Patent ID: 8177471

Claim:
A cargo handling module, the module comprising: a module body shell comprising: a module floor, a pair of module body sidewalls, each module body sidewall attached to a respective edge of and arranged generally perpendicular to said module floor, and a module roof spanning between an upper edge of each module body sidewall, wherein the module floor, the pair of module sidewalls, and the module roof collectively form a tubular shaped structure, an end wall provided at a first end of said tubular shaped structure, and an attachment edge provided opposite said end wall, wherein said attachment edge is sized and shaped to mate with an end wall of a cargo transportation enclosure, wherein said combination of said tubular shaped structure and said end wall defines an interior space; a cargo opening for passage of cargo therethrough, said cargo opening provided through one of said end wall and said sidewall; a platform having and upper surface defined by a platform peripheral edge; a floor platform clearance within said module floor, said floor platform clearance extending inward from an edge of said module floor adjacent to said cargo opening, said floor platform clearance comprising a clearance peripheral edge that is sized and shaped to mate with said platform peripheral edge; and a vertical actuator integrated into said cargo handling module, said vertical actuator vertically positions said platform between a container transfer position aligning said platform upper surface and said floor upper surface and a ground transfer position locating said platform upper surface below said floor upper surface.