Abstract: A semitrailer (1) comprising a front end having a support and lifting mechanism (7), on the undersurface of a chassis (2), for lowering and raising the semitrailer (1) to facilitate loading and unloading of the semitrailer (1) and movement thereof. The semitrailer (1) includes an upper platform (14) which is vertically movable along poles (17, 18) of the chassis under the action of an independent pair of lifting devices. The upper platform (14) acts as an upper loading platform, in the case of vehicle transport, and as a roof structure for transport of other items. The semitrailer (1) is useful to manufacturers of articulated vehicles especially of the vehicle transporting type.

Abstract: A two-state directional control linkage (11) for controlling a steering axle, comprising a device for activating and deactivating the linkage (11) to lock the linkage in the operative position of the device and unlock it in the inoperative position thereof such that said device no longer transmits control movements. The linkage is particularly useful in public transport road vehicles.

Abstract: A unit for automatically guiding a vehicle along a rail comprising an arm (2) hingedly mounted, via a universal joint, to an end (3) of a chassis. The arm (2) includes, at a front end thereof, a mechanism for rolling (7, 8) along a rail (9) which comprises a pair of rollers (35, 36) mounted in a V-shaped configuration to encompass the rail (9) by lateral rolling engagement along each flank of the rollers. The unit is also provided with an arm raising mechanism, a mechanical coupling to the steering mechanism of the vehicle and various sensors. The invention is primarily applicable for the manufacture and use of urban public transport vehicles.

Abstract: An improved automatic guiding arm having a deformable hinged frame like construction controlled by an actuator. The actuator raises and lowers the end of the frame like construction which supports a pair of guide wheels in a "V" shaped arrangement for engaging a guide rail. The axially supported wheels may be mutually pivotable about a transaxial shaft and controlled by an angle control member hinged to the actuator. Through the angle control member the actuator can automatically control the transaxial pivoting and angle of the wheels as well as the tilt of the angle control member during raising and lowering operations of the guide arm. The guide arm is useful for automatically steering public transportation vehicles.

Abstract: The articulated vehicle is formed from a plurality of modules interconnected in an articulated fashion, including one leading module (1) with a front steering set of wheels (12), a rear module (3) with a controlled orientable rear set of wheels (13) and, optionally, one or more intermediate modules (2), a vehicle wherein two successive modules are connected by a movable articulation support (6, 7) carried by an axle and duplicated by a rigid oblique articulated connection (8,9), the orientation of each movable articulation support (6, 7) and that of the rear orientable wheel set (13) being controlled in such a way that its transverse median axis corresponds at all times to the bisector of the angle formed by two successive modules.

Abstract: A deformable gangway (14), located between two successive loading platforms (15) and (16) for a road or a railroad chassis, is composed of a succession of transverse slats (25), such as metallic transverse slats, carried adjacent their ends (39) by two longitudinal supporting and guiding elements (26) and (27). The slats (25) are disposed side by side and separated from one another, at least adjacent their ends (39), by inserts (43) made of an elastic material which bear against the longitudinal supporting and guiding elements (26) and (27). The slats (25) become immobilized, when subjected to a load, and form a fixed supporting area (17) while a remainder of the other slats (25) are still able to move on a curve, as a result of relative movement between adjacent end faces (20, 21) and (22, 23) of the platforms (15) and (16) to which the gangway (14) interconnects.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling to the same bogie the opposite ends of two successive wagon structures having a "V"-shaped front end (18) articulated on the bogie and an open rear end (13) consisting of two parallel arms (14, 15) has a pivoting cross member (26) on the bogie integrated with the "V"-shaped front end of the first wagon structure by which the preceding wagon structure is coupled, the pivoting cross member (26) comprising at each of its ends a receiving support (30, 31) equipped with an immobilizing device for each of the ends of the arms of the rear end (13) of the preceding wagon structure. The ends of the arms (14, 15) each have a junction structure cooperating with each receiving support.

Abstract: A habitable shelter/container with an extendable inner space, characterized in that it comprises unfolding lateral extensions, corner uprights (7) incorporating a retractable prop (51) for lateral extension, support and lifting, and a bottom structure or base-frame (11) provided on its undersurface with bearing and guide means for moving it on a surface or bearing track on a transport vehicle. The invention is of interest to builders of shelters for industrial use and for use as dwellings, for example, building-sites, camps and living quarters.

Abstract: In a road-transportable trailer having a connecting arm (11) of a "swan neck" type, and including an oblique arm (15), followed by a branch (17), a forward extremity of the former including a lower support rack (16), and a retractable telescopic support arm (24) disposed therein, and further including a plurality of access ramps (7, 8), the improvement relates to the facts that the branch (17) of the connecting arm (11) is foldable, is structured on an upper surface thereof as a projecting support member (20), and is adapted to be made rigid with the upper deck (35) of a forward bogie (27). A pivoting mechanism is provided which may be locked into a normally horizontal position, and is adapted so as to be in a position of alignment with an upper deck of a rear bogie (28).

Abstract: Articulated automobile carrier with individual movable platforms.Articulated automobile carrier characterized in that the automobile carrying structures (55) of the truck (1) and of the trailer (2) are made up mainly of unit support assemblies each controlling the displacement of a single platform through two screws (5) and (6) alongside the adjacent posts (2) and (3), screws on which are mounted blocks connected mechanically to each side of each carrying platform (9) for the purpose of the execution of the compound movements thereof in position and in slope, and of the platforms forming several access ramps for most of the vehicles at the rear of the carrier up to their respective platforms thus making it possible to effect automated loading and unloading phases.This invention is of interest to the builders of automobile carrying bodies for utility vehicles.

Abstract: Unitary carrier assembly distinguished in that each individual platform (9) is mounted movable with regard to its two supporting posts (2) and (3) by a carrier and lifting mechanism present between each post and each platform comprising a translation device (7) or (8) on a single screw (5) or (6) per post and for each post an articulation with the platform and at least one slanting articulated linkage (13) connecting the platform to the translation device.This invention is of interest particularly to builders of transport equipment.

Abstract: Locking assembly with integrated retractable locking head for handling, transport, and storage by stacking of load-carrying structures.Locking assembly characterized by comprising on three adjacent faces, including the bottom face, an oblong opening (10) for locking with a standardized locking head and by comprising a locking device (1) which is retractable and integral with a movable support (12) with a locking head (11) between a retracted position inside the assembly in which the bottom face of the support is in the plane of the top face of the assembly, and an extended working position in which the supporting plate (17), supporting the locking head, is an extension of the top surface of the assembly.This invention is useful for designers of containers and shipping materials.

Abstract: A short coupling with variable geometry for trailers. A coupling which is characterized by the fact that a means of connection with elastic memory is connected in a position of minimum spacing between the trailer (2, 7) and the truck (1), with two symmetrical supports for abutting and pivoting the front face of the trailer relative to the rear face of the truck at the level of each corner, around a vertical axis (29) located as close as possible to each corner, to obtain a trajectory which clears the entire front face of the trailer when it is pivoted while turning a corner. This invention is of interest to manufacturers of transport vehicles.

Abstract: Hitch characterized by the fact that on the one hand, an extensible drawbar (5) has an associated means of continuous elastic return to a position of minimum separation of the trailer from the truck, and on the other hand, it has two associated symmetrical linkage support bearings (20) and (21) each movable in a circular path around a vertical pivot axis located on the truck and appropriate for each side. This invention is of interest to the manufacturers of road vehicles and more particularly of trucks and their equipment.

Abstract: An edge contour for a load-carrying deck includes a substantially vertically disposed side face and a substantially horizontally disposed undersurface, and a substantially inclined support surface interconnecting the side vertical side face and the horizontal undersurface. A serial array of holes or apertures (3) are disposed in a row along the inclined support surface for accommodating hook members (17,18) of cargo lashing straps (16). By providing the inclined support surface, and the apertures or holes (3) within such surface, the inclined support surface and the apertures or holes (3) thereof are, in effect, disposed at a recessed position with respect to the vertical side surface of the load-carrying deck which defines the lateral width or extent of the load-carrying deck.

Abstract: A support arm assembly for supporting vehicles by their wheels, upon, for example, vehicle transported vehicles includes a pair of support arms (2) each of which is pivotably movable between a retracted, inoperative position disposed parallel to a supporting profile (4) and an extended operative position disposed perpendicular to the profile (4). Each assembly includes a mounting bracket (3) which is lockingly engaged with an upper surface of the profile (4), and each arm (2) is pivotably mounted within the mounting bracket (3) by its shaft (15). The upper portion of the shaft (15) includes an integral stop member (16) which abuts oppositely disposed wing portions (22,23) of the mounting brackets (3) so as to define the retracted and extended positions of the support arms (2).