Abstract: A toy car and roadbed unit which comprises a roadbed on which there is provided at least one electric track including three conductive paths which are connected to a positive output terminal, a negative output terminal and a center tap of the DC power source respectively and not less than two toy cars which run along two electric tracks each comprising three conductive paths in which the conductive path connected to the center tap is commonly used.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for walk ramps for truck bodies and the like is disclosed which includes, on each side of the walk ramp at its rear end and for retaining the walk ramp in its stored position usually below the floor of the truck body, locking handles carried on vertical pivots and provided with latch fingers which are normally resiliently urged to locked positions but movable to release positions to permit the withdrawal of the walk ramp for use.

Abstract: A multiple fold ramp tail for a trailer is described comprising a wheeled frame having rearward and forward ends with the forward end of the frame being suitable for connection to a prime mover such as a truck or the like. A multiple fold ramp tail is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the frame and comprises a main ramp portion, first stage ramp portion and a second stage ramp portion. The forward end of the main ramp portion is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the frame and the forward end of the first stage ramp portion is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the main ramp portion. The second stage ramp portion is pivotally connected at its forward end to the rearward end of the first stage ramp portion. The first and second stage ramp portions are normally in a stored position wherein they are folded upon themselves beneath the lower rearward end of the main ramp portion.

Abstract: A self-propelled machine having a frame for receiving a truck which supplies ballast to a dispensing hopper at one end of the frame. A fluid system provides the locomotion and controls for the dispensing hopper. A turntable expedites conversion of the machine between road and rail use.

Abstract: Cargo loading and unloading systems, particularly for military aircraft such as helicopters, including right and lefthand restraint rail assemblies having longitudinally spaced lock mechanisms which are adapted to provide lateral and forward and aft restraint of load-supporting pallets. Operating controls for each lock to enable the locks to be closed individually, and further include control rod assemblies to permit all such lock mechanisms to be closed simultaneously or to be opened either sequentially or simultaneously. Other lock mechanisms are operable to secure non-palletized types of cargo and are closed and opened sequentially by one of the control rod assemblies. A ramp structure is also provided, including guide structure for proper guidance of the pallets as they are loaded into or unloaded from the aircraft, and pallet supporting rollers facilitating the loading and unloading of vehicles.

Abstract: A troop carrier vehicle providing rapid lateral access to and egress from the vehicle having a side panel pivotally mounted at the lower end thereof to permit outward lowering of the side panel from an upright position to form a ramp.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated tailgate associated with a low bed, semi-trailer vehicle has a pivoted extension that is displaceable between an extended position coplanar with the ramp surface of the tailgate and a bumper position transverse to and underlying the ramp surface. A hydraulic actuating mechanism displacing the extension to the bumper position, simultaneously locks the tailgate mechanically to the frame of the semi-trailer vehicle.

Abstract: A van platform including a housing for installation upon the floor of a van or truck. The housing includes a first floor located over the van floor to define a storage space therebelow, in which space a ramp is located. The ramp is arranged to be moved out of its retracted position in the housing space to an extended, inclined ramp-functioning position. The ramp includes rollers to facilitate movement of the ramp to the extended position. Upwardly inclined blocks are located within the housing and each includes an indentation for the reception of an associated roller as the ramp reaches a desired position adjacent the top surface of the first floor. The housing includes first locking means to lock the rollers within the associated indentations when the ramp is extended and second means for locking the ramp within the retracted position. The second means is in the form of a releasable handle which is also used to effect the extension of the ramp out of the housing.

Abstract: A pair of longitudinally extended stringers include pins at the upper ends thereof to detachably engage apertures drilled in the open tail gate of the vehicle so that the stringers extend to the ground at approximately the same angle as the open tail gate. A plurality of cross members or rungs are secured in spaced and parallel relationship to cables, chains or the like and the lowermost cross member is bolted between the two stringers adjacent the lower ends thereof. When the stringers are secured by the upper ends into the apertures of the tail gate, the cross members are unrolled upwardly along the stringers and the uppermost cross member is then detachably secured to the stringers adjacent the upper ends thereof thus forming a ladder type ramp for the loading or unloading of a snowmobile. If planks are laid longitudinally between the stringers, then any wheeled vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle or the like, may be loaded or unloaded along the ramp.

Abstract: A transport trailer for wheelbarrows includes a longitudinal channel member for the guidance and support of a wheelbarrow wheel and is adapted to be coupled to the drawbar of a garden tractor. A rear transverse member supports the rear end of the longitudinal channel at its center and includes on its upper side and on opposite sides of the longitudinal channel laterally adjustable locking bolts for the legs of wheelbarrows having diverse distances between legs. The rear transverse member carries at its ends a pair of wheels and a ramp for the wheelbarrow is pivotally attached to the rear of the trailer and is biased by a spring to extended and folded positions.

Abstract: A platform and ramp apparatus comprises a ramp and structure for securing the ramp to the platform. The securing means comprises link structure rotatably mounted on the platform to rotate about a first axis of rotation fixed relative to the platform, the ramp being rotatably mounted on the linkage to rotate about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation. Engagement structure is provided on the platform and on the ramp respectively, which engagement structure is capable of retaining the ramp in two alternative positions relative to the platform. These are a first ramp position in which the ramp provides a surface sloping downwardly from the platform and a second ramp position in which the ramp provides a surface sloping upwardly from the platform to form a barrier. Rotation of the linkage about the first axis of rotation allows disengagement of the engagement structure whereby the ramp may be moved between the first and second ramp positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting knives, sockets, holders and analogous devices for severing, supporting, transferring and/or otherwise manipulating rod-shaped articles which constitute or form part of smokers' products has first and second disks which are rotatable about parallel axes and carry sets of levers each pivotable about an axis which is parallel to the axes of the disks. Each lever of one disk is coupled to a lever of the other disk by a crank unit one pin of which carries a tool. One of the disks is driven and transmits torque to the other disk by way of the levers and crank units whereby the crank units orbit and their pins hold the tools against any change of orientation. Stationary cams have congruent grooves for roller followers which are provided on the levers of the first and second disks, and the cam grooves are configurated in such a way that the cams can reduce or increase the absolute speed of movement of crank pins by moving the pins toward or away from the axes of the respective disks.

Abstract: A ramp and ramp carrier for trucks and the like is disclosed in which the truck body is provided with long rails comprising I-beams which carry the cross members and truck floor, the long rails being adapted to be supported by and secured to the spaced parallel truck frame rails in a conventional manner, the ramp being pivotally connected to a carriage which is supported by a trolley movable in a longitudinal track secured to the cross members of the body, the ramp and carriage being normally stored between the long rails of the truck body and being retractable for use with one end of the ramp hooked into the floor end plate and the other end resting on the ground.

Abstract: An armored satellite truck is normally carried by an armored main truck and lowered onto the ground outside a bank establishment for delivering money and/or other valuables from the main truck to the interior of the establishment by an armed driver in the protected interior of the satellite truck.

Abstract: A cargo ramp configured for stowage on a cargo carrying vessel and deployment between a cargo opening or the outer boundary of a cargo deck and the surface of a cargo handling region such as a runway, dock or pier. The cargo ramp includes two hinged together ramp sections having a motor-driven wheel assembly at the lower terminus of the ramp and a vessel-to-ramp interface at the upper terminus of the ramp. Deployment and retrieval of the cargo ramp is effected through predetermined sequential operation of motor-driven deployment wheels located beneath the upper ramp section, actuators for operation of the hinge and the motor-driven wheel assembly at the lower terminus of the ramp. A power operated deployment mechanism contained in the ramp-to-vessel interface permits vertical adjustment of the upper terminus of the ramp when required.

Abstract: A utility platform is described that is attachable to the standard tubular hitch connector of a vehicle. The platform includes a central support beam that is mounted at one end to the tubular hitch connector. The support beam mounts a support panel for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. A detent assembly interconnects the support beam and panel. It automatically operates to lock the panel in a horizontal carrying position. It is manually operable to unlock the panel and allow it to pivot to a tilted loading position. The panel is centered over the support beam and is substantially balanced thereon when in the horizontal carrying position.

Abstract: A trailer assembly for transporting snowmobiles. The trailer assembly includes a movable frame, preferably supported on wheels, a first snowmobile support portion mounted on the frame, and a second snowmobile support portion mounted on the frame in cooperative relationship with the first support portion. A mechanism is provided for adjusting the relative angular position between the first and second support portions, the adjusting mechanism being adapted to move the support portions between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A winch includes a direct current reversible motor operable to drive a gear train to wind or unwind cable from a drum and also includes first and second clutch mechanisms in the gear train that provide respectively (1) internal loading of the winch to prohibit undesirable unwinding of cable and (2) infinite clutch control between free wheeling operation and direct gear train drive of the winch. The first clutch mechanism is a sprag clutch which is operated against a brake load built into the winch. The second clutch mechanism includes clutch plates which are engaged proportional to the force of a thrust bearing controlled by a manually operated handle.

Abstract: A ramp and ramp carrier for trucks and the like is disclosed in which the truck body is provided with long rails comprising channels facing inwardly and which carry the cross members and truck floor, the long rails being supported and secured to the spaced parallel truck frame rails, with interposed spacers of wood, the securing elements being exteriorly of the channels and truck frame to avoid interior interference with the ramp, the ramp being carried between and by the long rails with provisions for retention and, upon withdrawal for use, with the outer end on the ground having members for hooking over a rear plate on the body.

Abstract: A transport apparatus has a loading ramp pivotally connected to a lower frame, which is supported for transport along the ground. The ramp also is pivotally connected to an upper frame, which is disposed above the lower frame and connected thereto by linkage means.

Abstract: A device for transport and unloading of e.g. logs stacked on a support such as a timber truck provided with at least two timber bunks, each consisting of a transverse member carrying said logs, said member having a vertical stake at each end. The stakes on one side of the support are stationary in their upright position, while the opposite stakes can move from the stationary stakes and swing to a downwardly inclined position by telescopic extension of said transverse member for unloading. The timber bunks are combined with an intermediate member for unloading by elongate flexible members being tensioned to form an inclined unloading ramp. Two auxiliary elongate flexible members, attached to said first flexible members while encircling the load, can be stretched by partial tensioning of said first flexible members.

Abstract: A combination boat and camper trailer comprises a camper supporting portion secured to a boat supporting portion. The camper supporting portion includes opposed pairs of parallel, inclined guide members supporting the camper for movement between upper and lower positions. Preferably, the forward guide members include level upper portions while the upper portions of the rear members are inclined so that the camper can be tilted to facilitate water launching of the boat. Apparatus is provided for supporting the boat on dry land so that the camper can be lowered for occupancy without requiring that the boat be launched.

Abstract: A portable hoist mechanism which is configured for temporary installation proximate the cargo opening of an aircraft to facilitate the loading and unloading of a cargo ramp is disclosed. The hoist mechanism includes a rectangular base unit that is placed on the floor of the aircraft cargo compartment and structurally interconnected with the aircraft sill fittings and end locks of the aircraft cargo handling system. An A-frame, having a cable sheave mounted at the apex thereof, is pivotably attached to the forward portion of the base unit upper surface in an orientation which permits the upper end of the A-Frame to be swung outwardly through the aircraft cargo opening. A ball screw actuator, extending angularly from the central region of the A-frame to the rear portion of the base unit upper surface, is operable to selectively position the A-frame during loading and unloading of a cargo ramp.

Abstract: An inclined ramp, for loading and unloading rolling cargo between ground level and a cargo bay of an air transport, incorporates a stowable lift for handling palletized cargo which is deployable into an operative position providing a horizontal pallet receiving platform and which is retractable into a collapsed, stowed position nested in an elongate recess between treadways of the ramp. The platform of the lift is supportively mounted on a carriage which rides up and down the ramp on tracks mounted within the recess. The rolling-cargo ramp, with the pallet lift stowed therein, is retractable into the cargo bay for on-board transit and is deployable from the cargo bay for use at airfields where specialized, ground-based cargo-handling equipment is unavailable and when a mix of both rolling and palletized cargo is involved.

Abstract: A packer and loader unit includes a container which may be mounted on the frame of a truck or mounted upon a frame of a trailer. A front support assembly normally disposed at the forward end of the container is connected by a displacing means to a rear support assembly normally disposed at the rear of the container. A tail gate is pivotally mounted on the rear support assembly and has a forward portion engageable with a wall just below the floor of the container at the rear thereof. Displacing of the rear support assembly toward the front support assembly when the latter is locked in position will cause the tail gate to pivot from a down-ramp position to an up-position which may be substantially vertical so as to close off the rear end opening of the container. Locking the rear support assembly in position and actuating the displacing means will cause the front support assembly to move rearwardly in the container.

Abstract: A ramp assembly for use with a vehicle to provide access to and from the vehicle. The ramp assembly is particularly suited for use by people confined to a wheel chair. The assembly includes a control lever pivotally mounted to a ramp member of the assembly to support a control switch at hand level to someone in a wheel chair. The control lever abuts a portion of the vehicle as the ramp assembly closes and is supported in a substantially vertical position when the assembly is closed to increase the space available within the vehicle. The motor drive for the ramp assembly is positioned on the vehicle between two pivotally mounted ramp members to further increase the available space within the vehicle over past assemblies.

Abstract: A low profile trailer dolly having separated rear wheels and a forward end draft tongue is adapted to be drawn by a garden tractor. The trailer dolly has a pivoted ramp member at its transverse center upon which the wheelbarrow wheel is rolled to elevate the wheelbarrow and nest its wheel between the ramp member and an adjustable supporting bar on the frame of the trailer dolly. Support platforms for the wheelbarrow legs and a leg locking device are provided adjacent to the inner sides of the wheels of the trailer dolly. The device enables a conventional wheelbarrow to serve the purpose of a small wagon around the home or farm.

Abstract: An apparatus for laying sod comprising a wheeled frame which is propelled and steered by means of an engine which drives hydraulic motors connected to the drive wheels thereof. A sod platform is pivotally mounted adjacent its forward end to the wheeled frame and may be raised from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position by means of a hydraulic cylinder connected thereto. A fork-like support is provided at the forward end of the platform and is adapted to be inserted into a sod pallet when the platform is in the vertical position. As the platform is moved to the horizontal position, the sod members are positioned on the platform at the forward end thereof. A first conveyor is movably mounted on the platform to convey the sod members towards the rearward end of the platform. An upstanding support is secured to the conveyor for movement therewith for maintaining the sod members in a substantial upstanding position on the conveyor.

Abstract: A generally rectangular shaped beaver tail platform is supported in inclined relation from the rear end portion of a trailer. Locking elements on the beaver tail platform and trailer releasably lock the beaver tail platform on the trailer. Ramp members are pivotally mounted on the rear end portion of the beaver tail platform.