Patent ID: 8434991
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for loading a container onto a vehicle having a forward end, a rearward end, a central axis extending horizontally from the forward end to the rearward end, and a frame structure, the apparatus comprising: first container-engaging means for engaging a first side of the container while the container is located behind the vehicle, including a first beam having a first proximal end portion, a first distal end portion, and a first intermediate portion extending intermediate the first proximal end portion and the first distal end portion along a first beam axis of elongation; second container-engaging means for engaging a second side of the container opposite the first side of the container while the container is located behind the vehicle, including a second beam having a second proximal end portion, a second distal end portion, and a second intermediate portion extending intermediate the second proximal end portion and the second distal end portion along a second beam axis of elongation; beam-holding means on the vehicle for holding the first and second proximal end portions of the first and second beams forward of the rearward end of the vehicle for operator-controlled movement of the first and second proximal end portions, and thereby the rest of the first and second beams, vertically down to a vehicle-supporting surface on which the vehicle is disposed, laterally toward each other and laterally away from each other to positions laterally beyond the frame structure of the vehicle so that they can be moved vertically down to the vehicle-supporting surface, and longitudinally toward the container behind the vehicle, with the first beam axis of elongation disposed horizontally to the left of and parallel to a vertical reference plane containing the central axis and the second beam axis of elongation disposed horizontally to the right of and parallel to the vertical reference plane, in order to thereby enable movement of the first and second beams to container-engaging positions alongside the container in which the first and second beams are located downwardly at the vehicle-supporting surface; and beam-supporting means on the vehicle for supporting the first and second intermediate portions of the first and second beams rearward of the rearward end of the vehicle while enabling operator-controlled positioning of the first and second intermediate portions vertically and laterally in concert with movement of the first and second proximal end portions in order to achieve operator-desired beam orientations for container-loading purposes; wherein the first and second distal end portions and the first and second intermediate portions of the first and second beams are not spanned by rigid structure connected to the first and second beams that would hinder operator-controlled positioning of the first and second beams on opposite sides of the container and operator-controlled lateral movement of the first and second beams toward and away from each other; wherein the first and second beams do not support wheels of the vehicle that bear against the vehicle-supporting surface on which the vehicle is disposed; wherein the beam-holding means includes a carrier assembly mounted moveably on the vehicle for moving the first and second proximal end portions of the first and second beams longitudinally parallel to the vertical reference plane under operator control; and wherein the beam-supporting means is attached to the vehicle at the rearward end of the vehicle so that the beam-supporting means remains at the rearward end of the vehicle as the carrier assembly moves forwardly.