Abstract: The maneuvering device of the invention is designed to enable a motorcycle rider to handle his machine in limited storage space. Primarily, it consists of a platform supported on a center swivel that enables the rider to rotate the platform to any desired position after mounting the platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stowable, multiple grade ramping device particularly adapted for use in pick-up trucks. The ramping device includes a carrier assembly, an entryway extension unit and a ramp end section for loading and unloading cargo thereupon. The carrier assembly is advantageously equipped with an enclosed trackway having a beveled ramping guide for elevating track following guides mounted onto an entryway extension unit and an open trackway for engaging track following guides mounted onto the ramp end section. The cargo assembly beveled track guides impart an intermediate ramping grade to the entryway unit. The entryway unit is fitted with a pair of enclosed track guides. The ramp end section is equipped with track following guides slideably engaging onto the enclosed entryway track guides which permits the entryway unit and ramp end section to telescopically retract for effective stowage thereof.

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

Abstract: A loading or unloading platform is located and secured in a frame mounted beneath the bottom of a semi-trailer. The platform is removable from underneath the semi-trailer by releasing a lock and pulling the platform out from under the trailer after extension of the retractable wheels of the platform. The platform is then available for use in a locked position adjacent to any door of the semi-trailer. A ramp is used in combination with the platform. The ramp is located underneath the bottom of the semi-trailer in two spaced-apart mounting brackets, one mounting bracket for each end of the ramp. One mounting bracket is fixed in position and includes a lock for locking a bottom end of the ramp underneath the semi-trailer. The other mounting bracket includes a swivel turntable and a pivoting holder for engaging the top end of the ramp.

Abstract: A kit for adapting a pickup truck for safely loading, transporting, and unloading two all terrain vehicles over the truck's bed area while preserving cargo space in the bed area. The kit includes a platform having a frame and flooring with dimensions sufficient to park two standard size all terrain vehicles thereon with the vehicles facing perpendicular to the length of the truck. The platform is mounted on the sidewalls of the truck such that the flooring is approximately even with the tops of the sidewalls, thus preserving significent cargo space under the flooring. Because it is safer when moving all terrain vehicles on a incline to always travel forward, the kit is designed for loading the vehicles on one side of the platform and unloading on the other. Toward this end, the kit's safety barrier, which is for preventing vehicles being loaded from one side from being accidentally driven off the other side, is hingedly attached and may be lowered and passed over while unloading vehicles.

Abstract: A collapsible ramp comprising an attachment frame, a foldable support structure mounted to the attachment frame by pivotable hinges, and a telescoping deck structure of interconnected, essentially rectangular plates. The foldable support structure has longitudinal support members with foldable joints intermediate along the lengths of the members, and these members are pivotally connected to the hinge. The ramp can be formed into an extended state in which the longitudinal support members are extended outwardly from the attachment frame and the rectangular plates of the telescoping deck structure are extended and supported on the support members. Alternatively, the ramp can be formed into a collapsed state in which the support members are folded back on themselves using the foldable joints and folded inwardly pivoting about the hinges so that the support members are housed within the attachment frame, the telescoping deck structure being retracted to cover the folded rails on the attachment frame.

Abstract: A dock leveler assembly and latch mechanism therefor are provided which are adapted to automatically cause unlatching of components thereof if the assembly is activated without a vehicle being present or if the vehicle moves away from a dock; thus enabling the assembly to readily return to an inoperative mode position.

Abstract: A ramp assembly for trailers which includes a pair of elongated, parallel ramp plates reciprocably supported in tracks under the bed of a trailer. An arresting cam assembly is mounted on the rear of the trailer, and includes a control handle which is connected to, and rotates, a cam rod which carries, and is keyed to, a plurality of spaced cam plates. These cam plates are rotated with the cam rod to bring the lobes of the cam plates against the ramp plates, forcing them into a locked status against the underside of the bed of the trailer. In another rotational position of the cam plates, the ramp plates can be pulled horizontally outwardly from the trailer bed to an inclined loading position, but a cusp on each of the cam plates functions to engage the ramp plates and prevent them from being pulled completely free of the trailer bed.

Abstract: A handle for a ramp includes a grip, a bridge spanning the two ends of the grip, and two legs extending from the bridge parallel to each other. The bridge runs at an angle with respect to the legs. The handle is comprised of a short section of an aluminum extrusion. A side rail has an end face angled to mate with the bridge, and also includes channels which slidably engage the legs of the handle. The side rail is an aluminum extrusion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and unloading a railroad gondola car having spaced apart, parallel side walls with upper surfaces, the apparatus including a hydraulic excavator for excavating, loading, and unloading materials, the hydraulic excavator having a boom structure and a material engaging device rotatably mounted on two tracks for moving the hydraulic excavator from one location to another, each of the two track means having an inside set of rollers and an outside set of rollers for supporting the track over its entire width, adjusting structure for moving the tracks inwardly and outwardly to vary the distance between the tracks, and track support apparatus for supporting the track connected to the adjusting structure, a plurality of arms connected to the outside of each of the track support apparatus for preventing the hydraulic excavator from falling off of the gondola car when the two tracks are resting on the upper surfaces of the gondola car, the arms being adapted to extend downwardly adjace

Abstract: A trailer having a storage compartment for a lift truck or other device that can be utilized to load material onto the trailer or unload material from the trailer. A loading and unloading ramp for the lift truck is attached to the trailer for pivotal movement from an outwardly and downwardly inclined position where the free end rests on the ground surface to a generally vertically disposed stored or over-the-road position. A winch mechanism is mounted on the trailer and includes a lift cable connected with the outer end of the ramp for raising and lowering the ramp. The lift truck compartment is a recess adjacent the forward end of the trailer which extends transversely of the load carrying surface and includes a supporting surface offset downwardly from the load carrying surface of the trailer.

Abstract: Trailer unit for transporting constructional machines and the like, in particular tracked excavators, by means of a conventional truck or similar towing vehicle. The weight of the machine during transporting is resting in part on the towing vehicle and in part on the trailer unit (1, 2, 3, 4). The unit can be assembled on the basis of a bogie having at least two wheel and axle sets on an undercarriage (4). At either side thereof there is provided a supporting cradle (3) for carrying a portion of the tracks or wheels of the machine, said cardles being tiltable about a transverse, horizontal axis (5) between a lowered loading position and an elevated transporting position. The horizontal tilting axis (5) is located somewhat forwardly of the rear end of each cradle (3) at an area between the two ends (3A, 3B) thereof.

Abstract: A collapsible vehicular trailer 10 using a standard towing dolly 1 as its wheel base. The collapsible vehicular trailer 10 is connected to a tow vehicle by a collapsible V-shaped trailer tongue 11. The collapsible trailer tongue 11 is connected to the tow vehicle by a hitch-ball coupler 15 and at its other end to a pair of base platforms 18 which detachably straddle the axles of towing dolly 1. Base platforms 18 each have a ramp retaining lip 20 located at their trailing edges for detachably engaging ramps 45. A pivot support platform 23 also straddles the two axles of towing dolly 1 and is centered between base platforms 18. Pivot support platform 23 provides a pivotal connecting point for the pivot frame 30 which has opposing wheel cradles 36 and 37 attached to the ends of main pivot frame members 31. The opposing wheel cradles 36 and 37 have a stop plate 41 and wheel retaining chain 39 for securely attaching a pair of wheels on the vehicle to be towed.

Abstract: A wheelchair lift for a vehicle in which the lift platform serves as part of the floor of the vehicle, and does not need to be extended outwardly of the vehicle to load or unload a wheelchair passenger. The lift operates within a shaft extending between the floor and the undercarriage of the vehicle, and sliding pulley panels are provided at two opposing sides of the shaft below the floor of the vehicle. Pulleys are mounted adjacent the top edges of the pulley panels, and chains are passed over the pulleys, and attached at one end to a fixed point on the vehicle at or below the midpoint between the floor of the vehicle and ground level, and attached at the other end to a lift platform. Other chains are attached at one end to the pulley panels and at the opposite end to a hydraulic cylinder, such that the pulley panels are lowered or raised as the hydraulic cylinder is retracted or extended, in turn causing the lift platform to traverse between the floor of the vehicle and ground level within the shaft.

Abstract: The invention provides a sturdy substantially rectangular scow-like turntable platform with retractable wheels for mobility and turntable mechanics for the use of heavy trucks. The turntable platform is towable and can be used with wheels down or with wheels retracted for bottom surface friction stabilization. A trailer is provided with powering devices and controls for operating the turntable motor and the various ram activated devices. The turntable motor and the rams can be powered by pressurized hydraulic fluid or by compressed air.

Abstract: A safety brake is provided for a cement truck chute to immobilize the chute from lateral movement relative to the cement truck chassis. Movement of the cement truck chute is controlled by a ram which is secured to a vertically oriented ram pivot axle rotatably mounted in a sleeve secured to the truck chassis. A first horizontal brake pad is located concentrically about the ram pivot axle and is immobilized relative to the chassis. The safety brake includes a pneumatic actuator having a housing and a plunger actuable for reciprocal movement relative to the housing. A flat, horizontal ram coupling plate is rigidly secured to the ram pivot axle and holds the pneumatic actuator housing at a spaced elevation thereabove with the pneumatic actuator plunger coaxially aligned with the ram pivot axle. A horizontal intermediate plate is located between the ram coupling plate and the pneumatic actuator housing and is secured to the pneumatic actuator plunger.

Abstract: A folding ramp for attachment to the rear bumper and tailgate of a pickup truck. The ramp is formed by a pair of hingedly connected ramp panels of substantially equal overall dimension. One panel is slidably connected with the pickup truck tailgate in a manner to fold and unfold both panels from a loading to a stored position by vertical movement of the pickup tailgate. Legs support the ramp panels at their hinged position when loading and unloading wheeled vehicles, such as garden tractors, etc.

Abstract: The turn tilt table is preferably mounted on a self propelled mobile vehicle for carrying a test article such as a military vehicle weighing up to 70 tons. The mobile vehicle is driven to a plurality of test sites at which radar beams or the like are directed against the test article for determining vehicle radar signatures or the like. During testing, the turn tilt table may be tilted anywhere between a horizontal position and 45.degree. from the horizontal; and may be pivoted 360.degree. about an axis normal to the plane of the turn tilt table to any of a plurality of positions within 360.degree.. If vehicles are being tested, a ramp is connectable to the table to allow the vehicle to be driven onto or off the table.

Abstract: A utility trailer having an automatic loading and unloading ramp and tailgate assembly and a front trigger plate assembly operationally interconnected by an actuating linkage or other drive unit so that when loading the trailer with the item to be transported, the item contacting the front trigger plate assembly causes the movement of the rear automatic ramp assembly into a tailgate forming position. A lock or latching mechanism is provided to automatically retain the rear ramp assembly in the tailgate forming position.

Abstract: A portable folding ramp used for ascending or descending an object or platform. The ramp is comprised of a plurality of rectangular panels, respective ones of adjoining panels being pivotably hinged along adjacent sidewalls such that the ramp may be folded into a compact first state, or unfolded into a second state where the ramp may support a load. The ramp includes a cable and hinge system positioned on the underside of the panels to provide structural support to the ramp in the second state while allowing the panels to be folded into the compact first state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extendible and retractable ramp device for a vehicle particularly concerned with the loading and unloading of handicapped person and which device particularly includes a power actuating mechanism disposed within the vehicle in such a way as to protect the mechanism from damage, provide a ramp structure conducive to non-interferring ingress and egress by handicapped passengers and to incorporate a disconnect device which permits the ramp to be extended or retracted manually in the event power actuating mechanism becomes inoperative.

Abstract: In a trailer adapted to be connected with a front end thereof to a rear-end of a carrier vehicle, and where the front end of the trailer is held at a predetermined height above ground when connected to the carrier-vehicle, the trailer includes a frame defining a trailer frame plane extending in a hauling position of the trailer substantially parallel to the ground, a front extension and a rear extension of the trailer extending substantially along the trailer frame plane, the front extension being connected between the front end and the trailer frame, the trailer front end including an elongated drawbar defining a drawbar plane subtending a first angle close to 180.degree.

Abstract: A method for and apparatus for the transfer of valuables from a collection point through an area accessible to the public to an armored vehicle is disclosed. A mobile security containment apparatus comprising a relatively heavy, handleless, and slow speed apparatus is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the directional and turning control movement of the apparatus is provided by a voice-actuated, computer-controlled drive mechanism. The mobile security containment apparatus may be combined with an armored vehicle to provide secured containment of the mobile security containment apparatus while en route to a collection point to a permanent depository such as a bank vault.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and unloading a railroad gondola car having spaced apart, parallel side walls with upper surfaces, the apparatus including a hydraulic excavator having a boom structure and material engaging device mounted on two tracks, the two tracks being movable inwardly and outwardly from the base of the hydraulic excavator to vary the distance between the tracks, each of the tracks having a lip connected thereto which extends downwardly adjacent to the upper surface of the parallel side walls of a railroad gondola car to prevent the hydraulic excavator from falling off the gondola car when the two tracks are resting on the side walls of the gondola car.

Abstract: A ramp for trucks and the like is disclosed for use with a truck body, which includes parallel spaced rails extending longitudinally of the truck, secured to the truck chassis, of the I-beam type, carrying at least one trolley which is movable longitudinally in a track formed by the rails, which supports a carriage which is connected to side frame bars which are pivotally connected to the ramp, the carriage being positioned when the forward end of the ramp exits the truck body, so as to assist hooks on the forward end of the ramp to engage in openings in the truck body, while the rear end of the ramp rests on the ground.

Abstract: A vehicle for use in transporting heavy equipment having a hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump, which vehicle has a hydraulic motor arranged to drive a pair of railroad track wheels. The vehicle also has an arrangement such that the hydraulic motor of the vehicle can be releasably interconnected with the hydraulic system of the heavy equipment to drive the former from the latter. A ramp can be reversibly lowered to an inclined position to facilitate loading and unloading of the heavy equipment onto the vehicle. The railroad track wheels are each electrically insulated from their corresponding axles.

Abstract: A ramp assembly provides loading of small off-the-road vehicles onto, and unloading of such vehicles from the bed of a pick-up truck. The assembly includes a flexible support such as a sheet of lightweight chain link, cloth belting or the like which is connected at the upper end to the corner posts of the truck bed or otherwise secured to the truck and which is tensioned at the other end thereof by an elongate support member, connected at one end to the ball hitch on the truck. The connection to the corner posts is made by notched members which extend laterally from both sides of the flexible support to engage the walls of the posts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extendible and retractable ramp device for a vehicle particularly concerned with the loading and unloading of handicapped person and which device particularly includes a power actuating mechanism disposed within the vehicle in such a way as to both protect the mechanism from damage and to provide a ramp structure conducive to non-interferring ingress and egress by handicapped passengers.

Abstract: The adjustable load-carrying apparatus is designed for mounting on the load-carrying bed of a vehicle. It includes a base frame assembly which is fixed rigidly to the vehicle bed and has laterally spaced inwardly facing rollers in longitudinal alignment along each side edge thereof plus an inward lock guide rail. A slidable platform frame assembly has lateral trackways slidably mated with the rollers of the base frame. The platform frame assembly includes a lock guide structure on its underside in cooperative relationship with a lock guide rail of the base frame assembly. Additionally, the platform assembly includes on its underside laterally spaced ramp slideways. A ramp assembly is carried for sliding movement in the ramp slideways.

Abstract: A wheeled truck including a platform defining a planar support surface having first and second opposite ends, two wheels attached to the platform at the first end thereof and two wheels attached to the platform at the second end thereof utilizes hinges for hingedly securing the two wheels located at the second end to the platform and a lever member for raising and lowering the second support surface end to thereby facilitate the loading and unloading of the truck. The hingedly-secured wheels are each pivotally movable relative to the platform between an operative condition at which the hingedly-secured wheels operatively support the second support surface end in an elevated condition for transporting purposes and a non-operative condition at which the hingedly-secured wheels are positioned so as to permit the second support surface end to be raised and lowered between the elevated condition and a lowered condition at which the support surface forms a ramp.

Abstract: A vehicle tail gate ramp including a tail gate frame movably attached to a vehicle for receiving at least two air-permeable, foldable ramps. Each ramp preferably includes first and second rectangular frame members pivotally connected to each other by a hinge. When folded, the ends of each first rectangular frame member are received by the tail gate frame to be used as a tail gate. When unfolded, the free end of each second rectangular frame member attaches to the tail gate frame and the free end of each first rectangular frame member abuts the ground to form a spaced-apart pair of loading and unloading ramps.

Abstract: A coil spring, mounted within a cylinder and axially coincident with the pivot axis between a trailer and a ramp pivotally attached thereto, exerts a force angularly proportional to angular deviation of the ramp from its upright position to reduce the apparent weight of the ramp during manual repositioning of the ramp.

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.

Abstract: A transporting unit includes a horizontal section which is mounted to a truck and functions as the bed for the truck. A beaver tail section extends downwardly from the horizontal section and a foldable ramp section is hinged to the beaver tail section.

Abstract: This invention relates to a retractable ramp assembly installed to a pick-up truck for use in loading heavy objects into the hauling space. An enclosure for the ramp is used to provide a raised platform for the pick-up truck. The ramp has front and rear sections hinged together. The front section has a length about equal to the length of the tailgate (when open) of the truck and the rear section is long as compared to the front section. The retractable ramp is stored in the enclosure. It may be extended to a position wherein the front section rests directly on top of the open tailgate, in which event, the rear section of the ramp extends upwardly or downwardly to a loading surface.

Abstract: A loading unit is mounted on a railway flat car to load and unload heavy wheeled, tracked or towable vehicles at any desired point along the railway right-of-way. The ramp unit enables vehicles to be loaded and unloaded one after the other along apron extensions disposed obliquely. The track, ties and ballast areas are protected by the ramp unit against disturbance or damage during the loading or unloading operations. A base portion is mounted on a flat car and is generally stationary relative thereto. Ramp, platform and apron portions are mounted thereon and are generally longitudinally movable relative to the base and define, in turn, a load path sloped to the railway bed from the flat car surface. The platform portion is adapted to overlie and protect the railway tracks, ties and bed during loading and unloading of the train and provides angulated apron segments enabling vehicles to be loaded and unloaded without damaging the railway tracks, ties or ballast.

Abstract: A trailer for use in transporting a harvesting machine having a laterally shiftable tongue is disclosed wherein the trailer has transversely extending loading ramps pivotally connected to the load platform of the trailer to permit the harvester to be elevated from the ground level onto the load platform. An elevating linkage interconnecting the load platform and the pivotably ramps is engageable with the harvester wheels to affect a raising of the load ramps when the harvester has been properly positioned on the trailer platform. The load ramps are articulated to compact the transport position of the load ramps, thereby minimizing the transport width of the loaded trailer. The draft connection between the loaded trailer and its prime mover is the laterally shiftable tongue of the harvester positioned on the trailer platform.

Abstract: A stowable ramp assembly for a pickup truck or the like includes a generally thin, flat and elongated ramp sleeve adapted for placement on a truck bed with the rearward end thereof positioned at the rearward end of the bed. An extension sleeve is telescopically slidable within the ramp sleeve and an elongated ramp is telescopically slidably received in the extension sleeve. The extension sleeve is rearwardly slidable to a working position over the lowered horizontal tailgate and the ramp is extendable rearwardly therefrom in the working position and connected to the extension sleeve for up and down pivotal movement of the rearward end of the ramp.

Abstract: A combination loading ramp and tailgate closure device (10) is provided for use in connection with a gated cargo bed (12) of a truck. The device (10) is releasably mounted on the rearward portion of the truck having the tailgate (24) in an extended position. In this mode of operation, the device (10) serves to extend the cargo bed (12) of a truck by a distance approximating the height of the tailgate (24) when the tailgate is in a closed position. The device (10) can ultimately be removed from the rearward portion of a truck and positioned in an on-loading and off-loading ramp mode for moving a wheeled vehicle or the like into the truck cargo bed. Various materials can be used for manufacturing this device, and it is envisioned that the device can be fabricated from a suitable rigid material such as steel, aluminium, or the like, or from suitable plastics having the strength and durability necessary to withstand the wear occasioned by normal usage.

Abstract: A foldable loading ramp for a truck having a tailgate. The ramp includes a plurality of ramp sections. The top section of the ramp is pivotally connected to the tailgate, and is attached to an adjacent section by two pivoting bars connected to the sides of the top section and to the sides of the adjacent section. One of the bars is connected to the middle of the top ramp section and the end of the adjacent ramp section. The other bar is attached to the end of the top ramp section and the middle of the adjacent section, thereby allowing the ramp to be folded into a compact bundle inside the tailgate when not in use.

Abstract: A creeper-ramp rack to be stored in a pair of standards on a pick-up truck is provided and consists of a pair of rectangular grillwork panels, each having a pair of C-shaped channel members that slideably engage each other so as in one position to be stored in the pair of standards on the pick-up truck to form a protecting grill for rear window and in another position lengthened to be placed on rear end of truck bed to form a ramp strong enough to support a man and a motorcycle. A castor can snap into each corner of the panel on the channel member to form a creeper.

Abstract: An expandable support structure including a pair of spaced-apart lazy tongs linkages acting as the load supporting beams of the structure and wherein the floor of the structure is formed by planks extending laterally between the two linkages; each adjacent pair of the planks is pivotally connected near a lower endwise junction of two of the links of the lazy tongs linkages, the pivot point of each plank being near an edge thereof with the other edge free to rotate upward as the linkage is contracted; the free ends of two adjacent planks are linked together to cause them to be lifted when the linkage is contracted and a slide mechanism guides these free ends upward. The apparatus is usable as a ramp for loading wheeled vehicles into the bed of a pickup truck and for such usage may be provided with a slide mounting in the rear of the bed of the pickup truck to reach over the tailgate hinge and at the same time allow the structure to be folded back completely within the pickup bed and the tailgate closed.

Abstract: A tricycle powered wheelchair carrier has a platform supported on the bight of a U-shaped axle between a pair of rear wheels supported at the ends of the axle legs. The platform is formed with a downwardly sloping ramp portion at the end extending beyond the rear wheels. A front wheel is connected to handlebars at the front of a platform by a linkage pivoted at the top. A front actuator is connected between this linkage and the platform. A rear actuator is connected between the U-shaped axle and the platform. A transmission couples an internal combustion engine to a rear wheel and includes a reverse gear. A locking bar has rear and side mutually perpendicular arms. The side arm is pivotal about a horizontal axis in bearings on the side of the carrier to allow the side arm to move from a vertical position to a horizontal position against the rear wheels of a wheelchair on the platform with the end of the rear arm having a stud seated in a socket attached to the other side of the carrier.

Abstract: Trailer, for two or more vehicles such as motorcycles or three-wheelers, having a narrow tongue extending forwardly from a broad platform, the tongue adapted to support the front wheel of one vehicle in position disposed mostly forward of the platform, a tube outlying and above the tongue and body having fittings for attachments of vehicle tie-down straps. A pivotally mounted rear loading ramp is formed by a first tube bent into a U-shape and formed by one or two other tubes parallel to the base of the U-shape and secured to the arms of the U-shape and legs extending laterally from the base of the U-shape, in an oblique plane, to support the base above ground in the down position of the ramp.

Abstract: A retractable ramp or runway is pivotally connected to the bed of a truck or trailer to facilitate the loading of heavy machinery or equipment upon the bed. Fluid pressure actuated members are connected to the ramp or runway for elevating same from an inclined position to a position level with the bed of the truck or trailer.

Abstract: Foldable ramp for on and off loading all terrain/recreational vehicles from the rear of trucks, trailers, and vans. The ramp folds longitudinally to a width smaller than the wheelbase of the all terrain/recreational vehicles. When folded it may be slipped between the wheels of the all terrain/recreational vehicle for storage on the bed of the truck, trailer or van. When operational the ramp is engaged against the rear of the truck, trailer or van and allows the operator of the all terrain/recreational vehicle to either ride or push the vehicle onto or off of the truck, trailer, or van.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a body having a deck and a wall, said wall comprising two parts connected for relative pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. There may be first, releasable, pivot means having an axis above the deck, and second, releasable, pivot means adjacent a lower edge of one of the wall parts for allowing the wall to pivot with respect to the deck, so that on release of the first pivot means the wall may pivot about the second pivot means and on release of the second pivot means the wall may pivot about the first pivot means. There may be third, releasable, pivot means having an axis spaced further from the deck than the axis of the first pivot means so that on release of the first and second pivot means the wall may pivot about the third pivot means.

Abstract: A trailer apparatus is disclosed herein which includes tracks adjustably mounted within a trailer body and having a first position for the transporting of automobiles and a second position permitting the carrying of other types of cargo. The tracks are hingedly mounted to the inside of the side walls of the trailer body and pivot downwardly for the carrying of automobiles and upwardly against the side wall to permit the carrying of other types of cargo. Front and rear doors are provided on the trailer and incorporate a track for allowing the loading and unloading of automobiles onto the tracks within the trailer body.

Abstract: A collapsible stock loading chute for vehicles. The chute is particularly designed for floor supported stock racks for pick-up trucks and is adapted to be slid underneath a false bed supported by a frame which receives a ramp of the chute. When withdrawn from underneath the false bed the chute ramp may be pivoted to the frame at a forward end and supported on the ground and connected to chute walls hooked to the rack to load stock. The ramp may be employed without the walls for loading haltered animals or for loading equipment or other paraphernalia. The rear wall of the stock rack is provided with a vertically slidably gate frame having a pair of hinged gate members in order that the gate may be raised to open the gate or alternatively to swing inwardly or outwardly the hinged gate members for different loading conditions.

Abstract: The self-propelled freight handling truck is comprised of a manually guided wheeled frame on which is mounted a mast and lifting forks, with a motor for supplying power to raise, lower, and tilt the forks, to propel the vehicle, to move front wheels laterally outboard to straddle a load or laterally inboard under the load while the load is being carried, and to extend or retract the front wheels telescopically the guide handle and said forks being foldable into a collapsed, compact storage position. A beverage handling system is also provided comprising a side-loading highway truck for transporting a driver, unitized loads of beverages and freight, and the self-propelled fork lift truck mentioned above. The truck and system of this invention is particularly useful in the handling of full or partially unitized beverage loads between the side-loading highway truck and the delivery facility.