Means for transferring demountable freight containers on to or off running gear

摘要

987,752. Transferring freight containers to and from vehicles. STEADMAN INDUSTRIES Ltd. Feb. 8, 1962 [Nov. 8, 1960], No. 38403/60. Heading B8E. A container 20 is removed from a vehicle chassis C, to stand on retractable legs 23f, 23r (Figs. 3 and 5), by tilting it. In the form shown the container rests on a platform 10 which is rocked about a pivot 12 by a doubleacting ram 14. The platform is first rocked forwardly, so that the rear legs 23r can be extended, and is then rocked rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, so that the forward legs 23f can be extended to permit the vehicle to be driven away. Preferably there are two laterally spaced rams 14, and they may be connected to bell-cranks 67 (Fig. 18) pivoted at 68 to the chassis and carrying wheels 71 moved into engagement with the ground when the ram is extended. The front legs 23f (Fig. 7) may be mounted by yokes 77, 80, to slide both vertically and laterally, and may be counterbalanced by cables 100 running to counter weights. A cover 75 may fold over each leg 23f when it is retracted into a corner recess in the container. The rocking platform 10 may be locked in its normal position by linked catches 38 (Fig. 9) formed with portions 96 adapted to underlie projections 46 on the chassis, and with hooks taking over pins 44 on the container. Instead of being deposited on its retractable legs the container 20 may be left at a loading bay (Fig. 15) formed with a supporting ledge 82 and with supports J having spigots (not shown) in their bases taking into slots in concrete footings.