Abstract: A vehicle hoist and towing device is positioned on the floor of a pick-up truck bed and includes a mounting frame having a hoist frame pivoted thereto for pivoting movement between lowered and elevated position. A hoist boom is mounted on the hoist frame for sliding movement between a retracted and extended position along a track secured to the hoist frame. A linkage interconnects the track and the hoist boom to a power ram for raising and lowering the hoist frame and for shifting its retracted and extended positions. A vehicle suspension mechanism is secured to the outer end of the boom for suspending the vehicle from the boom.

Abstract: An unloading mechanism for fork lifts in which a plate slides over the pallet on a fork lift and pushes the goods off the pallet. The plate is moved across the pallet by two arms connecting the plate to the fork lift and operated by a hydraulic cylinder. Pivotal connection of the plate to the arms permits continuous vertical positioning of the plate during its movement forwardly to remove the goods, the rollers may be used to support the plate and arms on the pallet and to prevent damage to the pallet.

Abstract: A bulk material unloader in which a clamshell bucket is suspended from a boom which is luffed from a position over the material to be unloaded through the vertical to a position over a bulk material receiving hopper. The hoists and/or the anchors for the bucket hold and close ropes are mounted on the unloader base on the opposite side of the hopper from the boom pivot such that the suspended length of the hold and close ropes is increased as the boom is luffed through the vertical and the bucket is thereby lowered into the hopper with the hoists remaining inactive until the bucket is in position to be opened and discharged with minimum dusting effect.

Abstract: A screw conveyor 14 is mounted on the sub-floor 11a of a chip silo 11, and rotates as a radial arm to convey the chip material into a cover 17 through an inlet opening 18 and to a central discharge shaft 12. The cover 17 rotates together with the screw conveyor, and has a spiral cross-section with its radial step or break disposed on the conveyor axis. The cover radius continually increases in the direction of rotation, to thereby prevent the column of chip material in the silo from exerting a braking force on its side wall.

Abstract: An improved tow truck is provided which comprises a boom pivotally lowerable and raiseable between the truck frame. The boom is telescopic with a rearward end which is extendible, and when fully lowered and extended the rearward end is adjacent the ground and may lift a load, such as a disabled vehicle, about the vehicle wheels. The boom may be retracted and raised to bring the lifted load close to the rear axle of the tow truck.

Abstract: A releasable locking device is provided which is particularly suitable for retaining a parked vehicle against a loading dock or the like during loading or unloading thereof. The device includes a pivotally mounted hook-like member movable between operative and inoperative modes. The member is secured to the front side of the loading dock by a carriage having a first section on which the hook-like member is mounted, and a second section affixed to the dock front side. The first section is adjustable relative to the second section in a substantially vertical plane. The first section is biased to normally assume a predetermined rest position which is at a maximum elevation with respect to the roadway supporting the vehicle. A reversible electric motor is mounted on the carriage first section and actuates the hook-like member between the operative and inoperative modes. When in an operative mode, the hook-like member interlockingly engages the parked vehicle.

Abstract: An upright including upper and lower end portions is provided and support structure is carried by the lower end portion of the upright for support of the latter from one end of a vehicle. A boom including base and free end portions has its base end portion pivotally supported from the upper end portion of the upright for oscillation relative thereto about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the upright and the boom, and motor structure is operably connected between the upright and the base end portion of the boom for oscillating the boom relative to the upright. The support structure on a first disclosed form of the invention is operative to utilize the boom mounting structure of a backhoe for support of the upright from a backhoe vehicle in lieu of the backhoe boom and the support structure on a second form of the invention includes a hitch frame for removably supporting the upright from the three-point hitch of a tractor.