Abstract: A rollback carrier includes a vehicle chassis, a truck bed assembly supported on the vehicle chassis and displaceable between a transport position and a loading position, and a front actuating arm acting between the truck bed assembly and the vehicle chassis. The front actuating arm dampens a tilt position of the truck bed relative to the vehicle chassis.

Abstract: A recovery vehicle having a side recovery system is disclosed. The side recovery system includes a boom having a first end and a second end. The boom is rotatable about the first end between a first position and second position. The side recovery system also includes a base having a portion for supporting the first end of the boom, a first receiving structure for securing the second end of the boom when the boom is in the first position, and a second receiving structure for securing the second end of the boom when the boom is in the second position. The boom further includes a locking device configured to selectively engage the first receiving structure and the second receiving structure for securing the second end of the boom.

Abstract: A deck assembly for use with a transporter vehicle is provided. The deck assembly includes a fastener, a first deck panel including an upper support surface, a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall defining at least one first opening, the second side wall defining at least one second opening and a second deck panel coupled to the first deck panel, the second deck panel including an upper support surface, a first side wall and a second side wall, the first side wall defining at least one first opening, the second side wall defining at least one second opening. The second side wall of the first deck panel is supported adjacent to the first side wall of the second deck panel such that the at least one first opening of the first deck panel is at least partially aligned with the at least one second opening of the second deck panel to define a through hole for the fastener. The fastener is received within the through hole and secures the first deck panel to the second deck panel.

Abstract: A side recovery system is disclosed that includes a base configured to be supported on a vehicle and a boom supported by the base and having a first end and a second end. The boom is rotatable relative to the base about a substantially horizontal axis between a first position and second position. The second end of the boom being positioned at a first side of the vehicle in the first position and at an opposite second side of the vehicle in the second position. The system also includes a first sheave supported at the second end of the boom and configured to receive a load bearing cable. The cable configured to remain received by the first sheave as the boom rotates between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis and an underlift supported by the chassis. The underlift includes a boom including a vehicle engaging device coupled to the boom and a movement actuator for moving the boom. The underlift further includes a control system configured to restrict actuation of the movement actuator when the boom moves to a predetermined position; and an operator control coupled to the control system that allows the operator to control the movement actuator after actuation of the movement actuator has been restricted.

Abstract: A wheel lift system for use with a transporter vehicle is provided. The wheel lift system comprises a boom assembly, a cross bar supported at a distal end of the boom assembly, a first arm supported at the cross bar and configured to move between a stowed position and a use position, and a second arm movably coupled to the first arm and configured to move between a stowed position and a use position. A cam is provided for moving the second arm from the use position to the stowed position. The wheel lift system may optionally include an unfolding mechanism for moving the second arm from the stowed position to the use position.

Abstract: A deck assembly for use with a transporter vehicle is provided. The deck assembly comprises a deck portion formed of a first material and a sub-structure formed of a second material. The deck assembly further comprises an interface plate formed disposed between the deck portion and sub-structure to facilitate coupling the deck portion to the sub-structure and/or to compensate for differences in thermal expansion that may exist between the deck portion and the sub-structure.

Abstract: A deck assembly for use with a transporter vehicle is provided. The deck assembly comprises a deck portion formed of a first material and a sub-structure formed of a second material. The deck assembly further comprises an interface plate formed disposed between the deck portion and sub-structure to facilitate coupling the deck portion to the sub-structure and/or to compensate for differences in thermal expansion that may exist between the deck portion and the sub-structure.

Abstract: A recovery spade that is adjustably coupled to a rescue vehicle to thereby maximize traction during rescue operations. The recovery spade includes an anchor blade and a hollow support member. The anchor blade includes a plurality of holes for selective connection to the support member at differing heights via a pin. The anchor blade further includes an anchor portion with teeth at one end for engaging the ground to effect the traction and coupling holes at the other end for selective connection to the anchor blade at differing angles.

Abstract: An adjustable body sub-frame assembly that mounts on a truck chassis, and an adjustable body panel assembly that mounts on the body sub-frame assembly. The body sub-frame assembly includes left and right sub-frame rails that mount on respective truck chassis rails. Each sub-frame rail includes sub-frame brace tubes and body support brackets. The sub-frame brace tubes are fixed to the sub-frame rails extending laterally inward from the truck chassis rails, and the body support brackets are fixed to the sub-frame rails extending laterally outward from the truck chassis rails. The body sub-frame assembly further includes sub-frame brace sleeves that receive corresponding sub-frame brace tubes of the sub-frame rails. The sub-frame brace tubes can be welded at different positions within the sub-frame brace sleeves providing for adjustability in the width of the body sub-frame assembly. The body panel assembly includes left and right body panels.

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: An adjustable body sub-frame assembly that mounts on a truck chassis, and an adjustable body panel assembly that mounts on the body sub-frame assembly. The body sub-frame assembly includes left and right sub-frame rails that mount on respective truck chassis rails. Each sub-frame rail includes sub-frame brace tubes and body support brackets. The sub-frame brace tubes are fixed to the sub-frame rails extending laterally inward from the truck chassis rails, and the body support brackets are fixed to the sub-frame rails extending laterally outward from the truck chassis rails. The body sub-frame assembly further includes sub-frame brace sleeves that receive corresponding sub-frame brace tubes of the sub-frame rails. The sub-frame brace tubes can be welded at different positions within the sub-frame brace sleeves providing for adjustability in the width of the body sub-frame assembly. The body panel assembly includes left and right body panels.

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: The present invention relates to a wheel grid assembly and vehicle towing apparatus. The wheel grid assembly includes a wheel boom and a pair of lift arms. Each lift arm consists of an extension arm segment and an engaging arm segment pivotally mounted to the extension arm segment. Each engaging arm segment consists of an actuating arm segment and a gripping arm segment extending in opposite directions from the pivot point. A pair of linear actuators rotate the engaging arm segments about their pivot points to engage the wheels of a vehicle to be towed. Each linear actuator is attached to a respective engaging arm segment through an over-center locking mechanism. The over-center locking mechanisms lock the engaging arm segments in wheel engaging positions without aid of force from the linear actuators. The present invention also relates to a position lock mechanism and a wheel grid self-centering device.

Abstract: An adjustable body sub-frame assembly that mounts on a truck chassis, and an adjustable body panel assembly that mounts on the body sub-frame assembly. The body sub-frame assembly includes left and right sub-frame rails that mount on respective truck chassis rails. Each sub-frame rail includes sub-frame brace tubes and body support brackets. The sub-frame brace tubes are fixed to the sub-frame rails extending laterally inward from the truck chassis rails, and the body support brackets are fixed to the sub-frame rails extending laterally outward from the truck chassis rails. The body sub-frame assembly further includes sub-frame brace sleeves that receive corresponding sub-frame brace tubes of the sub-frame rails. The sub-frame brace tubes can be welded at different positions within the sub-frame brace sleeves providing for adjustability in the width of the body sub-frame assembly. The body panel assembly includes left and right body panels.

Abstract: An adjustable body sub-frame assembly that mounts on a truck chassis, and an adjustable body panel assembly that mounts on the body sub-frame assembly. The body sub-frame assembly includes left and right sub-frame rails that mount on respective truck chassis rails. Each sub-frame rail includes sub-frame brace tubes and body support brackets. The sub-frame brace tubes are fixed to the sub-frame rails extending laterally inward from the truck chassis rails, and the body support brackets are fixed to the sub-frame rails extending laterally outward from the truck chassis rails. The body subframe assembly further includes sub-frame brace sleeves that receive corresponding sub-frame brace tubes of the sub-frame rails. The sub-frame brace tubes can be welded at different positions within the sub-frame brace sleeves providing for adjustability in the width of the body sub-frame assembly. The body panel assembly includes left and right body panels.

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 body assembly is for attachment to a tow truck chassis. The body assembly includes a left body unit and a right body unit. Each body unit has a structural unit and a plurality of exterior panels attached to the structural unit. The structural unit is preferably formed from flanged aluminum panels that are attached using adhesive disposed on the flanges. The exterior panels are preferably formed from molded composite panels. The exterior panels are removably attached to allow for simplified repair.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel grid assembly and vehicle towing apparatus. The wheel grid assembly includes a wheel boom and a pair of lift arms. Each lift arm consists of an extension arm segment and an engaging arm segment pivotally mounted to the extension arm segment. Each engaging arm segment is made up of an actuating arm segment and a gripping arm segment extending in different directions from the pivot point. A pair of linear actuators rotate the engaging arm segments about their pivot points to engage the wheels of a vehicle to be towed. Each linear actuator is attached to an engaging arm segment through an over-center locking mechanism. The over-center locking mechanisms lock the engaging arm segments in wheel engaging positions without aid of force from the linear actuators. The present invention also relates to a position lock mechanism and a wheel grid self-centering device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a tilt cylinder assembly for an underlift assembly for attachment to a recovery vehicle. The present invention provides for rotation of the horizontal member about a first and second pivot point. The first pivot point is where the lifters attach to the horizontal member. The second pivot point is formed by attaching a forward end of the horizontal member to a tilt cylinder assembly including at least one lifter. The tilt cylinder assembly lifter provides for movement of the second pivot point. By providing two pivot points, the operator of the underlift assembly is allowed more flexibility in positioning.