Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.

The disclosure provides a delivery vehicle. The delivery vehicle may be automated for delivering one or more containers to a delivery location and unloading the one or more containers at that location. The vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a bay therein. The vehicle also includes a plurality of container hangers mounted within the bay and an automated unloading arm movable between a retracted arm position and an extended arm position. The arm is at least partially received in the bay in the retracted arm position and extends from the body in the extended arm position. The unloading arm comprises at least one container carrying member, such as at least one hook, longitudinally movable along the unloading arm for selective longitudinal alignment with each of the plurality of hangers.

Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.

The disclosure provides a delivery vehicle. The delivery vehicle may be automated for delivering one or more containers to a delivery location and unloading the one or more containers at that location. The vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a bay therein. The vehicle also includes a plurality of container hangers mounted within the bay and an automated unloading arm movable between a retracted arm position and an extended arm position. The arm is at least partially received in the bay in the retracted arm position and extends from the body in the extended arm position. The unloading arm comprises at least one container carrying member, such as at least one hook, longitudinally movable along the unloading arm for selective longitudinal alignment with each of the plurality of hangers.

A portable gantry crane formed of composite members includes a composite material I-beam. Two or more support members are formed of a composite material and each support member supports the I-beam when the portable gantry crane is in an upright position. Two or more end housings are included, each end housing enclosing a top end of one of the two or more support members and coupled thereto using adhesive. A plurality of latch structures are coupled with the I-beam, each latch structure including a latch, and each end housing having a latch receiver, each latch in combination with a latch receiver allowing one of the latch structures to be releasably fixedly coupled with an end housing. In implementations a plurality of latch structures are coupled with the I-beam, each latch structure having a latch structure enclosure and each latch structure enclosure at least partially enclosing one of the end housings.

Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.

Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.

A portable gantry crane formed of composite members includes a composite material I-beam. Two or more support members are formed of a composite material and each support member supports the I-beam when the portable gantry crane is in an upright position. Two or more end housings are included, each end housing enclosing a top end of one of the two or more support members and coupled thereto using adhesive. A plurality of latch structures are coupled with the I-beam, each latch structure including a latch, and each end housing having a latch receiver, each latch in combination with a latch receiver allowing one of the latch structures to be releasably fixedly coupled with an end housing. In implementations a plurality of latch structures are coupled with the I-beam, each latch structure having a latch structure enclosure and each latch structure enclosure at least partially enclosing one of the end housings.

A hoist mechanism for loading an object onto a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include an affixed roof rack having at least two transverse bars. The hoist mechanism includes: a horizontal bar and a vertical lift mechanism. The horizontal bar is affixable to a transverse bar, is hollow, and has an open end. The vertical lift mechanism is removably mate-able with the horizontal bar and includes: a vertical mast; a boom joined to the upper end; an insert bar fits into the open end, located away from the boom, and is releasably affixed in the horizontal bar; and a lift wire with a grapnel at a distal end, the lift wire running between the end of the boom and down the vertical mast. Wherein after the horizontal bar and insert bar are is affixed to the vehicle, the object is attached to the grapnel and hoisted onto the vehicle.

A portable crane formed of composite members. A composite mast is coupled to a composite boom. A boom end housing removably couples at a top of the mast and includes an enclosure. A first end of the boom couples within the boom end housing. A boom pivot couples to the boom end housing and couples the boom to the mast. An angle adjuster releasably secures the boom at a desired angle relative to the mast. In implementations an end cap is included at a second end of the boom, coupled to a sheave with a pin, the end cap covering a terminal end of a second end of the boom and extending along both sides of a slot in an upper surface of the second end and along a portion of a first side of the second end and along a portion of a second side of the second end.