Lift frames for a vehicle in this disclosure may include a frame body on a top portion of a frame, the frame body extending from a first end to a second end; a lift mechanism moveable with respect to the first end of the frame body, the lift mechanism comprising: a lift body having a first end and a second end, a lifting surface on the first end of the lift body and the second end of the lift body being positioned so as to be movable with respect to the first end of the frame body, wherein the lifting surface is positioned to engage an underside of a cargo container when placed on an upper side of the frame body; and an inflatable air bag having an upper side and a lower side and mounted on the lower side to a platform positioned on the frame beneath the lift body, wherein the inflatable air bag is connected on the upper side thereof to a mounting surface attached to the lift body; and a source of compressed air in fluid communication with the inflatable air bag. Such lift frames may include one or more such lift mechanisms associated with the compressed air source and the lift frames may be used to load and unload cargo containers locked and supported by the lift frames in transit and unlocked and detached from the lift frames when delivered in an easy and safe manner.

Container handlers including improved fork assemblies. One embodiment includes a vehicle having a chassis and a hoist apparatus pivotably coupled with the chassis. The hoist apparatus is movable between a stowed position and an extended position with respect to the chassis. The hoist apparatus further includes a pivotable fork assembly. The fork assembly comprises a frame and a carriage movably coupled with the frame. One or more tines are coupled with the carriage. At least one actuator is coupled between the frame and the carriage and is operative to move between a first position and a second position. Movement of the at least one actuator from the first position toward the second position causes the carriage to move substantially parallel to the frame.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a base vehicle, including a base vehicle chassis, an upper mount assembly including at least one mounting rail attached to a top of a frame rail of the base vehicle chassis, and a lower mount assembly including at least one mounting bracket attached to a bottom of the base vehicle chassis. The at least one mounting bracket is moveable between a retracted position proximate to the frame rail and an extended position distal from the frame rail. The at least one mounting rail is configured to receive at least one mounting bracket of an upper vehicle to mount the upper vehicle on top of the base vehicle. The at least one mounting bracket is configured to attach to at least one mounting rail of a lower vehicle to mount the base vehicle on top of the lower vehicle.

A vehicle unloading system provides hauling and unloading capabilities for a load of a vehicle. The system includes a container section having two sidewalls joining separate sides of a front wall. A chassis is configured to support the container section and includes a central support beam extending from the front end to a rear end of the container section and defines a central axis. Crossmembers extend across the width of the chassis and perpendicular to the central support beam. A tension directing mechanism positioned along the rear end of the container section is in tensioned relation with a first tensioning device affixed to the front wall as well as a push plate positioned adjacent the front wall. The tensioned relation between the tension directing mechanism and the first tensioning device and the push plate is defined by a central cable and a pair of outer cables, respectively.

The invention relates to a vehicle (1) for transferring a unit load to a unit load receiving device (100), comprising: a running gear (5), a drive device (30), which drives the running gear on the basis of control commands for adjusting a velocity vector of the vehicle (1) and a vehicle frame (10) with a receiving component (7) for receiving the unit load (L), wherein: the vehicle (1) comprises a vehicle system (S) with a vehicle control function (50), wherein the vehicle control function (50) uses or determines target trajectory follow-up commands as control target specifications, by means of which the vehicle (1) is moved on a vehicle movement path (210, 310) along a target trajectory (ST), wherein the drive device (30) realizes, on the basis of the control commands, a transfer acceleration of the vehicle (1) at least in a portion comprising the target transfer point (211, 311), at which transfer acceleration the unit load (L) on the receiving component of the vehicle is moved onto the unit load receiving device (100) by virtue of the inertia of the unit load. The invention also relates to a logistics system (A) and a method for transferring a unit load (L) from a vehicle (1) to a unit load receiving device (100).

Systems and methods for loading a container onto a container carrier comprising, lowering a set of rails of the container carrier from a raised position to a lowered position, wherein a horizontal surface of each of the set of rails is lower than the bottom surface of the container, expanding, horizontally, the set of rails, to an expanded position, moving at least one of the container carrier or the container so that the container is between the set of rails, contracting, horizontally, the set of rails, to a contracted position, such that the horizontal surface of each of the set of rails is directly underneath the bottom surface of the container and raising the set of rails from the lowered position to the raised position, such that the horizontal surface of each of the set of rails lift the container off the supports.

Systems and methods for delivering a requested payload using an autonomous delivery vehicle are described herein. In some embodiments, a cargo system for use with an autonomous delivery vehicle can include a frame defining a cargo space having an opening. A plurality of partitions can be positioned within the cargo space and configured to divide the cargo space into compartments. In some embodiments, the partitions are movable so that the cargo space can be divided into efficiently-sized compartments based on, for example, size characteristics of the payload. The cargo system can further include an access system configured to selectively define an aperture over the opening of the cargo space. The access system can vary the size and position of the aperture to provide access to only a selected one of the compartments regardless of the size and/or position of the selected compartment.

A hoist system may be used to raise and mount an interchangeable vehicle body onto a vehicle chassis. The hoist system may include a hoist frame having a roller, a subframe, a pivotal connection between the hoist frame and the subframe, a hinge joint member interconnected between the hoist frame and the subframe and a winch assembly connected to the hoist system. The subframe may have a bolt-on assembly for selectively, fixedly connecting the subframe to the vehicle chassis and the winch assembly may be selectively operable to raise the interchangeable body onto the hoist frame as the interchangeable body engages the roller.

A container transfer system is disclosed. The container transfer system can be installed on a vehicle or a rack. The container transfer system includes a conveyance assembly configured to move a container in a substantially horizontal direction along a longitudinal direction of the conveyance assembly. The conveyance assembly can include a frame comprising longitudinal members and transverse members and a plurality of rollers coupled to the frame. The plurality of rollers can include a first set of drivable rollers configured to be actively driven by a motor and a second set of passive rollers. The container transfer system also comprises a plurality of lift assemblies coupled between chassis rails of the vehicle and the frame of the conveyance assembly configured to raise and lower the conveyance assembly in a substantially vertical direction.

A self loading container with specific improvements upon prior art. The aim is to expand self loading from industrial multi mode shipping units to less costly end uses with a range container sizes, shapes and customizations that perform common tasks and that can be self loaded into any size vehicle. Gravitational stability is improved by relocating the main rolling means of container from the bottom of vertically extendable jacks or legs to horizontally extendable support rails directly under container. As such, extendable legs are used only to vertically level container with a receiving surface onto which it can then be horizontally transferred by means of its horizontally extendable support rails. Cost and operating improvements include a simplified coupling mechanism torqued for heavy loads with which front and rear leg extension and retraction can be either in pairs, combined or locked. Operating simplicity, visibility and safety are improved by locating all manipulative tools on the same side of container and within easy reach. Ease of self loading container into vehicles and its safe retention during transport is made possible by retainer rails on an insertable vehicle cargo floor that automatically pivot to encase the container support rails.