Patent ID: 8257007
Filing Date: 2012-09-04
Classification: B60P,B65G

Abstract:
1. A cargo loading apparatus operable to load cargo into an opening of an enclosed trailer, the apparatus comprising: an elongated bed comprising a longitudinally extending center channel comprising an interior portion having a pair of substantially aligned and juxtaposed inwardly longitudinally extending guide members and a gap defined therebetween, each of the guide members having an underside, the bed being divided longitudinally into a rear portion and a front portion, the rear portion of the bed having an open end portion configured to be in a position adjacent to the opening of the enclosed trailer; a pair of spaced apart longitudinally extending sidewalls flanking the rear portion of the bed, the sidewalls defining a cargo receiving area on the bed; a moveable carriage having a base portion, an upright ram, and a traveler assembly, the base portion being configured to move along the bed between the sidewalls, the upright ram being mounted to the base portion, the traveler assembly being coupled to the base portion and configured to travel inside the center channel of the bed when the carriage moves relative to the bed, the traveler assembly comprising a downwardly extending member and a plurality of wheels, the downwardly extending member being configured to pass between the guide members, and through the gap, the downwardly extending member having a lower portion with a pair of opposing sides, each of the opposite sides being adjacent to one of the guide members of the center channel, the plurality of wheels being mounted to the opposite sides of the lower portion of the downwardly extending member, the wheels being configured to roll along the undersides of the guide members in the center channel, the carriage being positionable on the front portion of the bed to allow cargo to be received in the cargo receiving area on the bed, the carriage being configured to move longitudinally along the bed between the front portion and the open end portion of the rear portion of the bed, the upright ram being configured to push cargo received inside the cargo receiving area toward the open end portion of the rear portion of the bed and into the opening of the enclosed trailer as the carriage moves longitudinally rearward along the bed; and a drive assembly coupled to the moveable carriage operable to selectively move the carriage between the front portion and the open end portion of the rear portion of the bed, the drive assembly comprising a pair of spaced apart chains disposed longitudinally along the bed and tethered to the moveable carriage, the longitudinally extending center channel of the bed being positioned between the pair of spaced apart chains, the drive assembly being operable to drive the pair of spaced apart chains along the bed in the same direction, and when so driven, the pair of spaced apart chains being configured to pull the moveable carriage tethered thereto along the bed, when each of the pair of spaced apart chains is driven by the drive assembly, the traveler assembly being operable to maintain the carriage on the bed and to prevent the carriage from being pulled sideways beyond the center channel by one of the pair of spaced apart chains to which the carriage is tethered.