Abstract: In one aspect, a boat lift includes a base, a boat support pivotally attached to a given portion of the base, and one or more stabilizers extending from the given portion of the base.

Abstract: An interchangeable platform that encompasses side beams at the sides and at least one support structure, with what the side beams are fastened to each other. Side beams are into sideways direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, at least partially open and closed from up and down and they have an upside-down G-profile. An interchangeable platform encompasses at least one longitudinal guide. The interchangeable platform can be guided by the guide to the transport device, can be locked by side beams to the transport device and load fastening equipment can be fastened to side beams. Additionally a transport device that encompasses side guides.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for securing a wheel to opposed sides of a container carrying frame. A pivoted wheel support arm is secured at a forward pivot end to a pivot pin retained in the frame. A wheel axle assembly is secured at the rear free end of the pivot arm and adapted to connect a wheel thereto and has a shock absorber connecting bracket. A shock absorber connecting member extends above the pivot pin and is pivotally displaceable in facial alignment with a stationary shock absorber connector secured to the frame. A shock absorber is retained captive between the shock absorber connecting member and the stationary shock absorber connector to absorb vertical displacement loads transmitted to the pivotal wheel support arm.

Abstract: A pneumatic drop frame trailer has lateral wheels connected to the frame by pivotal wheel support arms with airbags between the support arms and frame, a pivotal tongue member with an airbag between the tongue and the frame, a deck having an inclined ramp portion at the rear end, and a control box on the deck containing an air compressor, air storage tank, and associated valves and controls. The wheel airbags and tongue airbag can be inflated or deflated while hitched to a vehicle to raise or lower the frame evenly and horizontally relative to the ground and may also be inflated to provide stiffness or shock absorbing characteristics. When the wheel airbags are deflated, the bottom of the frame is disposed substantially horizontally and very close to the ground surface with the ramp portion substantially flush with the ground surface in a loading and unloading position.

Abstract: A trailer that can be lowered to the floor or ground for loading, and after the trailer is loaded, it can be elevated to a height appropriate for transportation. Six elements are required for the taller to operate: a chassis, two axles (torsion bars), four pivoting arms, four hubs with wheels, two hydraulic cylinders, and a manually operated hydraulic or electric pump.

Abstract: A truck includes a chassis 1 supporting a cab 3 and a deck 9 which is supported at least by a rearmost axle 15 and wheels 17. The deck 9 is tiltable relative to the chassis 1 about a pivot axis 27 located in front of the rearmost axle 15 of the truck and arranged such that as the deck 9 tilts rearwardly, the chassis 1 tilts forwardly and the deck 9 lowers towards the rearmost axle. A forward part of a rear suspension arrangement may be operatively connected to the chassis 1 so that the forward part moves upwardly towards the deck 9 as the deck 9 is tilted.

Abstract: A trailer having a front and a rear. The trailer includes a frame constructed to receive a bed and a hitch attached to the frame at the front of the trailer. A tube is pivotally connected to the frame between the front and the rear of the trailer. First and second support arms are connected to the tube. Each wheel support arm has an axle and a wheel located at its distal end. The trailer further includes means for rotating the tube. In one embodiment, the trailer has an inclining feature and a shoe for ground engagement. The shoe is located vertically below a central axis of the tube and longitudinally between the wheels and the front of the trailer. In a second embodiment, the trailer has an inclining and elevating feature. In this second embodiment, the hitch is pivotally connected to the front of the trailer and there is provided means for rotating the tube and rotating the hitch relative to one another to elevate, incline, or decline the bed.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus is described including a vehicle having a front end, a rear end, a left side, a right side, a chassis, and a ground engagement device attached to the chassis for providing movement of the vehicle across ground; an engine constructed for propelling the vehicle; a loader assembly; a hydraulic system constructed for driving the loader assembly; and operator area including a cage for protecting an operator located within the operator area, and controls for controlling movement of the vehicle and for controlling operation of the loader assembly; and a forward tools area extending from the operator seating area to the front end of the vehicle. The material handling apparatus can include an entrance to the operator area through the rear end of the vehicle, a loader assembly that includes a tower that rotates relative to the chassis, and a dump box or work platform provided in the forward tools area. A method for operating a material handling apparatus is provided.

Abstract: This invention in some embodiments includes a mobile compartment system with a first panel member and a second panel member, each with a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, the first edge including a male edge connector and the second edge including a female edge connector; and wherein the male edge connector of a first panel member and a female edge connector of the second panel member are configured to operatively attach together.

Abstract: A load transporting trailer has modular construction with components that are readily separable for quick disassembly into light weight, packable, conventional luggage-sized elements. The trailer includes a pair of lateral frame sections, each including a folding wheel assembly adapted for folding relative to its associated frame section. A central frame section intercouples the lateral frame sections in side-by-side relationship. Alternatively, a pair of rectangular frame sections may be intercoupled with a hinge. A removable deck panel is installed in each frame section and a bike stand may be attached. The trailer includes a tow bar coupled with the frame for connecting the trailer to a towing vehicle. The tow bar folds to form a tripod for supporting the trailer in an upright, parked position. A pair of castered legs is coupled with the aft portion of each frame section to permit rolling of the parked trailer.

Abstract: A method of draining fluid from a self-supporting transportable storage tank having a rear wheel chassis, a rear drain fitting, and a jack assembly at the forward end of the storage tank is disclosed. The forward end of the storage tank is elevated by extending the jack assembly to lift the forward end thereof off the ground. The rear drain fitting is opened to allow fluid to drain from the storage tank. Alternatively, a front drain fitting may be provided, and the storage tank is drained by lowering the rear wheel chassis to lift the rear-end of the storage tank off of the ground, and opening the forward drain fitting.

Abstract: A method of transporting an empty self-supporting storage tank having a rear wheel chassis, a jack assembly and king pin at the forward end of the storage tank, and an intermediate bottom portion supporting the tank on the ground is disclosed. The forward end of the storage tank is elevated to lift the forward end of the intermediate bottom portion thereof off the ground. The king pin of the storage tank is connected to the fifth wheel of a tractor. The rear wheel chassis is lowered to lift the rear end of the intermediate bottom portion of the storage tank to a transporting height above the ground.

Abstract: A fully independent suspension system (20) for a vehicle includes a plurality of components mounted above the bottom side (502) of the frame (500) of the vehicle so that the rear end (508) of the frame (500) may be selectively lowered to the roadway. In a preferred embodiment, the components are mounted on the longitudinal edges (510) and (512) of the frame (500). The suspension system (20) includes raising and lowering components for selectively lowering the rear end (508) of the frame (500) to the roadway, and raising the rear end (508) so that the frame (500) is substantially horizontal. The suspension system (20) retains the frame (500) in a position below the is rolling axis (65) of the wheel (514).

Abstract: A mobile storage tank having a jack system on the front thereof and a rear wheel lift system to facilitate the draining of fluid from the tank and the towing of an empty tank from one job site to another. Recesses are provided in the walls of the storage tank for receiving manholes, fittings and a ladder so that a maximum volumetric dimension can be obtained for the storage tank while still conforming to highway laws regulating the size of trailers. The manholes are positioned at a predetermined height above the ground to allow a person standing on the ground to have access to the interior thereof for cleaning and the like.

Abstract: A motor vehicle for carrying a load over a street has in a preferred embodiment a bottom platform for supporting the load, a frame, disposed above the bottom platform and mounted to it, for providing structural integrity to the vehicle, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the frame, and a door arrangement disposed on a side of the vehicle. In further embodiments, the wheels are retractable, so as to permit the bottom platform to approach the street level to facilitate loading and unloading of the vehicle. Additionally, the door arrangement includes a large doorway and a plurality of doors, each door slidably mounted, and all doors are movable to an open position located near an end of the vehicle to expose the large doorway to facilitate loading and unloading of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a number of retractable supporting wheels. When this vehicle is coupled to a load, the supporting wheels can be lifted off the ground so that a very easily controllable assembly is produced. Through the correct selection of the position of the center of gravity, the wheel pressure on the drive wheels is as great as possible. Due to the fact that the supporting wheels can be raised independently, coupling with a load is facilitated.

Abstract: An improvement in a vehicle such as a mini-van for transporting wheel chair bound people or large and bulky items is disclosed. A mini-van having a rear dropped axle and a door openable to the rear of the mini-van is converted into the improved mini-van. The improved mini-van is able to transport passengers or cargo as do ordinary mini-vans, and in addition may be quickly and easily converted to either simultaneously carry a wheelchair or bulky item and passengers if desired. The improved mini-van has a drop floor, a rear body piece having a cut-out section corresponding to the drop floor, a pivoting ramp for providing access to the drop floor, and a system for lowering the mini-van to make it more accessible to wheelchair bound people or easier to load bulky objects. The improved mini-van also includes a system for securing the wheelchair or bulky item within the mini-van. In addition, a removable covering for the drop floor is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-articulating low load platform trailer longitudinally divided into three load carrying segments; a rear load platform, a front coupling platform, and an inclined transitional platform between the coupling platform and the load platform. The trailer of the invention includes a self-contained power actuated lifting mechanism for the purpose of lowering the nose of the trailer to the ground without articulation of the trailer body to facilitate loading and unloading, and for the purpose of raising the nose of the trailer from the ground. The lifting mechanism includes lever arms configured to increase the vertical component of lifting force exerted by lift actuators, and further includes leverage links disposed between the lift actuators and lever arms for the purpose of further increasing the vertical component of lifting force when the nose of the trailer is near the ground.

Abstract: The universal bale shuttle includes a fram having at least one pair of wheels adapted to rollably carry the frame across terrain. The frame is provided with means capable of raising or lowering the frame in relation to the terrain surface. The frame also includes means for connecting a tractor whereby the frame may be steerably moved behind and to either side of a towing tractor. Pivotally attached to the frame is at least one bale engagement surface adapted to be controllably rotated between a bale disengagement position and a bale engagement position. A bale may be moved about by first steering the shuttle to either side of the tractor and then placing the bale engagement surface in a disengaged position. The shuttle may then be towed to a position where it surrounds a bale to be moved. The frame is then lowered and the bale engagement surface is then placed in an engaged position. Once the bale has been engaged it is lifted from the terrain surface.

Abstract: A three-wheeled freight-carrying vehicle has a platform section with coaxial driving wheels, and a power section at the opposite end driving a steerable single wheel. An operator's platform is provided at the side of the single wheel. The single wheel and the platform section wheels are vertically adjustable with respect to the platform section.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-propelled fully operational loose bulk material slinger in a vehicle equipped to be driven. A slinger and hopper is mounted on a chassis supported by a triangular arrangement of road wheels. Individual powering of two road wheels, one on each side of the chassis, allows self-powered mobility and the road wheels can be steered for directional release of a material being stockpiled. A third small road wheel attached to swivel, balances the vehicle and can be retracted and extended to angle the vehicle for increasing and decreasing trajectory height of material being stockpiled. An engine and a hydraulic system provides mobility and mechanical adjustability to the vehicle. A stand-on control station allows the slinger vehicle according to the invention to be fully controlled by a single operator.

Abstract: A cargo-carrying vehicle including a forward cargo-carrying body; a rearward cargo-carrying body; and an apparatus for locking the forward cargo-carrying body and the rearward cargo-carrying body together so that the forward and rearward cargo-carrying bodies can be backed as one unit. In some embodiments, the apparatus can provide at least three spacings between the forward cargo-carrying body and the rearward cargo-carrying body.

Abstract: A boat cradle for supporting boats, comprising a frame supported on legs and carrying support arms of adjustable length that extend upwards from said frame. According to the invention, the frame is supported on three leg structures.

Abstract: A generally U-shaped frame is formed with a pair of elongated beams, each having a pair of pivotally mounted load-engaging dogs, and with a pair of elongated sleeves, each extending upwardly from the free end of one of the beams. An elongated post is slidably and telescopically mounted in each of the sleeve. Each post is mounted on a wheel-supporting carriage. A hydraulic jack is mounted in each of the telescoping post and sleeve assemblies to raise and lower the frame relative to the base assemblies. Hydraulic motors and lines are provided so that the dogs can be pivoted and the frame raised and lowered by the operator of a fork lift which is attached to a hitch extending from the closed end of the frame.

Abstract: The invention is a trailer suitable for hauling fruit bins or the like, pivotally connected to a hitch and supported by an axle assembly which includes an offset cross shaft. An hydraulically actuated cam assembly rotates the cross shaft so that the rear end of the trailer can be lowered to the ground for easy loading and unloading without raising the forward end. The trailer also has a stop mechanism on its rear end which is actuated by the same cam assembly which rotates the axle, so as to automatically place it in operative position when the trailer is raised.

Abstract: A transport vehicle for a slag pot comprising a vertically movable load surface and two lifting arms for the pot activated by hydraulic cylinders. The lifting arms are connected to a subframe positioned outside the load surface. The lifting arms are connected to the subframe immediately above ground support members. The subframe is pivotally connected to the forward portion of the load surface and rests on the rear portion of the load surface so that when the load surface is lowered, the ground support members are firmly placed against the ground.

Abstract: A self-powered vehicle especially adapted for handling modules of cotton comprising a single frame which serves not only as a chassis frame for the vehicle, but also serves as a conveyor frame. Apparatus is associated with one set of wheels, either the front or rear set, to raise and lower the frame relative to that set of wheels, thus to place one end of the frame closely adjacent the ground or to a pallet on which the module rests. Apparatus also is provided to drive the vehicle and the conveyor in opposite directions whereby the module may be loaded onto the conveyor without substantial translatory movement of the module. Further details include sensors effective to limit downward movement of the loading and unloading end of the frame; and a control cab mounted immediately adjacent the loading and unloading end of the frame and displaced laterally therefrom.