Abstract: There is disclosed a feeding device (10) for dispensing bales of material from a vehicle. The feeding device (10) includes a body (12) having a surface for receiving a plurality of said bales thereon. The surface has a first end (12a) and a second end (12b) and is configured such that the plurality of bales are arranged in at least one row extending at least partially between the first and second ends (12a, 12b). A pusher (18) is slidably mounted to the surface and moveable between a first position proximal the first end (12a) and a second position proximal the second end (12b). A driving mechanism is provided and is controllable to move the pusher (18) between the first and second positions. Such movement of the pusher (18) from the first position to the second position applies a pushing force to the bales arranged in at least one row such that the bales in that row are progressively dispensed from said second end (12b) of the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading and feeding hay bales including a transport vehicle having a flatbed and a tiltable support frame mounted to the flatbed for carrying a stack of bales. A hoist is used to tilt the support frame from a horizontal hay bale transport position to a vertical position against a bale stack for picking up a bale stack. Squeeze arms are used to secure the bale stack to the support frame. An endless chain on the support frame is used to selectively move the bales forwardly. A flaker is mounted at a forward end of the flatbed for receiving a bale advanced thereon and selectively flaking off portions of the bale. A tipping apparatus is provided for selectively tipping a bale advanced by the endless chain from the support frame onto the flaker.

Abstract: An extension plate assembly for dumping debris into a dump box from a storage tank mounted on a trunk. The storage tank is fitted with a pusher plate that both compacts and pushes debris out of the back of the storage tank. The extension plate apparatus includes extension arms that are rotatably attached on one end to the pusher plate and rotatably attached on the other end to an extension plate. When the pusher plate is in its rearward most position, the extension arms extend beyond the edge of the storage tank. The extension plate assembly allows debris to be pushed out of the storage tank and distributed more evenly into a dump box.

Abstract: A floor constituted by a flexible belt (23), resting on the upper surface of a loadbearing base, has one end connected to a headboard (17) and the other end connected to a winch (28). A cable (33) has one end connected to the headboard and the other end connected to the winch. A guide system for the cable including a compensating mechanism (36, 56, 57) which varies the path of the cable during rotation of the winch, so as to compensate for a difference between the belt diameter and the cable diameter on the winch, the difference varying as the belt is wound and unwound.

Abstract: A double container trailer is shown having a main trailer frame including a front trailer frame and a rear trailer frame, both of which define a top support surface. The rear trailer frame has a tilt frame pivotally mounted thereon for supporting a first load bearing container. A pivot mechanism is connected between the rear trailer frame and the tilt frame for pivoting the tilt frame and its associated container about a pivot point located on the rear trailer frame. A primary cable drive located on the rear trailer frame engages a first load bearing container for transporting the first container onto the top support surface of the main trailer frame to an initial transport position. A secondary cable drive engages the first load bearing container and moves the container to a final transport position forward of the initial transport position.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting products such as baskets of fruits and vegetables on the back of a truck. The system has a plurality of tracks attached to opposite sides of the truck cargo area upon which ride shelves which have wheels to support the shelves on the tracks. A cable is attached to the shelves and is motor driven to deliver the shelves (and the products resting on the shelves) to either the front of the cargo area (for loading) or to the back of the cargo area (for unloading).

Abstract: An improved hay distributor is provided that distributes large rectangular hay bales or flakes of hay, operating on a conveyor principle wherein the bales are slowly advanced from the bed of the vehicle to its edge as the vehicle is driven, whereupon by mechanical action the bale is cleaved to flake. A stabilizer rod maintains the bale in compact form prior to flaking, and a base plate is provided, forming a point of retrofit attachment of the main frame of the distributor to the vehicle bed. The base plate provides a mounting support for converting between side distribution of hay from the bed of the vehicle. Next, an operating main frame includes a) rails, having an initial end and a terminal end, along which a hay bale is advanced, and b) incline-adjustable ramps disposed in the path of the rails at their terminal ends, over which the bale advances on its approach to the edge of the bed of the vehicle, which ramps cause natural cleavage of the bale into individual flakes by creating a line of stress.

Abstract: A slide extends from an upper level platform to a lower level. The slide includes a bed with a smooth top surface and side frames that project upwardly from the bed. The bed is a sheet having upraised lips along its side edges. The lips are received by first channels in the side frames. Crossbars extend transversely beneath the bed, with the ends of the crossbars being received by second channels in the side frames. A groove is formed in the top surface of the bed, which groove receives a line. The line is coupled to a motor and to a carrier located on the slide, wherein the carrier traverses up and down the slide. Objects can be raised and lowered between the two levels using the carrier. Alternatively, objects can be allowed to slide down the bed.

Abstract: The Dual Pull Open Bottom Portable Pickup Truck Trailer Unloader System is an unloader device that facilitates the easy removal of material from trucks and trailers by the means of hand power or electric or hydraulic motor drive. The open bottom permits the material to slide along the bottom of the truck to either fall directly on the ground when operated or to be slid to the back of the vehicle to be unloaded by hand or by equipment. The dual pull chain, cable, rope or strap system creates an even pull on the unloader box to prevent binding from unevenly distributed loads in the vehicle's cargo space and inside the U-shaped unloader box. This adaptable system with an open bottom, back board and side boards is a sliding mechanism that can be custom-made to fit specific design requirements. The size of back board and size and height of side boards are determined by the specific requirements of each unloading application.

Abstract: A hay distributor is provided that distributes large rectangular hay bales or flakes of hay, operating on a conveyor principle wherein the bales are slowly advanced from the bed of the vehicle to its edge as the vehicle is driven, whereupon by mechanical action the bale is cleaved to flake. A base plate is provided, forming a pivoting point of retrofit attachment of the main frame of the invention to the vehicle bed. The base plate, provides a mounting means for conversion of invention between side or rear-end distribution of hay from the bed of the vehicle. Next, an operating main frame comprises a) rails, having a initial end and a terminal end, along which a hay bale is advanced, and b) incline-adjustable ramps disposed in the path of the rails at their terminal ends, over which the bale advances on its approach to the edge of the bed of the vehicle, which ramps cause natural cleavage of the bale into individual flakes by creating a line of stress.

Abstract: A compaction mechanism uses cables to move a compaction plate within a compaction chamber of a garbage truck. Cable guide pulleys are positioned adjacent a first end and a second end of the compaction chamber. Each cable has a first end and a second end, both of which are secured to the compaction plate. A winch-like drive assembly is used to concurrently move the cables to pull the compaction plate. This compaction mechanism is better able to withstand uneven resistance on the compaction plate without twisting.

Abstract: A device for loading and unloading goods in an aircraft is provided in the cargo space (1) of the aircraft. The device has at least one transport path (3; 3A, 3B) which is substantially parallel to the floor of the cargo space (1) and on which the goods is placed; a drive assembly (11, 13-19, 13', 17'; 40-47) by means of which the transport path (3; 3A, 3B) can be driven forwards and backwards; and a wall (10) which extends vertically transversely of the cargo space, serves as a stop for the load piled on the belt and is connected to the transport path and movable together with it from a position adjacent the opening of the cargo space through which the goods is loaded and unloaded, to a position at the far end (1A) of the cargo space, and vice versa.

Abstract: A cargo carrying vehicle including apparatus for unloading cargo from the vehicle by the general method of (1) shuttling a flat plate that covers a portion of the floor back and forth longitudinally and (2) preventing the cargo being unloaded from following the floor on its retract (forward) stroke by use of a movable bulkhead.

Abstract: A bed cleaner for dump trucks utilizing a scraping carriage located in the bed of a dump truck and operated by cables connected to a winch assembly to dislodge and remove adhering materials from the dump bed while the dump bed is in an inclined position. The apparatus includes a device for remotely or automatically controlling the movement of the sliding carriage on the dump bed.

Abstract: An arrangement for loading of a cargo compartment (3), in particular that of an aircraft fuselage (1), with piece goods, is proposed, consisting of a conveying device (9) in the form of a number of high-tensile belts (10) located at intervals from one another and which are provided with a carpet-like conveying surface (18), for instance in nylon fabric, in that section of them which covers the cargo area of the cargo compartment (3) in the fully-loaded position. A rear cargo wall (23) fixed to the belts (10) provides the rear stowage room limit for the goods transported. Loading and unloading can be performed by means of movement backwards and fowards of the belts (10). Since tensile loadings are concentrated exclusively in the belts (10), reversal can be performed in the vicinity of the loading aperture (5) of the cargo compartment (3) on a thin guide section located near the floor, which can be designed to accord with any contour of the floor (14) of the cargo compartment (3).

Abstract: An unloading mechanism for a truck or trailer has a conveyor belt which runs on the bed of the truck or trailer between forward and rearward wind-up rolls. A bulkhead is attached to the conveyor belt for pushing a load out the back of the back or trailer. Extending and retracting brace rods are provided on the bulkhead for automatic extension and retraction between relatively vertical positions when the bulkhead is located at a forward loading position in the truck or trailer and relatively inclined support positions when the bulkhead moves beyond the back opening of the truck or trailer. In the relatively inclined positions, the bracing rods resist tipping of the bulkhead about its connection with the conveyor belt thereby stablizing the load pushing forces when the load is moved beyond the back end of the truck or trailer.

Abstract: A portable unloader for a truck bed includes a gate entrained on a pair of cables so that it can be pivoted to and from a first raised position in which it is inclined with respect to the truck bed as it moves toward the rear of the truck bed, and a second position in which it lies substantially parallel to the truck bed as it moves through the load along the truck bed. In one form of the invention, the cables pass through slots near the lower edge of the plate, and the gate is secured near its opposite edge by restraining chains attached to the cable to limit the angle at which the gate is inclined with respect to the truck bed. Such a gate can also include a pair of wedge-shaped runners for initially orienting the gate at a slight angle to the truck bed so that a portion of the load of granular material is forced under the gate to lift it to its raised position as movement toward the rear of the truck is initiated.

Abstract: A trailer particularly for loading and unloading hay bales has a pivotal loading carriage at its rearward end with loading forks which can be backed under a bale and used to lift the bale onto the trailer by pivotal movement of the carriage. The trailer includes a longitudinally movable carrier with a releasable fork for moving the bale from the carriage toward a forward end of the trailer, and also for unloading bales by reverse movement of the carrier. A winch and cable drive is provided both for moving the carrier lengthwise along the trailer in forward and reverse directions, and for providing pivotal movement of the carriage when the carrier is received therein.

Abstract: An automatic bale wagon designed to automatically side load, transport and rear unload multiple, round bales of hay using an electric winch which is wired to the cab of a pickup truck which tows the bale wagon. The round bales of hay typically weigh about 1500 pounds, and are automatically loaded by first towing the bale wagon into pickup position with respect to a selected bale of hay; activating the winch to lift the carriage apparatus and the bale; spilling the bale onto a roller bed positioned in the bale wagon; and automatically sliding the bale to a pre-determined position on the roller bed.

Abstract: A combination of a vehicle and a demountable body for transporting loads, the vehicle having a support which is movable between a horizontal position to support the body for transportation and an inclined position. The support carries an ended chain provided at one end with a hook for attachment to the body, and an endless chain provided with a pusher to engage the body, the chains being driven by a drive motor. The body has a guide arranged on lowering of the hook towards a lifting bar on the body, to guide the hook into engagement with the bar whereupon the hook is automatically releasably attached to the bar.

Abstract: A battery mover for use in horizontally moving batteries into and out of battery compartments in battery powered vehicles and battery powered machinery.

Abstract: A self moving landfill refuse compactor for operation in a ditch or trench in the earth having a refuse chamber with a top openable for receiving refuse from a delivery truck and a powered ram slidably disposed in the refuse chamber and defining a movable end wall for the chamber and having a raisable gate across the chamber which defines a discharge end of the chamber.

Abstract: A frame configuration that is particularly adaptable for use on a trailer such that the frame configuration is operable in both a tilt mode of operation and a dump mode of operation. An actuating mechanism includes a linear actuator that is supported on the frame by a bracket and a yoke that connects to a load bed to power the vertical movement of the load bed in both tilt and dump functions. The linear actuator is pivotally mounted to permit a re-positioning of the actuator into an inoperative position. The frame configuration is provided with an articulated tilt frame in which the tongue is pivoted thereto allowing the load bed to pivot about a tilt axis which can coincide with the wheel axis of the trailer. The bed frame can be locked to the tilt frame for tilting upon articulation with the tongue, while a disconnection of the bed frame from the tilt frame enables the bed frame to pivot about the dump axis to provide a dump function in addition to the tilt function.