Abstract: A mobile bead breaker (100) may be provided comprising a pair of conjoined housings (102, 104). In a first of such housings (104) may be the control and drive mechanisms of the present invention including a pump, hydraulic ram (118), a vertical guide plate (114) and the apparatus' controls. In the second of such housings (102) may be located a supporting wall (122) and for smaller tires a positioning rod (126) for locating and then maintaining the tire/rim assembly in a stationary vertical position for engagement by the bead breaker mechanism. The bead breaker mechanism, additionally located within the second housing (102), may be a spider assembly (200) comprising a plurality of legs (202) equally spaced about a central hub (206). The central hub (206) of such spider assembly (200) may be mounted to the hydraulic ram (118). When the ram (118) is activated, the spider assembly (200) moves toward and engages the tire/rim assembly about the bead of the tire to break the rim/bead seal.

Abstract: A mobile bead breaker (100) may be provided comprising a pair of conjoined housings (102, 104). In a first of such housings (104) may be the control and drive mechanisms of the present invention including a pump, hydraulic ram (118), a vertical guide plate (114) and the apparatus' controls. In the second of such housings (102) may be located a supporting wall (122) and for smaller tires a positioning rod (126) for locating and then maintaining the tire/rim assembly in a stationary vertical position for engagement by the bead breaker mechanism. The bead breaker mechanism, additionally located within the second housing (102), may be a spider assembly (200) comprising a plurality of legs (202) equally spaced about a central hub (206). The central hub (206) of such spider assembly (200) may be mounted to the hydraulic ram (118). When the ram (118) is activated, the spider assembly (200) moves toward and engages the tire/rim assembly about the bead of the tire to break the rim/bead seal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hook assembly and method for extending the reach of transportation load handling systems such as military load handling systems employing hook arms and loading platforms designed to be loaded and unloaded from ISO containers. The hook assembly of the present invention includes a hook member adapted to mate with the load handling platform and a locking assembly extending form the hook member to secure the hook member to the existing hook of a load handling device. Such an assembly extends the reach of the existing hook of the load handling device and is particularly well suited for maintaining engagement with a loading platform. A method of extending the reach of an existing loading device hook is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for securing loads in transportation shipping containers. The bracing mechanism of the present invention is particularly well suited for use in combination with loading platforms such as CROPs to secure the CROP against at least forward movement within shipping containers. The bracing mechanism of the present invention preferably includes a cam assembly that is sized and shaped to mate with the existing shoring slots defined in the interior walls of the shipping container, and an elongated traversing mechanism that provides infite adjustability over the length of the traversing mechanism. A method of bracing a loading platform such as a CROP within an ISO shipping container is also disclosed.