Abstract: A roll-off hoist includes a trailer main frame having a forward end defining a first pair of tracks and having a rearward end; a roll-off hoist frame hingedly connected at its rearward end to the rearward end of the main frame to pivot between a horizontal transport position and a rearwardly inclined loading position, the hoist frame adapted to receive a container directly atop and adjacent thereto, the hoist frame defining a second pair of tracks which align with the first pair of tracks when the hoist frame is in the horizontal transport position; a trolley mounted to slide within the first and second pair of tracks; trolley stop means mounted on the trolley for engagement with coacting container stop means on a container; a cable which apparatus anchored to the hoist frame and adapted to pull the container onto the hoist frame; and actuator means interposed between the trolley and the hoist frame for moving the trolley within the first and second pairs of tracks and moving a container connected to the trol

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.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted roll-off hoist having a main hoist frame pivotally mounted at its rearward end to a vehicle such as a semi-trailer or truck, and including a pair of hydraulic lift actuators adapted to move the main hoist frame between a horizontal position and a rearwardly inclined position. A hydraulic actuator apparatus is provided for pulling a container onto the main frame of the hoist or setting off the container from the hoist. An extensible and retractable stop carriage is slidably connected to the forward end portion of the hoist main frame. Hydraulic actuator and locking elements are associated with the stop carriage for placing the container in the optimum position for transport on the vehicle. The hoist is capable of handling containers of both the outside rail and the inside rail type.

Abstract: A transport vehicle mounted roll-off hoist having a main frame pivotally mounted on the rearward end of a vehicle such as a semi-trailer or truck, including a pair of hydraulic lift actuators adapted to move the main frame of the hoist between a horizontal position and a rearwardly inclined position. A hydraulic actuator winch is provided for lifting a container onto the main frame of the hoist or setting off the container from the hoist. An extensible and retractable stop carriage is telescopically connected to the forward end portion of the hoist main frame. Hydraulic actuator and locking means are associated with the stop carriage for placing the container in the optimum position for transport on the vehicle. The hoist is capable of handling containers of both the outside rail and the inside rail type.

Abstract: In an automobile tow truck, the towing bed of the present invention includes a concave floor having a radius of curvature of 50 feet. Channel beam segments are welded to the lateral edges of the concave floor. The lower flange of the beam segments terminates slightly beyond the mid-line of the concave floor. The central web of the beam segments spans between the beam flanges, but is trimmed to match the curvature of the curved floor beyond the point of termination of the lower flange. A vertical plate is welded at the front edges of the concave floor and the channel beam segments. A triangular plate is welded at each side of the towing bed to the upper flange of the channel beam segments, the vertical plate and the concave floor. An additional section of metal plate is welded to the underside of the concave floor at the rear approach edge of the towing bed to add strength and durability.

Abstract: A container chassis is supported at one end by a movable bogie unit or "slider" mounted below it, and has a sliding bolster unit mounted above it to accommodate a heavy twenty foot cargo container. Retractable roller mechanisms on the bogie unit and on the bolster unit are urged against the chassis to permit easy placement of a unit at a desired position along the chassis, and a releasable coupling between the slider and the bolster allows the bolster to be moved along the chassis by the slider. Protocols are described for moving a container between a first position centered on the chassis and a second position flush with the rear of the chassis. In a preferred embodiment, the front portion of the chassis is elevated with respect to the rear portion, so that the bolster slides along a region lower than the front. With the bolster in its rearmost position, the chassis accommodates a forty foot container.

Abstract: A self-loading vehicle is equipped with a carriage movably mounted on a frame. The carriage may contain a plurality of different types of gripping structure in order to adapt the self-loading vehicle to accommodate the loading and unloading of different types of containers. The carriage may be moved on the frame by cables. The carriage includes a gripping structure in the form of a positionable tube carrying coupling members on opposite ends therefor adapted to engage slot-like castings in opposite corners of the containers. In addition, the carriage may also have gripping structure removably mounted thereon in the forms of hooks, lugs, eyes or rings which are adapted to engage cooperating structure on the container to be loaded and/or unloaded.

Abstract: A vehicle transporting apparatus of the car carrier variety is provided with a platform that is pivotally mounted to the chassis of the transporting vehicle at a location forward of the centerline of the vehicle's rear wheels and above the chassis. A powered actuator is employed for pivotally moving the platform to either forwardly inclined or rearwardly inclined positions. A rearwardly projecting wheel lift boom is also pivotally mounted to the chassis below the platform and is capable of supporting a vehicle to be transported at least partially beneath the platform.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for simplifying the launching and retrieval of a boat from its trailer is provided. The apparatus includes a longitudinal body, an electrical or manual winch, a coupler for mounting to the trailer hitch ball on the towing vehicle, a trailer hitch ball for coupling the boat trailer to the apparatus and a locking assembly to secure the apparatus to the boat trailer structure.

Abstract: A structure for buckling the frames of a two-sectioned, centrally articulated truck chassis has a pair of links swingably mounted on the front frame and pivotally connected to a piston and cylinder power assembly carried by the rear frame. Additionally, a control member in overlying, vertical alignment with the piston and cylinder assembly swingably connects the links to the rear frame. As the piston is actuated, the force directly bears on the links, causing the latter to swing and simultaneously move the control member, causing the frames to move upwardly and spread while tilting about their articulation. The entire force presented by the rear mounted cylinder and piston assembly bears directly on the opposite, front frame such that a minimum amount of power is required to effect the tilting. Also, the vertical alignment of the piston and cylinder with the control member reduces bending and bowing stresses in the structure.

Abstract: A roll-off hoist is mounted onto a vehicle to swing about a pivot at the aft end of the vehicle while the hoist moves along a slide plate supported by the pivot. A piston and cylinder assembly is coupled between the slide plate and the aft end of the hoist rails. As the hoist rails jut from the rear of the vehicle chassis, other piston and cylinder assemblies cause the forward portion of the hoist rails to swing above the chassis. The aft end portion of the hoist rails descends to ground level to receive the forward portion of a roll-off container which is drawn onto the hoist rails by a powerful winch. The piston and cylinder assemblies connected to the forward portion of the hoist rails are used to swing the hoist rails about the pivot while the piston and cylinder assembly in the rear portion of the hoist rails is inoperative to thereby elevate a container with the forward portion thereof extending high above ground level for dumping material in the container from an opening at the aft portion thereof.

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.

Abstract: An improved car carrier of the type including a service vehicle having front and rear wheels, a frame, axle springs, and a displaceable platform is disclosed having structure for pivoting and sliding the displaceable platform along a specified path, and a support foot assembly capable of supporting the load on the displaceable platform during a predetermined interval, when the displaceable platform is displaced from a transport position to a load position. The displaceable platform is itself of angled configuration for ramping of a first car to be carried and for aft attachment and clearance of a second car to be towed.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling and transporting a load including at least one container or the like, such as between a ro/ro vessel and a terminal, include load transporting apparatus including a frame assembly having at least two members which are telescopically displaceable with respect to each other, power apparatus and a traction-providing and steering wheel assembly mounted on a first one of the frame members. The load transporting apparatus are provided with load handling apparatus for taking-up the load from and then depositing the load on the ground surface. The handling apparatus include at least one load lifting device mounted on the first one of the frame members and at least one moveable bogie assembly mounted on a second one of the frame members which is longitudinally displaceable with respect to the first frame member. The bogie assembly can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A vehicle for loading and transporting heavyweight objects, in particular automotive vehicles, comprises an undercarriage, a loading bridge mounted directly on the undercarriage both longitudinally shiftable and tiltable about the rear portion thereof, and at least one power device engaging, preferably in the vicinity of, the front end of the loading bridge and on the other hand, preferably in the vicinity of, the rear portion of the vehicle undercarriage determining the mutual spacing thereof. The power device is alterable in its length. At least one pivot lever is guided at one end with a slide member in a bridge-stationary slide track and is mounted at its other end pivotally in a fulcrum underneath the effective line of the power device, behind the slide member as viewed in relationship to the direction of travel, at the vehicle undercarriage. The slide track at the front has an abutment which by an engagement with the slide member limits the lengthwise extension of the loading bridge.

Abstract: A front wheel drive vehicle having a bed supported by the rear wheels of the vehicle by a pair of jacks. The jacks cause lowering of the bed rear end to rest on the road surface for embarkation of a disabled vehicle on the bed.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading, unloading and stacking hay bales utilizing a load carrying vehicle with an elevatable and tiltable bed and a powdered headboard or pusher means mounted on the bed capable of traversing the length of the bed; and an independently powdered tine structure generally coextensive with but longer than the bed and extendable to protrude beyond the end of the bed an extent generally equal to the bed length and being supported cantilever fashion by the bed.

Abstract: A standard truck chassis has a common support on the rear end of its main frame for a lower extensible and retractable vehicle deck and for a lower deck stabilizer unit which is also employed to tilt the lower deck following its rearward extension. Another support rising from the chassis main frame behind the truck cab pivotally supports the forward end of an upper vehicle deck positioned over the lower deck and the rear end of an over-cab vehicle deck. Power devices are provided to tilt the upper vehicle deck and the over-cab deck at proper times during vehicle loading and unloading operations. Three vehicles can be carried bodily on the three decks of the transporter and a fourth vehicle can be towed by the stabilizer unit.

Abstract: A feed channel for elongated workpieces including a plurality of adjustable workpiece receiving openings. Each opening is formed by a plurality of profiled segments including a fixed segment and at least one movable segment. The movable segments are movable to expose the openings for lateral introduction thereinto of an elongated workpiece. The movable segments are then moved to reduce the size of the openings and engage the workpiece for at least partially straightening same. The movable segments are then moved to increase the size of the openings for providing longitudinal and rotational movement of the workpiece relative to the openings. Workpieces are smoothly carried into the feed channel instead of being rolled or dropped thereinto. The fixed segments are positioned and profiled for locating the longitudinal axes of various diameter workpieces in the same plane.