Abstract: Provided in this disclosure is a hoist for raising and mounting an interchangeable vehicle body onto a vehicle chassis. The hoist includes a hoist frame having a pivot end and an elevated end for slidably supporting the interchangeable body. A subframe with a bolt-on assembly is provided for fixedly connecting to the vehicle chassis. A linkage connects the hoist frame to the subframe. The linkage also includes a hinge joint member for raising the elevated end of the hoist frame. A mounting bracket pivotally connects to the pivot end of the hoist frame. The mounting bracket has a bolt-on assembly for fixedly connecting to the vehicle chassis. A winch assembly is retained in the elevated end of the hoist frame and extending to the pivot end for raising the interchangeable body onto the hoist frame.

Abstract: The “Kinetic Kar” will have a large high pressure chamber filled with hydraulic fluid pressured up to 20 ton for the initial motion of the car. The pressure harvested by means of pumps, pistons, valves, and electrical gadget will be too high for the high pressure chamber. It is estimated that the car will move from zero to 20 miles in a matter of 2 seconds and run at up to 150 miles per hour for a mile before pressure tank is depleted totally. It will only take 3-4 seconds for pressure reservoir to replenish.

Abstract: A towable cart. At least one axle is coupled to a frame. A bottom of a container is also attached to the frame. Each of a pair of wheels are rotatably attached to the axle. A tow bar has first and second ends, the first end of the tow bar being pivotably coupled to one of the frame and the axle. An arm has first and second opposing ends, the first end of the arm being attached to the container and the second end of the arm being selectably secured to the tow bar. The container is fixed in a loading condition when the arm is secured to the tow bar, the container and the frame further being pivotable to an unloading condition when the arm is not secured to the tow bar.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a securing mechanism for a gate of a bottom dump trailer includes a in adapted to be coupled to a first door of the gate of the bottom dump trailer, a latch pin adapted to be coupled to a second door of the gate of the bottom dump trailer, and a latch adapted to be rotatably coupled to the latch pin. The latch is movable into a plurality of positions including a locked position and an unlocked position. The latch includes a notch adapted to receive the pin when the latch is in the locked position. The securing mechanism also includes an actuator rod. The first end of the actuator rod is coupled to the latch. The second end of the actuator rod is graspable and usable by a user to move the latch between the locked position and the unlocked position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trailer for the transportation by road of cargo, such as containers. The trailer comprises a trailer frame; a tipping frame and lifting means which act on, on the one hand, the trailer frame and, on the other hand, the tipping frame. The trailer frame comprises a front zone which is located on coupling above a tractor unit and which is provided with a coupling member in order to effect coupling. The trailer frame also has a rear zone comprising three sets of wheels. An intermediate zone connects the front zone to the rear zone. The tipping frame extends along the trailer frame and is fastened, in the rear zone, to the trailer frame so as to hinge about a tipping axle. The trailer frame has a longitudinal beam and the tipping frame has two lateral beams. The central beam of the trailer frame is submerged between the lateral longitudinal beams of the tipping frame.

Abstract: A trailer for attachment to a hitch of a tow vehicle, the trailer comprising a bed, or some other type of load carrying portion, connected for pivotal movement with respect to the draw bar of the trailer. The bed is movable between a generally horizontal, hauling position and a tilted, dumping position. The bed includes a forward portion adjacent the draw bar and a rearward portion opposite the forward portion. An axle is connected to the bed to which wheels are attached. Blocking members contact the axle as the tow vehicle moves rearwardly, the blocking members being movable between a blocking position, for contacting the ground to substantially block rearward movement of the bed as the trailer is moved rearwardly, and a retracted position, wherein the blocking members are substantially out of contact with the ground. Upon the blocking member being moved to the blocking position and the bed being in the hauling position, and upon the trailer being moved rearwardly, the bed pivots to the dumping position.

Abstract: A counter latch system and method of operation of a hopper having a payload and a latch moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position, the system and method including unlatching a latch of the hopper into the unlatched position and deploying a counter latch to maintain the latch in the unlatched position prior to dumping. The hopper is subsequently responsively returned into the latched position as the hopper is returned from dumping the payload.

Abstract: A lock device for a garbage compactor of a garbage truck has two cylinders, two connecting bars, two linkages and two hooks. The cylinders are mounted on opposite sides of the garbage compactor. Each connecting bar is connected to one end of a piston rod extending from the cylinder. Each linkage is connected to the other end of the corresponding connecting bar. A hook is pivotally connecting to the linkage and pivotally mounted on the garbage compactor. The hook has a downward engaging portion to engage a post on the garbage compartment. Accordingly, the hooks will not disengage from the posts when a shock occurs. In addition, since a cylinder is used on each side of the trash compactor, the peak load on each cylinder can be reduced, and the useful life of each cylinder is prolonged.

Abstract: A four-wheeled utility vehicle has a body frame; a driver's seat disposed on the body frame; a load-carrying platform having a front end portion and a rear end portion, the load-carrying platform disposed behind the driver's seat; a cabin frame having a rear portion and surrounding the driver's seat. The cabin frame is disposed in front of the load-carrying platform. The rear portion includes a lower end which is positioned on a level below the load-carrying platform and a middle portion which is located on a middle level in a vertical direction within the rear portion. The lower end of the rear portion is joined to the body frame. The middle portion of the rear portion is bound by the front end portion of the load-carrying platform in an easily separable manner.

Abstract: A handle-propelled, load-carrying land vehicle comprises a frame having two parts, one having wheels and ground-engaging pedestals forward of the wheels, and the other being pivoted to the front of the first part and having a load-carrying receptacle mounted on it and having a telescoping handle. The device is balanced so that it can be easily propelled by pushing downward and forward on the handle. It is especially useful as a dumping hand cart for granular loads, since the forward edge of the receptacle is spaced from the ground at least at the completion of the dumping operation. A gravity-operated latch keeps the frame parts together to allow the load carrier to be pulled up steps, up a slope, or up over a curb without having the wheels separate from the receptacle, but automatically releases, allowing the user to dump a load of material from the receptacle by pushing forward on the handle.

Abstract: A hopper (10, 120) for use with flowable material (12) such as particulate, aggregate, sand, salt, gravel, top soil or the like includes at least one pivotal gate (14) attached to a frame (18) of the hopper (10, 120). Advantageously, the gate (14) swings toward an open position in response to the weight of the material (12) in the hopper (10, 120) to allow the material (12) to flow out of the hopper (10, 120). Additionally, the gate (14) automatically returns toward the closed position by gravity due to the position of the pivot axis of the hinge (16) connecting the gate (14) to the frame (18) relative to the center of gravity of the gate (14). Furthermore, a latch (58) and other features of the hopper (10, 120) control the movement of the gate (14) to regulate the flow of the material (12) from the hopper (10, 120).

Abstract: A utility cart (10) for hauling up to at least 1000 pounds includes a plastic carriage (11) having reinforcement ribs (47) extending from and across the bottom thereof to strengthen the carriage (11), an elongated drawbar member (12) to pull the carriage (11), an axle assembly (15) engaging the carriage (11) and one end of the drawbar member (12) to pivot the carriage (11) with respect to the drawbar member (12), a latch assembly (16) connected to the drawbar member (12) and engaging the carriage (11) to restrain the pivotal movement of the carriage (11) with respect to the drawbar member (12), and at least two wheels (13, 14) attached to the axle assembly (15). The latch assembly (16) includes a body member (53) pivotally connected to the drawbar member (12) and has a gripping portion (56) extending between a first leg portion (57) and a second leg portion (58).

Abstract: A trailer apparatus having a perimeter frame with a front, rear and intermediate portion thereof includes a trailer hitch attached to the front of the perimeter frame for permitting it to be attached to a towing vehicle. Wheels are rotatably attached to the perimeter frame and have axle-supporting structures passing between the left and right side aligned wheels. The tilting bed is pivotally attached at a point above and midway between the rotational axes of the axles, in the case of a tandem wheel arrangement having two wheels on each side thereof, or immediately above the axle on a trailer having just one wheel on each side thereof. By having the tilting bed pivotally connected to a perimeter frame at this point, the perimeter frame of the trailer will not have a tendency to tip during the loading process.

Abstract: A catching device for attachment to the rear of a truck or truck bed preferably for a dump truck arrangement, has a sheet member having attachment and fastening portions which, when suitably applied to the rear of the truck bed, generally prevents debris, rocks, stones, pebbles and the like from falling off a rear lip, shelf, or other truck bed structure upon which debris may accumulate, or for collecting debris that slips through the gap between the tail gate and onto the road or pour plate.

Abstract: A locking device for a hydraulically operated dump truck secures the lift cylinder against unwanted oscillation when the dump body is in the lowered travel position by securing the top of the cylinder to the doghouse of the dump body. The cylinder is connected to the bottom of the dump body for lift purposes and pivots away from the doghouse during lifting.

Abstract: A remote controlled self-loading truck having a tilt bed equipped with a bed mounted hoist and having fold-down sides, and for mounting on standard truck chassis. An elevated hoist is supported on the tiltable bed adjacent to its forward end for movement with the bed. The hoist includes an elongated generally horizontal rearwardly extending rotatably supported boom. A tail roller is journaled for rotation at the rearward edge of the flat bed. Hinged side gates are provided on opposite sides of the flat bed. Remotely manually controlled hydraulic actuators are provided for raising and lowering the bed relative to the vehicle frame, for rotating the hoist boom, and for operating the hoist winch.

Abstract: A riding mower chassis frame comprises a pair of identical beams extending along the chassis at its opposite sides. A one-piece channel-shaped member bridges the beams near the rear of the chassis to give the frame rigidity, provide for laterally swingable connection to the frame of a rear axle on which steerable wheels are mounted, and serve as a pan in which movable weights are carried. A platform mounted on the rear of the frame, for carrying interchangeable accessories, is swingable to and from a horizontal load carrying position about a transverse axis at the rear of the frame. An automatically engaging releasable latch on the platform cooperates with another frame member that bridges across the beams.

Abstract: Improvements in a freight vehicle having a cargo space convertible from that suitable for handling piece goods to that suitable for bulk material. A conventional cargo space for piece goods has openings for filling and discharging bulk material. A double-walled inflatable bag having its bottom attached to a rigid support platform is positioned in erected condition to handle bulk material and is movable to a stored position near the roof of the cargo space to allow handling of piece goods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-purpose trailer (24) with a universal mounting hitch (26) for use with a garden tractor (22). The multi-purpose trailer (24) includes two U-shaped front ends (36) having horizontally aligned apertures (40) therein to enable two point pivotal attachment to the garden tractor (22). The trailer (24) is supported above the surface of the ground by a single, pivotal wheel (46) and further includes a trailer box (30) which is pivotal about a substantially horizontal axis proximate the back end of the trailer. The universal mounting hitch (26) includes a U-shaped bracket (151) including two spaced apart vertically extending legs (152) including a plurality of apertures (164) therein. The vertically extending legs (152) are interconnected by a horizontally extending member (154) including a plurality of apertures (158). The apertures (158) enable attachment of the U-shaped bracket (151) to the draw bar of the garden tractor (22).

Abstract: A bale rack comprises an elongate horizontal frame mounted on wheels for movement along the ground, and a pair of bale supports extending along opposite sides of the frame. The bale supports are pivotable relative to the frame between a raised position, in which the bale supports serve to retain bales on the frame, and a load release position, in which the bale supports are downwardly and laterally inclined from the frame to allow a bale to roll from the frame to the ground. Latch mechanisms are provided for releasably retaining the bale supports in the raised positions, and counterweights are provided for urging the bale supports from the lowered positions to the raised positions, thus avoiding the use of springs, hydraulic devices or other relatively complicated mechanisms for this purpose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic self-locking roll back carrier of the type that is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle. The roll back carrier includes a sub-frame and a lift frame pivotably mounted thereto. Movably mounted to the lift frame is a load bed. Operatively interconnected between the sub-frame and lift frame is a pair of hydraulic lift cylinders. Interposed between the hydraulic lift cylinders and lift frame is a locking bar assembly that is movably mounted between longitudinally spaced stops in the lift frame. Secured to the sub-frame and disposed adjacent the locking bar assembly when the lift frame is in a transport position is a locking structure. The locking structure is so positioned with respect to the position occupied by the locking bar assembly when the lift frame is in a transport position that the locking structure effectively overlies the locking bar assembly and locks the lift frame to the sub-frame.

Abstract: A truck bed is releasably attached to a pair of spaced operating arms, which are mounted on the truck frame either to be moved up and down on the frame with arcuate, translational movement about a pair of spaced, parallel shafts that extend transversely of the frame, or to be pivoted at one end about one of the shafts in order to dump a load from the bed. A manually operable selector mechanism is provided, and in one position releasably secures one end of the operating members for pivotal movement about one of the shafts, while at the same time releasably securing the second shaft to the operating members for pivotal movement therewith. In its other position the selector mechanism releases the second shaft from the operating members and secures it against any movement while releasing said one ends of the operating members for translational movement, so that upon operation of an associated drive mechanism the two members are swung with arcuate, translational movement about the shafts.

Abstract: An elevation apparatus for lifting a truck box pivotally mounted on the truck chassis comprises a first main cylinder piston arrangement arranged at the front end of the truck box and a second subsidiary piston/cylinder arrangement provided adjacent the midpoint of the truck box. The secondary piston/cylinder arrangement includes two cylinders, one on either side of the chassis and arranged in the lowered position to lie substantially along the chassis with the piston directly coupled to the truck box and the cylinder coupled directly to the chassis. A latch mechanism for the piston of the main cylinder acts to lock the piston head in position on the chassis when the truck box is lowered and to release the piston head when the truck box is raised so that the piston head moves free from the latch mechanism when the secondary cylinders raise the truck box beyond the extent of the first piston.

Abstract: A safety latch mechanism for extensible strut elements mounted on stationary strut members such as are used for farm dump boxes, said latch mechanism including elongated latch bars pivotally mounted at their upper ends on the extensible strut elements for longitudinal movement therewith, stop lugs respectively fixed to the stationary strut members for respectively engaging the latch bars when said strut elements are in extended position, and a releasing lever pivotally mounted on the lower end of each latch bar, and having a fulcrum positioned to engage the lever to release each latch bar when the dump box is in lowered position to engage the releasing lever.

Abstract: A dump cart is disclosed having a box removably mounted on an axle support and pulled by a drawbar. A latch is mounted on the drawbar to coact with a latch catch on the side of the box. The latch is biased by biasing means such as a spring located within the drawbar where it is protected from damage. The box can have two mounting positions with respect to the drawbar permitting alternate use of the front and back sides for dumping.

Abstract: A carrier for cylindrical bales of hay utilizes a single, elongate, tubular main body member with an axle and wheels mounted thereto for movement and drafting as a trailer. A plurality of bale supporting cradles are mounted along the main body member at intervals. The cradles are rotatable about a vertical axis for selectively carrying the bales with the bale longitudinal axes either longitudinally or transversely aligned to the main body member for loading by various types of equipment. The cradles are also tiltable from side to side of the main body member by a latch extending between the main body member and a cradle pivot structure to allow gravitational force to tilt the cradle and drop the bale onto the ground.

Abstract: A side dump cart useful for carting lengths of pipe and steel in various forms and other items and comprising a frame with wheels, a load-carrying platform tiltably mounted thereon and held from tilting during travel by a latch which is releasable for allowing the platform to tilt for dumping the load. A safety spring maintains the latch in latching position; a guard protects the latch operating surface from accidental engagement forces; a removable catch further prevents the platfrom from tilting; and the guard and catch being released by a separate motion of the operator from the releasing of the latch.

Abstract: The self-propelled load carrying vehicle includes a vehicle framework supported by road wheels, and railroad wheels are mounted on the framework and are movable up and down with respect to the framework for supporting the vehicle from the railroad track. The rear road wheels propel the vehicle along the track. A sub-frame is rotatably mounted on the vehicle framework about an upwardly extending axis, and dump body is pivotally mounted on the sub-frame about an approximately horizontal axis. A conveyor is mounted to the rear end of the sub-frame and rotates with the sub-frame and dump body and receives the load from the dump body when the dump body is tilted and progressively urges the load on beyond the rear opening of the dump body.

Abstract: A high capacity wagon for silage and the like has a gravity-assisted rear inclined dumping wall with high ground clearance in both the full open and all intermediate positions. A simplified positive latch mechanism for the dumping wall is biased in the latching position and easily released by the operator of a towing tractor. The necessity for tilting the entire body of the wagon to completely dump its contents is eliminated.

Abstract: A bodyguide and holddown system for use with dump bodies mounted on vehicles, such as dump trucks and dump trailers. The system has complementary first and second guide and holddown mechanisms or components. One of the components is connected or affixed to the chassis of the dump truck or trailer, with the other component connected to an I-beam support of the dump body. During movement of the dump body from an elevated to a lowered position, the components interact with each other to center the dump body on the chassis. After the dump body has been centered on the chassis, the components interact with each other to releaseably hold the dump body on the chassis and to oppose lateral movement of the dump body with respect to the chassis.

Abstract: A hopper gate mechanism for opening and closing the bottom opening of a hopper containing vehicle. The mechanism typically includes two doors hinged along the longitudinal axis of the associated vehicle and fluid pressure actuated motor means for selectively actuating latching members normally employed to maintain the doors in a closed position.

Abstract: A self acting lock which automatically locks down the dump body of a truck and automatically releases when the body is to be raised. Two pairs of lever arms which are pivoted together cooperate with a single acting hydraulic cylinder to provide a hoist for raising and lowering the dump body. The upper arms are pivoted to the body and the lower arms are pivoted to a pair of links which are in turn pivotally mounted to the truck frame. Each link carries a hook which engages with a keeper rod carried on the upper pair of arms to lock down the body. A leg extending from the upper arms pivots the links in a direction to engage the hooks with the keeper rod in response to lowering of the dump body to the load carrying position. The linkage is arranged such that initial extension of the cylinder pivots the links in a direction to release the hooks from the rod before continued extension of the cylinder raises the dump body in the usual manner.

Abstract: A trailer adapted to carrying a plurality of vehicles, such as snowmobiles, includes a plurality of wheels and a pair of vehicle supporting trailer beds normally disposed in a use position in side-by-side relationship on a frame. Each one of the trailer beds is pivotally mounted on the frame at the rear edge thereof forwardly of the mid-point of the bed to enable it to tilt individually and independently backwardly until its rear edge contacts the ground for loading and unloading purposes and to enable the loaded bed to tilt back to its horizontal use position under the weight of the vehicle supported by it. Bumper devices are disposed on the frame for cushioning the movement of the bed under the weight of the vehicle, and latching devices hold the beds releasably in their horizontal position. Camming devices engage the beds as they move into their use positions for moving the latches to their release position, and spring biasing devices enable the latching devices to return to their holding positions.

Abstract: In a railway hopper car a sliding gate is provided at the discharge opening of the hopper for discharging materials therefrom. The gate comprises a frame supporting a sliding gate member movable from a closed position to an open position by means of a rack and pinion arrangement. The arrangement is actuated by an operating shaft which projects out from opposite ends of the gate and includes operating heads which are adapted to be engaged by a tool for rotating the shaft. A lock arrangement is provided for maintaining the sliding gate in a closed position and includes blocking elements which in the locked position of the gate are disposed over the operating heads to prevent the insertion of a tool unitl the locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked position.

Abstract: A dump truck having a canopy on the dump body which extends over an operator's cab is provided with a latch means for holding the dump body in its lowered transport position and is released only in response to initiating the intentional pivoting of the dump body to its raised position.

Abstract: A trailer vehicle for hauling large cylindrical bales of hay comprises an elongated rectangular frame supported on an axle and wheels. The frame carries a plurality of rectangular frames in which the transverse members are curved in the form of an arc to match that of the bales of hay. The support frames are hinged about a longitudinal axis on sloping transverse support members which are a part of the vehicle frame. In the loaded and traveling position, the support frames are horizontal and are latched to the support members. When the bales are to be unloaded the latch is opening manually and the support frame can then tilt to the side permitting the bale to roll off of the support frame and onto the ground.

Abstract: In a dump truck including a base supporting a dump bucket supported pivotally along one of its upper edges at the upper ends of vertically extending telescoping struts carried by the base, and power devices connected to the top edge of the bucket in transversely spaced relation from its pivotal axis and operable to raise the bucket, whereby the bucket is first raised in a non-tilted position by extension of the struts, and then tilted to a dump position about its pivotal axis, the provision of a locking latch operable to secure the struts releasably in their extended positions, the latch being activated by movement of the bucket away from its horizontal position, and deactivated by the return of the bucket to its horizontal position.

Abstract: A tilt cab automotive vehicle has a latching device comprising a toggle clamp operable to clampingly engage a frame portion of the vehicle with a portion of the tilt cab to restrain the cab from inadvertent tilting during normal vehicle operation. Preferably an assembly utilizing two such devices interconnected by a linkage is provided, and is operable from one side of the vehicle.