Side shifting storage and transfer apparatus

Claim 2

Load storage and transfer apparatus comprising: stationary ground-engaging base means having a longitudinal dimension, beam or platform-type load support means for undergirding and supporting the full base width of a load on said base means, first moving means including leg means pivotable from a generally horizontal longitudinal disposition to a generally vertical disposition connecting said load support means to said base means for raising and lowering said load support means between a low-level limit position and a high-level limit position, second moving means on said load support means for shifting a movable upper load-contacting portion of said load support means laterally toward a load-receiving station alongside said base means, said load-support means including means wholly supporting said movable load-contacting portion in all lateral positions of adjustment thereof.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 including means mounting said upper load-contacting portion for limited lateral tilting movement in a vertical plane under the influence of a load thereon.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 including means mounting said load support means for pivoting movement about an upright axis intermediate the laterally opposite ends of said load support means.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1 including means mounting said load support means in a manner permitting limited lateral tilting movement of said upper load-contacting portion and permitting horizontal pivoting movement of said load support means about an upright axis positioned within the lateral limits of said base means.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second moving means for shifting said upper load-contacting portion includes fluid-powered extensible cylinder means on said load support means.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said cylinder means includes a pair of laterally extending fluid cylinders mounted on a lower portion of said support means and cable means interconnecting said cylinders and said upper load-contacting portion in a manner so that one said cylinder shifts said upper portion laterally away from said lower portion and the other said cylinder returns said upper portion laterally toward said lower portion.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first moving means includes generally horizontally disposed and longitudinally extending fluid-powered extensible cylinder means pivoted at one set of ends to said base means and pivoted at the other set of ends to said leg means in a manner so that extension of said cylinder means elevates said leg means and thus said load support means.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said leg means are pivoted at one end to said base means for vertical pivoting movement longitudinally of said base means, extensible fluid cylinder means pivoted at one end to said base means at a position spaced longitudinally from the pivot connection of said leg means to said base means, means pivotally interconnecting the opposite free ends of said cylinder means and said leg means in a manner so that extension and retraction of said cylinder means pivots said leg means between a generally horizontal disposition and a generally upright position for raising and lowering said load support means.

Claim 10

Load storage and transfer apparatus for storing a vehicle-sized loose or containerized load at a low level and transferring said load to a vehicle bed at a higher level alongside said apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a retractable and extensible frame including a longitudinally extending base, at least four leg members pivoted at their lower ends to said base for movement between generally horizontal longitudinal retracted positions and generally vertical extended positions, first fluid power cylinder means pivoted at one end to said base and at an opposite end to the upper ends of said leg members for extending and retracting said leg members, a cross frame member interconnecting the upper ends of each laterally opposed pair of said leg members, a longitudinal frame member pivotally interconnecting the upper ends of each longitudinally opposed pair of said leg members, a load-supporting bunk member swivably connected to each said cross frame member, each bunk member including a lower-bunk portion and an upper, load-engaging bunk portion mounted for generally horizontal extending and retracting movement longitudinally of said lower bunk portion, power means carried by said lower-bunk portion for extending and retracting said upper-bunk portion.

Claim 11

Load storage and transfer apparatus for storing a vehicle-sized loose or containerized load at a low level and transferring said load to a vehicle bed at a higher level alongside said apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a retractable and extensible frame including a longitudinally extending base, at least four leg members pivoted at their lower ends to said base for movement between generally horizontal longitudinal retracted positions and generally vertical extended positions, first fluid power cylinder means pivoted at one end to said base and at an opposite end to the upper ends of said leg members for extending and retracting said leg members, a cross frame member interconnecting the upper ends of each laterally opposed pair of said leg members, a longitudinal frame member pivotally interconnecting the upper ends of each longitudinally opposed pair of said leg members, a load-supporting bunk member swivably connected to each said cross frame member, each bunk member including a lower-bunk portion and an upper, load-engaging bunk portion mounted for generally horizontal extending and retracting movement longitudinally of said lower bunk portion, power means carried by said lower-bunk portion for extending and retracting said upper-bunk portion.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said upper-bunk portion is tiltable within limits under load when extended to facilitate transfer of a load therefrom.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said upper-bunk portion includes end stakes for containing the sides of a loose load.