Abstract: A load transfer system for a pickup truck includes a frame mounted to the truck bed, a support member slidable in a rearward direction along the frame, a cargo bed slidable along the support member, and an arm that raises the front end of the cargo bed as the cargo bed slides in a rearward direction such that the cargo bed pivots about the rear edge of the support member. The arm raises the front end of the cargo bed as the arm is caught between a point towards the front of the cargo bed and a point further to the rear on the support member. The load transfer system is easy to install and/or remove from the bed or chassis of a vehicle, does not require costly hydraulic equipment, and can be used without removing the tailgate of the vehicle.

Abstract: A ramp assembly for installation in a vehicle includes a ramp platform having a stowed configuration in the vehicle, a deployed configuration extending from the vehicle, and a lift and lock mechanism. The lift and lock mechanism is configured to lock the ramp platform in place when the platform is in a stowed configuration and to facilitate the lifting of the platform when the platform is deployed.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and un-loading a recreational vehicle from a truck. The truck has a front and rear and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween. The apparatus comprises, in one embodiment, a vehicle receiving ramp and a lifting mechanism engaged with the underside of the ramp. The lifting mechanism is mounted to the rear of the truck and is selectively operable to arcuately move the ramp between a lowered position that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis and a raised position that is parallel with the longitudinal axis. The ramp is longitudinally mobile in the raised position between a foremost and rearmost position and is selectively lockable in the foremost and rearmost positions using a locking mechanism. To load the recreational vehicle, the ramp is preferably locked in the rearmost longitudinal position and placed in the lowered position for receiving the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a specialized truck bed wherein the bed is divided into two areas or deck sections connected by a transverse hinge. The invention is also directed to a winch system for use on a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading objects, particularly motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the like, on a carrying vehicle. The apparatus typically includes at least one vehicle attachment mount arm for engaging the carrying vehicle. A slide bracket is pivotally carried by the vehicle attachment mount arm, and a support having front and rear ends is slidably carried by the slide bracket. A first winch engages the support for selectively sliding the support forwardly or rearwardly on the slide bracket. A carriage is slidably carried by the support for receiving the object. A second winch operably engages the carriage such that the carriage slidably traverses the support toward the front end of the support responsive to a forward operation of the second winch, and the carriage slidably traverses the support toward the rear end of the support responsive to a reverse operation of the second winch.

Abstract: A motorcycle tow rack (12) has a cradle (20) which is pivotally secured to a tow rack frame (50) for receiving a wheel (22) of a motorcycle (14). The cradle (20) and the tow rack frame (50) are pivotally secured to a receiver hitch (16) of a towing vehicle (18). Two clamping plates (30), two clamp arms (28) and a pivot plate (32) secure the motorcycle wheel (22) to the cradle (20). Stabilizer bars (62) are pivotally secured to the receiver hitch (16) and are slidably secured to the tow rack frame (50). Tie down members (34) extend from two stabilizer bars (62) to the motorcycle frame (40). Tie down members (35) extend from the tow rack frame (50) to the motorcycle frame (40). Yaw braces (44) secure handlebars (46) of the motorcycle (14) in fixed relation to the motorcycle frame (40).

Abstract: A ramp actuating mechanism for a rail vehicle having a movable ramp and a movable draft arm and coupler arrangement, wherein a spring assisted apparatus can be associated with the movable draft arm and coupler arrangement to counterbalance the load of the movable draft arm and coupler arrangement.

Abstract: A tiltable cargo box assembly for mounting on a vehicle, supporting a load, and transporting the load into and out/of the vehicle and includes a cargo box adapted for receiving the load therein. An attachment assembly is connected to a rear end of the box for pivotally mounting the box to the vehicle adjacent a rear axle thereof. A ramp assembly for carrying the load is slidably mounted to a floor of the box for reciprocating movement between extended and retracted positions relative to the floor. An actuator is mounted toward a forward end of the box intermediate the attachment assembly and a forward axle of the vehicle for being operatively connected to a power source of the vehicle and cooperates with the attachment assembly for moving the forward end between a lowered position and an elevated position wherein the floor is tilted at an angle relative to the lowered position for permitting the load to be transported into and out of the box.

Abstract: A tilt bed for a truck or a trailer, the tilt bed being able of carrying loads and providing its own ramp. The tilt bed comprises a frame, and a deck mounted on and supported by the frame, the deck having a front portion and a rear portion. The deck has rollers connected to the front portion, and the frame has tracks mounted at an angle, the tracks for guiding the deck rollers. The trailer bed further comprises a hydraulic cylinder that has a first end connected to the frame and a second end connected to the trailer bed. The hydraulic cylinder has a piston and a cylinder. As the piston moves from an extended state into a retracted state, it causes the trailer bed to move in a rearward position. At the same time, the tracks force the deck rollers in an upward motion and cause the trailer bed to tilt. Finally, the hydraulic cylinder remains parallel to the trailer deck at all times. This orientation is accomplished because the trailer deck and the hydraulic cylinder tilt around a common axis.

Abstract: A tilting ramp is for mounting to a truck, and once so mounted for loading, unloading and transport of at least one personal recreational vehicle. The ramp is slidable over a bed of the truck. A pivot member is mounted into a receiver tube mounted to the truck. The pivot member extends upwardly into translational engagement with the ramp. The ramp may be translated over both the bed and the pivot member between a transport position forward on the bed and a pivoting position pivotable about the pivot member. In the pivoting position the ramp is pivotable between the horizontal and an inclined position in engagement with the ground surface.

Abstract: A carrier adapted for mounting on a vehicle bed can carry cargo. The carrier has a stationary support mounted on the vehicle bed. The carrier also has an articulated support and a cargo support. The articulated support has a proximal end pivotally mounted on the stationary support. Also included is an elevation device coupled to the articulated support at an upper joint and to the stationary support at a lower joint for articulating the articulated support. The upper joint is further from the proximal end than the lower joint. The cargo support is mounted for longitudinal motion on the articulated support. The cargo support is operable to detach and reattach to the articulated support at a handoff location located at the proximal end of the articulated support. The carrier also has a motive device for moving the cargo support. This motive device includes a guide mechanism located at the handoff location for vertically translating and supporting an end of the cargo support from the handoff location.

Abstract: An improved trailer comprising a drawbar, a deck connected to the drawbar by a pivot connection, an axle carriage and an actuator. The axle carriage includes at least two skids and the deck is provided with skid runners for supporting the deck on the axle carriage skids. The actuator is operably connected to cause movement of the axle carriage, relative to the deck, between a first, road position and a second, load position in which the deck is pivoted to a low rise, loading position. The deck may comprise a main deck and a loading deck with the main deck connected to the drawbar by a pivot connection near the front of the trailer. The main deck and the loading deck include skid runners for supporting the deck on the axle carriage skids. The main deck is connected to the loading deck by a pivot connection adjacent the rear of the trailer.

Abstract: The trailer has a deck assembly that includes a level main deck portion and a tail hinged to the main deck for vertical swinging movement between a level transport position, a downwardly and rearwardly inclined ground-loading position, and an upwardly and rearwardly inclined dock-loading position. Raising and lowering of the tail between such positions is carried out by fore-and-aft movement of the shiftable undercarriage of the trailer, such undercarriage being located under the tail and generally behind the hinge when the trailer is in its roading position with the tail in its transport position. When the undercarriage is shifted forwardly beyond a lost motion segment of travel, the tail is allowed to progressively descend by gravity to its ground-loading position. Returning the undercarriage to its roading position beneath the tail causes the tail to be raised back to its transport position.

Abstract: An articulating, telescopic ramp for mounting on the top surface of the cargo bed of a truck, trailer or van. A base assembly 20 attaches to the cargo bed. A pivoting frame 40 is pivotally attached to the base assembly. A telescopic frame 60 is positioned on the pivoting frame so that it travels parallel to it. Lifting cylinders 46 attached to the forward end of the pivoting frame and to the forward end of the base assembly lift the forward end of the pivoting frame thus pivoting it relative to the base assembly. A pulling system 90 consisting of a rod less cylinder 93 and a traveling hub 92 is used for loading and unloading cargo on and off the ramp A modified tailgate 122 allows the ramp to reside and telescope forward and aft under it.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting, loading and unloading a watercraft, such as a jet ski, or wheeled vehicle from the bed of a pick up truck, where the apparatus is convertible to a mobile dolly for storage of the jet ski or other object. The apparatus comprises a tiltable mechanism formed of a pair of spaced apart rails mounting a pair of pivotal and retractable legs at a first end, a winch mechanism at the opposite end, and a longitudinally movable and pivotal leg support mechanism, movable from the first end to near the opposite end.

Abstract: The problems of how to safely load and unload a small vehicle into a truck bed, and how to transport any ramps, etc., used to load the vehicle, and/or any other cargo in the truck bed occupied by the vehicle, are addressed by providing a carrier/lift adapted to be mounted in a truck bed, and having a carrying platform that pivots and translate in a constrained manner along a pair of tracks to an inclined loading position for safe and convenient loading of the vehicle into the bed of a truck. A platform having a recess for storage of a pair of nestable loading ramps is disclosed. The platform can be supported above the floor of a truck bed to provide usable storage space in the bed of the truck between the platform, with the nested ramps stowed therein, and the floor of the truck bed.

Abstract: An improved wheel-lift apparatus attachable to various types of transport trucks, including rollback trucks for loading and carrying disabled vehicles. The improved wheel-lift apparatus provides a horizontal extendable boom mechanism long enough for receiving disabled vehicles. As a result of the wheel-lift's “low angle” or horizontal approach, the risk of damage occurring to the chassis or body of the disabled vehicle while in the loading and carrying modes is greatly diminished.

Abstract: A trash container trailer assembly for facilitating transport of a trash container using a vehicle. The trash container trailer assembly includes a main frame assembly with a hitch portion adapted for coupling to a vehicle, a support frame assembly pivotally coupled to the main frame assembly, a locking assembly for selectively engaging the support frame assembly to the main frame assembly, and a plurality of wheels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a specialized truck bed wherein the bed is divided into two areas or deck sections connected by a transverse hinge. The invention is also directed to a winch system for use on a vehicle.

Abstract: An improved carrier which includes a hinged bed in order to decrease the load or approach angle on vehicle to be towed. The carrier also includes a lock which can hold the bed in a flat or planar position as a conventional straight deck, and a cable guide which directs the tow cable along the surface of the articulated bed to avoid contact with the vehicle to be towed.

Abstract: A load supporting assembly for a trailer includes an elongated frame, a platform subassembly having a middle fixed platform section, a pair of front and rear pivotal platform sections being pivotally mounted to the middle fixed platform section and a pair of linkages movably interconnecting the front and rear pivotal platform sections such that the front and rear pivotal platform sections can pivot independently of and automatically relative to one another and to the middle fixed platform section and the frame without the need for any substantial operator intervention and in response to an operator driving a vehicle onto or from the platform assembly. The vehicle in being loaded onto the platform subassembly can push the front pivotal platform section down from the respective raised to lower position thereof without any corresponding movement of the rear pivotal platform section.

Abstract: A combination tilting bed carrier and attached wheel-lift apparatus mounted on a chassis of a towing vehicle. The bed carrier includes a first pivot connected to the chassis and a first motive element extending between the chassis and the bed carrier for actuating tilting of the bed carrier about the first pivot. A wheel-lift is positioned below the bed carrier and includes a second pivot for pivotally connecting the wheel-lift to the chassis, with the first pivot and the second pivot concentrically, or substantially concentrically, aligned with each other. A second motive element extends between the wheel-lift and the bed carrier for actuating tilting of the wheel-lift about the second pivot. The second pivot may include a third motive element which may adjust the second pivot point, and which in conjunction with the second motive element, allows the wheel-lift to conform with either a positive or negative ground surface.

Abstract: A side loading transport apparatus for swathers and the like is disclosed comprising a transport vehicle such as a truck or a trailer with one or more load bearing ramps hingably attached along a loading edge thereof, at positions corresponding to the wheel paths of the equipment to be loaded. Each load-bearing ramp has an outboard section that is at least as long as the wheelbase of the wheeled vehicle to be loaded. The swather or equipment can then be driven up onto the load bearing ramp or ramps, and the weight of the equipment will level the load-bearing surface back down onto the transport vehicle—the ramps can be folded up or retracted and the load locked down. No hydraulic or other powered mechanical drive mechanism is needed to raise or lower the load-bearing surface during loading or unloading.

Abstract: A post-and-beam mechanism easily connectable to a standard car dolly carries on its beams a standard boat trailer, loaded with boat and outboard motor, above the front end of a towed vehicle on the dolly, with the rear, heavy end of the trailer and boat located forward most. A motor home may tow, to the destination site, the dolly thus loaded with towed vehicle, boat trailer, boat and motor. The post-and-beam mechanism is pivotably swingable from a low position for loading the loaded boat trailer thereon; to a high position for carrying the loaded boat trailer. The towing is safely done, with advantageous forward weight distribution of the carried trailer, boat and motor, and with short combined overall length of towing vehicle and towed vehicle, for easy driving and parking. When the destination site is reached, the towed vehicle is unloaded from the car dolly, and the mechanism may be lowered from the high position to the low position for unloading the boat trailer.

Abstract: An improved automatic underride protection actuator for a trailer, the trailer being translatable over a ground surface, includes a rotatable ramp that is shiftable between a ground engaging load/unload disposition when the tiltable bed is in the load/unload disposition and an underride protection disposition when the tiltable bed is in the transport disposition. The ramp underride protection disposition is a disposition in which the ramp depends from a tiltable trailer bed the ramp and is rotatably displaceable from the ramp underride protection disposition by impact oft the ramp with the ground surface, such displacement substantially preventing damage.

Abstract: An extension for trailer for increasing the cargo-carrying capacity of a trailer. The extension for trailer includes a generally A-shaped frame with a pair of straight arm members oriented in a generally V-shaped configuration and a cross member extending between the arm members. Inner ends of the arm members is coupled to a bottom of a trailer. Outer ends of the arm members come together at a coupler. The coupler is adapted for mounting on a ball hitch of a towing vehicle.

Abstract: A trailer (10, 210 or 310) having a tilting bed (26, 226 or 326) is described. The bed has a front portion (26A) and a back portion (26B) which are pivotably mounted together. The front portion is fixably mounted to the frame (12, 212 or 312) of the trailer. The back portion is able to be lowered to form a ramp for loading and unloading the trailer. A cable and pulley system (40, 240 or 340) is used to raise and lower the back portion of the bed. The cable(s) (50, 250, 251 or 350) of the cable and pulley system can be loosened or tightened using either a winch (52) or a hydraulic winch (266 or 366). The pivot point of the back portion is located in front of the axle (16) of the trailer which creates a longer leverage arm which allows for easier lifting of the back portion of the bed.

Abstract: A service vehicle and methods of manufacturing and operating the same to provide lubrication services. In one embodiment, the service vehicle includes: (1) a service vehicle chassis having a cab and a rear frame, (2) first and second ramps coupled to, supported by and movable in tandem with respect to the rear frame between a vehicle loading position and a vehicle servicing position, the first and second ramps laterally separated by a given distance and (3) a used lubricant collection tank, coupled to and supported by the rear frame at a location between the first and second ramps, that receives used lubricant draining from a lubricant sump of the service vehicle.

Abstract: A transport vehicle with a cargo deck having a deck lowering mechanism to enable easy loading of cargo, such as a motorized vehicle. The vehicle has a tandem wheel set located on each side thereof. The wheels are rotatably attached to the outer ends of spindles or stub axles, the spindles being connected at their inner ends to an adjacent walking beam. Both walking beams are pivotally connected to the lower end of an axle drop. The axle drops are connected at their upper ends to the ends of the lowering axle. The axle is rotatably attached to the frame of the cargo deck. Axle rotational means, such as hydraulic rams, are attached to the axle and, when actuated, can rotate the axle to thereby push against the axle drops and rotate them downward around their pivotal connection to their respective adjacently located walking beams. The cargo deck frame, being pivotally attached to the axle, lowers into contact with the ground as the axle drops rotate downward.

Abstract: A recovery vehicle for rescuing stranded vehicles from confined or restricted areas includes a wheeled chassis (2, 6) on which is mounted a vehicle support body (40) movable by an hydraulic mechanism (44) between an inoperative position superimposed on the chassis (2, 6) and an operative position extending rearwardly of the chassis (2, 6). The vehicle support body (40) is rotatable about a vertical axis relative to the chassis (2, 6) by a primary hydraulic ram located substantially within the confines of the chassis (2, 6). The vehicle support body (40) also is pivotal on the chassis (2, 6) to engage the rear end of the vehicle support body on the ground when in its operative position. Such an arrangement enables recovery of stranded vehicles other than aligned with the recovery vehicle.

Abstract: A rear loading trailer includes a rearward end lowering mechanism to eliminate or reduce unnecessary weighting of the rear wheels and axle during loading or unloading of heavy equipment such as mining earth movers, shovels and the like. The lowering mechanism lowers the rearward end of the trailer and a ramp associated therewith onto a ground surface. With the ramp and trailer end supported at grade, the trailer body and the ground support the weight of the equipment during initial loading/unloading rather than the axles and/or wheels, thereby avoiding possible damage to the wheels and axles. The ramp moves with the trailer end so that trailer lowering would cause the ramp to also lower to the ground.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for a roll-off container hoist. The locking mechanism secures a roll-off container to the roll-off container hoist when the hoist is in a transport orientation and releases the roll-off container when the hoist is moved from the transport orientation toward a hoisting orientation. Also provided is a container hoist which includes such a locking mechanism, as well as a vehicle which carries a locking-mechanism-equipped container hoist. A method of using the container hoist likewise is provided. Preferably, the locking mechanism requires no springs or other resilient actuators and instead is freely actuated by gravity in one direction and by engagement with a preferably rigid actuating surface in an opposite direction. The locking mechanism includes a movable plate and a guide for the movable plate. The movable plate is freely movable through the guide, from a locking position to an unlocking position and vice versa.

Abstract: An automatic underride protection actuator for a trailer, where the trailer has a forward end and an opposed rearward end and has a tiltable bed supported by a trailer frame, the tiltable bed being tiltable with respect to the trailer frame between a transport disposition and a load/unload disposition, the tiltable bed presenting a trailer rear margin, a rotatable ramp being operably coupled to the tiltable bed proximate the trailer rear margin, the automatic underride protection actuator including an actuation apparatus. The actuation apparatus is operably coupled to the trailer frame and to the rotatable ramp, the actuation apparatus acting to rotate the rotatable ramp between a ground engaging load/unload disposition when the tiltable bed is in the load/unload disposition and an underride protection disposition when the tiltable bed is in the transport disposition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bale accumulator for accumulating at least one cylindrically configured bale of crop stock thereon following its discharge by a baler. The bale accumulator has a cradle assembly for receiving a bale from the baler and transporting it to a receiving platform where it is held pending selective discharge by the operator.

Abstract: The invention is a fifth wheel rollback trailer consisting of three basic parts, a fifth wheel pull frame, a tilt frame, and a slide frame. The tilt frame is mounted on the pull frame above the axle and is tilted by a hydraulic cylinder. The slide frame is moved by a hydraulic cylinder fastened to the tilt frame.

Abstract: An improved wheel-lift apparatus attachable to various types of transport trucks, including rollback trucks for loading and carrying disabled vehicles. The improved wheel-lift apparatus provides a horizontal extendable boom mechanism long enough for receiving disabled vehicles. As a result of the wheel-lift's "low angle" or horizontal approach, the risk of damage occurring to the chassis or body of the disabled vehicle while in the loading and carrying modes is greatly diminished.

Abstract: A mating pair of portable metal ramps for use with pickup trucks, trailers and vans to load and unload small sized wheeled vehicles such as all terrain vehicles, riding lawn mowers, small tractors and motorcycles. The side beams of each ramp have a longitudinal groove into which the ends of three or more cross beams are recessed. The grooves sufficiently support and maintain the cross beams about the ramp that it is only necessary to weld the cross beam/side beam joints in those areas accessible from the underside of the ramp.

Abstract: A trailer having a front section and rear section connected with hinges is disclosed. The front section of the trailer comprises a front bed section mounted to a front frame section having a tongue extending therefrom. The rear section of the trailer comprises a rear bed section mounted to a rear frame section resting on a wheeled axle. A first pair of hinges detachably connects the front and rear sections of the trailer at the top of upwardly extending sides of the bed sections. A second pair of hinges detachably connects the frame sections of the front and rear sections of the trailer below the bed. The rear section of the trailer may be rotated downwardly with respect to the front to form a ramp, or the front rotated over the rear to shorten the overall length of the trailer for storage.

Abstract: A roll-off trailer includes an articulating hinge and at least one hydraulic cylinder associated therewith to control the relative movement of fore and aft sections between a first position wherein the fore and aft sections lie substantially in the same horizontal plane during container transport, and a second position wherein the fore and aft sections are articulated to facilitate container loading, unloading and dumping. A pair of fore and aft winches and appropriate cabling may be used to transfer containers on the leveled trailer bed, or alternatively, powered rollers and/or a slide assembly may be used. To assist in dumping and to facilitate loading and unloading in low-ceiling environments, the aft section may be fitted with an optional extensible tail section.

Abstract: A trailer and loading device is described that is releasably mountable to a truck including a forward cab and a rearward truck bed including upright bed walls and a bed floor. The device includes a frame configured to be mounted within the pickup truck bed adjacent the cab, and a ramp mounted to the frame and extending angularly upward and forwardly. A rearward bottom end of the ramp is configured to be positioned adjacent the truck bed. The ramp extends to a forward elevated top end configured to extend forwardly over the frame. A trailer is releasably mounted to the frame in an inclined carrying position. Wheels of the trailer are configured to rest against the floor surface of the truck bed between the upright bed walls. A forwardly extending tongue on the trailer includes a follower configured to move along the ramp.

Abstract: A transport apparatus to load and transport at least one bail of hay comprises a goose-neck assembly and a trailer. The goose-neck assembly is attachable to a towing vehicle. The trailer is attached to the goose-neck assembly and able to pivot about at least one axis, so that one portion of the trailer can be lowered to a first position. The first position is that at least one bail of hay can be loaded onto at least one portion of the trailer. A motor, which is controllable by an operator in the towing vehicle, can be used that automatically raises and lowers the at least one portion of the trailer into the first position. The goose-neck assembly is also motorized with a motor, so that the goose-neck assembly can orient the trailer into a position horizontal to the towing vehicle. A motor can also be used to raise and lower prongs, which are used to secure a bail of hay and transport a bail of hay to the trailer.

Abstract: A device for retrieving hay bales from a field, transporting the bales, and depositing the bales in a vertical stack. The device has a wheeled chassis and a bed inclinable to three possible positions. The bed comprises a vee shaped trough having a stop at the rear of the bed and a pair of powered jaws pivotally hinged to the front of the bed. The bed is inclined to a retrieval position with the front end contacting the ground, for retrieving bales by scooping action. In this position, the jaws can be opened to better engage a bale, and closed to urge the bale upwardly onto the bed. The bale is transported with the bed in a second, horizontal position parallel to the ground. The bed can be inclined to a third, vertical position for depositing the bale. A number of bales can be retrieved, axially aligned by the vee shaped bed, and deposited as a stack.

Abstract: A system and technique for holding down and restraining a roll-off container in place as it is winched into its final position on the bed of a truck or other transport device, wherein, as the roll-off container is winched into position on the truck, a protuberance on the side of the bottom rail of the roll-off container slides into a mating interlocking cradle attached to the truck. The sliding mate can be of a cantilevered spear into a socket, or more generically, a sliding open-ended mate such as a dovetail. In the event of a crash or sudden stop, the roll-off container will thus be retained by the interlocking connection.

Abstract: A truck with a cab at a front end thereof and a frame situated at a rear end thereof, the truck including a flat bed adapted for supporting a vehicle thereon and securement mechanism for coupling the flat bed to the frame. The securement mechanism includes a swivel mechanism situated between the frame and the flat bed. The swivel mechanism is adapted to rotate the flat bed about a vertical axis. The swivel mechanism is further designed to rotate the flat bed about a vertical axis through a span of at least 180 degrees. A hinge is situated between the frame and the flat bed to permit the pivoting of the flat bed about a horizontal axis. Next provided is a lift mechanism situated between the frame and the flat bed for allowing the lifting of a front end of the flat bed about the axis of the hinge.

Abstract: A transport locking system for a movable-deck trailer includes a telescoping sleeve which is positioned in parallel with a main deck piston and cylinder unit beneath the trailer deck. The main cylinder and the telescoping sleeve are placed in a neutral position when the deck is in the transport position, extended to raise the deck to a dock high position, and retracted to lower the deck to a ramp position. A locking bar is pivotably mounted atop the telescoping sleeve and the locking bar is controlled by a locking piston and cylinder unit to selectively engage or disengage a recess in the sleeve to thereby lock or unlock the sleeve, and thus constrain the deck to the transport position. A switching and control system is provided to coordinate the control of the main deck piston and cylinder unit with the control of the locking piston and cylinder unit.

Abstract: A pivoting tail light bar system is attached beneath the rear of the deck of a movable-deck trailer and includes a tail light bar which pivots upwards as it contacts the ground during tilting of the trailer deck. The tail light bar automatically returns from its upper position to a normal trailering position as the deck is returned from the tilted to a horizontal transport position. The pivoting tail light bar is attached to a pair of shock absorbing support arms which absorb impacts directed at the tail light bar from the rear of the trailer. In an alternative embodiment, tail lights are conventionally placed on the rear of the trailer deck and a pivoting bumper system is provided which pivots upwards to cover and protect the lights when the deck is placed in the tilted position.

Abstract: An apparatus mountable to a transporting vehicle chassis for transporting another vehicle including a platform pivotally mounted to the chassis which includes a deck for carrying the vehicle, and a carriage located on and movable along the platform. A telescoping boom is connected to the carriage, and has a free end with a vehicle lift device, which engages the vehicle to be transported. Power actuators are provided to move the platform from a loading position to a transport position, and for moving the carriage and for raising or lowering the vehicle lift mechanism.

Abstract: A truck trailer with a removable rack adapted for loading and unloading livestock without a loading chute. The trailer and rack have pivotable rear sections to define a loading ramp when pivoted to the ground. A pair of slide rails on the upper surface of the trailer and a pair of slide channels on the lower surface of the rack cooperate to guide the rack onto and from the trailer. A number of lock bars are pivotally mounted to the inner side walls of the rack to secure the rack on the trailer. Using a winch and truck hydraulics, one person is able to pull the rack onto the trailer. The task of removing the rack from the trailer can also be performed by one person.

Abstract: A device for carrying and unloading a load of material from a bed on a truck. The device includes a main panel with an upper surface, a forward edge and a lower surface with skid pads or casters for sliding over the surface of the bed of the truck. The device also includes a front panel with an upper surface, a rearward edge, and a lower surface which also includes skid pads or casters for sliding over the surface of the bed of the truck. A front hinge connects the forward edge of the main panel to the rearward edge of the front panel and allows front panel to swing in a direction facing the lower surface of the front panel, so that the load of material together with device can be slid over and out of the bed of a truck when unloading, and so that the front panel swings under the main panel as the load, together with the device, slides out of the bed of the truck, which in turn causes the separation of the load of material from the device when the load is unloaded from the bed of the truck.

Abstract: Trailer having a main frame with a horizontally extending deck and a pair of longitudinally extending rails spaced a predetermined distance apart for receiving flanged wheels of railroad equipment, and a laterally extensible rear subframe assembly connected to the main frame for movement between different widths for different loads. The subframe assembly has a pair of longitudinally extending rail members which can be aligned with the rails on the main frame to form an extension of those rails.