Abstract: A boll buggy includes a basket upon a wheeled frame. The basket is translationally elevated to a height so that the bottom of the basket is higher than the top of a module maker. Seed cotton is transferred from the basket into the module maker by chains running along the bottom of the basket and extended panel. Cotton is loaded into the basket on the boll buggy by moving the boll buggy alongside a cotton harvester and extending a load door from the basket to receive cotton from the cotton harvester.

Abstract: A sectional van trailer having detachable, interchangeable compartments capable of forming a continuous van body is disclosed. One or more van sections or cargo compartments are secured to a trailer frame. The van sections may be individually removed and left at a location for loading or unloading. When removed, the van sections form secure, weather-tight individual containers for the goods disposed therein. The van sections are interconnected and each van section may remain an individual compartment or may be joined with one or more adjacent van sections to form a continuous van body. A tractor mounted hoist apparatus is provided to allow a lone truck operator to move the van sections between the ground, and the trailer frame, a storage stand, or a truck frame. The described embodiments are particularly efficient for moving both household belongings and general commodities on a long-haul trip.

Abstract: An interface system for cargo loaders which is especially suited for use with aircraft cargo loaders. The interface is secured to a deck structure forming part of the cargo loader. The interface system includes a primary interface member which can be extended or retracted with respect to the end of the deck. In addition to extension and retraction, the primary interface member can be angularly adjusted with respect to the end of the deck. In one embodiment a secondary interface member is stowed adjacent to the primary interface or nested within a recess formed in the primary interface. The secondary interface can be extended or retracted with respect to the primary interface member. The secondary interface can also be designed for angular adjustment. The primary interface also includes lateral extension members which can be varied in position to either decrease or increase the transverse length of the primary interface member.

Abstract: A self propelled steerable vehicle for transporting a wheelchair bound passenger between two separate locations, such as between a terminal and an aircraft parked on a ramp, includes a lift assembly mounted on said vehicle for movement from a lowermost position to an operator selectable upper position. The vehicle is provided with an operator's compartment containing steering, braking, motive and lift assembly controls. An internal combustion engine powers a hydraulic system for both moving the vehicle and powering the lift assembly. A passenger's compartment carried by said lift assembly is provided with a pair of ramps which are movable from a loading position to a traveling position. In the loading position, hand rails are automatically extended. Gas cylinders between the hand rails and the ramp assist the operator is raising the ramps. In the traveling position, the ramps act as gates for the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A compact, foldable, portable luggage carrier made of lightweight aluminum which when folded is light enough for easy hand carrying and storing. The apparatus is especially helpful for persons without sufficient strength to load luggage e.g., into an automobile trunk. The carrier is a rectangular platform on wheels with a handle structure containing a winch and pulley arrangement attached near one end of the platform. The handle structure comprises two upright posts attached at one end perpendicular to the platform and at the other end to the bottom ends of two additional posts supporting a winch, pulleys with a rope and hook for lifting the luggage and depositing it to a desired place, e.g. an automobile trunk and at the top end is a pulley arm parallel to the platform. The winch is manually or battery operated. The pulley arm's height from the platform is vertically adjusted by adjusting the top posts positions relative to the bottom posts.

Abstract: A vehicle having a suspension control system that is especially applicable to an aircargo transport loader which is adapted for storage in a cargo hold of an aircraft. The suspension control system utilizes sensors to monitor the clearance between the vehicle and an underlying or overlying surface such as the ramp leading into a cargo hold or the roof of the cargo hold. The sensors relay information concerning clearance to a central control where the necessary suspension adjustments are made to allow the vehicle to avoid a clearance problem once travel is continued after stopping for the suspension adjustment. The system allows for suspension adjustments to be made either automatically or manually. The invention also includes an under deck support system which allows for limited pitch, yaw, roll and side to side adjustments to be made to the deck with respect to the underlying base frame.

Abstract: The invention provides a plurality of tray cart containers, in which at least four tray carts are loaded into a tray cart container, and a trailer, wherein the trailers have at least one powered conveyor system, and wherein at least four of tray cart containers are loaded onto the powered conveyor system. A tractor unit is attached to the trailer and transports the trailer from a kitchen to an airport. A container loader removes the tray cart containers from the trailer and transports them to an airplane. The tray carts are removed from the tray cart containers and placed in the airplane kitchen. Other tray carts are removed from the airplane and placed in the tray cart containers. The container loader loads the tray cart containers into the trailer. The trailer is transported from the airport to the kitchen.

Abstract: A lift for raising and lowering large cylindrical tanks, which when filled with a fluid such as liquid nitrogen are very heavy, is provided with a base consisting of two parallel beams, each with a wheel at each end and a cross beam closer to one pair of wheels than the other to leave a U-shaped part of the base that may be positioned around a tank. An upright telescoping beam has a horizontal rod at its upper end that engages an eye on a strap welded to the tank. When the upright telescoping beam is extended by a jack having one end on a seat secured to a hollow beam and the other end secured to the telescoping beam, the cylinder is raised in a nearly vertical position. Side struts aid in supporting the upright hollow beam, and each side strut supports a bumper rod that prevents the tank from dragging on the upright hollow beam. Pulleys with V-belts are positioned on the bumper rods to prevent the tank from dragging on the bumper rods.

Abstract: This invention is a carrier for an ambulance litter which safely and easily transports a patient between the ambulance and a hospital gurney. The litter carrier includes a frame and a platform, the platform being pivotably mounted to the frame. Moving the platform around its pivot point causes the platform to be raised or lowered relative to the frame. To transport a patient, the operator raises the platform to the level of the ambulance floor, and moves the carrier to the vicinity of the ambulance. The operator then rolls or moves the litter out of the ambulance, onto the platform, and may then secure the litter to the platform with a suitable fastener. The platform includes channels which provide a path for the wheels or feet of the litter, and which tend to prevent the litter from falling from the carrier. As the platform is lowered, its downward movement is cushioned by shock absorbers. The operator then easily lifts the patient from the litter and onto the hospital gurney or other carrier.

Abstract: An interface for cargo loaders which is especially suited for use with aircraft cargo loaders. The interface is secured to a deck structure forming part of the cargo loader. The interface includes a primary interface member which can be extended or retracted with respect to the end of the deck. In addition to extension and retraction, the primary interface member can be angularly adjusted with respect to the end of the deck. A secondary interface member is stowed adjacent to the primary interface or nested within a recess formed in the primary interface. The secondary interface can be extended or retracted with respect to the primary interface member. The secondary interface can also be designed for angular adjustment. The primary interface also includes lateral extension members which can be varied in position to either decrease or increase the transverse length of the primary interface member.

Abstract: An apparatus for rescuing an automatic guided vehicle comprises a pallet lift including a lift body, wheels for a rolling upon a supporting surface, and first and second elongate lift rails extending horizontally forward from the lift body and set apart a distance to allow the rails to embrace an automatic guided vehicle therebetween. First and second lifting tabs extend inward from each of the lift rails and include upper support surfaces for lifting the base of an automatic guided vehicle which lie beneath support surfaces of the first and second rail by a distance greater than a distance and the base of the automatic guided vehicle lies beneath a wheel of a cart being carried piggyback by the automatic guided vehicle. A method of rescuing an automatic guided vehicle and a piggyback cart from an elevator includes rolling the pallet lift onto the elevator to a position in which the automatic guided vehicle is between the lift rails and the rails are beneath the wheels of the cart.

Abstract: Newsprint roll handling apparatus for a reelroom having a row of reelstands each equipped with spindles adapted to coaxially engage and rotate a cylindrical newsprint roll on a reelstand axis. The apparatus comprises storage racks installed in the reelroom and providing superimposed horizontal rows of storage bins adjacent to the reelstands and extending perpendicular to the reelstand axes, each storage bin being adapted to hold an individual newsprint roll positioned with its axis extending substantially parallel to the reelstand axes.

Abstract: The invention involves a method of and apparatus for transferring rolls of various sizes from a roll delivery vehicle to a spindle of a reel stand. A transfer table with articulated arms lifts the roll off of the vehicle and aligns the roll both in the vertical and horizontal directions so that the longitudinal axis of the roll coincides with the axis of the spindle. A unique clam shell linkage of the articulated arms allows the transfer table to handle different diameter rolls and position the different diameter rolls on spindles of different heights.

Abstract: Load-lifting apparatus includes a pair of elements moveable on air bearings laterally toward and away from one another. Each element carries an inflatable bladder for lifting a load. A rack is also provided for receiving various loads, for example, automotive vehicles. The elements have cutouts at longitudinally spaced positions such that, upon disposition of the elements below the rack, the elements can be moved laterally away from one another with the cutouts registering with the wheel wells. The bladders may be inflated to lift the rack and load carried thereby for movement into a container. The process may be reversed to remove the rack and load from the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling transport incubators for infants and adaptable for handling any hospital patient conveyance having a wheeled base. The apparatus includes a carrier having a wheeled undercarriage, a hoistable elevator platform affixed to the undercarriage and a handle for steering and propelling the carrier. The undercarriage and the elevator platform are interconnected by a pair of cross-linked X-shaped lazy tongs that are interconnected by a cross member that is connected to the ram of a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the elevator platform. The elevator platform is provided with a loading guide and locking mechanism to ensure that a patient conveyance cannot be inadvertently disembarked therefrom. A brake mechanism is also provided on the wheeled undercarriage to prevent unintentional movement thereof. The apparatus is used for moving heavy or heavily laden patient conveyances to and from ambulances of other raised surfaces.

Abstract: Interface control for controlling the altitude of two roll planes of a deck surface relative to each other and providing cooperation with a stop that precludes the lowering of one of the roll planes when a load is in position on the deck surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of an automated material handling system for a cargo trailer which is integrated with an automated material handling system provided for a manufacturing assembly plant. The system for the cargo trailer includes a protective guard rail for bar-coded targets provided within the cargo trailer, modification of an automated lift truck which permits shifting of parts racks as they are loaded or unloaded from a cargo trailer and also exact positionment of parts racks with respect to an automated lift truck.

Abstract: A power-operated lift and presenting mechanism has a base structure that is placed on the floor of an automobile. A carriage moves between an elevated position and a lowered, transport position when a lift assembly causes the carriage and base structure to be separated and brought closer together. The lift assembly is selectively power operated by a reversible electrical motor to expand to separate the carriage from the base structure and to contract to bring them closer together. The carriage has a track and track follower and a platform mounted on the track follower so that the platform is movable to and fro along the track. The platform is capable of supporting heavy and bulky articles. The platform is movable along the track when the carriage is in an elevated position, between a retracted position in which the platform is generally over the base structure and within the trunk, and a presenting position in which the platform extends out from over the trunk generally out of the trunk.

Abstract: A loader includes a sleeve support which will carry in a raised position a lightweight open-centered sleeve, of the type which is capable of holding a plurality of automobiles. An automobile support, capable of carrying the automobiles which will comprise one level when loaded into the sleeve, is located below the sleeve. A lifting device moves the sleeve support and the automobile support together to insert the automobiles into the sleeve from its bottom. Latching mechanisms which attach the automobiles to the sleeve are movable between loading positions, where the automobiles can be inserted past them, and latching positions where they will engage the automobiles' tires. The loader is capable of removing the sleeves from cargo containers for loading and/or unloading and then placing them back into the containers when this procedure is completed. The apparatus also is capable of folding the sleeves to their collapsed position and of expanding them to their erected position.

Abstract: A cargo transporter having a cargo platform, mounted on a frame. The frame is supported by lift assemblies, which are mounted on wheel assemblies. Each lift assembly has a leg having an upper end which supports the frame and a lower end connected to the wheel assembly. Each lift assembly also has a support arm having an upper end pivotally connected to the frame and a lower end pivotally connected to the leg. Each lift assembly also has a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod, mounted between the leg and a bell crank of the support arm for changing the angle between the leg and the support arm, to cause the frame in the cargo platform to move vertically. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders and piston rods are mounted between the frame and the cargo platform for maneuvering the cargo platform relative to the frame.

Abstract: A system for transporting cargo between a storage area and a cargo carrier. The system includes a bridge (13) and boom (15) spanning between the storage area and the cargo carrier. A first elevator (14) is located at one end of the bridge (13) proximate to the storage area. A second elevator (16) is located at the distal end of the boom (15) positionable relative to the cargo carrier. Trackways (20, 21, 22 and 23) along the bridge (13) and boom (15) interconnect the first and second elevators (14 and 16). Independent cars (24) are provided to carry the cargo. Each car (24) is movable on the first and second elevators (14 and 15) and further along the trackways (20, 21, 22 and 23).

Abstract: Interface control for controlling the altitude of two roll planes of a deck surface relative to each other and providing cooperation with a stop that precludes the lowering of one of the roll planes when a load is in position on the deck surface.

Abstract: In order to increase the efficiency of space utilization in a palletized goods store in which loaded pallets (1) are arranged in rows (2, 3) with alleys (4) therebetween, each loaded pallet (1) is carried on a wheeled trolley (7A). Where it is required to introduce a loaded pallet (1A) into a space (10) present anywhere along each row (2), the wheeled trolleys are arranged to move transversely of a row whereby the loaded pallet (1A) can first be transported by a fork lift truck (11) down an alley (4) opposite to said space (10), and then moved transversely on a wheeled trolley (7A) into said space (10). In this manner, it is unnecessary for the truck (11) to effect a quarter-turn in the alley (4) whereby the latter can be of a much smaller width than normal. Where the store is to be operated on a first-in, first-out basis, the wheeled trolleys in a row are arranged for movement longitudinally of the row.

Abstract: Load-lifting apparatus includes a pair of elements moveable on air bearings laterally toward and away from one another. Each element carries an inflatable bladder for lifting a load. A rack is also provided for receiving various loads, for example, automotive vehicles. The elements have cutouts at longitudinally spaced positions such that, upon disposition of the elements below the rack, the elements can be moved laterally away from one another with the cutouts registering with the wheel wells. The bladders may be inflated to lift the rack and load carried thereby for movement into a container. The process may be reversed to remove the rack and load from the container.

Abstract: A process and installation for transferring pallets for loading (or unloading) a commonplace vehicle, in which trucks, coupled together in rows, are deployed under the load from an accumulation machine, loading then being effected by raising the elevator means of said trucks, followed by a translational movement of the rows in the axis of the vehicle. Then the loads are set down by controlling, from the accumulation machine, lowering of said elevation means then return of the rows of trucks into the accumulation machine.

Abstract: An adjustable control station for an aircraft loader for transferring containers between a controllably driven loader conveyor and a conveyor in cargo aircrafts of different sizes. The control station includes a unique movable platform constructed of three easily assembled major components including a stationary support structure and a movable platform which supports a console with front and rear control panels thereon. The movable platform is moved to a position close to the aircraft thereby enabling an operator thereon to simultaneously actuate controls for the loader conveyor and the aircraft conveyor while observing the containers movement. A front rail of a handrail may be vertically adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying packages to a warper creel having a plurality of package supporting pegs comprises a lining station for lining up packages transported on a conveyor in a predetermined order, and a package exchanging apparatus located between the lining station and the positioned creel for transferring a plurality of packages lined up at the lining station collectively to the pegs on the creel.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to hydraulic and electrical systems for aircraft belt loaders and more particularly to such systems with interlocks to facilitate efficient and safe operation. The present invention provides a hydraulic and electrical system for battery powered aircraft belt loaders which precludes actuation of the electric traction drive motors when the brake is applied or set, or without the operator seat being occupied, which precludes actuation of the belt conveyor if the brake is not set, which controls conveyor run time and requires that the conveyor be reset to neutral before being actuated the hydraulic pump to permit power steering when the operator seat is occupied, and which requires that the directional control lever for traction drive be reset to neutral after demounting the seat before the electric traction drive motors can be energized.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring load units between two carriers having at least one transferring device movable between the carriers, the transferring device being adapted to carry the load unit during the transfer, and a bridging device being movable in order to bridge the gap between the carriers. The bridging device forms a part of a support path device for supporting the transferring device during its movement and has support path portions, which, when the bridging device is moved into a bridging position, are located in overlapping relation, in the direction of movement of the transferring device, to further support path portions, which are arranged on the first carrier, while forming a path supporting the transferring device during substantially the entire movement from the first carrier to the second carrier.

Abstract: A trailer for hauling and for delivery to a number of different delivery sites, automotive exhaust system parts, such as mufflers, pre-bent tail pipes and the like packed in large shipping containers, and, also, bundles of numerous straight tube lengths, is provided with a normally closed cabinet attached beneath its floor between its rear road wheels and its forward tractor connecting fifth wheel. The cabinet is divided into longitudinally elongated bins, each of about the same length as the straight tubes, for receiving and holding the bundles of straight tubes in longitudinal arrangement relative to the trailer axis. The sides of the bins are openable so that the tube bundles can be inserted and removed in a transverse direction relative to the trailer axis. A fork truck is releasably mounted upon the rear end of the trailer for use in unloading tube bundles in a transverse direction out of the bins at different delivery sites.

Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a trailer for handling and transporting, in a fully assembled state, a machine having a double frame such as a conventional concrete finishing machine is disclosed. The apparatus features a chassis, a scissors lift mounted on the chassis and a pair of spaced guideways for supporting a double frame thereon rotatably attached to the upper end of the lift. Eye hooks for locking the guideways relative to the chassis to prevent rotation of the guideways while the apparatus is in transport are also disclosed. The disclosed apparatus also features a pair of plates slidably carried in the guideways and an adjustable worm gear assembly for moving the plates within the guideways to transfer the load represented by double frame when loading or unloading the same.

Abstract: A wheel chair is provided which is adapted to permit the chair to be separated from the wheeled chassis so that the chair may be positioned on a seat of an automobile. The wheeled chassis provides support for the chair on the side of the chair so that the chair may be brought into the automobile through the open door with the wheeled chassis moving beneath the automobile. The support for the chair is rotatably on the wheeled chassis so that the chair can be rotated into alignment with the seat in the automobile. The support for the chair is also vertically adjustable so that the chair may be lowered to rest on the automobile seat. The wheeled chassis and support for the chair may then be disassembled and stored in the automobile.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a device comprising a package stock truck moved in the row direction of warper creels, a package feeding conveyor for feeding yarn supply packages to the position of the stock truck, a first package transfer mechanism for transferring the packages on the package feeding conveyor onto the stock truck, and a second package transfer mechanism for transferring the packages on the stock truck to each of pegs of the warper creels.

Abstract: An automatic level device for sensing the height and pitch of an aircraft and for adjusting a loader platform to align with the aircraft. An umbilical cord connected between the platform and the aircraft includes a tube partially filled with mercury and having a plurality of electrodes spaced along one end of the tube. As the height of the aircraft changes the mercury contacts a different number of electrodes and the electrodes provide signals for adjusting the level of the platform and aligning the platform with the aircraft.

Abstract: A method for loading a stack of filled cartons onto a transport vehicle includes lifting the cartons at the first station on a rotator lift truck and then rotating the cartons through an acute angle to cradle the cartons for carrying purposes. The cartons are then carried in their rotative position towards a second station, and again rotated to an upright position. The cartons are compressed at the second station and thereafter loaded onto the transport vehicle by a second lift truck. The rotator lift truck utilized for effecting the lifting, rotating, carrying and compressing steps includes a mast assembly mounted forwardly thereon and a rotator attachment mounted on the mast assembly for vertical movements and for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer transportation apparatus includes a car for supporting a semiconductor wafer, a track for guiding the car, and a linear induction motor for levitating and linearly propelling the car along the track. The motor includes a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on the car, a plurality of linearly disposed and selectively energizable electromagnets disposed along the track and circuitry to sequentially energize the electromagnets. Positioning magnets are used to eliminate friction between the car and the track, to control the degree of levitation and to insure precise lateral positioning of the car on the track, and light emitting diodes are used to detect the position of the car on the track.

Abstract: A motorized floor truck is operable to place a load on an elevated surface and to elevate itself to that elevated surface. The truck includes a lifting assembly and a supporting assembly. The lifting assembly has a load engaging device which is vertically movable. The supporting assembly has a device engageable with the load engaging device in a vertical position. With the engaging device engaged, lowering of the load engaging device raises the lifting assembly to the elevated surface. With the lifting device on the elevated surface, raising the load engaging device lifts the supporting assembly to the elevated surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a load-elevating carrying device having a load-discharging push mechanism for accurate direct transference of a load from the load-elevating carrying device without the necessity of repeated positioning and adjustment maneuvers of the load device during off-loading procedure. The apparatus of the invention includes a platform member for receiving a load which has a generally vertical wall joined to and extending uprightly from one edge thereof and motion guide elements fixed to the platform member for enabling the motion thereof along a rectilinear path corresponding to the movement of the motion guide elements in response to a force applied in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism adapted to be placed in the trunk of a vehicle, the lifting mechanism having a lift platform movable from a storage position within the trunk to an elevated position in which the lift platform projects outwardly from the trunk, the platform being raised and lowered by a lever mechanism with or without a powered assist. The lifting mechanism may be used alone or in combination wtih a wheeled cart and an article supporting carriage by means of which the article may be transferred between the cart and the lifting mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for automatically loading a transport vehicle with unit loads by automatically moving the unit loads from a predetermined loading position to prescribed positions in the transport vehicle. The present invention uses a loading vehicle which receives loads from a staging device which positions the unit loads in the predetermined loading position. A unit load transfer device transfers the unit loads from the staging device to the loading vehicle. The loading vehicle uses on-board sensors in combination with placement information provided by a staging processor to perform translational and operational movements which are processed by an on-board loading vehicle processor. Unit loads can be deposited throughout the transport vehicle by maintaining a guidance path which is internally generated within the transport vehicle and can be either internally or externally generated outside the transport vehicle.

Abstract: A system for handling a load of compressible items such as bags of glass fibre insulation includes a cart having a predetermined distance between its end walls but open on sides. A forklift truck is provided with upright side walls movable towards and away from each other, and with transverse telescoping members spanning the upper edges of the side walls, combined with fork elements in forming a generally rectangular load receiving compartment which corresponds to the generally rectangular load receiving compartment of the cart. When the load is lifted from the cart, the side walls can be actuated to contract the load by restricting the width of the load receiving compartment such as to allow the driving of the forklift truck into the cargo space of a tractor trailer or another suitable transport vehicle. The unloading from the forklift truck is effected by a pusher plate known per se.

Abstract: A system in which a self-propelled fork lift truck that is collapsible to a compact structure for storage is made transportable on a highway freight handling truck, by lifting itself into an enclosed bay of the highway truck, or onto a platform attached to the highway truck, or onto a trailer pulled by the highway truck.

Abstract: A spool transporting assembly for the sequential transfer of textile spools wound on tubes, includes a spool preparation station having a support surface for textile spools, a spool receiving device, and a spool transporting device for transporting textile spools from the spool preparation station to the spool receiving device, the spool transporting device including a gripper head being movable in at least one plane into and out of a centered spool receiving position being fixed relative to the spool preparation station, the gripper head including gripper elements for gripping textile spools of different diameters in the centered spool receiving position.

Abstract: A lumber cart for use in a dielectric drying kiln, in which the cart is comprised of a wheeled, horizontal frame, a flat bed of electrically conductive material, preferably aluminum, carried on top of the frame, and one or more electrical leads or terminals connected to the bed, is improved to facilitate loading and unloading of the lumber, by the bed being formed of at least one set of three rectangular sections in side-by-side relationship, the two outside sections of the set being capable of being elevated to a level above the center section, and the cart being provided with means underneath the bed for temporarily elevating the two outside sections and for holding those sections in the elevated position while supporting a stack of lumber by its ends when the stack is laid lengthwise across and above the center section. A similarly constructed separate electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: The self-propelled freight handling truck is comprised of a manually guided wheeled frame on which is mounted a mast and lifting forks, with a motor for supplying power to raise, lower, and tilt the forks, to propel the vehicle, to move front wheels laterally outboard to straddle a load or laterally inboard under the load while the load is being carried, and to extend or retract the front wheels telescopically the guide handle and said forks being foldable into a collapsed, compact storage position. A beverage handling system is also provided comprising a side-loading highway truck for transporting a driver, unitized loads of beverages and freight, and the self-propelled fork lift truck mentioned above. The truck and system of this invention is particularly useful in the handling of full or partially unitized beverage loads between the side-loading highway truck and the delivery facility.

Abstract: A transport for loading semitrailers and other similar cargo carrying vehicles includes a portable conveyor shaped to extend into a trailer, and load the same from front to rear. The portable conveyor is preferably self-propelled, and has steerable front wheels at the downstream end of the conveyor, with a steering arm to manually pilot the conveyor into the trailer, and around the loading dock area. A guidance mechanism positions the portable conveyor in a selected storage position in the loading area, and comprises a pair of guides which depend from the upstream end of the conveyor, and matingly receive a floor mounted guide rail therebetween. Ramp blocks are located at the base end of the guide rail to positively and safely stop the conveyor in the storage position.

Abstract: A loader and transporter for large loads such as cotton modules has a wheel-mounted main frame, which may be self-propelled or of tractor-drawn trailer type, a deck, incorporating a reversible longitudinal conveyor, being connected by a transverse pivotal connection to the main frame. Lifting means are provided for raising and lowering this pivotal connection and the deck and tilting means are provided for tilting the deck so that, when the deck is lowered, it can be tilted from a substantially horizontal low-load travelling position to a position for loading from ground level, and when the deck is raised, it can be tilted from a substantially horizontal high-load travelling position to a position for unloading onto a semi-trailer, for example.

Abstract: An air transportable cargo loader for an airplane includes a platform body supportively coupled to articulated foldable leg assemblies at its opposite ends. The leg assemblies are independently foldable between extended positions wherein they support the respective ends of the platform at a height sufficient to serve the cargo openings of a commercial transport airplane and retracted positions wherein the leg assemblies are folded compactly against the underside of the platform body for stowage within the airplane. The cargo loader can be deployed from an airplane for loading and unloading operations without any ground-based assistance, and can be likewise loaded aboard and stowed in the airplane without assistance and further can support cargo while so stowed.

Abstract: A self propelled forklift vehicle having a frame formed by two spaced parallel longitudinal frame members and a rear transverse frame member. The fork carriage is movable forwardly and rearwardly on the longitudinal frame members, along the path of the machine, and carries a fork tower and forks. The forks can be forced below the vehicle to raise the vehicle up beneath the rear of a trailer for transport. The vehicle's rear wheels, which steer and drive the vehicle, are closely spaced and tiltable from side to side to allow for rough terrain, with the operator seat and motor on opposite sides thereof to balance each other. A manually operated split pulley drive allows creeping of the vehicle at a closely controlled low speed. The fork tines include erectable rollers to support part of the vehicle weight when the forks carry a forwardly extended load, to prevent tipping. A front gate causes discharge of the contents of a pallet onto the ground when the fork carriage is retracted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed and is capable of transferring both small containers that are up to 20 feet long and large containers about 40 feet long between the cargo area of an aircraft and airport cargo handling facilities. The apparatus includes a mobile, self-propelled main loader and a mobile self-propelled auxiliary loader both of which must be used together as a unit to handle the large containers, but each loader may operate alone to handle the small containers. Independent hydraulic and electrical circuits are provided on each loader, permitting the loaders to operate alone when handling small containers. Both loaders are operated together to handle larger containers at which time the hydraulic and electrical circuits are connected together allowing a single operator to control both loaders. Each loader includes a vertically movable platform with container propelling rollers and belts thereon, and the platforms are locked together when handling large containers.