Load-receiving Portion Also Shiftable Longitudinally Patents (Class 414/477)
  • Patent number: 5707203
    Abstract: A truck having a flat body is fitted with a tram to unload burdened pallets. The tram travels on rails and rollers fastened to the truck body. A burdened pallet on the tram is to be unloaded from the truck. A winch pulls the tram rearward and as the tram and load begin to tilt, one or more fixed restraining cables control the tilt. On contact with the ground a restraining pin holding the pallet from proceeding down the grade, automatically retracts allowing the pallet and burden to move down the tram. A flat adjustable spring bears against the pallet, reducing its velocity. The truck is moved forward and the pallet and burden rests on the ground. The tram is retracted into the truck by the winch. The truck driver closes the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Robert A. Richter
  • Patent number: 5678978
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a vehicle mounted rolloff hoist having a tiltable frame. The apparatus provides a releasable hinge connection at the rear ends of a base frame and a rolloff frame enabling the operator to select a pivot point which provides for ground contact. The apparatus also permits the operator, once the tiltable frame is in a substantially horizontal position, to disengage the hinge point and advance the rolloff frame on top of the base frame in a lateral direction, securing the rolloff frame within the base frame. At that point, the hinge connection is reattached, and the rolloff frame is secured within the base frame. The result is an improved method and apparatus of a vehicle mounted tiltable rolloff trailer which provides for optimum load distribution, stability and clearance requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Modern, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Markham
  • Patent number: 5662453
    Abstract: A truck bed lift system is provided that includes elements for positioning a truck bed at a predetermined height and angle. The system has means for sliding the truck bed relative to the truck frame, means for lifting the truck bed, and means for tilting the truck bed about a pivot point. In addition, elements are provided for retracting a bumper guard so that it does not impede a downward tilting movement of the truck bed. Methods are also provided for transferring an object between a loading platform and the truck bed when the truck frame and the loading platform are noncoplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventors: Steven R. Gerstner, Donald D. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5636902
    Abstract: An attachable dumping device is presented which allows for dumping rock, sand, or other materials from a pick-up truck. The device has three main parts, a bin which is attached to a bin frame which in turn is attached to a bottom frame. The bottom frame is bolted to the truck bed and pivots near the tailgate portion of the truck. The bin and bin frame are attached to the bottom frame by means of rollers. The device has a tailgate and latch for loading and unloading the material. In use, one simply opens the tailgate and causes the bin to move along the rollers until the bin is approximately one-half of the way out of the bed of the truck. The bed frame then rotates about its pivot point and the entire device is tilted to dump the material onto the ground. In repositioning the device, the bin is pushed forward until the entire device pivots back to a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Steven A. Norbury
  • Patent number: 5618150
    Abstract: A cargo handling assembly for use in an overland vehicle including a base frame which is capable of being mounted on the floor of the overland vehicle. A pair of extension members is individually borne by the base members. The exterior members are moveable along a predetermined path of travel from a first, stowed position, to a second, deployed position. A pair of carriages is slidably borne by the individual extension members. The carriages are moveable along a path of travel from a first position, where the respective carriages are located in spaced relation relative to the distal end of the respective extension members, to a second position, where the carriages are located near the distal end of the respective extension members. A cargo support assembly having a top end is rotatably connected to each individual extension member at a single pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventor: David A. Poindexter
  • Patent number: 5603600
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading a personal water craft into the bed of a conventional pick-up truck which only requires a single operator. The device includes a support frame mountable to the bed of a pick-up truck which supports at least one telescopic, pivotal ramp assembly. The ramp assembly including first and second sections which are telescoped together so as to extend and form an elongated ramp. The first ramp section is pivotally secured at its rear to the rear of the support frame by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly allows the first and second sections to pivot together and also functions to guide the second ramp section as it slides along a channel in the length of the first ramp section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventors: Gordon Egan, Bob Harris, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5562390
    Abstract: A container handling apparatus for receiving, engaging and releasing exchangeable chassis or sub-frame mounted containers, which may be truck bodies, or the like, capable of readily locking and unlocking a truck body or sub-frame to a supporting chassis is disclosed that is self-contained on the chassis. A truck body or container which may be self-supporting is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Christenson
  • Patent number: 5556249
    Abstract: A cargo loading and unloading system for use with a utility vehicle having a bed includes a movable sled for retaining cargo items, a platform mountable to the bed of the utility vehicle for receiving thereon the sled, a ramp for receiving thereover the sled and for facilitating the moving the sled up onto and down from the platform, and a flexible mechanism interconnecting the platform and the sled for controlling the movement of the sled between the ground and the bed of the utility vehicle. The sled has a base, wheels for moving the sled on a support surface and a pair of spaced apart inner longitudinal members which are disposed between the opposite sides of the base. The platform includes a base and a pair of guide rollers disposed above and mounted to the end of the base at the rear end of the utility vehicle bed. The guide rollers mesh with the inner longitudinal members of the sled for the purpose of guiding the sled between the ramp and the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Daniel M. Heine
  • Patent number: 5542803
    Abstract: A bale picker and stacker is described, including a control cab on a primary frame. The control cab and a steering controller are mounted to the primary frame for movement between a forward position at the frame front end and a rearward position outwardly along side the frame and adjacent the rearward frame end. A steering reverser is connected to the steering controller for reversing steering operation at the forward or rearward positions of the control cab. A lifting bed on the primary frame includes a top bale receiving surface moves between substantially horizontal and vertical positions. A bale pick-up on the lifting bed, includes a leg section and an outwardly projecting platform section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Leland W. Driggs
  • Patent number: 5520494
    Abstract: An extendable boat trailer is comprised of a first length of square tubing secured to a trailer support frame. The first length of square tubing has two apertures therethrough inwardly of an open end portion. A brake light receptacle is secured to an upper portion of the first length of square tubing. The brake light receptacle has a length of wire coupling with a tow vehicle and a trailer's brake lights. A second length of square tubing has three apertures formed therethrough. The second length has a butt plate secured thereto. The second length is adapted to be received within the open end portion of the first length of square tubing with the two apertures thereof selectively aligning with the three apertures of the third length for securement therewith by a fastening device. A trailer hitch is secured to the second length of square tubing. The trailer hitch is adapted for securement to the tow vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Billy W. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5511928
    Abstract: A boat loading device including a first frame secured to a vehicle supporting a second frame selectively extendable to a launch/retrieve position and retractable to a carry position. The device is usable upon a truck or trailer and can be used to carry objects other than boats. The device is easily removed from the vehicle and includes safety devices preventing accidental launch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Robert S. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5454684
    Abstract: An auxiliary mechanism for use with a utility vehicle. The auxiliary mechanism is adapted to be removably installed within the storage area of the utility vehicle and to be movable into and out of the rear or side of the vehicle to a loading and dumping position. Movement of the auxiliary mechanism is under control of a closed loop cable system and dumping is accomplished under control by a screw jack. Stops register the movable portions of the mechanism for stowed, loading, predumping and dumping positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Robin H. Berens
  • Patent number: 5393191
    Abstract: A snowmobile transporting device for mounting in a pick-up truck has a lower support frame adapted to be mounted in the load compartment of a pick-up truck and an upper support frame mounted on the lower support frame and adapted for longitudinal backward and forward movement on the lower frame. A snowmobile carrying platform is pivotally mounted on the upper support frame and this pivotal mounting includes a central pivot connecting the platform to the upper support frame, a circular track formed of a square tubular member fixed to the bottom of the platform and a plurality of lower rollers mounted on the upper support frame and engaging the circular track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: Gordon O. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5352083
    Abstract: A towing truck incorporating both an elevated deck and an improved elevated wheel lift for towing and hauling vehicles is described. The elevated wheel lift comprises rotatable tire braces to aid in smooth loading and firm support of the towed vehicle's tires during towing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventors: Don Roberts, Steve Gerstner
  • Patent number: 5332249
    Abstract: The invention comprises a mobile frame and a floatation frame having a tractor pivotally mounted to its rearward end. Rolling members are mounted along the bottom of the floatation frame and tractor so that they may roll along the mobile frame. The floatation frame has floats along its rearward end and the tractor has a brake member to lock the tractor at a location on the mobile frame with a floatation member connected to the brake member for actuating the brake member when the floatation member is immersed in water by the floatation member floating upward, whereby the mobile frame may be rolled into the water to immerse its rearward end, and the brake member may be released to allow the tractor and floatation frame to roll rearward on the mobile frame into the water until the floatation member of the brake member is immersed and floats upward to lock the brake member, thereby locking the floatation frame and tractor rearward on the mobile frame with the rear end of the floatation frame afloat on the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventors: Dean C. Solberg, Dennis W. Eklund
  • Patent number: 5249909
    Abstract: A towing truck incorporating both an elevated deck and a stinger for towing and hauling vehicles. Both are hydraulically operated with the deck sliding along a pair of oppositely spaced rails which are pivotally secured to the framework of the truck. A locking assembly is disclosed which engages the deck's substructure, thereby restraining the deck in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Inventors: Don Roberts, Steve Gerstner
  • Patent number: 5246330
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively positioning containers upon a trailer includes a main frame with a stationary upper frame and a pivotally movable hoisting frame. The pivotally movable frame is adapted to be movable between a lower position and a raised position to facilitate loading. A carriage is movable between the front portion of the movable hoisting frame and the stationary upper frame. This carriage controls movement of the containers upon and from the first container station on the stationary upper frame and the second container station on the movable hoisting frame. A primary winch is mounted with respect to the movable hoisting frame and includes a cable means extending about a sheave rotatably mounted on the carriage. An auxiliary movement device is positioned adjacent the front end of the vehicle body to facilitate movement of the container from the second station to the first station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Automated Waste Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lazar Marmur, Edward Kaplun
  • Patent number: 5203667
    Abstract: A cargo truck has a lift frame which is mounted on a chassis thereof in a tiltable and slidable manner and has on a back end of the lift frame a curved member which curves downward. The lift frame is tilted so that a back end of the lift frame descends while the lift frame is slid to the rear with respect to the chassis. Thus, the curved member of the lift frame contacts the ground. Then, a body is slid along the lift frame backward by a body drive device, a front of the body is slid along the curved member at a back of the lift frame and lowered, and the body is lowered in an approximately level manner to the ground. Then freight is loaded onto the body lowered level to the ground and is tied down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Kyokuto Kaihatsu Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yoneda, Takashi Asakura
  • Patent number: 5193968
    Abstract: A pull trailer dump truck assembly (10) is disclosed which uses a dump truck (12), a trailer (18) and an improved locking mechanism (24). The locking mechanism (24) includes at least one pair of cooperating locking wedges (54, 56) mounted on the trailer body (22) and the trailer frame (20) which move into wedging engagement when the trailer body is moved into the secured, traveling position on the trailer frame. A self-locking pintle hook (60) can be mounted on the frame to automatically lock with a pintle eye (58) as the wedge members move into wedging engagement to secure the trailer body (22) on the trailer frame (20). A power cylinder (66) can also be provided to move a locking wedge member (64) on the trailer frame and a locking wedge member (62) on the trailer body into locking wedged engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: W. Glenn Hicks
  • Patent number: 5192189
    Abstract: A car carrier truck has a truck body with a chassis and a dump frame pivotably disposed on the chassis. The dump frame includes longitudinally extending beams having top and bottom surfaces. A tilting device is connected between the chassis and the dump frame, and a load carrier platform is slidably mounted on the dump frame. The load carrier platform includes longitudinally extending main girders which have upper, lower and side surfaces. The main girders are slidably engaged with the beams of the dump frame. A slide device is connected between the dump frame and the load carrying platform for sliding the load carrying platform on the dump frame. Moving pads slidable on the beams of the dump frame are fixed to the main girders at longitudinally forward positions on the main girders. The moving pads slidably engage the beams of the dump frame. The fixed pads are longitudinally aligned on and fixed to the top surfaces of the beams of the dump frame at intervals along the beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Kyokuto Kaikatsu Kogyo Co., Ltd.,
    Inventors: Masaichi Murata, Hiroaki Kuriyama, Yoshiyuki Maeda, Megumi Yamashita, Kouzou Ueda
  • Patent number: 5184913
    Abstract: A launching and lift assembly for small watercraft such as a jet ski comprises a skid cradle for seating the watercraft thereon for sliding movement off an end thereof. The skid cradle is mounted on a dock for rolling movement thereon forwardly over a launching edge thereof on a rear caster and on a pair of forward support rollers secured to the dock at its launching edge, for downward tilting of the skid cradle on the support rollers over the launching edge to cause the watercraft to slide downwardly off the tilted skid cradle and into the water when the skid cradle and seated watercraft are rolled forwardly on the dock to a position wherein their center of gravity is located forwardly of the support rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: The Louis Berkman Company
    Inventor: Jon D. Meriwether
  • Patent number: 5183282
    Abstract: An improvement over my launcher/retriever cradle for trailered boats and my trailered boat cradle is accomplished by combining a cradle governor with the invention, the cradle governor replacing the old telescoping push/pull rod member of the invention. The cradle governor is a "break-back", fold up/out cradle launching/retrieving device. This new governor is essentially constructed of two hinged sections of rigid elongate material, a rearmost end of one of the .sections being pivotally connected to the keel support platform member of the invention. An elongated extensible governor lift is pivotally connected to the forward end of the remaining governor section and the other end of the governor lift is pivotally connected at a forward location upon the trailer. Winching the cradle onto the trailer, the retriever cable associated with the winch being connected to the governor, causes the governor lift to fold the forward hinged section of the governor even beyond an up-right position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: George M. Smyly, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5183371
    Abstract: An extendable rolloff trailer is shown which includes a main frame having rear wheel assembly for supporting the trailer for movement over a surrounding terrain. The trailer also includes an extendable frame having a rear portion which is telescopingly engaged by the main trailer frame and having a front portion which is engaged with a tractor for pulling the trailer. A tilt frame is mounted on an upper surface of the main trailer frame and has an upper support surface for supporting a load bearing container. By locking the front end of the container to the extendable frame, the frame can be extended to redistribute the container load toward the center of the extended trailer. The trailer tilt frame can also be pivoted to tilt the associated container about a pivot to discharge the container load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Inventor: Harold W. O'Daniel
  • Patent number: 5137414
    Abstract: An improved translatable tilt-bed trailer has an elongated support bed which is rollingly mounted on the top side of a dual axle, wheeled undercarriage provided with a manually operable mechanical brake system and a front-to-rear spring equalizing system. The front end of the support bed is provided with a lockable, articulated tongue portion connectable to the hitch ball of a towing vehicle. To load an item onto the support bed, the mechanical trailer brakes are locked; the articulated tongue, and a pair of support bed retaining pins, are unlocked; and the towing vehicle is backed toward the stationary undercarriage to rearwardly move and downwardly tilt the bed. As the rear end of the tilting bed touches the ground, a pair of front stops on the bed engage the undercarriage frame and stop the rearward movement of the bed. The item to be loaded is then moved up the inclined bed and suitably secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventors: Wesley S. Sloan, Marvin D. Sloan
  • Patent number: 5133633
    Abstract: An improved roll-back apparatus is disclosed having a deck with a sloping portion at a rearward end which contacts the ground to provide both a low approach angle, and a large support area, for initially receiving the weight of a vehicle to be transported. Slidable slide pads are disposed between the deck and a subframe which slidably supports the deck. The slidable slide pads extend the life of the slide pads, along with reducing the amount of required slide pad material necessary to support the deck upon the subframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Jerr-Dan Corp.
    Inventor: Francis S. Grata
  • Patent number: 5113548
    Abstract: A street sweeper which includes a frame, a hopper, a cab and a centrifugal separator on opposite sides of the hopper, a mechanism for moving the hopper from a position behind the cab to a position above and forward of the cab for dumping debris from the hopper, the hopper moving mechanism including a pair of first and second relatively extendable and retractable members, each of the first members being connected to the hopper and each of the second members being connected to the frame, a rotator carrying a slider, and a mechanism for pivoting each rotator which through its associated slider elevates the extendable and retractable members to permit movement of the hopper above and along the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Tymco, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary B. Young, Albert L. Hanel, Kenneth R. Veselka
  • Patent number: 5092623
    Abstract: A trailer is provided having a frame (2) upon which a bed (3) slides. The frame (2) has a wheel and axle assembly (1) and (5) disposed thereon which is connected thereto by a spring hanger assembly (6). The spring hanger assembly (6) is comprised of a spring and axle assembly (17). A tongue and coupling (7) is provided for connecting one end of the bed (3) to a vehicle. The bed (3) slides relative to the frame (2) when the wheels (5) are locked and the tongue assembly (7) pushed rearward. The bed (9) tilts when the rearmost portion moves the center of gravity away from the wheels (5). The end of the bed (3) will contact the ground, allowing loading on the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Inventor: Melvin B. Swanner
  • Patent number: 5069507
    Abstract: A dumping trailer wherein the cargo carrying surface of the trailer is movably mounted relative to the bed frame of the trailer. A cargo carrying surface is to be movable from the bed frame to an initially raised position while still being maintained substantially parallel to the bed frame. From this initially raised position, the cargo carrying surface is to be inclined to facilitate dumping of any cargo from the rear end of the trailer. When the cargo carrying surface is in the raised position, a locking mechanism is activated which holds the rear portion of the cargo carrying surface in this raised position as the cargo carrying surface is inclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Inventor: Vurness T. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 5044865
    Abstract: A vehicle trailer assembly is disclosed having a roll back frame for transport of a vehicle. A squat mechanism allows the roll back frame to define a smaller approach angle than normal with respect to the ground when in a loading position. The squat mechanism is self-actuated by movement of the roll back frame to the loading position and is self-releasing by return of the roll back frame to a transport position. The squat mechanism consists of a two bar mechanical linkage that compresses a spring which supports a main frame. By compressing the spring, the main frame is vertically lowered and the roll back frame, which pivots with respect to the main frame moves downwardly through a lesser distance. This lessens the approach angle to the roll back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Jerr-Dan Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Baer, Francis S. Grata
  • Patent number: 5006033
    Abstract: A carrier vehicle, for carrying at least one vehicle on a carrier bed which is slidable and tiltable relative to the carrier vehicle's frame, includes a tilt lock-out arrangement for preventing actuation of the carrier vehicle's tilt cylinders whenever the moveable carrier bed is locked in a stowed, or vehicle carrying position. The lock-out arrangement features a contactless sensor element which determines the slidable position of the movable carrier bed and inhibits hydraulic activation of the tilt cylinders to raise or lower the carrier bed unless the carrier bed has first been slid rearwardly to clear a mechanical hold-down element. Similarly, the contactless sensor element inhibits hydraulic actuation of the tilt cylinder to lower the carrier bed unless the bed has cleared the hold-down element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Century Wrecker Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph E. McConnell
  • Patent number: 5004260
    Abstract: A boat cradle is pushed from, and pulled onto, the bed of a combined trailer by launcher and retriever cabling in combination with a reversible drum winch and a telescoping push/pull rod. Longitudinal alignment of the cradle with the bed of the trailer is maintained by a folding stabilizer assembly. If desired, a telescoping stabilizer is substituted for the folding stabilizer component of the stabilizer assembly. The cradle has a buoyant multi-wheeled boat keel support platform and hand rails. A cradled vessel is weather protected by placing conventional light weight covered framing over the cradle. Alternatively, the vessel is protected by having an enclosure installed over the combined trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: George M. Smyly, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4946332
    Abstract: A trailer capable of carrying a boat and vehicle in a dual load mode of operation wherein the boat is mounted rearwardly of the vehicle in an inclined position with the bow of the boat above portions of the vehicle being carried. The trailer is also convertible into a single load mode of operation wherein the boat is carried low in a conventional orientation by lowering a supporting boat carriage into a collapsed position near the frame of the trailer. The trailer is provided with a boat carriage which is connected to the frame of the trailer and supported by a lifting mechanism which causes the boat carriage and any supported boat to shift rearwardly when they are moved from the collapsed position into the extended raised position. This rearward movement automatically shifts the weight of the boat carriage and any supported boat rearwardly to counteract the loading associated with a vehicle on forward portions of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Inventor: Lewis D. Daniels
  • Patent number: 4929142
    Abstract: A subframe structure for a tilting bed vehicle carrier. The subframe structure has an attached wheel lift and the subframe is pivotally mounted on the chassis of a towing vehicle. The subframe structure includes pivotally mounted strut members for load distribution within the subframe. The load which is distributed by the strut members tends to counteract the bending and torsion forces imposed upon the subframe structure by the towed vehicle on the rear wheel lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Chevron, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald R. Nespor
  • Patent number: 4865339
    Abstract: A hand truck includes a carrying device connected to a wheel arrangement for transporting a load on a first support surface. The wheel arrangement is slidably displaceable with respect to the carrying device and can be selectively secured in a locked position when moving the hand truck on the first support surface. The carrying device including the load is transferable to a second elevated support surface when the wheel arrangement is slid toward a handle end of the carrying device. The wheel arrangement may be removed from the carrying device or alternatively pivoted for placement on the second support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Carl Englund
    Inventors: Bo Rundborg, Risto Luoto
  • Patent number: 4813841
    Abstract: A vehicle carrier features a tiltable vehicle bed which, when a vehicle is driven rearwardly on the bed, both tilts upwardly at its front end and slides rearwardly to the ground so that the vehicle can be unloaded, the bed thereby making a less abrupt angle with the ground for facilitating unloading and loading of the vehicle. When a vehicle is driven onto the tilted bed, the latter both tilts downwardly at its front end and slides forwardly. All the foregoing is accomplished automatically by the vehicle itself without the need of any additional form of power to tilt or slide the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Inventor: Edwin E. Eischen
  • Patent number: 4778327
    Abstract: A truck-mounted lifting mechanism is provided for loading containers, such as waste bins, on a truck so that the container can be positioned where its weight will be reasonably distributed between the front and rear wheels. The lifting mechanism includes a track extending along the length of the truck bed, a tray which can be moved along the length of the track while being restrained by the track from any vertical displacement, and a jack-up assembly attached to and supported by the movable tray. A pair of hydraulic cylinders attached between the tray and the jack-up assembly permit the controlled forward tilting of the jack-up assembly toward the truck cab. In use, the jack-up assembly is utilized to securely grasp the container to be loaded, and lift it vertically until the container bottom is above the upper surface of the truck bed. In this elevated position, the tray can be pulled by another hydraulic ram toward the truck cab to position the container over the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Western Waste Industries
    Inventors: Ralph S. Tufenkian, Raul S. Caballero
  • Patent number: 4770592
    Abstract: A truck having a deck unit pivotally connected to the rearward end of a truck chassis rearwardly of the rear wheels, expansible power mechanism connected to the forward end of the deck unit and operable to elevate it to dispose the unit at an acute angle to the horizontal for loading a vehicle onto the deck unit when the rearward end thereof is substantially in engagement with a pavement surface or the like; the improvement comprising a latch mechanism pivotally connected at one end to the deck unit and the other end pivotally interconnectible to the rear wheels, whereby as the power mechanism is expanded to tilt the deck unit as above described, continued expansion operates to compress the conventional springs by which the rear wheels are connected to the chassis and thereby lowers the rearward end of the chassis and, accordingly, lowers the pivot which connects the deck unit to the rear end of the chassis and thereby further decreases the acute angle of the deck unit to the horizontal to facilitate loading
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Charles M. Winter
  • Patent number: 4758128
    Abstract: A carrier vehicle for transporting disabled cars has a support platform including a support deck between a pair of side boards, the deck being formed from a number of extruded aluminum panels and the side boards each being an aluminum extrusion. The panels are interconnected together by integral locking connectors at corresponding ends and have feet at the end of downwardly depending legs which are supported at the lateral sides by lips on the side boards which together with an upper lip forms a recess for receiving the sides of the deck panels. The construction interconnects the panels together and with the side boards to limit or preclude relative vertical movement thereby providing a strong load bearing structure and minimizing the number of welds required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Holmes International Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Law
  • Patent number: 4756658
    Abstract: A carrier vehicle for carrying at least one car or the like on a platform slidable and tiltable relative to a fixed bed includes hold-down devices for locking the platform against tilting when the platform is in a rest position in the forward end of the bed. Hydraulic cylinders selectively slide the platform and tilt the platform by separate control rods which are manually actuated. The vehicle includes a safety device for preventing tilting of the platform when the platform is locked by the hold-down devices so as not to break the hold-down devices and for preventing the platform from tilting downwardly onto the hold-down devices when the platform has been slid forwardly but not tilted completely for locking by the hold-down devices. The safety device includes a cam plate fixed to the control rod which effects tilting and a stop plate fastened to a rail forming a portion of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Holmes International Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon S. Moore, Kenneth A. Law
  • Patent number: 4750856
    Abstract: A car carrier having a bed linked to the frame of a truck for movement from a horizontal position on the frame to a tilted car loading or unloading position in a single motion entailing simultaneous upward-rearward movement of the front end of the bed and downward-rearward movement of the rear end of the bed to ground-engaging position. The terminal portion of the tilting movement of the bed automatically compresses the rear springs between the frame and rear axle. The car carrier also has a wheel lift assembly including yokes on a rearwardly extending boom which are lowered to engage and lift the front on rear wheels of a second car responsive to partial tilting of the bed and to return of the bed to horizontal position. The boom and yokes are retracted forwardly to be disposed underneath the rear portion of the bed during loading and unloading of a first car onto or from the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Inventor: Risto J. Lapiolahti
  • Patent number: 4741575
    Abstract: A pneumatically actuated dumping bin for a cargo bed of a vehicle includes a floor, a left side wall, a right side wall and a rear wall. The pneumatic piston and cylinder is pivotably connected only to the bin at the rear wall portion with the cylinder being substantially vertical when the bin is horizontal. Compressed air selectively actuates the piston and cylinder to raise the bin at the rear wall portion when the bin substantially overhangs a rear end of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventor: Curtis R. Sloan
  • Patent number: 4715767
    Abstract: A motor-driven garbage truck provided with a detachable garbage container equipped with releasable coupling elements, and also having permanently mounted thereon which includes a pouring chute in the forward portion, lifting and tipping apparatus for picking up a garbage can and discharging the contents thereof into the chute leading to a receiving space, and a conveying and compacting apparatus for transferring the garbage from the receiving space into the container through the receiving opening, which is provided with a closure is disclosed. The pouring unit is disposed in part above the driver's cab and in part between the cab and the container, the chute being disposed in a region extending behind and above the cab. The lifting and tipping apparatus includes at least one lifting arm, pivotally movable about a transverse pivot carried by the pouring unit or the chassis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Edelhoff Polytechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gustav D. Edelhoff, Fred I. Smith
  • Patent number: 4702662
    Abstract: A utility trailer especially suited for transporting an automobile having a vehicle carriage that is reciprocally moveable to longitudinally and tiltable relative to the trailer frame to provide a shallow ramp for loading and unloading the vehicle. The trailer includes a self contained gasoline powered engine for driving a hydraulic fluid actuated system for controlling the position of the moveable carriage and a winch. The trailer includes a stop bar to prevent movement of the trailer during loading and unloading. The carriage is a rigid flat platform connected to an auxiliary frame that is pivotally connected to the main trailer frame. The carriage can be moved parallel to the auxiliary frame by the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Inventor: Lloyd D. Marlett
  • Patent number: 4673328
    Abstract: A lift/tilt-bed trailer. Apparatus is described for either raising from or lowering to the ground a trailer bed in a single step while maintaining a substantially horizontal attitude relative thereto, or for tilting the trailer bed which is normally positioned parallel to the ground when the trailer is in its traveling mode for the purpose of loading or unloading the bed without substantial change in the orientation of the trailer "U"-frame in which the bed is located. Four pivotable tracks attached to the frame and corresponding roller wheels attached to the bed cooperate to achieve the desired motion. Since the trailer need not be detached from whatever device is used to move it about when it is to be loaded or unloaded, increased stability results with consequent reduction in risk to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Inventor: J. Michael Shiels
  • Patent number: 4655671
    Abstract: The invention describes a road trailer which functions in a way similar to a mobile slipway whereby a craft may be moved into and from a body of water along a ramp on a wheeled cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Inventor: Stephen C. Pratt
  • Patent number: 4647110
    Abstract: A cargo retaining and dumping device for mounting to a load-bearing platform is disclosed, comprising a cargo bin slidably mounted through a retaining guide connection to a track which is bifurcated in the lengthwise direction, the rearmost portion of which is upwardly pivotable about its rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Inventor: David J. McKee
  • Patent number: 4626162
    Abstract: An extendable boat trailer has a wheeled chassis adapted to be secured to a towing vehicle, and a boat supporting cradle movable rearwardly and forwardly on the chassis. The cradle includes a rear section which is engaged by a low friction conveyor in the form of rollers on the chassis for guiding the rearward and forward movement on the chassis, and a forward section extending upwardly and forwardly relative to the rear section. The forward section includes retaining members thereon that are cooperable with rollers on the chassis for engaging the rollers on the chassis when the cradle has been fully extended. A removable towing hitch is separable from the trailer, and the trailer includes only one winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Inventor: Vincent Parisi
  • Patent number: 4621972
    Abstract: A silo mover apparatus comprising a main frame that is movable across the ground on a plurality of support wheels, and which has a subframe pivotallymounted thereon adjacent one end. The subframe can be raised about the pivot to a substantially vertical position through the use of hydraulic cylinders, stabilized in position adjacent to a silo to be moved, clamped to the silo by straps, after the silo has been suitably reinforced, and then the silo can be lifted and tilted downwardly with the subframe to rest on the main frame for transport to a new location. At the new location the silo is then raised by raising the subframe about its pivot, to place the silo onto the desired platform, after which the members that clamp the silo and subframe together are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Inventor: Walter D. Grotte
  • Patent number: 4568235
    Abstract: A low-angle tilt trailer comprising a forward frame section which is adapted to be connected to a prime mover and having a rear frame section selectively longitudinally slidably mounted thereon. A wheel assembly is mounted at the rearward end of the rear frame section. A hydraulic cylinder interconnects the forward frame section and the rear frame section to enable the rear frame section and the wheel assembly mounted thereon to be moved between rearward and forward positions relative to the front prime section. The trailer bed is pivotally connected to the rear frame section to enable the trailer bed to be tilted so that the rearward end of the trailer bed can be brought into ground engagement. The rear frame section may be moved forwardly relative to the front frame section and the trailer bed tilted upwardly to approximately an 81/2.degree. angle to facilitate the loading and unloading of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Dakota Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Bills, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4470746
    Abstract: The trailer includes a frame with two rolling tracks placed on either side of the frame, a rear portion of the frame having at least one bearing in which a pinion can rotate as driven by a reducing mechanism. The pinion cooperates with a rack fixed underneath a mobile plate resting normally on the rolling tracks and adapted for swivelling on the rear of the frame. The mobile plate has a front portion provided with a winch for pulling a vehicle with a cable onto the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Inventor: Marcel J. C. Delachapelle