A loader to load cargo onto the bed of a truck includes a frame having a rear roller, and a winch mountable onto the bed of the truck, and a platform having forward and rear wheels depending downwardly from corresponding front and rear ends thereof. The roller may include a cable guide formed circumferentially around the roller. A winch cable is selectively extendable from the winch over the cable guide on the rear roller, and to attach to the front end of the platform when in it's lowered pre-hoisting position. The front end of the platform is hoistable from its pre-hoisting position onto the rear roller where-upon continued winching-in of the cable onto the winch draws the rest of the platform over the rear roller so as to rest on the top of the frame. The platform is then winched to the front of the frame.

The invention relates to a reciprocating slat conveyor multiple parallel slats that are slidable in the longitudinal direction, wherein the slats comprise subsequently alternating a first slat and a second slat, wherein the first slats comprise a horizontal upper wall section and an upright end wall section, and wherein the second slats comprise a horizontal upper wall section and a vertically upright wall section, wherein the upright wall section outwardly merges into an overhanging wall section that extends over the end wall section of the adjacent first slat, wherein the overhanging wall section merges into a vertically downwardly pending end wall section that extends aside the end wall section of the adjacent first slat, wherein a seal is present between the upright wall section and the end wall section of the second slat.

A system for delivering packages from a warehouse to end destinations, the system comprising a fleet of self-propelled long-range transports and a fleet of containers, each configured to be loaded at the warehouse with packages destined for end destinations. Each long-range transport is configured to be loaded with at least four of the loaded containers and transport the at least four of the loaded containers from the warehouse to one or more intermediate destinations. Upon arrival of one of the loaded long-range transports at one of the one or more intermediate destinations, at least one of the loaded containers is separated from the loaded long-range transport, whereupon the separated container delivers packages to end destinations proximate to the one of the one or more intermediate destinations. After delivery of at least some of the packages loaded thereon at the warehouse, the container is once again loaded on the long-range transport and returned to the warehouse to be loaded with more packages.

A sliding truck bed platform to assist one or more individuals with unloading one or more items from a truck bed of a pick-up truck. The sliding truck bed platform includes a planar base that is bendable and is configured to pull out of the truck bed. The sliding truck bed platform also includes a coating on an underside surface of the planar base, such as to reduce friction when the sliding truck bed platform is pulled out from the truck bed. The sliding truck bed platform additionally includes a plurality of cutout handles disposed on the planar base with which the sliding truck bed platform is controlled.

A bed extender is provided for a bed of a truck. That bed extender includes a reel mounted to a first sidewall of the bed, a line received on that reel, and a fastener carried on a distal end of the line. An anchor is carried on a second sidewall of the bed. In addition, the bed extender includes a support arm including a receiver that engages the line when the line is extended from the reel and fastened to the anchor. The support arm is mounted to the tailgate of the truck.

A reciprocating slat conveyor, as described herein, includes a floor pan (having a bottom and sidewalls) for at least substantially lining the storage container. The reciprocating conveyor also includes a plurality of slat and beam assemblies (that may be bearinged or bearingless) laterally spaced and substantially parallel to each other on the bottom of the floor pan. Slat and beam assemblies may be positioned on the sidewalls. The floor pan may have an at least generally planar bottom or an at least generally arcuate bottom.

A cargo containment body with movable wall panels that always remain substantially parallel to a vertical side of the cargo containment body.

A deployment assembly is mounted in a delivery vehicle and holds an autonomous robot that can be deployed to deliver or pick up packages. The assembly has a base and extendable members that move the robot from a retracted position inside the vehicle and an extended position outside the vehicle. The assembly also has securement features that hold the robot in during transport and can also recharge the robot if necessary.

A truck loader is provided which includes a base placeable within a truck bed; a first end of a platform is pivotably connectable to the base proximate to a first end of the base; a support is pivotably secured to the platform and pivotably secured to the base proximate to a second end of the base. The support is moveable from a first position, where a second end of the platform is positioned proximate to the base, to a second position, where the second end of the platform is elevated relative to the base.

A vehicle for delivering packages, comprising a tractor comprising a motor, a pair of front wheels, a rear wheel, and a rail between the pair of front wheels and the rear wheel, and a removable container comprising a space for storing packages where a bottom of the container is configured to fit over and mount to the rail.