Powered hoist-baggage container handling system

Claim 1

In combination with a vehicle, said vehicle having a body capable of supporting and retaining elements of cargo, said body having an opening therein to permit ingress and egress of said elements of cargo, a cargo handling system comprising: a cargo element having two side portions and each of said side portions including therewith pawl engagement means at a predetermined position; a hoisting assembly for placing within said body of said vehicle and removing therefrom said elements of cargo, said hoisting assembly being supported by said vehicle and being wholly retainable within said body of said vehicle, means for extending and retracting said hoisting assembly relative to said vehicle, said hoisting assembly including a pair of hoist bars, each of said hoist bars having latch means mounted thereto for disengageably connecting said hoist bars to said cargo element, said latch means including a pawl pivotally mounted on said hoist bar; bias means connected to said hoist bar for continuously biasing said pawl into cooperation with said pawl engagement means; first release means for releasing said pawl from cooperation with said pawl engagement means; and second release means for releasing said pawl from cooperation with said pawl engagement means, said second release means including other means secured to said vehicle anD an arm pivotally mounted on said hoist bar, said arm having a portion which is actuatable by the said other means, said pawl being removed from cooperation with said pawl engagement means when said arm is actuated by the said other means, said arm being capable of location in a first and second position and including means to maintain said first and second positions, said arm being located free from actuation by the said other means when in the first position and being in a location actuatable by the said other means when in the second position.