the floor, and leveling assemblies that are extendable away from the floor. Each leveling assembly is in weight-bearing and in-line relationship with respect to one of the vertical supports of the first rigid frame.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle for transporting passengers can include a passenger section, an elevated passenger section, a subfloor discontinuity, and a retractable step. The subfloor discontinuity can be located between the passenger section and the elevated passenger section. The subfloor discontinuity can span the elevation change. The retractable step can be located at the subfloor discontinuity. The retractable step can include a housing, a riser door, and an articulating tread. The housing can at least partially surrounds a volume. The riser door can be in rotatable engagement with the housing such that the riser door rotates into and out of the volume of the housing. The articulating tread can be in rotatable engagement with the housing such that the riser door rotates into and out of the volume of the housing. The retractable step can articulate between a step position and a ramp position.

Abstract: An enclosure for a vehicle includes a wall that has an opening therein, a floor, and a lowered portion that is recessed into the floor in an area of the floor proximate the opening in the wall.

Abstract: A machine tool includes: a hydraulic pump that supplies pressure oil; a fixture plate that positions a workpiece; a fixture base that detachably holds the fixture plate and that moves relative to a tool during machining; a hydraulic cylinder performs an attaching/removing operation for attaching or removing the fixture plate to or from the fixture base; an accumulator that accumulates the pressure oil from the hydraulic pump and that supplies the pressure oil to the hydraulic cylinder; and a manual valve that is manually switched to supply the pressure oil in the accumulator to the hydraulic cylinder to thereby control the attaching/removing operation of the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: Bus cabin structures including improved configurations of floors, passenger aisles and steps, interior roofs or ceilings, and door frames.

Abstract: A conversion assembly for enabling or improving wheelchair accessibility to a front-wheel-drive vehicle, wherein said assembly comprises rear suspension mountings for fixing to the structure of the vehicle in place of an existing rear suspension such that a portion of a floorpan of the vehicle of sufficient width to accommodate the width of a wheelchair can be lowered between said rear suspension mountings. A method of converting a front-wheel-drive vehicle to enable or improve wheelchair accessibility to the vehicle, the method including the steps of removing an existing rear suspension from the vehicle, installing rear suspension mountings to the vehicle, one at each side of the structure of the vehicle, and lowering a portion of the floorpan of the vehicle between said rear suspension mountings.

Abstract: A trailer is described, defining a floor extending from a first end, and comprising at least one first displaceable platform onto which goods can be loaded from the first end of the trailer. The first platform is supported such that it can be elevated when loaded and advanced away from the first end of the trailer when loaded. The first platform is preferably rolled forwards onto support tracks provided on the sidewalls of the trailer. The trailer may also include a load-carrying well with its own moveable cargo platform or platforms, and the first platform is loaded and moved up and over the well, thereby increasing the capacity of the trailer. Corresponding cargo-carrying vehicles, and loading methods are described and claimed.

Abstract: A conversion assembly for enabling or improving wheelchair accessibility to a front-wheel-drive vehicle, wherein said assembly comprises rear suspension mountings for fixing to the structure of the vehicle in place of an existing rear suspension such that a portion of a floorpan of the vehicle of sufficient width to accommodate the width of a wheelchair can be lowered between said rear suspension mountings. A method of converting a front-wheel-drive vehicle to enable or improve wheelchair accessibility to the vehicle, the method including the steps of removing an existing rear suspension from the vehicle, installing rear suspension mountings to the vehicle, one at each side of the structure of the vehicle, and lowering a portion of the floorpan of the vehicle between said rear suspension mountings.

Abstract: A truck is disclosed with a vertically adjustable bed to facilitate cargo loading and unloading. The truck includes a U-shaped frame within which the vertically adjustable bed is located. The vertically adjustable bed is movable between elevated and lowered positions by hydraulic cylinders. When in its fully elevated position, the vertically adjustable bed is secured to the U-shaped frame by bed locking pins. When the vertically adjustable bed is in its fully elevated position, left and right tailgate doors are secured to each other by tailgate door locking screws. The left and right tailgate doors are secured to the vertically adjustable bed by tailgate bed locking pins and a lateral recess in the left and right tailgate doors designed to receive the rear edge of the vertically adjustable bed.

Abstract: A mobile battle center featuring a command table, a foldable tent for covering the command table, and a transport vehicle for transporting the tent and the command table. The command table includes an aft section, a forward section, electronic equipment stations securely mounted to the aft section, the forward section, or both sections and a bus housing electronic cables running to the electronic equipment stations. An intermediate section is hinged to the forward section and the aft section, the aft section foldable up and over the forward section for transport of the table, the intermediate section providing clearance for the electronic equipment stations when the table is folded. Foldable legs support the table in the deployed position. The transport vehicle includes an equipment rack electrically coupled to the electronic equipment stations of the command table via the bus.

Abstract: A bottom dump trailer cart which includes a wheeled cargo compartment having a floor equipped with downwardly pivoting dumping panels is constructed such that the panels protect the wheels from the dumped cargo. The cart is capable of riding over the dumped cargo because of the absence of an axle connecting wheels on opposite sides of the cart, and the provision of a rear wall of the compartment which can be caused to pivot upwardly and rearwardly. A tongue assembly extends forwardly of the cargo compartment. An operating mechanism positioned above the tongue assembly enables conversion between a dumping state wherein the dumping panels and rear wall are caused to be free-swinging, and a locked transport state wherein the dumping panels are secured in horizontal position and the rear wall is secured in a vertical position.

Abstract: A suspension system includes a swing arm which pivots about a pivot axis. A hub assembly, hub gear box and input gear box are mounted to an independently pivoting swing arm. The pivot axis is located closer to the ground than a rotational axis defined by the hub assemblies and the input gear box. A coupling extends from the input gear box to receive an input driveline from a drive source such as vehicle engine. The coupling is located proximate the pivot axis to minimize relative movement during articulation of the swing arm. An axle housing extends between the input gear box and an opposite hub gear box to support a drive shaft and serves as a torsion bar.

Abstract: A mobile battle center featuring a command table, a foldable tent for covering the command table, and a transport vehicle for transporting the tent and the command table. The command table includes an aft section, a forward section, electronic equipment stations securely mounted to the aft section, the forward section, or both sections and a bus housing electronic cables running to the electronic equipment stations. An intermediate section is hinged to the forward section and the aft section, the aft section foldable up and over the forward section for transport of the table, the intermediate section providing clearance for the electronic equipment stations when the table is folded. Foldable legs support the table in the deployed position. The transport vehicle includes an equipment rack electrically coupled to the electronic equipment stations of the command table via the bus.

Abstract: A forage wagon is provided for loading and unloading material. The wagon generally comprises a pair of opposing sidewalls connected to a front wall and a rear wall, the walls extending vertically to define a storage chamber. Further, a bottom wall is formed by two bottom doors, each bottom door having inner and outer edges. The outer edges are pivotally connected to the opposing sidewalls. Notably, each of the two bottom doors is operable between a closed position for loading and an open position for unloading. The bottom doors rotate from the closed position to the open position under gravity. The closed position is defined by the inner edges mating to form a substantially continuous bottom wall, while the open position defined by the inner edges being spaced apart to form a large bottom opening for unloading material.

Abstract: A motor coach is provided as well as a method of manufacturing a luxury motor coach conversion from a semi tractor, for example, a class 8 sleeper. The motor coach utilizes the sleeper portion of the original truck body and includes a rear body portion that is mounted to a frame of the tractor rearwardly of the sleeper portion. In an embodiment, the motor coach is manufactured by removing a significant portion of a rear panel of the sleeper portion, mounting the rear body against the sleeper, and securing a flange over a seam between the rear body and the sleeper. In an embodiment, the motor coach has multiple occupiable levels including an elevated level and a lower level which has a sunken floor that is vertically lower than the truck frame. Optionally, the motor coach includes a garage having a tiltable floor that supports an auxiliary vehicle during travel and pivots to slope downwardly for loading and unloading the auxiliary vehicle.

Abstract: An over the road trailer having adjustable sections to provide different trailer configurations. A flat center bed section has a sliding connection at the front with vertical legs of a gooseneck section and a sliding connection at the back with vertical legs of an L-shaped rear section. Hydraulic jacks move the center section up and down to allow the trailer to assume a double drop deck configuration, a step deck configuration, or a straight deck configuration. Separate power operated and manually operated latching systems secure the trailer in each different configuration.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle for enabling placement and retrieval of markers on a road surface includes a cargo bed coupled to the mobile vehicle and a well area coupled to the cargo bed, the well area being sized to accommodate an individual and including a retainer to prevent inadvertent egress while enabling the individual positioned within the well area to manually place and retrieve markers from the cargo bed onto the road surface.

Abstract: An over the road trailer having adjustable sections to provide different trailer configurations. A flat center bed section has a sliding connection at the front with vertical legs of a gooseneck section and a sliding connection at the back with vertical legs of an L-shaped rear section. Hydraulic jacks move the center section up and down to allow the trailer to assume a double drop deck configuration, a step deck configuration, or a straight deck configuration. Separate power operated and manually operated latching systems secure the trailer in each different configuration.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mobile unit operative for securely storing and placing markers onto a surface, comprising a bed coupled to a portion of the mobile unit comprising a planar surface for storing the markers; a well area coupled to a rear portion of the bed and having an at least one well structure coupled to the first planar surface, the well structure having a bottom and side walls for housing a person for placing or retrieving said markers on the surface, wherein the at least one well structure and the first planar surface are positionally aligned to permit retrieval/storage of a marker from the first planar surface for placement/retrieval on the surface via said person located within the well.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mobile unit operative for securely storing and placing markers onto a surface, comprising a bed coupled to a portion of the mobile unit comprising a planar surface for storing the markers; a well area coupled to a rear portion of the bed and having an at least one well structure coupled to the first planar surface, the well structure having a bottom and side walls for housing a person for placing or retrieving said markers on the surface, wherein the at least one well structure and the first planar surface are positionally aligned to permit retrieval/storage of a marker from the first planar surface for placement/retrieval on the surface via said person located within the well.

Abstract: An underbody assembly for a motor vehicle includes a floorpan extending longitudinally and transversely. The underbody assembly also includes a side sill operatively connected to the floorpan to provide more than one underbody load floor height of the floorpan relative to body side assemblies of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle having accommodations for a wheelchair includes an upper floor panel disposed within the vehicle and having a lowerable portion thereof adapted to support a wheelchair, and a lift mechanism mounted below the upper floor panel for lowering and raising the lowerable portion with respect to the upper floor panel. The lift mechanism comprises threaded holes on a protruding part of the lowerable panel. The threaded holes are engaged by a plurality of jack screws. The jack screws can be driven by a motor, sprocket and chain drive system. These accommodations allow a person in the wheelchair to be lowered to a level where they can comfortably see out the windows of the vehicle.

Abstract: A road transportable home consisting of a floor having a drop floor aperture therethrough; a drop floor, the drop floor being fitted so that it may underlie the drop floor aperture; and a series of slide shafts and slide sleeves capable of movably attaching the drop floor to the floor so that the drop floor may travel between a first position and a second position, the first position having an elevation below that of the floor, the second position having an elevation above that of the first position, the slide shafts and slide sleeves interconnecting the drop floor and the floor.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle is provided which incorporates unique "space saver" features especially suitable for, but not limited to, a short or standard cargo van body, and which allows the user to enjoy amenities which up to now were available only in the extended body versions. These space saver amenities may include a normal width double bed and temporary shower stall which previously were only found in conversions of extended length van bodies. These space saver amenities, if used in a standard or extended length van body provide even more varied and substantial sleeping facilities, such as a king-size bed or twin beds.

Abstract: A trailer (100) is provided that transports coils (20) in a trough formed by at least one pair of longitudinally extending spaced-apart support members (8,8') that extend upwardly away from each other towards the bed plane (BP) of trailer (100) such that a peripheral portion of coils (20) are engaged by support members (8,8') below bed plane (BP). Trailer (100) preferably includes containment structures (10, 10') to provide a cage-like structure about support members (8,8') and coils (20) and further preferably includes protective covering over coils (20) in the form of clam shell like sections (16, 16') as well as bar members (32) on opposite sides of each coil (20) that are operative to prevent coils (20) from telescoping.

Abstract: A motor vehicle for carrying a load over a street has in a preferred embodiment a bottom platform for supporting the load, a frame, disposed above the bottom platform and mounted to it, for providing structural integrity to the vehicle, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the frame, and a door arrangement disposed on a side of the vehicle. In further embodiments, the wheels are retractable, so as to permit the bottom platform to approach the street level to facilitate loading and unloading of the vehicle. Additionally, the door arrangement includes a large doorway and a plurality of doors, each door slidably mounted, and all doors are movable to an open position located near an end of the vehicle to expose the large doorway to facilitate loading and unloading of the vehicle.

Abstract: A utility trailer affording level load support to the ground has a frame and a shiftable platform supported on shafts which are journaled on the frame and on the platform in offset relation so that tilting of the platform during shifting is torsionally opposed. The frame and platform are fastened together by a snap bolt arrangement in response to movement of the platform relative to the frame.

Abstract: A system embodied within an over-the-road trailer or other carrier for use when transporting frangible sheet material, such as sheets of glass, utilizes a frame, a side section hingedly connected to the frame and a frame structure attached to the side section. The frame includes a bed surface having two opposite side edges and a cutout opening out of at least one side edge of the bed surface. The side section includes a bed surface section and is hingedly connected to the frame for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first position at which the bed surface section is positioned within the cutout so that the bed surface and bed surface section collectively provide a bed for the system and a second position at which the bed surface section overlies and faces downwardly upon the bed surface of the frame.

Abstract: An emergency rescue vehicle which includes a patient compartment which is accessible for patient loading through doors located along both sides and rear of the vehicle and wherein the primary patient support stretcher is pivotally carried centrally of the compartment and is extendable outwardly through any one of the access doors. The patient compartment is separated between tandem front wheel assemblies and a rear wheel assembly to obtain a continuously level and low loading height and the primary patient support is positioned generally at the center of mass of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improvement in a vehicle such as a mini-van for transporting wheel chair bound people or large and bulky items is disclosed. A mini-van having a rear dropped axle and a door openable to the rear of the mini-van is converted into the improved mini-van. The improved mini-van is able to transport passengers or cargo as do ordinary mini-vans, and in addition may be quickly and easily converted to either simultaneously carry a wheelchair or bulky item and passengers if desired. The improved mini-van has a drop floor, a rear body piece having a cut-out section corresponding to the drop floor, a pivoting ramp for providing access to the drop floor, and a system for lowering the mini-van to make it more accessible to wheelchair bound people or easier to load bulky objects. The improved mini-van also includes a system for securing the wheelchair or bulky item within the mini-van. In addition, a removable covering for the drop floor is disclosed.

Abstract: A double drop trailer has a central storage or cargo section whose floor is at a lower level than the floors of the front and rear storage (cargo) sections. A first lift having upper and lower cargo platforms is located in the central cargo section, and a second lift is located in the rear section. The first lift is initially positioned so that its lower platform is level with the floor of the front section. Cargo is then moved through the rear door, through the rear section, across the lower storage platform of the first lift and placed on the floor of the front section. More cargo is then moved through the rear door and placed on the lower storage platform of the first lift. The first lift is then lowered. Additional cargo is then moved through the rear door onto the second lift and this lift is thereafter raised permitting this cargo to be placed on the upper storage platform of the lift. Finally, more cargo is moved through the rear door and loaded into the rear section of the trailer.

Abstract: A double drop trailer has a central storage or cargo section whose floor is at a lower level than the floors of the front and rear storage (cargo) sections. A first lift having upper and lower cargo platforms is located in the central cargo section, and a second lift is located in the rear section. The first lift is initially positioned so that its lower platform is level with the floor of the front section. Cargo is then moved through the rear door, through the rear section, across the lower storage platform of the first lift and placed on the floor of the front section. More cargo is then moved through the rear door and placed on the lower storage platform of the first lift. The first lift is then lowered. Additional cargo is then moved through the rear door onto the second lift and this lift is thereafter raised permitting this cargo to be placed on the upper storage platform of the lift. Finally, more cargo is moved through the rear door and loaded into the rear section of the trailer.

Abstract: A vehicle, preferably a track vehicle, having a body and wheels arranged in pairs at the sides of the body. The wheels of each pair are supported by a gantry-like frame having support elements extending upwardly from the wheels and a cross member located in the roof region of the body. This arrangement allows the vehicle floor between the wheels to be made quite low and allows the height of the floor to remain the same throughout the entire vehicle length. The wheels can be driven from a motor located in the roof region and are preferably steerable to some extent to allow necessary adjustment as the vehicle negotiates bends.

Abstract: A van apparatus (20, 20') for the transportation of handicapped people having a bi-level floor surface supported by a frame rail (34, 34'), wherein the lower portion of said bi-level floor extends in a substantially level plane from an intermediate area to a forward area of said van apparatus, such that a handicapped person may drive or ride as the front passenger in said van apparatus. The lower portion of said bi-level floor may be lowered to a customized depth in the construction of each individual van apparatus. Methods for construction of such a van apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A means and method for reducing the operative height of the fifth wheel of a truck tractor as original equipment or by retroactively modifying a typical truck tractor frame. In retroactive modification an upper section of the framework supporting the fifth wheel is severed from the framework, the lower portion of this upper section is cut away and removed, and the upper section without the cut away portion is replaced on the original supporting framework. The upper section without the cut away portion is spliced to the fifth wheel framework by securing methods such as welding or securing apparatus. The securing apparatus can include an inner support which mateably fits interiorly between the upper section and fifth wheel framework to restore section modulus and strength. An outer securing support which includes a rigid plate can be secured between the upper section and fifth wheel framework.

Abstract: A vehicle body for railcars having endwalls and sidewalls of hollow metal sections connecting a roof and a floor comprises a floor having a first intermediate floor consisting of two portions extending from the endwalls toward each other, a second lower floor connected to the two extending portions and a third upper floor over the second floor wherein a plurality of triangular-shaped side plates connect the second lower floor and the third upper floor to the two extending portions at the corner of the side plates so as to uniformly distribute longitudinal forces to the floor while preventing the transfer of longitudinal forces to the sidewalls.

Abstract: A pick-up truck has a cab with a back wall located between the front and rear wheels of the truck. The cab floor is in a horizontal plane with seats secured to the floor. A load platform is located behind the cab and extends back from the cab over the rear wheels and is substantially above the level of said cab floor. An opening is located in the platform immediately adjacent the cab and extends rearwardly therefrom. A camping addition unit is releasably fastened on the load platform. The camping addition unit includes an opening aligned with the platform opening. The tub-like depression is located in the opening with an addition floor located in the same horizontal plane as the cab floor and with sidewalls which extends upwardly to the platform. The addition floor forms an increased height for standing in the interior of the addition means and defines a living space in the area of the platform opening as a rearward extension of the space in the cab.

Abstract: A trailer unit arranged to be coupled to a vehicle including a frame supported on a single wheel with an enclosure on the frame having a floor provided with an opening in which is disposed a pan which may be vertically moved manually between an elevated travel position within the enclosure interior and a lower operative position exteriorly of the enclosure into supported engagement with the ground thereby providing headroom for an individual standing thereon within the enclosure interior together with seals on the frame which may be releasably urged into sealing engagement with the side walls of the pan and a passageway connected between the vehicle and the enclosure for passing therebetween by the individual.

Abstract: The improvement in motor home construction using a conventional height van vehicle, to provide greater dropped floor area and convenience, and which includes removing a section of the van floor over and on one side of the vehicle drive shaft to provide a floor opening exposing the drive shaft, prefabricating a pan member to fit said floor opening and cover said drive shaft, and having said pan member formed to provide a step covering over the drive shaft, a recessed area for greater toe clearance and turning ease, and structural reinforcement of interrupted frame members without a material change in the shaft and road clearances otherwise obtained.

Abstract: A vehicle of the "Volkswagen" minibus type with sliding side doors and rear engine drive has a tray-like subframe affixed centrally in a cut out portion of the main frame. The subframe has a front wall, a rear wall, one side wall and a planar bottom at a level well below the conventional floor level. A normally upstanding wheel chair ramp is pivoted to the bottom, on a fixed axis at the level thereof, in an opening in the opposite side wall of the rectangular subframe. The track for the side door has a section along the ramp. The lowered floor level brings the eyes of the patient down to window level.