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 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 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.