Abstract: A cargo platform system particularly structured for use with, e.g., a truck body's cargo opening. The system includes a mast assembly with a mast guide and a mast movably supported by the guide, the mast assembly being fixed to the truck body. A cargo platform is pivotally connected to the mast, the platform being swingable relative to the mast between a horizontal elevator position and a vertical storage position.

Abstract: A cargo platform system particularly structured for use with, e.g., a truck body's cargo opening. The system includes a mast asembly with a mast guide and a mast movably supported by the guide, the mast assembly being fixed to one vertical side edge of the cargo opening. A cargo platform is pivotally connected to the mast, the platform being swingable relative to the mast between a horizontal elevator position and a vertical storage position. A latch system partially carried by the mast guide and partially carried by the mast allows the mast and mast guide to be latched together so that substantially no relative movement therebetween is possible in a first latched position when the platform is in its storage position and located entirely below the truck body's cargo floor and also in a second latch position when the platform is in the storage position and located substantially above the cargo floor.

Abstract: A sideloader elevator platform that is particularly structured to serve a cargo opening in the sidewall of, e.g., a truck body. The apparatus includes a platform connected with a novel carriage assembly that is slidable along rails mounted beneath the truck body's bed and transverse to that bed's longitudinal axis. The novel carriage assembly includes hydraulic rams that cooperate with parallelogram linkages for raising and lowering the elevator platform. A novel roller chain drive system functions to move the carriage assembly and platform on the rails between a travel or storage position entirely beneath the truck body's bed and an elevator use position where the platform is extended outward beyond the truck body's sidewall.

Abstract: A safety latch for a cargo platform of the type particularly adapted to be mounted on the rear of a truck's cargo body. The cargo platform is pivotally mounted along its front edge to a combined elevating/storing mechanism which is of a chain and compounding sprocket type. In this type mechanism, the chain is taut as it holds the cargo platform in horizontal position when it functions as an elevator, and the chain is taut as it is compounded when it is desired to open and close the cargo platform between vertical storage and horizontal elevator positions. The safety latch cooperates with the cargo body, the chain, and the platform to insure that the platform is latched to the cargo body in its storage position when the chain is slack, i.e., not taut. The chain is always taut when the cargo platform is in the horizontal position and used as an elevator, as well as when the cargo platform is being swung between its elevator position and its vertical position.

Abstract: A cargo elevator system, that includes a pivotable cargo platform, particularly adapted for mounting on a truck. The system is operable through a unique open/close sequence for translating the platform between a substantially vertical, upright storage position, and a horizontal elevator use position that permits the truck to be loaded and unloaded. The system is characterized by a unique latching mechanism for latching the platform in, and unlatching the platform from, the storage position. The system is also characterized by a first fail-safe structure for preventing the platform from swinging on its pivot axis toward ground level beyond its horizontal elevator use position. The system is further characterized by a second fail-safe structure that prevents the platform from moving out of its vertically upright position when so stored.

Abstract: An improved elevator platform structure of the type that includes a framework and a horizontally disposed elevator platform, the platform being raised and lowered by hydraulic rams connected to the framework. The elevator platform includes a pivotable ramp at one edge thereof, the pivotable ramp being biased into a horizontal attitude in which the elevator platform may be loaded or unloaded over that ramp, and into a vertical attitude at which that ramp functions as a stop as the platform is raised or lowered. A reciprocable safety foot structure is connected to the framework, and is automatically movable into an active position underneath the pivotable ramp when the platform is in its uppermost position. This safety foot structure insures that, as the platform is lowered from its uppermost position, the ramp will be pivoted from the horizontal attitude toward the vertical attitude, thereby locating the pivotable ramp in its stop position.