Patent ID: 8746153
Filing Date: 2014-06-10
Classification: B61D,B61K,B65G

Abstract:
1. In combination having a cargo container, a transport vehicle with a transfer loader and a mechanism to move said loader to transfer said cargo container, and a driveway under said vehicle for said loader, wherein said transport vehicle having a frame having an exposed center sill supported on travelable end supports and container support beds spaced apart on and above said center sill with space for carrying said cargo container across said beds, the improvement comprising: said loader having a roadable running support frame with steerable swivel casters on said driveway including wheels that under-reach said sill sized and steerable to move on said driveway both lengthwise to position align and then transversely to enter under said center sill to support the loader from tipping and a lift platform sized to fit and align with and between said container support beds and the lift platform extending out over the center sill of said vehicle to support said cargo container within loading width limits for said vehicle, said casters being connected to swivel and steer in parallel to guide said wheels to steer in parallel to guide said loader to move on said driveway lengthwise and transversely to said vehicle between said beds to align said container for transfer on said vehicle and store under said container on said vehicle for transport with said container on said vehicle, a mechanism connecting said roadable running support frame and said lift platform aligned vertically along one side of said center sill to straddle said center sill, a lift mechanism to retract said wheels above said driveway for transport of said loader on said vehicle and extend to lift said lift platform for movement over said center sill and clear under said container and to lift further to support said container on said lift platform aligned for transfer to and from said vehicle, and supports for carrying said loader stored on said vehicle with said loader aligned between said container support beds and beneath space occupied by said cargo container on said vehicle, locating mechanism to hold said loader from moving sideways for transport on said vehicle, and a holding mechanism on said platform to hold said container in position on said platform during transfer on and off of said vehicle, said supports for carrying said loader including a shelf on each facing side of and below the top of said beds and at least high enough to support and guide the ends of said lift platform across the vehicle for travel on the shelves, leaving room for said container above on the vehicle, said mechanism connecting said roadable running support frame and said lift platform connected to said lift mechanism to lift and lower said roadable running support frame to stow said loader under the space for said container on said vehicle for transport therewith.