Abstract: An apparatus (100) for loading a shipping container (101), comprising a transfer plate (103) having a series of holes (201, 202) therein and configured to slide, together with an article thereon, into and out of the shipping container (101), and a transfer means (104) positioned underneath the transfer plate (103) and configured to engage with the holes in the transfer plate and to retract or extend after engagement with the holes to pull the transfer plate into and out of the shipping container.

Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle wheel (12) has a wheel carrier (14) for mounting a steered wheel (12), the wheel carrier (14) being rotatably mounted with respect to the vehicle about a steering axis to allow the wheel (12) to be steered. A hydraulic cylinder (20) has a piston therein and a rigid connecting rod assembly (22) extending from the piston out of the cylinder (20). The rigid connecting rod assembly (22) comprises a first section (22) adapted to reciprocate into and out of the cylinder (20) and a second section (26) rigidly extending from the first section (22) to a pivot point connection (50) where it is pivotally connected to the wheel carrier (14) at an offset from the steering axis. The hydraulic cylinder (20) is pivotally mounted on the vehicle such that it is prevented from translational movement relative to the vehicle but capable of changing its orientation with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle [10] has a first body section [12], a second body section [14], and an elongate projection [22] projecting from the first body section [12] towards the second body section [14]. A pair of steering cylinders [36, 34] are mounted such that they are partially or wholly disposed in or on the elongate projection [22], and are disposed one above the other so they overlap vertically, thereby narrowing the projection at the end nearer the first body section [12] and allowing the second body section [14] to be rotated closer to the centre line. A rotatable shaft [40] of the second body section [14] is mounted towards the far end of the elongate projection [22] and is steered by a pair of linkages such as chains [42, 44], each of which is connected to the shaft [40] and to a respective one of the steering cylinders [36, 34]. The chains [42, 44] wrap around the shaft [40] with a circumferential overlap, though they are spaced vertically.

Abstract: A straddle carrier comprises a frame (10) having opposite substantially parallel sides (12, 14) and which is configured for straddling a container to be lifted and transported between said opposite sides. The carrier has three ground wheels (24, 26) and (28) to enable the frame to be positioned over the container. The ground wheels comprise a first ground wheel (24) disposed at least approximately centrally on one side (12) of the frame, and second and third ground wheels (26, 28) disposed at opposite ends of the other side (14) of the frame. The second and third wheels (26, 28) are steerable by rotation about respective substantially vertical axes (40, 42).

Abstract: A straddle carrier comprises a frame (10) having opposite substantially parallel sides (12, 14) and which is configured for straddling a container to be lifted and transported between said opposite sides. The carrier has three ground wheels (24, 26) and (28) to enable the frame to be positioned over the container. The ground wheels comprise a first ground wheel (24) disposed at least approximately centrally on one side (12) of the frame, and second and third ground wheels (26, 28) disposed at opposite ends of the other side (14) of the frame. The second and third wheels (26, 28) are steerable by rotation about respective substantially vertical axes (40, 42).