Patent ID: 7070219
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: B66C,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A lifting apparatus for use in lifting a trailer from a railcar, wherein said trailer includes a tandem rear axel with wheel assemblies having tires coupled thereto, for use in combination with an overhead crane having a plurality of lifting shoes for engaging said trailer at a plurality of lifting points, comprising: (a) a connector member for connecting said lifting apparatus to a lower portion of particular ones of said plurality of lifting shoes; (b) a retaining member for engaging said tandem rear axel and a particular one of said wheel assemblies in order to secure said particular one of said wheel assemblies in a fixed position and to bear the weight of said tandem rear axel and said wheel assemblies; (c) an adjustment member for determining an amount of engagement between said retaining member and said tandem axel and said particular one of said wheel assemblies, wherein said adjustment member comprises a mechanical biasing subassembly which urges said retaining member into mechanical engagement with said tandem rear axels with wheel assemblies; and (d) a mechanical linkage for mechanically connecting said connector member, said retainer member and said adjustment member.