Abstract:
A goods handling&#39; apparatus for a cargo storage and transport vehicle includes a movable cargo platform continuous with a portion of cargo enclosure floor, when the cargo platform is in an upper position. Cargo may be slid between the trailer floor and the cargo platform. A vertical actuator raises and lowers the cargo platform between the upper position and a lower position atop the ground or other vehicle support surface whereupon cargo may be slid between the cargo platform and the ground or other positions. The cargo platform is disposed substantially within the plan perimeter of the floor of the cargo module during raising and lowering. A modular system may be integrated into the cargo enclosure, or may be incorporated into a modular enclosure for appending to a cargo box of the prior art. An underside is disposed in vertically adjusting communication with the cargo platform.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a Continuation-In-Part Application claiming benefit to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/508,246, filed on Jul. 23, 2009, which is a Continuation-In-Part Application claiming benefit of both PCT International Application Serial No. PCT/US2008/078345, filed on Sep. 30, 2008 and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/981,345, filed Oct. 31, 2007 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,877), which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field relates to a module having an integrated lift, the lift being provided to raise and lower cargo to and from a cargo transportation enclosure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     While lifts are known that extend off the back of a truck by folding down or by arcuately extending outward and down from the back of a truck. These lifts fail to provide for use when space behind a truck is limited, are bulky additions to the truck, and do not provide additional floor space while enclosing the lift components within the enclosure of the cargo area. 
     Typically, trailers and vehicles with a trailer or enclosure for hauling cargo are arranged to haul cargo within the trailer and atop a trailer floor. One such arrangement is found in a delivery truck, which includes a vertically movable lift gate, which swings down and extends rearwardly from the end of the trailer floor. Cargo is either loaded onto or off the rear lift gate and either elevated or lowered for pick up or delivery of the cargo. However, in inclement weather, the operator and the cargo may be exposed to rain or snow by being outside of the confines of the trailer. Moreover, extra room behind the, trailer-is required to accommodate the length of the lift gate and additional space to load and unload cargo therefrom. 
     A number of prior art systems have been developed which, in part, address this limiting aspect of the above delivery trucks. U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,747 issued Dec. 2, 1980 to Ratliff discloses a transport vehicle for medium-sized route delivery of goods. The versatile design allows for removability of the central partition in each cargo bay and adjustability of the position of the floor. A delivery truck body or trailer, which is convertible between being arranged for side loading at ground level or rear loading at dock height, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,132 to Day. 
     Price teaches a double drop trailer with lifts therein in U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,721. A first lift comprises upper and lower platforms rigidly interconnected one to another, the second lift located in the rear section. 
     Three U.S. patents to Greenlaw, et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,915,913, 6,328,525 and 6,474,446, teach delivery vehicles with multi-tier storage and elevator assemblies installed therein. Substantially continuous side access door provide total exterior access to the lowermost tier of cargo in the &#39;525 patent, the &#39;913 patent teaching elevator assemblies for multi-tier storage. The &#39;446 patent teaches a framing system that reduces structural requirements of side walls and floors, permitting multiple Side access ports and reduced floor thickness to permit easier access from the pavement. 
     Recently issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,114,905 to Dibdin teaches methods and an apparatus for optimizing use of storage space in a trailer. The apparatus provides a loading apparatus for the trailer having a platform movable relative to the floor of the trailer to facilitate loading of goods. 
     Published application 2003/0147734 to Adams discloses a goods handling system for a vehicle or railway trailer which allows the level of access to all areas of the trailer to be improved. 
     An under ride is a cross member positioned below a vehicle trailer and the ground, providing a safety barrier which keeps other vehicles from encroaching under the vehicle. 
     Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 224, Rear Impact Protection, requires most trailers and semi-trailers weighing over 10,000 pounds to be fitted at the rear with a rear impact (underside) guard meeting the requirements of Standard No. 223, Rear impact guards (49 CFR 571.223 and 571.224) published on Jan. 24, 1996 at 61 FR 2004). 
     Concerns were expressed about compatibility of undersides in conjunction with trailers and semi-trailers equipped with equipment such as liftgates. Concerns about certain incompatible equipment led NHTSA to exclude “special purpose vehicles” from the requirements of the standard. A special purpose vehicle is defined in 84 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 224 as, “a trailer or semi-trailer having work-performing equipment that, while the vehicle is in transit, resides in or moves through the area that could be occupied by the horizontal member of the rear underside guard, as defined by S5.1.1 through S5.1.3. If any work-performing equipment is mounted in the guard zone, the vehicle is excluded regardless of when and how the equipment is used. 
     Undersides are valuable safety devices that are excluded on trailers or semi-trailers that include equipment such as liftgates. An underside design that is compatible with equipment such as liftgates is desired. 
     None of the known lifts provide vertically movable cargo within the confines of a trailer enclosure. Additional space is required rearwardly of the trailer for most of the known systems. Additionally, movable side cargo-receiving lifts are capable of being used for floor space for hauling Cargo. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A goods handling apparatus for a cargo storage and transport trailer includes a movable cargo platform module forming a separate part of the trailer floor that may be continuous with the trailer floor when the cargo platform is in an upper position, and cargo may be slid between the trailer floor and the cargo platform or may remain on the platform during hauling of the cargo to a destination. A vertical actuator attached to the cargo platform raises and lowers the cargo platform between the upper position and a lower position atop the ground or other vehicle support surface or loading dock. Cargo may be slid or rolled off the platform without lifting between the cargo platform and the ground or other surface. The cargo platform is positioned substantially&#39; within the plan perimeter of the floor of the trailer during lifting and lowering, allowing cargo to be loaded or off-loaded in tight confines not possible with known lifts. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the cargo storage and transport trailer includes: 
     a continuous, flat cargo-supported floor surface within an enclosed storage area; 
     a movable cargo platform forming a separate continuation of the floor surface and being generally continuous with the floor surface when said cargo platform is in an upper position whereby cargo may be slid between the trailer-floor surface and said cargo platform; 
     a vertical actuator attached at one end to said cargo platform and coupled to the enclosed storage area such that the vertical actuator raises and lowers said cargo platform between the upper position and a lower position atop the ground or other surface supporting the delivery truck, wherein cargo may be slid between said cargo platform and the ground or other surface supporting the delivery truck, and said cargo platform being substantially within a perimeter of the trailer floor when cargo on said cargo platform is lifted or lowered and said vertical actuator being within the enclosed storage area when said cargo platform is in the upper position and outside of the enclosed storage area when said cargo platform is in the lower position atop the ground or other surface supporting the delivery truck. 
     In one aspect, the cargo storage and transport trailer further includes an underride positioned spanning across a rear edge of the trailer and below a lift. The underride being vertically compensating via a biasing member. 
     In yet another aspect, the cargo handling apparatus may be incorporated into a conventional delivery trailer of a truck, which will lift and lower cargo within the confines of the trailer. In one example, the platform is confined to the perimeter of a module that may be modularly coupled with the truck. In one example, a modular lift extends from side of the truck allowing the lift to clear the chassis of the truck. 
     In yet another aspect, rear impact protection is provided by an integrated cross member that is capable of lowering and rising with the lift mechanism integrated into the rear of enclosure. In one advantage, goods handling apparatus may eliminate the need for additional working space behind or to the rear of the trailer of the vehicle by deploying and lifting a vertically movable cargo platform which is positioned within a rearward opening formed into the floor of the trailer floor and within the plan profile of the trailer (e.g. the perimeter of the enclosed area). 
     While in another aspect, a goods handling apparatus which extends laterally from the side of a trailer only a distance sufficient for a cargo platform to move vertically just outboard of the frame of the trailer provides for raising and lowering within the perimeter of the goods handling apparatus module. 
     And in another aspect, a second underride is disposed beneath the side located cargo platform. The underride being vertically compensating via a biasing member. The underride is supported via an upright frame, which slideably engages with an upright receiving channel. The biasing member is secured between the upright receiving channel and the upright frame member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a cargo vehicle showing several embodiments of the invention view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the cargo vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the cargo vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is another isometric view of the cargo vehicle of  FIG. 1  showing several embodiments of the invention in a deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the cargo vehicle illustrating the two cargo lifts in a partially lowered configuration; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the cargo vehicle illustrating a side cargo lifting platform in a deployed configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric exploded view of the cargo vehicle illustrating the components of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed sectioned side view of an exemplary actuator and underside protection, illustrated having a lift platform in a stored configuration; 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed sectioned side view of the exemplary actuator and underside protection of  FIG. 8 , illustrated having a lift platform in a lowered configuration; 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric partially exploded view of additional embodiments of the present invention incorporating trailer modules; 
         FIG. 11  is a detailed isometric view of a rear cargo handling add-on module originally introduced in  FIG. 10 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a detailed isometric view of a front cargo handling add-on module originally introduced in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     Examples are illustrated in the drawings and are described herein. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein should be considered illustrative rather than limiting. Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     A cargo storing and transport vehicle  100  is presented illustrating various elements contributing to the present invention, which are described in  FIGS. 1 through 9 . Referring now to the drawings, an otherwise cargo storing and transport vehicle  100  is shown and includes a truck  102  and a trailer assembly  104 . A trailer assembly  104  includes a trailer body  106  defining an enclosure above a trailer floor  112  and having a longitudinal trailer frame  110 , which maybe formed as an integral part of the truck  102 . 
     Two examples of integrated lift platforms  120 ,  160  are illustrated. The examples may be combined in a single trailer assembly  104  or may be used separately. In one example, a movable rear cargo platform  124  is rectangular, but may be of any convenient shape or size and may have a tapered lip or ramp  126  along the rearwardly distal edge, for example. This example includes a pair of rear upright frame members  130  rigidly connected at each rearwardly corner of the movable rear cargo platform  124  or at least within the enclosure when the platform is raised. Each are upwardly engaged into one of two vertical actuator channels  132  and operated via a respective vertical actuator  134 . These vertical actuator channels  132  may be rigidly attached or affixed to an inner surface of the trailer body  106  or an intermediate support in an upright orientation within the enclosure of the trailer body  106 . Functionality of the lift  120 ,  160  is best described in  FIGS. 9 and 10  disclosed herein. 
     The trailer floor  112  includes a rear platform floor cutout  114 , which may be formed in the distal rearward portion of the trailer floor  112 . The opening substantially mates with and receives the movable rear cargo platform  124  so that, when the movable rear cargo platform  124  is in the upper position, top-most surface of the movable rear cargo platform  124  is substantially continuous with and uninterrupting of the movable rear cargo platform  124  so that cargo within the trailer body  106  may be slid onto or from the movable rear cargo platform  124  without the need for lifting or use of a wheeled cart or hand truck, for example. 
     An overhead-type rear door  122 , shown in the open position in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  7  and in the closed position in  FIG. 1 , may completely enclose the trailer body  106 , including all of the components of the rear cargo handling apparatus and lift assembly  120 . During inclement weather, a movable rear door  122  may be left closed while the rear cargo handling apparatus and lift assembly  120  is loaded with cargo (not shown, but well understood) and then moved downwardly by vertical actuator  134  to the lowered position resting atop the ground or other vehicle support surface, that movement being in the direction of arrow A as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The rear door  122  may be opened a distance sufficient for removal of the cargo from the movable rear cargo platform  124 . Note importantly that, as best seen in the top plan view of  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the amount of rearwardly space required for loading and off loading of cargo from the trailer body  106  is reduced compared to known lifts. A similar side door  162  can be provided respective to a side cargo handling apparatus and lift module  160 . 
     In one example, an underride member  140  includes spaced underride upright frames  142 , which are coupled movably by spring biased coupling member  145  placed within an underride vertical support channel  144 , for example. The height and position rearwardly of the trailer body  106  prevent other vehicles from sliding beneath the truck during an unintended rear-end collision with the cargo storing and transport vehicle  100 . In one example, underride upright frame  142  may be downwardly deployed (via Arrow D) the underride member  140  upon engagement with the movable rear cargo platform  124 , when the movable rear cargo platform  124  is lowered, as disclosed in more detail in reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     An example of a side cargo handling apparatus and lift module  160  includes an additional feature of a side module movable cargo platform  164  having a side module floor  165 , an module back panel  168 , two side lift vertical actuator and channels  172  and an module top panel  167 . The side cargo handling apparatus and lift module  160  also includes a side module movable cargo platform  164 , which, in the upper position, just closely fits within a side module floor cutout  116  so that the side module movable cargo platform  164  is continuous with and uninterruptive of the side module floor  165 . 
     To deploy this side cargo handling apparatus and lift module  160 , a track  178  connected within the trailer body  106 , in one example, is laterally oriented at approximately the trailer floor level. The track  178  will move the side cargo handling apparatus and lift module  160  outwardly (horizontally) in the direction of arrow B, as best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . When the side module movable cargo platform  164  clears the longitudinal trailer frame  110 , the side module movable cargo platform  164  may be lowered in the direction of arrow C by vertical actuators (similar to vertical actuator  134 ) contained within the side lift vertical actuator and channel  172  until the side module movable cargo platform  164  comes to rest atop the ground or otherwise. The side lift vertical actuator and channels  172  provide stability, guiding the side upright frame member  170  during vertical motion. Cargo loading and unloading onto or from the interior of the trailer body  106  is facilitated as the side cargo handling apparatus and lift module  160  may be installed anywhere along the length of the trailer and on either side for convenience or special delivery needs. A ramp  166  can be disposed along the outer edge of the side module movable cargo platform  164  for aiding loading and unloading of cargo from the platform  164 . The side underside member  180  is partially obscured by the ramp  166  and side module movable cargo platform  164  when the side module movable cargo platform  164  is lowered as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     A rear impact protection system is integrated with the lift mechanism and illustrated throughout the drawings. Detailed operation sectional views are presented in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . For example, a underside member  140  is coupled to a movable rear cargo platform  124 , which may be raised or lowered, by coupling a underside upright frame  142  to a underside vertical support channel  144  via a spring biased coupling member  145  disposed within the underside vertical support channel  144 . Both the underside vertical support channels  144  and the movable rear cargo platform  124  may be mounted to the trailer body  106 ,  206  of the cargo storing and transport vehicle  100  by vertical actuators  134 . The spring biased coupling member  145  is preferably a tension spring secured to the underside vertical support channel  144  via a biasing member channel mount  146  provided at an upper end of the spring biased coupling member  145 . The spring biased coupling member  145  is secured to the underside upright frame  142  via a biasing member under ride upright mount  148  provided at a lower end of the spring biased coupling member  145 . Each of the vertical actuators  134  may be enclosed within a respective vertical actuator channel  132 . The vertical actuator channels  132  are schematically illustrated in the exploded view of  FIG. 7 , for example, and are illustrated with additional detail in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The vertical actuator  134  is secured to the vertical actuator channel  132  via an actuator channel mount  136  provided at an upper end of the vertical actuator  134 . The vertical actuator  134  is secured to the movable rear cargo platform  124  or rear upright frame member  130  via a actuator lift mount  138  provided at a lower end of the vertical actuator  134 . The vertical actuator  134  is preferably a bi-directional, hydraulically operated piston. Alternates include a screw drive, a cable lift, a rack and pinion lift, an electromechanical lift, and the like. Vertical motion and stability of the movable rear cargo platform  124  is provided via the engagement between the rear upright frame member  130  and the vertical actuator channel  132 . A detailed view of two of the underride vertical support channels  144  for one of the underride upright frame  142  shows a spring biased coupling member  145  coupling the underride upright frame  142  to underride member  140 . One or more limiting devices  149  may be provided to limit the maximum extent of the movement of the underride upright frame  142  in the upward direction respective to the underride vertical support channel  144 . As the movable rear cargo platform  124  moves downward, the underride member  140  may remain stationary until the platform reaches the underride member  140 . Then, the movable rear cargo platform  124  and the underride member  140  may continue to move downward together. An underride receiving notch  128  can be provided in a cargo platform bottom surface  125  of the movable rear cargo platform  124  for receiving the underride member  140 . This configuration positions a underride member bottom surface  141  of the underride member  140  flush with the cargo platform bottom surface  125 , allowing the movable rear cargo platform  124  to be lowered onto the ground. As the movable rear cargo platform  124  is raised upwardly, the underride member  140  may be raised, also, until the underride upright frame  142  reaches the limiting devices  149 , for example, which limiting devices  149  positions the underride member  140 , at a height to provide for rear impact protection. 
     A similar underride system can be provided along a side of the vehicle, positioning a side underride member  180  under the side cargo handling apparatus and lift module  160 . A pair of side underride upright frames  182  extends upwardly from the two outer ends of the side underride member  180  engaging with a module underride vertical support channel and biasing member  184 . The side underride assembly is similar to the rear underride assembly  140 ,  142 ,  144  previously disclosed herein. The side underride member  180  adjusts vertically in accordance with Arrow E. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10 through 12 , a cargo storage and transport vehicle  200  and includes a truck  202 , a frame (not shown, but understood to be similar to longitudinal trailer frame  110 ), a plurality of wheels  208 , and one or more modular lift assemblies  220 ,  260 . A majority of the elements of the illustrated embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 9 . The use of modular sections enables an end user to assemble and remove the modular sections from any vehicle, trailer, cargo container and the like. 
     The modular lift assembly  220 ,  260  may be installed within a self-contained, handling add-on module  205 ,  207  respectively. The rear cargo handling add-on module  205  is assembled about a rear portion of an intermediate trailer section  206 . The front cargo handling add-on module  207  is assembled about a forward portion of an intermediate trailer section  206 . The rear cargo handling add-on module  205  and the front cargo handling add-on module  207  are independently configured to the intermediate trailer section  206 , forming the trailer assembly  204 . Like features of the modular lift components and the underside systems presented in  FIGS. 10 through 12  and the integrated lift components and the underside systems presented in  FIGS. 1 through 9  are numbered the same except preceded by the numeral ‘2’. 
     In more detail, the rear cargo handling add-on module  205  includes a module body shell  300 . The module body shell  300  is fabricated having a module floor  212 , a pair of module sidewalls  302 , and a module roof  306 . The module floor  212  is arranged in a generally horizontal orientation and defined by a pair of generally parallel side edges  330 , an attachment edge  332 , and a trailing edge  334 . Each module sidewalls  302  are arranged generally perpendicular to the module floor  212 , wherein the module floor  212  is located proximate a lower edge of the module sidewalls  302 . A module roof  306  spans between the sidewall upper edges  304  of each module sidewalls  302 . The module floor  212 , pair of module sidewalls  302  and the module roof  306  collectively form a tubular shaped structure, preferably in a rectangular cross sectional shape. The tubular shaped structure defines a module interior space  312 . A module end wall  308  is affixed to one end of the tubular structure. A module attachment edge  320  is defined at an opposite end thereof. A cargo opening  310  is provided through the module end wall  308 , providing access to the module interior space  312 . A rear door  222  is operably attached to the module end wall  308  providing a closure and access passageway to the module interior space  312 . The rear door  222  can be provided in a hinged panel form factor; a roll up, multi-panel form factor; and the like. An attachment interface (not shown) can be integrated into the module attachment edge  320  for ease of attachment and removal from a mating container. The attachment interface can include a weatherproof seal to minimize transfer of weather, temperature, etc. between the module interior space  312  and an exterior of the module body shell  300 . 
     A rear cargo handling apparatus and lift assembly  220  includes a movable rear cargo platform  224 , which is moveably assembled to the module body shell  300  by a pair of rear upright frame members  230 . A floor platform clearance  214  is formed through the module floor  212  for receiving the movable rear cargo platform  224 . The rear upright frame member  130  locates the movable rear cargo platform  224  in a container transfer position  350 , where a platform upper surface  223  of the movable rear cargo platform  224  becomes coplanar with a floor upper surface  213  of the module floor  212 . The floor platform clearance  214  extends inward from trailing edge  334  of the module floor  212 , where the trailing edge  334  is located adjacent to the cargo opening  310 . The floor platform clearance  214  is defined by a clearance peripheral edge that is sized and shaped to mate with a platform peripheral edge  324 . The movable rear cargo platform  224  is lowered to a ground transfer position  352  by vertically positioning the rear upright frame member  230  within the vertical actuator channel  232 . It is understood that the vertical motion of the movable rear cargo platform  224  can be provided by any form factor of a vertical actuator. 
     Similarly, the front cargo handling add-on module  207  includes a module body shell  400 . The module body shell  400  is fabricated having a module floor  212 , a pair of module sidewalls  402 , and a module roof  406 . The module floor  211  is defined by a pair of generally parallel side edges  430 , an attachment edge  432 , and a leading edge (not shown), the module floor  211  being arranged in a generally horizontal orientation. Each module sidewall  402  are arranged generally perpendicular to the module floor  211 , wherein the module floor  211  is located proximate a lower edge of the module sidewall  402 . A module roof  406  spans between the sidewall upper edge  404  of each module sidewall  402 . The module floor  211 , pair of module sidewalls  402  and the module roof  406  collectively form a tubular shaped structure, preferably in a rectangular cross sectional shape. The tubular shaped structure defines a module interior space  412 . A module end wall  408  is affixed to one end of the tubular structure. A module attachment edge  420  is defined at an opposite end thereof. A cargo opening  410  is provided through one of the module sidewalls  402 , providing access to the module interior space  412 . An attachment interface (not shown) can be integrated into the module attachment edge  420  for ease of attachment and removal from a mating container. The attachment interface can include a weatherproof seal to minimize transfer of weather, temperature, etc. between the module interior space  412  and an exterior of the module body shell  400 . 
     Operation of each of the lifts  220  and  260  is similar to lifts  120 ,  160  previously described. The rear cargo handling apparatus and lift assembly  220  comprises a movable rear cargo platform  224 , which transports objects between an intermediate trailer floor  212 , the module section floor  214 , and the ground. The module section floor  212  comprises a floor platform clearance  214  which substantially mates with and receives the movable rear cargo platform  224  so that, when the movable rear cargo platform  224  is in the upper position, referred to as a container transfer position  350 , top-most surface  223  of the movable rear cargo platform  224  is substantially continuous with and uninterrupting with the floor platform clearance  214  of module section floor  214  so that cargo within the rear cargo handling add-on module  205  may be slid onto or from the movable rear cargo platform  224  without the need for lifting or use of a wheeled cart or hand truck, for example. 
     Similarly, the side cargo handling apparatus and lift module  260  comprises a side module movable cargo platform  264 , which transports objects between a side module floor  265  and the ground. The side cargo handling apparatus and lift module  260  includes a frame assembly including a horizontal lower component (the side module floor  265 ), a vertical component (a pair of side lift vertical actuator and channels  272 ), and a horizontal upper component (platform assembly upper member  269 ). The pair of side lift vertical actuator and channels  272  or a similar facade defines an opening or access passageway. A side platform door  422  is operably located within the opening formed by the pair of side lift vertical actuator and channels  272 . At least one track  278  is incorporated within the front cargo handling add-on module  207 , wherein the at least one track  278  provides horizontally transport of the side cargo handling apparatus and lift module  260 . A side module floor clearance  478  can be provided within said module floor  211  for receiving said side module floor  265 . The side module floor  265  is substantially continuous with and uninterrupting with the respective module floor  211  of the front cargo handling add-on module  207 . The side module floor  265  comprises a floor platform clearance  216  which substantially mates with and receives the side module movable cargo platform  264  so that, when the side module movable cargo platform  264  is in the upper position  350 , top-most surface  263  of the side module movable cargo platform  264  is substantially continuous with and uninterrupting with the floor platform clearance  216  of the side module floor  265  so that cargo within the front cargo handling add-on module  207  may be slid onto or from the side module movable cargo platform  264  without the need for lifting or use of a wheeled cart or hand truck. The modularity may be used for any cargo truck. Refrigerated cargo spaces may benefit from an interlock or curtain that reduces the amount of cooled air that escapes from the cargo enclosure during loading and off-loading. 
     The modules  205 ,  207  can include various additional features, such as a support frame  340 , exterior lights  342 , and the like, to aid in either functionality, reliability, legal requirements, and the like. 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.