Abstract:
A multi-tiered casket handling system is configured to preferably be placed in a vehicle. Because the casket handling system admits to adjustability in its mounting, a wide range of vehicles can be used. Further, because the casket handling system has a system for tilting the rear upper tier and powered movement of caskets, the system is capable of handling greater numbers of caskets than is possible with conventional systems, thereby taking full advantage of larger vehicles.

Description:
PRIORITY INFORMATION 
     The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/483,117 filed on May 6, 2011. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a system for handling, transporting, and storing caskets. In particular, the present system is directed to the accommodation of increased numbers of caskets in a wide variety of vehicle types. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Handling caskets and arranging them for transport in a moderately sized vehicle such as a van, has traditionally been a complex, and often difficult endeavor. Firstly, machinery for handling and storing heavy caskets has to be adapted to the interior of transport vehicles such as vans. The weight of the caskets and the supports necessary to hold them often put a substantial strain on the sidewalls and the bed of the vehicle. Multiple tiers of caskets also add additional stress to such arrangements. Moving the caskets in and out of a vehicle so equipped is often a very difficult endeavor leading to the danger of damage to the vehicle and to the expensive caskets. This is especially crucial when dealing with lightweight vans, which are very commonly used for a wide range of transport missions. 
     One known transport arrangement for holding caskets in a van is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,401 to Eekhoff, et al. This arrangement uses horizontal supports to hold two tiers of caskets. Each tier holds two caskets arranged next to each other lengthwise. The overall system is adapted for use in vans and similar vehicles. 
     In order to adapt the Eekhoff, et al. support structure to a van, brackets are used to support the lower tier from the bed or floor of the vehicle. The upper tier is supported by forward upright supports at the head or the front of the upper tier. The other half of the upper tier is supported by lift arms which are moved by either an electric or a hydraulic motivating system, which moves the upper tier up and down as facilitated by pivoting structures connecting the upper tier and the upright supports. 
     A disadvantage of the Eekhoff, et al. system is that the overall structure can support only a single row of two caskets on the upper tier. Further, the lower tier of the Eekhoff, et al. system is designed only for a single row of two caskets. Also, the Eekhoff, et al. system depends upon the two upright supports pivotally holding the front edge of the upper tier. The lower tier is independently held by connections to only the vehicle bed. Likewise, the upright supports also rely only upon the vehicle bed for support and stability. 
     The limited stability and capacity of the Eekhoff, et al. system appears to be suitable for relatively small vehicles such as small vans. However, the larger capacities available with larger vehicles cannot be exploited using the Eekhoff, et al. system. For example, in many cases, more than four caskets need to be carried in a single vehicle, when a vehicle has suitable cargo space to do so. 
     The use of the Eekhoff, et al. system, as well as other conventional systems, does not permit exploitation of increased vehicle capacity. Simply increasing the size of the Eekhoff, et al., system to match increased vehicle cargo capacities would result in an arrangement that is unstable and still incapable of handling a greater number of caskets. 
     Further, handling caskets within the confines of a vehicle can be very awkward with conventional systems. This is one of the reasons that conventional casket storage systems are limited in capacity. The walls of the vehicle often severely limit any access to the caskets being stored. Without easy access, handling the caskets can be very difficult, and even dangerous. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a casket handling system that can exploit increased vehicle sizes while maintaining stability when handling an increased number of caskets. Such a system would be safe and easily operated so that the increased number of caskets could be handled without increased difficulty. Chances of damage to the caskets would also be minimized by the new system. Flexibility for installing the new system would be increased, adapting to different vehicle sizes and types. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved casket handling system with increased capacity over systems in the conventional art. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved casket handling system which is compact in configuration. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a casket handling system that can be accommodated by a wide range of vehicles. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a casket handling system that can be easily shifted from one vehicle to another. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a casket handling system that can be adjusted so as to provide the best support in a wide range of different vehicles. 
     It is again another object of the present invention to provide a casket handling system that can be expanded to accommodate larger capacities for larger vehicles. 
     It is still an additional object of the present invention to provide a casket handling system that better guards against damage to the caskets during all phases of transport. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved casket handling system that can fully exploit large vehicle cargo spaces. 
     It is again a further object of the present invention to provide a casket handling system that provides a stable loading and storage platform in a variety of different environments. 
     It is again another object of the present invention to provide a casket handling system in which multiple rows of caskets can be easily handled using only rear access to the system. 
     These and other goals and objects of the present invention are found in a multi-tiered casket handling system having an accessible adjustable rear section and a fixed front section of at least two tiers. Each of the front sections and the rear section contains at least one upper tier and one lower tier. Each tier accommodates two rows, each row capable of holding at least two caskets. Each tier has at least one movable tray for transporting caskets between the front section and the rear section. 
     Another embodiment is directed to a method of handling caskets on a multi-tiered handling and storage device having upper and lower tiers, each with front and rear sections. The method includes the steps of placing a casket on a lower tier, and then operating a motorized tray to move the casket between the rear section and the front section of that tier. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention includes a method of handling caskets on a multi-tiered casket handling and storage device having upper and lower tiers each with front and rear sections. The method includes the steps of operating a power system to lower the upper tier downward. Then a casket is placed on the rear section of the lowered upper tier. Finally, the power system is operated to raise the casket and the upper tier. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention in a closed stored alignment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention with the loading ramps deployed for adding or removing caskets. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective top view of the present invention with the rear row section of the upper tier lowered for adding or removing caskets to the upper tier. 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the present invention with the upper and lower front sliding trays moved to the rear row sections of the structure to upload or receive caskets. 
         FIG. 5  is a front sectional view of the present invention depicting the sliding tray structure within the overall upper and lower tier support frames. 
         FIG. 6A  is a side view of the sliding tray transport system. 
         FIG. 6B  is a side view of the sliding tray transport system. 
         FIG. 6C  is a top sectional view of the sliding tray transport system. 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the structure of the upper rear deck. 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the bottom rear deck. 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the upper and lower sliding trays. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the present invention deployed for adding or removing caskets, and in which the upper and lower sliding trays are in the forward position in the upper front row section and the lower front row sections, respectively. 
         FIG. 11  is a side detailed view of the bottom of the present invention deployed for adding or removing caskets, and in which the upper sliding tray has been moved onto the upper rear row section. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention with the loading ramp retracted. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the second embodiment with the loading ramp deployed. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the second embodiment with the loading ramp deployed and the upper tier lowered for loading or unloading of caskets. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the second embodiment, depicting the motivating system for lowering and raising the upper tier. 
         FIG. 16  is a cut away detailed view of the motivating system for raising and lowering the upper tier. 
         FIG. 17  is an end view of the second embodiment, depicting the edges of both the movable drawers and the underlying decks. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present application is a casket handling system  10 , which is meant to be placed into a vehicle (not shown) having interior sidewalls (not shown) and an interior bed or floor. Preferably, the casket handling system  10  of the present invention is meant to be secured to both the sidewalls and the vehicle bed or floor  3 . However, the present invention  10  can be used outside of a vehicle in constrained spaces where multiple rows of caskets (not shown) would be desirable. 
     The purpose of the present inventive casket handling system  10  is to fully utilize all available space in a variety of different vehicles, or other constrained environments. In particular, this is done by facilitating the stacking of multiple rows of caskets, both vertically and horizontally along the length of the available cargo compartment. The present invention  10  facilitates the safe and easy stacking of caskets in multiple rows on multiple tiers by using the techniques described infra. 
     In vehicles, stable handling and storage is facilitated by connecting the casket handling system  10  to the floor, and the sidewalls (not shown) of the vehicle. Vertical supports  11 ( a )- 11 ( d ) are placed as needed in order to facilitate a stable connection between the casket handling system  10  and the vehicle. The vertical supports  11 ( a )- 11 ( d ) also facilitate a stable connection between the upper tier  13  and the lower tier  12 . This arrangement maintains a more reliable structural connection arrangement between the two tiers  12 ,  13  and the interior of the vehicle cargo compartment (defined by the sidewalls and the floor). The vertical supports  11 ( a )- 11 ( d ) are placed in positions that are most advantageous to securing the casket handling system  10  to the interior of the vehicle. 
     While four vertical supports  11 ( a )- 11 ( d ) are depicted with three at the sides of upper and lower support frames  131 ,  121 , respectively, and one at the head or front of the upper and lower support frames ( 131 ,  121 ), the present invention is not confined to this arrangement. Rather, as many vertical supports  11 ( a  . . . ) can be used as is necessary for securing the casket handling system  10  to its environment (such as a vehicle). 
     Depending upon the environment, the present invention can have more than two tiers, can accommodate more than two rows of caskets on each tier, and could contain more than two caskets in each row. However, for purposes of explaining the invention, the preferred embodiment depicted in the drawings will be relied upon exclusively. Nonetheless, those skilled in this particular technology will be able to adapt the present invention for using more tiers and more rows of caskets than depicted in the drawings using standard adaptations once the concepts of the present invention are understood. 
     The top perspective views of  FIGS. 1-3  are based upon photographs taken of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention  10  located outside of a vehicle (or other storage/handling environment for which the present invention is adapted). In this embodiment, there are only two tiers, lower tier  12  and upper tier  13 . Each tier is capable of holding two rows of two caskets each (not shown). The embodiment of  FIG. 1  is depicted in the “stowed” or closed position in which loading ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ) are held in a raised position and the rear section  131 ( b ) of the upper support frame  131  is in the raised position, suitable for storing or transporting two rows of two caskets (not shown) each. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ) are depicted in the lowered position to facilitate the removal or loading of caskets (not shown) on the lower tier  12 . In this position, the caskets (not shown) can be easily placed on the rear section  121 ( b ) of lower support frame  121  of lower tier  12 . Conceivably, caskets (not shown) in the rear section  121 ( b ) of the lower tier  12  could be pushed forward to the front section  121 ( a ). However, this might entail some degree of difficulty with heavy caskets if done manually, especially in tight quarters such as a small cargo compartment in a vehicle. Also, such an effort might entail a risk of damage to an expensive and well-finished casket. The present invention offers a suitable alternative as will be described infra. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the rear section  131 ( b ) of upper tier  13  is depicted in a lowered position so that the rear end of rear section  131 ( b ) is positioned proximate the tops of lowered ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ). In this position, caskets (not shown) on the rear section  131 ( b ) can be slid either on or off rear section  131 ( b ) using ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ). Once the caskets are loaded on the rear section  131 ( b ), then the rear end of the rear section  131 ( b ) is raised by deck lift system  26  using sliding lift arms  261 ( a ),  261 ( b ) as will be described infra. The structure, by which the rear section  131 ( b ) of upper tier  13  is lowered, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , is further described infra in connection with the complete structure of casket handling system  10 . 
     Many of the details of casket handling system  10  are better depicted in the perspective view of  FIG. 4 . In this drawing, ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ) are depicted in the lowered position. However, the rear section  131 ( b ) of upper tier  13  in the raised position. Upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) have been removed to clearly depict rear section  131  ( b ) of upper tier  13  in the perspective view of  FIG. 4 . 
     The depiction of  FIG. 4  demonstrates that there is no bed for front sections  121 ( a ) and  131 ( a ) (but only a peripheral framework) supporting the upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ), as they are depicted in  FIG. 3 . However, under some circumstances, it may be desirable to place a bed of some sort of material under either the lower front row  121 ( a ), as depicted in  FIG. 2 , or the upper front row  131 ( a ). Any type of bed configuration that is considered appropriate can be used. However, the bed is not crucial since the upper front sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) and the lower front sliding trays  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) ride on roller bearings  20 ( a ), ( b ), ( c ) . . . and  21 ( a ), ( b ), ( c ) . . . . 
     With both the upper front sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) and the lower front sliding trays  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) from the depiction of  FIG. 4 , both the upper rear section  131 ( b ) and the lower rear section  121 ( b ) are clearly depicted. Each of these sections is filled with a framework of perpendicular struts,  151 ( a ),  152 ( a ),  151 ( b ),  152 ( b ) for the upper rear deck, and  171 ( a ),  172 ( a ),  171 ( b ),  172 ( b ) for the lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ). The upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) are depicted in  FIG. 7  to more clearly illustrate the overall structure found in  FIG. 4 . The lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ) closely resemble the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ). 
     One difference between the upper and lower rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) and  17 ( a ), and  17 ( b ), respectively, resides in the slide extensions  151 ( c ) included on the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ). These slide extensions  151 ( c ) help facilitate easy movement of the caskets from the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) to the loading ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ). The position of the slide extensions is best depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
     To contrast the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) with the lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ) a comparison can be made between  FIG. 8 , (lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b )) and  FIG. 7 , (upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b )). One distinction between these structures is the use of cross-piece  153  on the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ). This structure helps to stabilize the ends of the struts and the slide extensions  151 ( c ) to create a more stabile path for the caskets to follow when being loaded or unloaded. Both the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) are joined together by longitudinal junction beam  15 ( c ). Likewise, both of the lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ) are joined together by a longitudinal junction beam  17 ( c ). In both cases, this is done to facilitate the stability of the combined deck structures. This is important since both decks must support the upper and lower sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) and  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ), respectively. Accordingly, a stable rear deck structure for both tiers  12 ,  13  is crucial to an effective design. 
     It should be noted that the terminology “rear” and “front” is used to describe the two sections of both the lower tier  12  and the upper tier  13 . This terminology is used to easily identify position and to maintain conformity with respect to the various parts of the casket handling system  10  within a vehicle. This is done only for ease of identification of different parts of the casket handling system  10 , and is not limiting with respect to the ultimate deployment of the casket handling system  10 . For example, the casket handling system  10  could be placed in a fixed installation rather than a vehicle. The terminology “rear” is simply an easy way of identifying the portion of the lower and upper tiers  12 ,  13  at which caskets are added or removed from casket handling system  10 . 
     The vertical supports or legs  11 ( a )- 11 ( d ) (as depicted in  FIG. 1-4 ) can be of any number and any placement that is most appropriate for supporting a particular configuration of lower and upper tiers  12 ,  13  together in a rigid, stable structure. For purposes of the first preferred embodiment, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , there are two vertical supports on one longitudinal side of upper and lower support frames  131 ,  121 , a third vertical support on the opposite longitudinal side, and a single vertical support at the front lateral portion of the structure casket handling system  10 . 
     Besides the placement of the vertical supports  11 ( a )- 11 ( d ), further flexibility in the arrangement for attaching the casket handling system  10  to its environment is provided by floor connection pads  111 ( a )- 111 ( d ) and sidewall connection pads  112 ( a )- 112 ( d ). These connection pads can include appropriate configurations for connecting to a wide variety of different surfaces. Usually, apertures for screws, bolts and the like are adequate for providing the necessary connections between the casket handling system  10  and its surrounding environment, whether that environment is the interior of a vehicle, a wooden deck, or other type of structure. 
     A key advantage of the vertical support arrangement of the present invention  10  are sidewall connection pads  112 ( a )- 112 ( d ), which can be used to attach the vertical supports  11 ( a )- 11 ( d ) to the side walls of the enclosing vehicle. Multiple attachments of the casket handling system  10  to both the bed of the vehicle and the sidewalls render a far more stable structure, thereby reducing the chances of the caskets shifting and being damaged. Reliance upon the vehicle walls (not shown), as well as the bed or floor of the vehicle, provides a distinct advantage to the present invention. 
     The lower support frame  121  of lower tier  12  is designated as having two sections: front section  121 ( a ); and, rear section  121 ( b ). It should be noted that the upper tier  13  has an upper support frame  131 , which is divided into two sections longitudinally. This is not true for the lower tier  12 . Rather, the lower tier  12  has a lower support frame  121  that is constituted by two uninterrupted continuous, parallel longitudinal beams  122 ( a ),  122 ( b ) which run the entire length of the lower tier  12 , and are connected by lower front beam  123 ( a ). The continuous, parallel longitudinal beams  122 ( a ),  122 ( b ) provide a great deal of stability. As such, the lower support frame  121  is a unitary structure. This is very important to the structural integrity and operation of the present invention. 
     The designation of a lower front section  121 ( a ), and lower rear section  121 ( b ) is merely a matter of convenience for naming the sections on which the lower front sliding trays  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) are normally located. This designation is used for describing the loading and unloading operation using the lower sliding trays  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ), as well as the upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ). 
     In contrast, upper tier  13  consists of two separate structures, upper front section  131 ( a ) and upper rear section  131 ( b ). The upper front section  131 ( a ) is rigidly connected (using upper parallel front longitudinal beams  132 ( a ),  132 ( b )) to the lower support frame  121  by means of vertical supports  11 ( a )- 11 ( d ). The upper parallel front longitudinal beams  132 ( a ),  132 ( b ) are connected in front by an upper front beam  133 ( a ). A vertical support  11 ( c ) connects the upper front beam  133 ( a ) to the lower front beam  123 ( a ). 
     However, the upper rear section  131 ( b ) uses separate upper, parallel rear longitudinal beams  134 ( a ),  134 ( b ). These are connected to the upper parallel front longitudinal beams  132 ( a ),  132 ( b ) via a hinge connection on upper lateral pivot beam  136 , as described infra. Accordingly, the upper parallel front longitudinal beams  132 ( a ),  132 ( b ) are not the same as the upper parallel rear longitudinal beams  134 ( a ),  134 ( b ). This is in distinct contrast to the unitary longitudinal beam structure of the lower support frame  121 . 
     It should be clear from  FIG. 4  that front section  121 ( a ) of the lower tier  12  is connected to the front section  131 ( a ) of upper tier  13  using vertical supports  11 ( a )- 11 ( d ). The connection between the upper front row section  131 ( a ) and the upper rear section  131 ( b ) is a pivoting connection which is effected by upper lateral pivot beam  136 . This allows the upper rear decks,  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) to be easily and reliably tilted downward to allow loading or unloading of caskets to the upper tier  13 . In conjunction with the pivoting connection effected by upper lateral pivot beam  136 , the upper rear decks of upper rear section  131 ( b ) is raised and lowered by sliding lifts arms  261 ( a ),  261 ( b ). 
     The sliding lift arms  261 ( a ),  261 ( b ) are attached to support frames  263 ( a ),  263 ( b ), and are activated by deck lift system  26 , including push arm  264  which is driven by either electric or hydraulic motivator  262  (as depicted in  FIG. 11 ) in a conventional manner. The sliding lift arms  261 ( a ),  261 ( b ) are connected to upper rear section  131 ( b ) by means of holding tracks  139 ( a ),  139 ( b ) mounted on the upper rear parallel longitudinal beams  134 ( a ),  134 ( b ). The lifting motion is done by using pivots  265 ( a ),  265 ( b ) at the ends of the sliding lifts arms  261 ( a ),  261 ( b ), respectively, through junction pieces  266 ( a ),  266 ( b ) to the end of the electric or hydraulic motivator  262 . The operation of sliding lift arms  261 ( a ),  261 ( b ), as driven by the motivator  262  (either electric or hydraulic) is already well known in this art so that no further elaboration is needed for an understanding of the present invention. 
     Likewise, loading ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ) are well known in the conventional art as being a necessary attribute for loading caskets (or any similar cargo) onto any number of cargo handling and storing systems, such as those found in the Eekoff, et al. patent. A wide variety of techniques and devices for holding or otherwise handling such ramps are available, and would occur to anyone skilled in this art for application to specific situations in which the casket handling system  10  could be found. One such expedient is found in ramp latches  275 . 
     The benefits of the present inventive casket handling system  10  are obtained in large part from the connected structures of the lower tier  12  and the upper tier  13 . In particular, the arranging of rows of caskets on each tier  12 ,  13  is easily accomplished by the use of two sets of sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ),  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) in the front sections  121 ( a ),  131 ( a ), respectively of each tier  12 ,  13 . The front row section of each tier contains two sets of sliding trays. Each sliding tray is sized to handle a single casket. Two more caskets can be held in the rear sections of both upper and lower tiers  13 ,  12 , respectively. 
     Both the upper and the lower sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ),  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ), respectively, are power-driven by tray control and motivating systems  24 ,  25 , respectively, so as to slide over the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ), and the lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ), respectively, so that caskets (not shown) on the sliding trays can be easily accessed from the rear of the casket handling system  10 . Likewise, once the sliding trays for both the upper and lower tiers have been moved over the rear decks of either the upper tier or lower tier  12 ,  13 , caskets can be loaded onto the sliding trays, which are then moved to the front sections  121 ( a ),  131 ( a ) of the upper and lower tiers  13 ,  12 , respectively. Each pair of upper and lower sliding trays,  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ),  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) is moved by a tray control and motivating system  24 ,  25 . 
     Each of these tray control and motivating systems  24 ,  25  has sufficient power to move a fully loaded sliding tray  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ),  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ), from the front section support frame  121 ( a ),  131 ( a ) to the rear section support frame  121 ( b ),  131 ( b ), and back again for both loading and unloading caskets on the casket handling system  10 . Each sliding tray is carried on its own set of wheel bearings  20 ( a ), ( b ), ( c ), . . . ,  21 ( a ), ( b ), ( c ), . . . , for the upper and lower sliding trays, respectively. The sliding trays for both the upper and lower tiers  13 ,  12  slide over upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) and lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ). 
     The tray control and motivating systems  24 ,  25  are constituted by electric motors  242 ,  252  operating worm gear drives  241 ,  251 . Each of these worm gear drives is mounted on a longitudinal median drive beam  137 ,  127  on each of the upper and lower tiers  13 ,  12 . The lower tier system is relatively simple in that both of the lower sliding trays are driven directly onto the lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ), which are aligned with the lower bearing wheels  21 ( a ), ( b ), ( c ), . . . , so that the lower sliding trays  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) move easily onto the lower rear decks,  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ). Caskets can be loaded directly onto the lower front sliding trays when they are moved to the lower rear decks from the rear of the casket handling system  10 . This is especially important when the casket handling system is mounted in a vehicle, thereby limiting access to anything but the rear of the casket handling system. 
     One advantage of the present invention is the ease of carrying out the processes for loading or unloading caskets. For caskets to be placed on the lower tier  12  the lower front sliding trays  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) are moved to the lower rear support frame  121 ( b ) and the first caskets are placed thereon. Then the sliding trays are moved to the lower front support frame  121 ( a ). This is done easily using the lower tray control and motivating system  25 . Because of this capability, it is not necessary for handlers to push caskets in any further than the rear support frame  121 ( b ). The casket handling system  10  easily moves the caskets to the lower front support frame  121 ( a ) (using tray control and motivating system  25 ). At this point, it is possible to load two more caskets onto the lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ). However, if more caskets are to be carried by the subject casket handling system  10 , then additional steps need to be taken. 
     If it is desired to place caskets on upper tier  13 , then the upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) are moved back to the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ), using the upper tray control and motivating system  24 . Then, the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) are tilted downward by activating the deck lift system  26 . Once this is done, the sliding arms  261 ( a ),  261 ( b ) operate responsive to the hydraulic motivator  262  so that they slide in holding tracks  139 ( a ),  139 ( b ), thereby lowering the rear edge of the upper rear support frame  131 ( b ), which contains upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) as well as trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ). Then, two caskets can be loaded onto the lowered upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ). 
     Once the caskets (not shown) are on the upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ), the deck lift system  26  is again activated in the opposite direction so that the sliding lift arms  261 ( a ),  261 ( b ) force the rear edge of the upper rear support frame  131 ( b ) upwards to a horizontal position. Then the upper tray control and motivating system  24  is once again activated to bring the two upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) back to their original position at the upper front support frame  131 ( a ) of the upper tier  13 . 
     The deck lift system  26  can be activated once more to lower the rear edge of the upper rear support frame  131 ( b ) so that additional caskets (not shown) can be placed on upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ). A number of techniques can be used to hold the caskets onto the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) until the upper rear support frame  131 ( b ) has been raised to a horizontal position. Afterwards, the last two caskets can be directly loaded onto the rear lower decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ). Then, ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ) are put in the vertical position to secure the casket handling system  10  for transport. 
     Unloading the casket handling system follows is very much the same process, in reverse. The loading ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ) are lowered or deployed so that the caskets (not shown) can be slid down the loading ramps. The caskets or rear lower decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ) are then released from whatever bindings or holding techniques have been applied to keep the caskets in place. Next, the caskets on the lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ) are removed, by sliding them down loading ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ). Afterwards, the caskets resting on the lower sliding trays  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) on the lower front support frame  121 ( a ) can be moved to the lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ) by operating lower tray control and motivating system  25 . After unloading the caskets from the lower sliding trays,  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ), the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) of upper rear support frame  131 ( b ) can be lowered as described supra. The caskets resting on the now lowered upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) (on upper rear support frame  131 ( b )) can then be removed. 
     Next, the upper rear support frame  131 ( b ) with its upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) is once again raised to the horizontal position using deck lift system  26 . Then, the upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) are moved rearwards by means of upper tray control and motivating system  24 . Once the upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) have moved their caskets to the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ), the upper rear support frame  131 ( b ) can then be lower as described supra. The caskets on the upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ), which have been moved to the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) can then be slid off of those rear decks, and off of the casket handling system via loading ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ). 
     Because the upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) are expected to tilt with the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ), a special connection must be made between the upper tray control and motivating system  24 , and the upper front sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ). In particular, connection must be maintained with the upper tray control and motivating system  24  when the upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) are tilted downward after being moved to the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ). A double pivot structure  243  connects the end of the gear drive  241  to an upper median longitudinal beam  137  between the two upper front sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ). The double pivot structure  243  permits sufficient flexing between the stationary front upper median longitudinal beam  137  and a longitudinal junction beam  14 ( c ) (depicted in  FIG. 2 ) connecting the two upper front sliding trays  14 ( a ), 14 ( b ). 
       FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  6 C depict the connection arrangement between the upper motivating system  24  and the upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ). The double pivot structure  243  includes carriage  245 , which is attached to worm gear drive  241 . The double pivot arrangement includes a first pivot  246  on carriage  245  connecting arms  247  to the trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) using pivot  248  connected to the sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) by a pivot point  258  (seen in  FIG. 9 ). The use of the double pivot structure  243  permits connection to be maintained to the sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) when the upper rear support frame  131 ( b ) is tilted without causing disconnection between the upper trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) and the upper tray control motivating system  24 . 
     The tilting of the upper rear support frame  131 ( b ) (either with or without upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) on upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b )) is done by virtue of lateral pivot beam  136 . Individual pivots  135 ( a ),  135 ( b ),  135 ( c ) are formed as part of lateral pivot beam  136 . Complementary pivot structures (not shown) are formed on the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) (i.e., formed together as a unitary structure by virtue of longitudinal junction beam  15 ( c )). The complementary pivot structures on the unitary rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) interface with the pivot structures on the lateral pivot beam  136  in a common, mechanical pivot arrangement. A wide variety of different conventional pivot structures can be used at this point in the casket handling system  10 , and can be selected by the manufacturer in a manner which best fits the size and loading characteristics for the casket handling system  10 . 
     An end view of tray control and motivating systems  24 ,  25  for both the upper and lower sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ),  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) are depicted in  FIG. 5 . The figure is a detailed sectional view depicting cross-sections of the upper and lower sliding trays and the two median longitudinal drive beams  137 ,  127  that support the worm drives  241 ,  251  of the respective drive systems. The longitudinal junction beams  14 ( c ),  16 ( c ) are used to connect the two sets of trays to each other. The worm gears  241 ,  251  drive the unitary combined sliding tray structures together as one piece using roller bearings  20 ( a ) . . . and  21 ( a ) . . . to support the sliding trays. 
       FIG. 10  is a side view depicting the casket handling system  10  of the present invention in a deployed position for loading or unloading of caskets. This figure depicts a number of key attributes of the present invention, including the lower tier  12  structure of continuous parallel longitudinal beams  122 ( a ),  122 ( b ). Once feature is the location of the double pivot structure  243  for connecting the tray drive system (worm drive  241  and motor  242 ) to the upper trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ). The specific arrangement for permitting the subject sliding trays to tilt with the upper rear support frame  131 ( b ) has been described supra. This functionality is not necessary on the lower tier  12  trays  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) since these trays do not have to tilt. Accordingly, even though a similar connection (double pivot structure  253 ) is shown between the tray control and motivating system (motor  252  and worm gear  251 ) and the sliding trays  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ), on the lower tier  12 , this pivoting structure is not necessary. Rather any technique for connecting the sliding trays  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) to the lower work drive  251  will be acceptable for purposes of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  also depicts the relationship of both sets of sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ),  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) on upper and lower tiers  13 ,  12 , respectively. In this view, the upper and lower trays are shown in the forward position (i.e., located at the front or forward sections of their respective tiers). From this depiction it should be clear that both the upper and lower support frames  131 ,  121 , respectively, are constituted by parallel beams that contain the respective decks and sliding trays. The sliding trays may have sidewalls, such as  145 ( a ) (depicted in  FIG. 11 ), which extend vertically above the height of the beam walls of the respective support frames  131 ,  121 . The key structures for the upper and lower rear support frames  121 ( b ),  131 ( b ) are the decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) and  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ), previously described. Both decks can have sidewalls to help contain and align the movement for the respective sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ),  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ). 
     It should be noted that while the structure of sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ),  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ), as described and depicted in  FIG. 9 , is the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is only one embodiment. In the alternative, structures besides the cross-struts depicted in  FIG. 9  can be used to constitute the sliding trays. For example, the sliding trays can be an entirely continuous surface, and made of materials other than the metallic struts used in the first preferred embodiment. The important attribute here is that the trays are capable of holding the caskets (or other cargo) without damaging them, and that the trays slide easily from the front sections to the rear sections of the casket handling system  10 . 
     Likewise, the upper and lower rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ),  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ) need not be the same as the structure depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Rather, any structure that adequately accommodates fully loaded sliding trays would be acceptable for purposes of the present invention. However, it has been discovered that the particular arrangement for the upper decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) as depicted in  FIG. 7 , is particularly effective in the handling of both sliding trays and caskets. Further, the particular arrangement depicted in  FIG. 7  helps facilitate the pivoting of the entire upper rear deck structure  131 ( b ) from the upper front support frame  131 ( a ) of the upper tier  13 . Without this mid-tier pivoting function, this embodiment of the present invention could not operate as it does. 
     The deck lift system  26  is necessary for allowing the upper rear support frame  131 ( b ) to tilt down to the positions depicting in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . However, the present invention is not limited to this particular configuration for the deck lifting system. Rather, other arrangements could be used, such as different configurations of hydraulic arms, mechanical jacks, and the like. 
     There are a wide variety of different structures that can be used for the various parts of the overall casket handling system  10 . Drawings  1 - 17  depict two basic embodiments. However, other embodiments are possible, and there are many variations within each embodiment, or exchangeable between the two embodiments, within the basic concept of the present invention. 
     One example of an arrangement that can be used in the first embodiment of the present invention, is the upper rear deck structure  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ), depicted in  FIG. 7 . Both decks  15 ( a ) and  15 ( b ) are separated by a longitudinal junction beam  15 ( c ). Both decks are formed with longitudinal struts  151 ( a ),  151 ( b ). These are attached to lateral perpendicular struts  152 ( a ),  152 ( b ). The entire structure is supported by longitudinal beams  132 ( a ),  132 ( b ), constituting part of the periphery of the upper support frame  131 ( b ). 
     Because the structure in  FIG. 7  must tilt from the upper tier  13  level down to the lower tier  12  level, additional bracing may be necessary. This is provided by plate  153 , across the distal end of the combined upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ). This extra support is necessary to accommodate the movement of heavy caskets off the edge of the two decks, and down slide extensions  151 ( c ) to the loading ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ). 
     The reinforced structure of the upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ) is not necessary for the upper front portion of the upper support frame  131 ( a ). As depicted in  FIG. 4 , there is no structure within the peripheral longitudinal beams  132 ( a ),  132 ( b ). The upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) are supported only by roller bearings  20 ( a, b , . . . ). This arrangement is the same for the front lower support frame  121 ( a ). 
     The lower rear decks  17 ( a ),  17 ( b ) are depicted in  FIG. 8 . Structurally, these are very similar to the upper rear deck in many respects. For example, there is a longitudinal medium beam  17 ( c ). There are longitudinal struts  171 ( a ),  171 ( b ), which are connected to perpendicular lateral struts  172 ( a ),  172 ( b ). The combined deck structure is part of the rear lower support frame  121 ( b ). Continuous, longitudinal support beams  122 ( a ),  122  ( b ) support the rear section  121 ( b ), as well as the front section  121 ( a ). 
     It should be noted that the structural arrangements of  FIGS. 7 and 8  are merely exemplary. Any arrangement that provides the necessary structural integrity could be used in place of these two arrangements. Likewise, such arrangements could be used in the front sections  121 ( a ),  131 ( a ) instead of the open arrangement depicted in  FIG. 4 . For example, a flat contiguous solid, surface or bed could be arranged on either of the support structures of  FIG. 7  or  FIG. 8  in order to provide a solid, supported bed. Further, such structures could also be used in front sections  121 ( a ),  131 ( a ) of the support frames of each tier  12 ,  13  of the casket handling system  10 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an example of the double upper and lower sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ),  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ). Both the upper and lower sliding tray pairs are identical in this particular embodiment. This is indicated by the double drawing designation numerals associated with each of the elements in the drawing. Each sliding tray  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ),  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ) includes peripheral support structure sidewalls  145 ( a ),  145 ( b ),  165 ( a ),  165 ( b ), which helps ensure a unified double tray arrangement capable of handling the weight of two caskets (not shown). The deck structures are reinforced by longitudinal struts  141 ( a ),  141 ( b ),  161 ( a ),  161 ( b ) and perpendicular or lateral struts  142 ( a ),  142 ( b ),  162 ( a ),  162 ( b ). Further support is provided by bottom plate  143 ,  163  located at the end of the combined tray structure. It should be noted that while the sliding tray structure of  FIG. 9  is an open framework, a solid contiguous surface can be arranged across the depicted framework as another variation of the present invention. 
     A solid surface for the trays or the decks is useful in preventing debris from the caskets or other load (not shown) from dropping upon lower tier  12  or the deck lifting system  26  beneath the lower tier  12 . A flat sheet of material across the bottom of the sliding trays could also provide a great deal of additional stability to the sliding trays. Likewise, the side walls  145 ( a ),  145 ( b ),  165 ( a ),  165 ( b ) on the sliding trays can be modified, along with the median longitudinal beam  14 ( c ),  16 ( c ) to provide the desired level of structural strength. 
     Other modifications within the concept of the present invention can be found in the deck lifting system  26  for raising and lowering the combined rear upper decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ).  FIGS. 10 and 11  depict one version of the deck lifting system  26 . The deck lifting system  26  consists of a hydraulic motivator (piston system)  262  to drive sliding lift arms  261 ( a ),  261 ( b ) through junction pieces  266 ( a ),  266 ( b ) (connected to the sliding lift arms at pivots  265 ( a ),  265 ( b )) to lift the distal or rear end of upper rear decks  15 ( a ),  15 ( b ). The interface with the subject decks is through sliding interface structures  139 ( a ),  139 ( b ) (depicted in  FIG. 7 ). It should be noted that the other motivators (besides hydraulic pistons) can be used to raise and lower the upper rear section of support frame  131 ( b ). 
     In  FIG. 11 , loading ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ) are held in position by latch structures  275 . However, any number of different arrangements can be made to secure the loading ramps in both the deployed and retracted positions. For example, the depicted support frames  263 ( a ),  263 ( b ), which cooperate with the latch structures, can be replaced by equivalent structures. 
       FIGS. 12-17  depict a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the upper tier  13  is not hinged so that the rear portion can be tilted downward. Rather, the entire upper tier is a single rigid structure (like the lower tier  12 ), and is lowered or raised as a single unit. In the second embodiment, this is accomplished through the use of a multiple pulley system raising and lowering the upper tier as a single unit at multiple points. This is accomplished through multiple pulley systems contained in vertical supports, which are constituted by tubular metal supports. These supports are configured to support both tiers as a stable structural unit, and to contain various parts of the pulley system. 
     The second embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 12-17  discloses upper decks  41 ,  42  and lower decks  51 ,  52  as being constituted by solid surfaces, supported or reinforced by ribs  43 ,  53 , respectively. However, while the solid surfaces for the decks can be helpful, it is not absolutely necessary. This is especially true in view of the option of providing solid surfaces to constitute the upper and lower sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ),  16 ( a ),  16 ( b ). Further, while longitudinal support ribs  43 ,  53  are depicted, any support frame or arrangement, such as those depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , can also be used, both with and without a solid surface or bed for any of the decks or the sliding trays. The structures selected can be configured in any manner appropriate to support the expected weights for the caskets or other loads to be handled. 
     For example, in  FIG. 17 , the sliding trays  14 ( a )( b ),  16 ( a )( b ) of both the upper and lower tiers  13 ,  12  have solid contiguous surfaces. Likewise, the decks  15 ( a ),  17 ( a ), beneath the sliding trays can also be provided with solid surfaces. The surfaces are provided with longitudinal reinforcing struts  43 ,  53 , respectively. A double solid surface, such as those depicted in  FIG. 17 , can be particularly helpful to prevent problems that might be caused by leakage from the cargo being handled. 
     It should be understood that while the present system  10  is particularly effective for caskets, a wide variety of different types of loads can be handled effectively. Unlike the first embodiments, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-11 , the vertical supports  30  are situated uniformly along the two longitudinal sides of the casket handling system  10 . This provides a great deal of stability to the overall structure in which the upper tier  13  is surrounded by the peripheral support structure  40  and the lower tier  12  is surrounded by peripheral support structure  50 . Both peripheral support structures are connected securely to the vertical supports  30 . Also fastened or formed securely to the supports are secondary vertical supports  31  that extend beneath the lower tier  12 . 
     A key requirement for vertical supports  30  is that they be sized to contain the cable and pulley system depicted in  FIG. 16 . The pulley system is capable of raising and lowering the upper tier  13  as an entirety so that it will rest either on or closely above the lowered tier  12 , as depicted in  FIG. 14 . All six vertical supports  30  provide lifting mechanisms so that the upper tier  13  can be raised and lowered evenly. It should be noted that the overall casket handling system  10  is arranged so that when the upper tier  13  is lowered, the edge of the upper tier is positioned so as to provide a path whereby the casket (or other cargo) can slide easily from the upper tier  13  to loading ramp  27 , without a substantial drop or discontinuity in the overall travel path of the cargo. The final position of the lowered upper tier  13  can be controlled by retaining line  80 . 
     Two loading ramps  27 ( a ),  27 ( b ) can be provided as is depicted in  FIGS. 1-11 . However, only a single loading ramp  27  is depicted in the second embodiment ( FIGS. 12-17 ). The single loading ramp  27  is moved from side to side as needed by virtue of slide mount system  28 . As with the first embodiment, the loading ramp  27  can be positioned firmly in place using latching system  275 , which interfaces with support frames  263 ( a ),  263 ( b ) on either side of the system  10 . The loading ramp  27  can be moved in the raised position, as depicted in  FIG. 12 , to the opposite side of the system  10  and then lowered as depicted in  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 15  is a side view with a raised upper tier  13  and a deployed loading ramp  27 . This figure depicts the power source  61  for the lifting system  60  for upper tier  13 . The power source  61  is preferably an electric motor activating a power winching system which uses an extended reel  62  to control lifting cables  75 , as depicted in  FIG. 16 . Cables  75  are uniformly driven, using extended reel  62  to uniformly lift the upper tier  13  at six different points, using pulleys  71 ,  72  contained within the subject vertical supports  30 . The connections (not shown) between the lifting cables  75  and the upper tier  13  can be of any type appropriate for the weight and location of the upper tier  13  and its load (not shown). 
     It should be understood that any number of different hybrids of the first and second embodiments can also be used. This would entail a hinged upper tier  13  that would be operated to tilt downward (as is done in the first embodiment) using the lifting cable and extended reel (driven by motor  61 ) to control raising and lowering of the rear upper decks  15 ( a ), ( b ). While this arrangement is not depicted in the drawings, one skilled in this particular art could arrange such a system based upon the teachings of the two separate embodiments. 
     The motivating or power system  60  for the second embodiment is substantially different than that used for the first embodiment, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-11 .  FIG. 16  depicts the motivating system  60  for raising and lowering the upper tier  13 . The view of  FIG. 16  is from within the casket handling system  10 , directed outwards to the upper peripheral support frame  40 . The entirety of tier  13  is raised or lowered by a plurality of lifting cables  75 . These cables are mounted using pulleys  71 ,  72 , and are moved by extended reel  62  on which the lifting cables  75  are wound. 
     The extended reel  62  is powered by an electric motor  61 . The plurality of lifting cables  75  are wound on the extended reel so that rotation of the reel serves to simultaneously move the lifting cables at all three vertical supports. As a result the entirety of upper tier  13  is raised or lowered equally over its entire extent. Pulleys  72  are contained within the upper portion of the hollow tubular vertical supports  30 . Pulleys  71  are contained in the secondary supports  31 , which also help support the lower tier  12 . Each end of the multiple lifting cable  75  is attached to the upper tier at its respective tubular vertical support  30 . This attachment can be carried out using any number of different techniques well known in the connection art. 
     The electric motor  61  can be sized for the expected load to be carried by the upper tier  13 . Likewise, the gearing system between motor  61  and extended reel  62  can also be designed for a specific load, whether it be caskets or some other type of material. Likewise, the pulleys  71 ,  72  can be configured within hollow tubular vertical supports  30  in a manner appropriate for the size of the load to be raised and lowered on upper tier  13 . 
     It should be understood that while the depicted embodiment includes an electric motor  61  powering multiple lifting cable  75 , other power sources can be used. For example, multiple hydraulic jacks can be used to raise and lower upper tier  13 . Also, a pneumatic system can be used to raise and lower upper tier  13 . The type of power system would be dependent on the total loads, environment, and the long term duty cycles expected of the system  10 . 
     The differences in the power lifting system  60  can be used to accommodate and support different arrangement for the overall structure of the upper tier  13  and upper sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ). The arrangement of the sectional end view depicted by  FIG. 17  for the second embodiment is somewhat different than that depicted in  FIG. 5  for the first embodiment. However, the basic concepts are the same, and should be considered only as variations of each other. 
     In  FIG. 17 , a longitudinal junction beam  24  is used to guide the drive system for both of the sliding trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ). The same arrangement is also found for the lower tier  12 . The trays for both tiers  12 ,  13  slide on the upper and lower longitudinal junction beams  24 ,  25 , respectively. The ends of the sliding trays are supported by the upper peripheral framework  40  and the lower peripheral framework  50 . All sliding trays (both upper and lower) slide on wheel bushings  20 . It is noted that the motivating systems in  FIG. 5  (first embodiment) are arranged above and in line with the longitudinal junction beams  127 ,  137 , respectively. In contrast, the motivating system of the  FIG. 17  embodiment (including a motor and a worm gear) is offset to the side. The connection between the worm gear  241  and the trays  14 ( a ),  14 ( b ) which are coupled to each other is effected by linkage assembly  249 . The same is done on the lower tier  12  through linkage  259 . The linkage  249  is very similar to the arrangement found in  FIG. 6(   a ) except that there is a lateral offset rather than a vertical offset. It should be noted that the arrangement of  FIG. 17  does not accommodate the tipping of the upper rear deck found in the first embodiment. 
     Because of the front and rear sections of upper tier  13  the upper decks do not tilt with respect to each other, a solid contiguous surface can be arranged over both the front sections and the rear sections.  FIG. 17  depicts trays having solid contiguous surfaces reinforced with longitudinal beams  43 ,  53  for bracing. 
     It is clear that alternative embodiments of the present invention are not only possible, but should be facilitated based upon various environments in which the present invention can be placed. Accordingly, the present invention should be understood to include any and all variations, modifications, permutations, adaptations, derivations and embodiments that would occur to one skilled in this art having possession of the teachings of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should be construed to be limited only by the following claims.