Abstract: A precision guidance system for positioning motor vehicles on a motor vehicle support surface, such as a carrier for transportation. The guidance system includes primary guide members extending from the support surface, preferably located to engage the inner surfaces of the motor vehicle tires. The guidance system allows precisely positioning the motor vehicle on the support surface for purposes of engaging mating devices extending from the motor vehicle and the motor vehicle support surface, such mating devices including vehicle restraint means, electrical connections, and pneumatic or hydraulic connections.

Abstract: A trailer maneuvering jack comprised of a tongue jack and a compact drive wheel assembly. The tongue jack is comprised of an outer sleeve and an extendable and retractable inner sleeve. The drive wheel assembly is comprised of a wheel, motor, and drive train. The drive wheel assembly is attached to the outer end of the inner sleeve of the tongue jack by means of a power drive mounting bracket. The wheel is located along the longitudinal centerline of the tongue jack with its axle perpendicular thereto. The axis of the drive shaft of the motor is located along the wheel axle axis and operably connected thereto by a drive train. In a first embodiment the motor case is cylindrical and it and cylindrical bearing means mounted thereon constitute the axle of the drive wheel. In a second embodiment a rotational ring gear forms the axle of the wheel.

Abstract: A transport vehicle with a cargo deck having a deck lowering mechanism to enable easy loading of cargo, such as a motorized vehicle. The vehicle has a tandem wheel set located on each side thereof. The wheels are rotatably attached to the outer ends of spindles or stub axles, the spindles being connected at their inner ends to an adjacent walking beam. Both walking beams are pivotally connected to the lower end of an axle drop. The axle drops are connected at their upper ends to the ends of the lowering axle. The axle is rotatably attached to the frame of the cargo deck. Axle rotational means, such as hydraulic rams, are attached to the axle and, when actuated, can rotate the axle to thereby push against the axle drops and rotate them downward around their pivotal connection to their respective adjacently located walking beams. The cargo deck frame, being pivotally attached to the axle, lowers into contact with the ground as the axle drops rotate downward.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a trailer, having a low tire warning and weight transfer system. The trailer has tandem wheel sets located on each side. The two tires of each tandem wheel set are each rotatably attached to a walking beam assembly which, in turn is attached to the trailer. The walking beam assembly has a horizontal walking beam that is substantially parallel to the ground when both tires of the adjacent wheel set are fully inflated. Walking beam stops are located on the trailer body adjacent each end of the walking beam. At least part of the stops intersect the vertical plane of the adjacent walking beam at a site above and/or below the beam. When one of the tires of a tandem wheel set becomes at least partially deflated, at least one end of the same side walking beam comes into contact with the adjacent stop, which prevents further movement of the walking beam assembly and shifts weight to the other, fully inflated tire.

Abstract: A system for latching a vehicle to a flatbed carrier including: at least one latch assembly mounted on the carrier outboard of respective ones of at least one of the vehicle's wheels; each latch assembly including a box-like bracket having longitudinally extending, vertically spaced, co-planar flanges defining a longitudinally extending vertical gap, at least one plate-like safety latch mounted for movement about a vertical pivot axis towards and away from the flanges, a biasing mechanism for urging each safety latch about its pivot axis towards the co-planar flanges, and a fixed stop mounted adjacent the forward end of the gap, a wheel latch flange mounted on each vehicle wheel disposed inboard of each latch assembly when the vehicle is loaded on the carrier; each wheel latch flange including a laterally extending stub shaft having an enlarged protuberance on its outboard end with a diameter greater than the height of the gap and an inboard portion with a diameter less than the height of the gap, whereupon w