Abstract: A recovery vehicle for recovering other, disabled vehicles, and a method for doing so. A vehicle frame extends along a longitudinal axis, and supports a travel base assembly carrying a boom. The travel base assembly can move along the longitudinal axis of the frame. Two or more traveler rollers may be located between the vehicle frame and the travel base assembly, for supporting the travel base assembly and facilitating longitudinal movement of the travel base assembly relative to the vehicle frame. The traveler rollers may include a plurality of rollers movable about a load-bearing member. Using the invention, a load may be lifted by the boom and moved between positions located at the rear and to the side of the recovery vehicle, without the need to first reposition the boom using boom lift or telescoping cylinders.

Abstract: A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels, and below the top of the chassis frame. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height substantially lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle, an increase in payload height, and enhanced dynamic road stability.

Abstract: A device and method for moving tilt frame and transfer bed portions of a cargo transfer system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention may include a table and a pin secured to the transfer bed. The table may pivot on a horizontal axis allowing the transfer bed to be placed in a horizontal orientation during inclination of the tilt frame. The table may also pivot on a vertical axis so that the transfer bed may swing side-to-side, and may also pivot on a z-axis enabling the transfer bed to roll side-to-side relative to the table. An adjustable carriage with independently movable stabilizer legs may be used to level the transfer bed on uneven ground. The tilt frame may also include an extendable boom and a retractable roller system to facilitate loading and unloading of material such as flat rack platforms and pallets.

Abstract: A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Using Super Single rear wheels and an airbag suspension, for example, sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle and an increase in payload height.

Abstract: A device and method for transferring cargo are disclosed, including transferring cargo between an aft-loading aircraft and a ground transportation vehicle. In one embodiment, the invention may include a tilt frame, a transfer bed, and an adjustable carriage. The tilt frame may be pivotally engaged to a vehicle chassis where the tilt frame has a first end near the cab of the vehicle and a second end distal from the cab. The transfer bed may have a first end connected to the tilt frame and may be movable along an upper surface of the tilt frame. The adjustable height carriage may support a second end of the transfer bed. The transfer bed may be leveled at varying heights by moving the first end of the transfer bed along the upper surface of the tilt frame, and by varying the height of the carriage.

Abstract: A low profile wheel lift having a new crossbar/boom pivot connection enabling a recovery vehicle to quickly engage a disabled vehicle to facilitate damage-free towing to a degree not previously possible.

Abstract: A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels, and below the top of the chassis frame. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height substantially lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle, an increase in payload height, and enhanced dynamic road stability.

Abstract: An auto-latch mechanism enabling a towing vehicle to hook-up and tow-away a disabled vehicle without the need for either operator of the vehicles to exit their interior. In a preferred embodiment, the auto-latch mechanism includes opposing guide plates and a plunger pin with a distal portion movable to a location between the plates. When a connecting portion of the disabled vehicle is positioned between the opposing plates, the plunger pin may be engaged to the connecting portion, to thereby accomplish hook-up of the disabled vehicle to the towing vehicle. A method for using the auto-latch mechanism is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Using Super Single rear wheels and an airbag suspension, for example, sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle and an increase in payload height.

Abstract: An auto-latch mechanism enabling a towing vehicle to hook-up and tow-away a disabled vehicle without the need for either operator of the vehicles to exit their interior. In a preferred embodiment, the auto-latch mechanism includes opposing guide plates and a plunger pin with a distal portion movable to a location between the plates. When a connecting portion of the disabled vehicle is positioned between the opposing plates, the plunger pin may be engaged to the connecting portion, to thereby accomplish hook-up of the disabled vehicle to the towing vehicle. A method for using the auto-latch mechanism is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Using Super Single rear wheels and an airbag suspension, for example, sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle and an increase in payload height.

Abstract: A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Using Super Single rear wheels and an airbag suspension, for example, sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle and an increase in payload height.

Abstract: A device and method for transferring cargo are disclosed, including transferring cargo between an aft-loading aircraft and a ground transportation vehicle. In one embodiment, the invention may include a tilt frame, a transfer bed, and an adjustable carriage. The tilt frame may be pivotally engaged to a vehicle chassis where the tilt frame has a first end near the cab of the vehicle and a second end distal from the cab. The transfer bed may have a first end connected to the tilt frame and may be movable along an upper surface of the tilt frame. The adjustable height carriage may support a second end of the transfer bed. The transfer bed may be leveled at varying heights by moving the first end of the transfer bed along the upper surface of the tilt frame, and by varying the height of the carriage.

Abstract: A device and method for transferring cargo are disclosed, including transferring cargo between an aft-loading aircraft and a ground transportation vehicle. In one embodiment, the invention may include a tilt frame, a transfer bed, and an adjustable carriage. The tilt frame may be pivotally engaged to a vehicle chassis where the tilt frame has a first end near the cab of the vehicle and a second end distal from the cab. The transfer bed may have a first end connected to the tilt frame and may be movable along an upper surface of the tilt frame. The adjustable height carriage may support a second end of the transfer bed. The transfer bed may be leveled at varying heights by moving the first end of the transfer bed along the upper surface of the tilt frame, and by varying the height of the carriage.

Abstract: A device and method for moving tilt frame and transfer bed portions of a cargo transfer system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention may include a table and a pin secured to the transfer bed. The table may pivot on a horizontal axis allowing the transfer bed to be placed in a horizontal orientation during inclination of the tilt frame. The table may also pivot on a vertical axis so that the transfer bed may swing side-to-side, and may also pivot on a z-axis enabling the transfer bed to roll side-to-side relative to the table. An adjustable carriage with independently movable stabilizer legs may be used to level the transfer bed on uneven ground. The tilt frame may also include an extendable boom and a retractable roller system to facilitate loading and unloading of material such as flat rack platforms and pallets.

Abstract: An auto-latch mechanism enabling a towing vehicle to hook-up and tow-away a disabled vehicle without the need for either operator of the vehicles to exit their interior. In a preferred embodiment, the auto-latch mechanism includes opposing guide plates and a plunger pin with a distal portion movable to a location between the plates. When a connecting portion of the disabled vehicle is positioned between the opposing plates, the plunger pin may be engaged to the connecting portion, to thereby accomplish hook-up of the disabled vehicle to the towing vehicle. A method for using the auto-latch mechanism is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A device and method for transferring cargo are disclosed, including a device having a directional diverter and a means for securing the directional diverter to an ANSI/ISO corner fitting having a vertical face. The directional diverter may facilitate the conversion of horizontal movement of the container to inclined travel on an inclined surface, for example the inclined surface of a cargo transfer bed, such that when a force pulls the container in a direction generally normal to the vertical face and along the inclined surface, the directional diverter may contact the inclined surface prior to contact between the corner fitting and the inclined surface. In some embodiments, the directional diverter may be a sloped surface. In other embodiments, the directional diverter may be a roller or wheel.

Abstract: A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels, and below the top of the chassis frame. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height substantially lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle, an increase in payload height, and enhanced dynamic road stability.

Abstract: A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Using Super Single rear wheels and an airbag suspension, for example, sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle and an increase in payload height.

Abstract: Lift adaptors for the hook-up and towing of heavy vehicles such as buses, coaches and trucks in a damage-free fashion, avoiding the need for pre-picking. The lift adaptors may be mounted to receivers slidable over the underlift crossbar of heavy-duty, underlift-type tow vehicles. An engagement end of the lift adaptors may be secured to the underside portion of a vehicle to be towed, using an eye bracket, apertures or another attachment mechanism. A movable boom may be used to locate the crossbar in a proper position beneath the towed vehicle, enabling engagement to the lift adaptors. The lift adaptors are preferably designed for quick decoupling in the field so that they may be replaced with forks or other hook-up or towing attachment mechanisms.