Abstract: An aerial weapons handling trailer includes a frame comprising longitudinally extending beams and a cross beam interconnecting the front ends of the longitudinally extending beams. The frame is supported on wheels which are pivotable between positions wherein the trailer is movable longitudinally and positioned wherein the trailer is movable laterally. The wheels include drive motors for positioning the trailer. A plurality of lift arms are pivotally supported on the longitudinally extending beams of the frame and in turn support lift beams. The lift arms include inwardly offset portions, and the lift beams are separated by a distance not greater than the width of a weapons package that is lifted and positioned by the trailer. The lift arms are actuated by hydraulic cylinders which are provided with load lock valves to prevent inadvertent lowering of the load carried by the lift beams.

Abstract: A cargo transporter having a cargo platform, mounted on a frame. The frame is supported by lift assemblies, which are mounted on wheel assemblies. Each lift assembly has a leg having an upper end which supports the frame and a lower end connected to the wheel assembly. Each lift assembly also has a support arm having an upper end pivotally connected to the frame and a lower end pivotally connected to the leg. Each lift assembly also has a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod, mounted between the leg and a bell crank of the support arm for changing the angle between the leg and the support arm, to cause the frame in the cargo platform to move vertically. A plurality of hydraulic cylinders and piston rods are mounted between the frame and the cargo platform for maneuvering the cargo platform relative to the frame.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus (30) includes longitudinally extending primary frames (36, 38) and a cross frame (34) which interconnects the front ends of the primary frames. Lift masts (72, 74, 76 78) are mounted on the primary frame (36, 38) and extend upwardly therefrom. A load beam (80) is supported from the lift masts (72, 74, 76 78) and includes latching mechanisms (96) adapted for connection to a container. Secondary frames (50) are pivotally supported on the primary frames (36, 38) are in turn rotatably support driven wheel members (52). The pivotal relationship between the secondary frames (50) and the primary frames (36, 38) is regulated and controlled by spring/shock absorber/cylinder assemblies (54). The cross frame (34) is selectively retractable and the load beam (80) is selectively foldable to reduce the width of the apparatus.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus having a pair of side frames and a cross frame. The apparatus also has four lift mechanisms for attachment to a container. Each lift mechanism is mounted on one end of a secondary lift arm. Four primary lift arms are connected to the side frames and to the midpoint of each of the secondary lift arms. A cam follower on the lower end of each secondary lift arm follows a cam horizontally along one of the side frames. Hydraulic cylinders rotate the primary lift arms about a pivot connection to the side frames. This causes the upper ends of the secondary lift arms to move vertically to raise and lower the lift mechanisms and the container. Transducers connected between the primary arms and the side frames equalize the amount of rotation of each of the primary lift arms and automatically keep the positions of the four lift mechanisms at the same height.

Abstract: A safety device is provided for use with a lifting apparatus having a main lifting mechanism for lifting, lowering and supporting a load. The safety device includes a cylinder operatively connected to the lifting apparatus and capable of lifting, lowering and supporting the load supported by the lifting mechanism. The safety device further includes a counterbalance holding valve operatively connected to the cylinder for preventing the lowering of the load supported by the lifting apparatus except in response to the application of hydraulic pressure thereto.

Abstract: An undercarriage (12) includes a primary frame (22) and a plurality of secondary frames (26) which in turn carry wheel members (28). The secondary frames (26) are urged to pivot away from the primary frame (12) by spring mechanisms (38). An undercarriage (112) includes a primary frame (122) and a plurality of secondary frames (126) which in turn carry wheel members (128). Pivotal movement of the endmost secondary frames (126e) is controlled by spring/shock absorber assemblies (134). Pivotal movement of the center secondary frame (126c) is controlled by a spring/shock absorber/cylinder assembly (136). Spring/shock absorber/hydraulic cylinder assemblies (250) may be used to control the positioning of all of the wheels of an undercarriage (422, 452, etc.).

Abstract: Subframes (30, 70) are supported for pivotal movement under the action of hydraulic cylinders (36, 76) to selectively engage drive rollers (42, 82) with wheels (14,16) of an aerial weapons handling trailer (10). Drive motors (48, 88) are operatively connected to the drive rollers (42, 82) to propel the aerial weapons handling trailer (10) and are further adapted to lock the drive rollers (42, 82) against rotation. The drive motors (48, 88) are mounted on housings (46, 86) supported for pivotal movement about the axes of the drive rollers (42, 82). Hydraulic cylinders (58, 98) are utilized to selectively pivot the housings (46, 86) when the drive rollers (42, 82) are engaged with the wheels (14, 16) and locked against rotation, thereby rotating the wheels (14, 16) to position the aerial weapons handling trailer (10).

Abstract: An undercarriage (12) includes a primary frame (22) and a plurality of secondary frames (26) which in turn carry wheel members (28). The secondary frames (26) are urged to pivot away from the primary frame (12) by spring mechanisms (38). The center secondary frames (26c) are each biased outwardly by two spring mechanisms (38) while the endmost secondary frames (26e) are biased outwardly by a single spring mechanism (38). An undercarriage (112) includes a primary frame (122) and a plurality of secondary frames (126) which in turn carry wheel members (128). Pivotal movement of the endmost secondary frames (126e) is controlled by spring/shock absorber assemblies (134). Pivotal movement of the center secondary frame (126c) is controlled by a spring/shock absorber/cylinder assembly (136) which selectively positions the center wheel member (128) below the end wheel member to facilitate skid steering, or in alignment with the end wheel members to facilitate high speed operation.

Abstract: A wheeled undercarriage unit (10) adapted to replace a tracked unit comprises elongate hollow side frames (12, 14) rigidly interconnected by cross frames (16, 18). Six wheels (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) are rotatably supported in pairs on the side frames (12, 14). The wheels on each side of the unit (10) are drivingly interconnected by chain and sprocket transmissions located within the side frames (12, 14). The drive means for the wheels (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) are located between the side frames (12, 14) and cross frames (16, 18). The middle wheels (22, 28) extend below a plane lying tangent to the end wheels (20, 24, 26, 30) to facilitate skid steering. Mounting pads (96) are provided for attaching a mechanism to the undercarriage unit (10). In addition to the capability of operating over adverse terrain, a vehicle incorporating the unit (10) can be operated over a paved surface without the damage thereto that would be caused otherwise by a tracked unit.

Abstract: An armored personnel carrier (10) includes a hull (14) supported on two undercarriages (12). Each undercarriage (12) includes a primary frame (22) and a plurality of secondary frames (26) which in turn carry wheel members (28). The secondary frames (26) are urged to pivot away from the primary frame (12) by spring mechanisms (38). The center secondary frames (26c) are each biased outwardly by two spring mechanisms (38) while the endmost secondary frames (26e) are biased outwardly by a single spring mechanism (38). The wheel members (28) are driven by a drive mechanism (64), a primary transmission (58) enclosed within the primary frame (22) and a plurality of secondary transmissions (82) each enclosed within one of the secondary frames (26).

Abstract: An undercarriage for adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having at least three axles rotatably supported thereon. The axles support wheel members and each middle wheel member is positioned below the endmost wheel members to facilitate skid steering. The axles are drivingly interconnected by a transmission which may comprise: one or more planetary gear sets; one or more differential gear sets; one or more chain and sprocket drives; one or more idler gears; one or more drive shafts; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, stabilizing jacks (60) are pivotally mounted on the frame assembly (14) of a skid steered vehicle (10) to stabilize the vehicle. A jack (60) is pivotally mounted at a first end of each of the elongate load bearing frames (18) of the frame assembly (14). The jacks (60) may be released from a storage position so that a first edge (65) of the jack engages the surface. Propelling the vehicle (10) forward pivots the jacks (60) onto a support surface (68). In this position, the vehicle (10) is supported on the jacks (60), middle wheel members (44) and the rear wheel members (46). The vehicle (10) may be propelled rearward to pivot the jacks (60) out of the support position. A cylinder (30) having a piston connected to a cable (70) maintains the jacks (60) in a storage position after use. In a second embodiment, jacks (92) are mounted on a cross tube (88) extending between the load-bearing frames (18).

Abstract: A wheeled undercarriage unit (10) for supporting and propelling a mechanism without causing excessive ground pressure comprises elongate hollow side frames (12, 14) rigidly interconnected by cross frames (16, 18). Ten wheels (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) are rotatably supported on the side frames (12, 14) with four wheels being disposed inboard at the ends of the side frames. The wheels on each side of the unit (10) are drivingly interconnected by transmissions located within the side frames (12, 14). A second embodiment (110) includes twelve wheels with six wheels being mounted inboard of the side frames (12', 14'). A third embodiment (120) includes twelve wheels with eight wheels outboard and four wheels inboard. The middle wheels in each embodiment extend below a plane lying tangent to the endmost wheels to facilitate skid steering.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprising an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprising an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.

Abstract: A detachable undercarriage for use on adverse terrain vehicles comprises an elongate hollow load-bearing frame having three or four axles rotatably supported thereon. Sprockets are mounted on at least two of the axles, and chains are constrained around the sprockets to drivingly interconnect the axles. The center axle in the three axle embodiment and the center two axles in the four axle embodiment are positioned below a plane extending through the axes of rotation of the outermost two axles to facilitate skid steering of vehicles incorporating the undercarriage. Alternatively, all the axles can be aligned with larger wheels mounted on the center axle in the three axle embodiment or the center two axles in the four axle embodiment to facilitate skid steering. In certain applications of the nonaligned axle embodiments structure is provided for selectively aligning all the axles to increase vehicle stability.