A portable lift assembly that is temporarily mountable to the ends of standardized shipping containers, that allows cargo to be loaded and unloaded without a raised loading dock. The assembly includes a frame having pin members that engage standard corner castings on the access end of a shipping container so that the weight of the lift assembly and cargo are borne by the end of the container. Cargo is raised and lowered on a platform, with power being supplied from onboard the portable assembly. The portable assembly may be transported between containers and installed using a forklift or similar machine.

A highway towable dock-lift trailer for use in loading and/or unloading trucks, rail cars, containers, etc., for example, in any location and across all industries and applications, and can include a tow bar that allows the trailer be towed to a desirable position or location. When the tow bar is removed from the trailer or repositioned relative to the frame, either a truck can back into position or the trailer lift can be positioned against the truck, etc., and the trailer lift is then ready to load and/or offload the truck. As an operator elevates the loading platform of the trailer, via hydraulic lifting means, for example, the lift can move up to truck height and hydraulically operated lifting arms can operate opposed automatic folding ramps, which simultaneously can open for load distribution and close for safety. The trailer can include a plurality of screw down or hydraulically actuated jacks to level and secure the platform, and the trailer can include bumpers to absorb the forces from a truck accidentally impacting the trailer.

A highway towable dock-lift trailer for use in loading and/or unloading trucks, rail cars, containers, etc., for example, in any location and across all industries and applications, and can include a tow bar that allows the trailer be towed to a desirable position or location. When the tow bar is removed from the trailer or repositioned relative to the frame, either a truck can back into position or the trailer lift can be positioned against the truck, etc., and the trailer lift is then ready to load and/or offload the truck. As an operator elevates the loading platform of the trailer, via hydraulic lifting means, for example, the lift can move up to truck height and hydraulically operated lifting arms can operate opposed automatic folding ramps, which simultaneously can open for load distribution and close for safety. The trailer can include a plurality of screw down or hydraulically actuated jacks to level and secure the platform, and the trailer can include bumpers to absorb the forces from a truck accidentally impacting the trailer.

A gangway comprises a fixed platform and a support structure connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position. A raising assembly is operative to rotate the support structure from the deployed position to the stowed position. The raising assembly includes at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected between the fixed platform and a distal end of the support structure. A raising actuator is usable by an operator to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the stowed position.

A gangway comprises a fixed platform and a support structure connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform between a raised stowed position and a lowered deployed position. A raising assembly is operative to rotate the support structure from the deployed position to the stowed position. The raising assembly includes at least one fluid actuated cylinder connected between the fixed platform and a distal end of the support structure. A raising actuator is usable by an operator to cause operation of the cylinder in a manner that rotates the support structure toward the stowed position.

Provided is a conveyance system for an object and for conveying the object to a container mounted on a chassis of a trailer. The conveyance system includes a jack device that lifts the chassis from below, and a stage device arranged behind the jack device. The stage device includes a conveyance body on which the object is placed and conveyed, a stage on which the conveyance body travels, a mobile body supporting the stage and capable of movement in a front-back direction of the chassis, and a jack mechanism provided to the mobile body and that raises the stage from below to lift or lower the stage. The mobile body moves forward and the jack mechanism lowers the stage while the jack device raises the chassis, and the conveyance body travels on floor faces of the stage and the container in this state to convey the object to the container.

Provided is a conveyance system for an object and for conveying the object to a container mounted on a chassis of a trailer. The conveyance system includes a jack device that lifts the chassis from below, and a stage device arranged behind the jack device. The stage device includes a conveyance body on which the object is placed and conveyed, a stage on which the conveyance body travels, a mobile body supporting the stage and capable of movement in a front-back direction of the chassis, and a jack mechanism provided to the mobile body and that raises the stage from below to lift or lower the stage. The mobile body moves forward and the jack mechanism lowers the stage while the jack device raises the chassis, and the conveyance body travels on floor faces of the stage and the container in this state to convey the object to the container.

An aircraft loader (54) includes an upper loading platform (50) and an underlying frame (52) with the frame utilizing the bogey suspension system (60), as well as carrying auxiliary lift system (400) at the rearward end thereof for assisting in the initial lifting of the platform relative to the frame. Powered roller assemblies (100,110,120, and 130), composed of hollow drive shafts, may be conveniently assembled and disassembled from the underside of loading platform (50). A plurality of upwardly convex-shaped static slider elements (200) facilitate unidirectional movement of loads on the platform (50). At the forward end of the platform, a guard or side rail (316) is rotatable from a retracted position within the confines of a control platform (68) to a forwardly directed position toward the fuselage of the aircraft. The side rail (316) is shaped to resemble the exterior cross-sectional shape of the fuselage, thereby to close the gap between the forward end of the loading platform and the fuselage, for the protection of loader personnel.

A maintenance system for a transport and storage facility including storage racks arranged so as to form at least one access aisle, the maintenance system having a supporting chassis, a mobile platform intended to receive an operator, a lifting device interposed between the mobile platform and the supporting chassis, and configured to make it possible to raise the mobile platform and retract it towards the supporting chassis, and a device for vertically guiding and stabilizing the mobile platform, the vertical guiding and stabilizing device having at least one guide member configured to interact with a storage rack upright facing onto the respective access aisle.

An automated mechanical loading system for loading seedling carriers into a transporter bin for transport to the field for planting. The system of the present invention includes a transport bin having a plurality of rails mounted on the inside walls of the bin for accepting a plurality of carriers, power driven projections slidably mounted on sleds which are fixedly mounted to the top frame of a lift for urging one or more carriers into a preselected set of opposing rails in the bin. The lift controls the height of the sled so that the carriers are urged into the preselected set of rails in the bin. A mechanically referenced coupler is included for securing the lift to the bin to restrict movement of the lift relative to the bin into which the seedling carriers are to be loaded during the automated loading operation.