Abstract: A hitch assembly for securing a forward end portion of a semi-trailer carried on a platform such as a railroad flat car includes a support bed having an upper surface for supporting engagement with a bearing surface around a kingpin on the semi-trailer. The depending kingpin of the semi-trailer is seatable within a central aperture formed in the bed and positioned adjacent the intersection of a central longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the trailer when in position on the railroad car. The aperture is defined to include fixed forward and rearward surfaces for direct stopping engagement with an anlarged kingpin tending to move forwardly or rearwardly along the longitudinal axis. A lateral entry/exit slot is provided in the bed between one side of the central aperture and an adjacent outer edge for guiding the kingpin of the semi-trailer into and out of the central aperture of the bed.

Abstract: A sulky or horse cart has a low floor. A wheelchair carrying a paraplegic may be rolled from the ground onto the low floor. Hooks on the floor provide a means for locking the wheelchair to the floor. Other features include a roll bar to protect the rider and shock absorbers for comfort.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a scooter-type wheelchair or similar object into a vehicle compartment such that the apparatus and wheelchair loaded thereon are fully contained within the vehicle when in a storage position. The apparatus includes a frame attachable to a lower surface of the vehicle compartment and a platform upon which the wheelchair may be rolled. A pair of upper links and a pair of lower links interconnect the frame and platform. A drive shaft interconnects the lower links, and the shaft may be rotated by an electric motor. Each upper link has a drive shaft which is connected to the first link drive shaft by a chain and sprocket assembly. Thus, as the motor rotates the lower link drive shaft, all links are rotated which raises the platform and wheelchair upwardly, traversing toward the vehicle compartment and lowering the platform and wheelchair into the compartment for storage. During this cycle, the platform passes through a vertical plane defining a maximum elevation.

Abstract: A system for moving receptacles such as highway semi-trailers on railway trains. The system includes a plurality of rail bogies as the sole support of adjacent rear and front ends of the trailers and as the sole connection means between the trailers, to form the trains. The rail bogie has a frame structure supported on spaced apart wheeled axles, defining a pair of end deck surfaces positioned above the wheeled axles and a central drop-deck surface disposed between and below the end deck surfaces. A vertically adjustable fifth wheel assembly is supported above each of the end deck surfaces for receipt of a semi-trailer king pin. A deck plate member is pivotally secured to the drop-deck surface. A pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally extending, internal and external rub-rail members extend upwardly from the drop-deck plate member for receipt of semi-trailer tandems therebetween.

Abstract: A harness for securing a vehicle wheel to a support structure, and a method for mounting a harness on a wheel. The harness comprises loop, hook and lashing straps having connected first ends, and a pair of cross straps extending between the loop and hook straps. To mount the harness on a wheel, the cross straps are placed on a vertically extending surface thereof, the hook strap is wrapped across that vertically extending surface and along an inside face of the wheel, and the loop strap is wrapped over a top surface thereof and along the inside face of the wheel. The hook strap is slipped through a loop on the loop strap, wrapped around the lashing strap, and connected to the loop strap. The lashing strap is connected to the support structure to secure the harness and the wheel thereto.

Abstract: Tie down system for a three wheeled motorcycle which uses a pair of securing plates in conjunction with tie down straps to be located about the axle which supports the rear wheels of the motorcycle and a spaced apart locking plate which utilizes a movable clamping bar to be tightly connected over a bracing bar mounted on the frame of the motorcycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a wheelchair or similar object into a vehicle. When in a stored position, the apparatus and wheelchair are fully contained within said vehicle. A first embodiment illustrates use of the apparatus in a rear compartment of a station wagon, van or similar vehicle in which a pair of motor-driven drive links and a pair of drag links are utilized to lift and rotate a chair rack and wheelchair mounted thereon into said vehicle rear compartment. The drive and drag links connect the rack to a carriage which may then be rolled from a rearwardmost to a forwardmost position for final storage of the apparatus and chair in the vehicle. Latching means is provided to latch the carriage in either its forwardmost or rearwardmost positions. A remote control switch and limit switches are used to control power to the electric motor. A second embodiment of the apparatus is designed for use in the trunk of a typical passenger automobile.

Abstract: An apparatus for restraining a wheelchair in a transit vehicle utilizes a fixed bumper that is adapted to engage the rear portion of a wheelchair wheel in which a movable restraining bumber is adapted to hold the wheelchair wheel in compression between the fixed and movable restraining bumpers. The movable restraining bumper is adapted to move toward and away from the wheelchair and to rotate out of the way when the wheelchair restraint is not in use. A passenger barrier is also adapted to move toward and away from the wheelchair and rotate out of the way when the wheelchair restraint is not in use.

Abstract: A drawbar trailer for transporting very long, very heavy, substantially rigid loads, the trailer having a load support platform carried by at least one front and at least one rear axle and separable wheel assembly, the trailer comprising: an adjustable suspension system having inflatable members disposed between the platform and the front and rear axles for selectively raising and lowering the front and rear of the platform and for selectively raising and lowering the sides of the platform; the drawbar being pivotably mounted to the platform about a substantially vertical axis; a mechanism, preferably hydraulic, for turning the wheels of at least one of the front and rear axle and wheel assemblies; an automatic control system for activating the turning mechanism in response to pivotal movements of the drawbar; and, members for securing the load to the platform, whereby the tilt axes of the load support platform can be adjusted with respect to the axle and wheel assemblies, and in turn, with respect to terrain

Abstract: The safety device consists of a safety belt (33, 34, 35) anchored to the wheelchair (1) to hold the occupant in this wheelchair and a mechanism (12) for securing the wheelchair to the floor (13) of the transport vehicle.Application: to transporting people travelling in wheelchairs by land vehicles, boats or aircraft.

Abstract: An anti-reversing tab (54) attached to a nestable cart (14) is the subject of this application. The tab (54) extends from the cart (14) proximate a second wheel (42) thereof to engage an entry end of a channel (24) which normally captures the first wheel (40) of the cart (14).

Abstract: A pair of relatively adjustable elongate struts adapted to be inserted between a part of a motorcycle chassis and a supporting wheel to block flexing of the motorcycle suspension system when the motorcycle is being hauled on a carrier over rough terrain or the like. A device is provided at the remote end of one of the struts to interlock with the tread of the wheel tire and another element is provided at the remote end of the other strut to interlock with the chassis part to prevent dislodging of the struts due to bouncing of the motorcycle while in transit. A locking ring is slidable into position to embrace both struts to lock the same in extended colinear relationship.

Abstract: An improved wheelchair lock for receiving a ground wheel of a wheelchair and securing the wheelchair in place. The improved wheelchair lock aids the user of the wheelchair in guiding the wheel into the lock with the lock designed to substantially, if not, eliminate the problem of the lock contacting the spokes of the ground wheel which heretofore prevented the locking of the ground wheel.

Abstract: A forklift vehicle is mounted on the rear of a carrier vehicle with the front pneumatic tires of the forklift vehicle received in wheel pockets on the carrier vehicle, and with telescopic links suspending the rear of the forklift vehicle from the rear of the carrier vehicle. The pneumatic tires of the forklift vehicle act as a prime shock absorbing device, absorbing much of the vibration during road travel, thus reducing damage to the forklift vehicle.

Abstract: A railcar transport for use with a truck tractor towing means comprising a trailer having an elongated rectangular frame having the rails thereon located on the longitudinal side frame members, having a railcar ramp secured to one end thereof, having a power winch mounted on the other end thereof to pull railcars thereon, having a rail alignment mechanism on one end the trailcar ramp mounted between the rails thereon, and having railcar ramp articulation means which are mounted either at the ramp pivot point or therebelow.

Abstract: A system for accommodating persons confined to wheelchairs in a public transportation vehicle, such as a bus, includes a main turntable having a padded centerpost. A ramp attached to the vehicle effects conveying of the wheelchair and the person occupying it to the edge of the turntable, allowing the wheelchair to be moved onto one of a plurality of stations into which the turntable is divided. The turntable is then rotated to align another station for receiving another wheelchair from the ramp.

Abstract: A transport trailer for wheelbarrows includes a longitudinal channel member for the guidance and support of a wheelbarrow wheel and is adapted to be coupled to the drawbar of a garden tractor. A rear transverse member supports the rear end of the longitudinal channel at its center and includes on its upper side and on opposite sides of the longitudinal channel laterally adjustable locking bolts for the legs of wheelbarrows having diverse distances between legs. The rear transverse member carries at its ends a pair of wheels and a ramp for the wheelbarrow is pivotally attached to the rear of the trailer and is biased by a spring to extended and folded positions.

Abstract: The railcar includes a low profile skeletal frame having a depressed midsection with supporting surfaces extending therefrom and a four point truck suspension. Vertical loads are applied to the frame so that opposed bending moments are established with respect to one or both pairs of suspension load support points. The railcar is capable of transporting conventional trailers, semi-trailers or containers through existing tunnel clearances.

Abstract: Mobile, air transportable, trailers or vans which have retractable landing gear at one end thereof, a jacking/skid plate at the opposite end, and retractable running gear. The disclosed trailers can be loaded on and unloaded from aircraft without removing the underbody of the trailer and without ground handling equipment by as few as two persons.

Abstract: A hitch arrangement for use between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle such as a trailer, particularly for stabilizing a generally upright load such as a motorcycle against tilting as the towing and towed vehicles move through a turn. The hitch includes an inextensible elongate pliable element and tie down members connecting the element and the load.