System for storing and transporting ladings

Claim 3

The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said lock mechanism is responsive to the lowering of said container onto the support surface for locking said leg assemblies in the supporting configurations thereof.

Claim 4

The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said container includes first and second pairs of bolsters respectively disposed adjacent to the opposite ends thereof, and said road vehicle includes first and second pairs of body bolsters arranged for respectively receiving and supporting thereon said pairs of container bolsters.

Claim 7

The system set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said leg housings is mounted for horizontal pivotal movement with respect to said container, and each of said legs is mounted for vertical pivotal movement with respect to the associated one of said leg housings, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof being arranged to accommodate vertical translational movement of said leg and said leg housing with respect to each other for shifting said leg assembly between the intermediate configuration and the supporting configuration thereof.

Claim 8

The system set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof is constructed and arranged to accommodate vertical translational movement of said leg housing with respect to said leg when said leg is in contact with the underlying support surface for thereby shifting said leg assembly between the intermediate configuration and the supporting configuration thereof.

Claim 11

The system set forth in claim 7, wherein said first axis is disposed substantially vertically and said second axis is disposed substantially horizontally, the translational movement of said leg housing and said support leg with respect to each other being substantially vertical.

Claim 12

The system set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said leg housings includes a pivot pin disposed along said second axis, and each of said support legs has an elongated slot therein receiving said pivot pin therethrough for pivotal movement of said leg about said axis, said slot being disposed substantially vertically when said leg assembly is in the intermediate configuration thereof to accommodate vertical translational movement of said leg housing and said pivot pin with respect to said leg for shifting said leg assembly between the intermediate configuration and supporting configuration thereof.

Claim 13

The system set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said leg assemblies is constructed and arranged for shifting between the storage configuration and the supporting configuration thereof only by sequentially pivoting thereof about said two axes in a predetermined order.

Claim 16

A self-supporting container for use in a system for storing and for transporting ladings, wherein the system includes a road vehicle for transporting the container to and from an associated stationary support surface and including a first body bolster for receiving one end of the container and a second body bolster for receiving the other end of the container and lifting means for causing relative vertical movement between the container and the body bolsters; said container comprising a body wall defining a chamber for containing lading and having means for introducing lading thereinto and means for removing lading therefrom, a first container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to one end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated first body bolster on the road vehicle and a second container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to the other end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated second body bolster on the road vehicle, a first pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to one end of said container and a second pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to the other end of said container, each of said leg assemblies being mounted for pivotal movements about two different axes to accommodate shifting of said leg assembly between a storage configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the storage configuration thereof having all parts thereof disposed closely adjacent to said container for facilitating unencumbered transporting thereof, each of said leg assemblies in the supporting configuration thereof extending substantially vertically downwardly from said container for resting upon the underlying support surface firmly to support said container thereon, the leg assemblies in each pair of support leg assemblies being spaced apart a distance to receive the associated road vehicle therebetween when said leg assemblies are in the supporting configurations thereof, and lock mechanism for restraining said leg assemblies against all pivotal movements when said leg assemblies are in the supporting configurations thereof, whereby the lifting means on the associated road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the road vehicle to the stationary support surface by raising said container above the body bolsters for providing clearance to shift said leg assemblies from the storage configurations thereof to the supporting configurations thereof and then lowering said container and said leg assemblies onto the support surface for support thereon solely by said leg assemblies, and whereby the lifting means of the road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the stationary support surface to the road vehicle by raising said container above the support surface to provide clearance for shifting said leg assemblies from the supporting configurations thereof to the storage configurations thereof and then lowering said container bolsters onto the body bolsters.

Claim 17

A self-supporting container for use in a system for storing and for transporting ladings, wherein the system includes a road vehicle for transporting the container to and from an associated stationary support surface and including a first body bolster for receiving one end of the container and a second body bolster for receiving the other end of the container and lifting means for causing relative vertical movement between the container and the body bolsters; said container comprising a body wall defining a chamber for containing lading and having means for introducing lading thereinto and means for removing lading therefrom, a first container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to one end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated first body bolster on the road vehicle and a second container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to the other end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated second body bolster on the road vehicle, a first pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to one end of said container and a second pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to the other end of said container, each of said leg assemblies being mounted for pivotal movements about two different axes to accommodate shifting of said leg assembly between a storage configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the storage configuration thereof having all parts thereof disposed closely adjacent to said container for facilitating unencumbered transporting thereof, each of said leg assemblies in the supporting configuration thereof extending substantially vertically downwardly from said container for resting upon the underlying support surface firmly to support said container thereon, the leg assemblies in each pair of support leg assemblies being spaced apart a distance to receive the associated road vehicle therebetween when said leg assemblies are in the supporting configurations thereof, and lock mechanism for restraining said leg assemblies against all pivotal movements when said leg assemblies are in the supporting configurations thereof, whereby the lifting means on the associated road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the road vehicle to the stationary support surface by raising said container above the body bolsters for providing clearance to shift said leg assemblies from the storage configurations thereof to the supporting configurations thereof and then lowering said container and said leg assemblies onto the support surface for support thereon solely by said leg assemblies, and whereby the lifting means of the road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the stationary support surface to the road vehicle by raising said container above the support surface to provide clearance for shifting said leg assemblies from the supporting configurations thereof to the storage configurations thereof and then lowering said container bolsters onto the body bolsters.

Claim 18

The container set forth in claim 12, wherein said body wall defines a hopper for containing therein and discharging therefrom dry bulk lading.

Claim 19

The container set forth in claim 12, wherein each pair of said leg assemblies is disposed substantially in lateral alignment with one of said container bolsters.

Claim 20

The container set forth in claim 12, wherein each of said container bolsters is provided with a jacking point thereon, the lifting means of the associated road vehicle engaging said container bolsters at said jacking points for effecting vertical movement of said container.

Claim 21

The container set forth in claim 12, wherein said lock mechanism is responsive to the lowering of said container onto the support surface for locking said leg assemblies in the supporting configurations thereof.

Claim 22

A self-supporting container for use in a system for storing and for transporting ladings, wherein the system includes a road vehicle for transporting the container to and from an associated stationary support surface and including a first body bolster for receiving one end of the container and a second body bolster for receiving the other end of the container and lifting means for causing relative vertical movement between the container and the body bolsters; said container comprising a body wall defining a chamber for containing lading and having means for introducing lading thereinto and means for removing lading therefrom, a first container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to one end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated first body bolster on the road vehicle and a second container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to the other end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated second body bolster on the road vehicle, a first pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to one end of said container and a second pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to the other end of said container, each of said leg assemblies including a leg housing and a support leg mounted for movement with respect to each other and with respect to said container to accommodate shifting of said leg assembly among a storage configuration and an intermediate configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the storage configuration thereof having all parts thereof disposed closely adjacent to said container for facilitating unencumbered transporting thereof, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said housing and spaced from the associated support surface, each of said leg assemblies in the supporting configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said leg housing and resting upon the associated support surface firmly to support said leg housing and said container thereon, and the leg assemblies in each pair of support leg assemblies being spaced apart a distance to receive the associated road vehicle therebetween when said leg assemblies are in the supporting configurations thereof, and first lock structure on each of said leg housings and said container and second lock structure on each of saId support legs, shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations to the supporting configurations thereof effecting movement of said first and second lock structures to a locking condition adapted for engagement with each other to lock said leg assemblies in the supporting configurations thereof; whereby the lifting means on the associated road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the road vehicle to the stationary support surface by raising said container above the body bolsters for providing clearance to shift said leg assemblies from the storage configurations to the intermediate configurations thereof and then lowering said container and said leg assemblies onto the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations to the supporting configurations thereof to support said container solely on said leg assemblies, and whereby the lifting means on the road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the stationary support surface to the road vehicle by raising said container above the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the supporting configurations thereof to the intermediate configurations thereof and providing clearance for the shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations thereof to the storage configurations thereof and then lowering said container bolsters onto the body bolsters.

Claim 23

A self-supporting container for use in a system for storing and for transporting ladings, wherein the system includes a road vehicle for transporting the container to and from an associated stationary support surface and including a first body bolster for receiving one end of the container and a second body bolster for receiving the other end of the container and lifting means for causing relative vertical movement between the container and the body bolsters; said container comprising a body wall defining a chamber for containing lading and having means for introducing lading thereinto and means for removing lading therefrom, a first container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to one end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated first body bolster on the road vehicle and a second container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to the other end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated second body bolster on the road vehicle, a first pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to one end of said container and a second pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to the other end of said container, each of said leg assemblies including a leg housing and a support leg mounted for movement with respect to each other and with respect to said container to accommodate shifting of said leg assembly among a storage configuration and an intermediate configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the storage configuration thereof having all parts thereof disposed closely adjacent to said container for facilitating unencumbered transporting thereof, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said housing and spaced from the associated support surface, each of said leg assemblies in the supporting configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said leg housing and resting upon the associated support surface firmly to support said leg housing and said container thereon, and the leg assemblies in each pair of support leg assemblies being spaced apart a distance to receive the associated road vehicle therebetween when said leg assemblies are in the supporting configurations thereof, and first lock structure on each of said leg housings and said container and second lock structure on each of saId support legs, shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations to the supporting configurations thereof effecting movement of said first and second lock structures to a locking condition adapted for engagement with each other to lock said leg assemblies in the supporting configurations thereof; whereby the lifting means on the associated road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the road vehicle to the stationary support surface by raising said container above the body bolsters for providing clearance to shift said leg assemblies from the storage configurations to the intermediate configurations thereof and then lowering said container and said leg assemblies onto the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations to the supporting configurations thereof to support said container solely on said leg assemblies, and whereby the lifting means on the road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the stationary support surface to the road vehicle by raising said container above the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the supporting configurations thereof to the intermediate configurations thereof and providing clearance for the shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations thereof to the storage configurations thereof and then lowering said container bolsters onto the body bolsters.

Claim 24

The container set forth in claim 17, wherein said container includes first and second pairs of container bolsters respectively mounted on said body wall adjacent to the opposite ends thereof, said leg housings being respectively secured to said container bolsters.

Claim 25

The container set forth in claim 17, wherein each of said leg housings is mounted for horizontal pivotal movement with respect to said container, and each of said legs is mounted for vertical pivotal movement with respect to the associated one of said leg housings, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof being arranged to accommodate vertical translational movement of said leg and said leg housing with respect to each other for shifting said leg assembly between the intermediate configuration and the supporting configuration thereof.

Claim 26

The container set forth in claim 17, wherein each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof is constructed and arranged to accommodate vertical translational movement of said leg housing with respect to said leg when said leg is in contact with the underlying support surface for thereby shifting said leg assembly between the intermediate configuration and the supporting configuration thereof.

Claim 27

A self-supporting container for use in a system for storing and for transporting ladings, wherein the system includes a road vehicle for transporting the container to and from an associated stationary support surface and including a first body bolster for receiving one end of the container and a second body bolster for receiving the other end of the container and lifting means for causing relative vertical movement between the container and the body bolsters; said container comprising a body wall defining a chamber for containing lading and having means for introducing lading thereinto and means for removing lading therefrom, a first container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to one end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated first body bolster on the road vehicle and a second container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to the other end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated second body bolster on the road vehicle, a first pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to one end of said container and a second pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to the other end of said container, each of said leg assemblies including a leg housing mounted on said container for pivotal movement about a first axis and a supPort leg mounted on said leg housing for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a second axis all to accommodate shifting of said leg assembly among a storage configuration and an intermediate configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the storage configuration thereof having all parts thereof disposed closely adjacent to said container for facilitating unencumbered transporting thereof, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said housing and spaced from the associated support surface, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof being arranged to accommodate translational movement of said leg housing and said support leg with respect to each other for shifting said leg assembly between said intermediate configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the supporting configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said leg housing and resting upon the associated support surface to firmly support said leg housing and said container thereon, the leg assemblies in each pair of support leg assemblies being spaced apart a distance to receive the associated road vehicle therebetween when said leg assemblies are in the supporting configurations thereof, and first lock structure on each of said leg housings and said container and second lock structure on each of said support legs, shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations to the supporting configurations thereof effecting movement of said first and second lock structures to a locking condition adapted for engagement with each other to lock said leg assemblies in the supporting configurations thereof; whereby the lifting means on the associated road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the road vehicle to the stationary support surface by raising said container above the body bolsters for providing clearance to shift said leg assemblies from the storage configurations to the intermediate configurations thereof and then lowering said container and said leg assemblies onto the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the intermediate configuration to the supporting configurations thereof to support said container solely on said leg assemblies, and whereby the lifting means on the road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the stationary support surface to the road vehicle by raising said container above the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the supporting configurations thereof to the intermediate configurations thereof and providing clearance for the shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations thereof to the storage configurations thereof and then lowering said container bolsters onto the body bolsters.

Claim 28

A self-supporting container for use in a system for storing and for transporting ladings, wherein the system includes a road vehicle for transporting the container to and from an associated stationary support surface and including a first body bolster for receiving one end of the container and a second body bolster for receiving the other end of the container and lifting means for causing relative vertical movement between the container and the body bolsters; said container comprising a body wall defining a chamber for containing lading and having means for introducing lading thereinto and means for removing lading therefrom, a first container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to one end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated first body bolster on the road vehicle and a second container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to the other end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated second body bolster on the road vehicle, a first pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to one end of said container and a second pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to the other end of said container, each of said leg assemblies including a leg housing mounted on said container for pivotal movement about a first axis and a supPort leg mounted on said leg housing for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a second axis all to accommodate shifting of said leg assembly among a storage configuration and an intermediate configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the storage configuration thereof having all parts thereof disposed closely adjacent to said container for facilitating unencumbered transporting thereof, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said housing and spaced from the associated support surface, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof being arranged to accommodate translational movement of said leg housing and said support leg with respect to each other for shifting said leg assembly between said intermediate configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the supporting configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said leg housing and resting upon the associated support surface to firmly support said leg housing and said container thereon, the leg assemblies in each pair of support leg assemblies being spaced apart a distance to receive the associated road vehicle therebetween when said leg assemblies are in the supporting configurations thereof, and first lock structure on each of said leg housings and said container and second lock structure on each of said support legs, shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations to the supporting configurations thereof effecting movement of said first and second lock structures to a locking condition adapted for engagement with each other to lock said leg assemblies in the supporting configurations thereof; whereby the lifting means on the associated road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the road vehicle to the stationary support surface by raising said container above the body bolsters for providing clearance to shift said leg assemblies from the storage configurations to the intermediate configurations thereof and then lowering said container and said leg assemblies onto the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the intermediate configuration to the supporting configurations thereof to support said container solely on said leg assemblies, and whereby the lifting means on the road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the stationary support surface to the road vehicle by raising said container above the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the supporting configurations thereof to the intermediate configurations thereof and providing clearance for the shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations thereof to the storage configurations thereof and then lowering said container bolsters onto the body bolsters.

Claim 29

The container set forth in claim 21, wherein each of said leg housings includes a guide plate disposed for engagement with the associated support leg for guiding thereof during the shifting of said leg assembly from the storage configuration to the supporting configuration thereof.

Claim 30

The container set forth in claim 21, wherein each of said leg housings includes a pivot pin disposed along said second axis, and each of said support legs has an elongated slot therein receiving said pivot pin therethrough for pivotal movement of said leg about said axis, said slot being disposed substantially vertically when said leg assembly is in the intermediate configuration thereof to accommodate vertical translational movement of said leg housing and said pivot pin with respect to said leg for shifting said leg assembly between the intermediate configuration and supporting configuration thereof.

Claim 31

A self-supporting container for usE in a system for storing and for transporting ladings, wherein the system includes a road vehicle for transporting the container to and from an associated stationary support surface and including a first body bolster for receiving one end of the container and a second body bolster for receiving the other end of the container and lifting means for causing relative vertical movement between the container and the body bolsters; said container comprising a body wall defining a chamber for containing lading and having means for introducing lading thereinto and means for removing lading therefrom, a first container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to one end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated first body bolster on the road vehicle and a second container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to the other end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated second body bolster on the road vehicle, a first pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to one end of said container and a second pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to the other end of said container, each of said leg assemblies including a leg housing mounted on said container for pivotal movement about a first axis and a support leg mounted on said leg housing for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a second axis all to accommodate shifting of said leg assembly among a storage configuration and an intermediate configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the storage configuration thereof having all parts thereof disposed closely adjacent to said container for facilitating unencumbered transporting thereof, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said housing and spaced from the associated support surface, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof being arranged to accommodate translational movement of said leg housing and said support leg with respect to each other for shifting said leg assembly between said intermediate configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the supporting configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said leg housing and resting upon the associated support surface to firmly support said leg housing and said container thereon, the leg assemblies in each pair of support leg assemblies being spaced apart a distance to receive the associated road vehicle therebetween when said leg assemblies are in the supporting configurations thereof, and a container abutment surface on said container adjacent to each of said leg housings and first and second housing abutment surfaces on each of said leg housings and first and second and third leg abutment surfaces on each of said legs, shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations to the supporting configurations thereof effecting movement of said abutment surfaces to a locking condition cooperating with one another to lock said leg assemblies in the supporting configurations thereof, said first leg abutment surfaces cooperating with said container abutment surfaces in said locking condition for restraining said leg housings against pivotal movement about said first axes, said second leg abutment surfaces cooperating with said first leg housing abutment surfaces and with the weight of said container in said locking condition for restraining said leg housings and said legs against translational movement with respect to each other, said third leg abutment surfaces cooperating with said second leg housing abutment surfaces in said locking condition for restraining said legs against pivotal movement about said second axes; whereby the lifting means on the associated road vehicle may be opErated to transfer said container from the road vehicle to the stationary support surface by raising said container above the body bolsters for providing clearance to shift said leg assemblies from the storage configurations to the intermediate configurations thereof and then lowering said container and said leg assemblies onto the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations to the supporting configurations thereof to support said container solely on said leg assemblies, and whereby the lifting means on the road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the stationary support surface to the road vehicle by raising said container above the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the supporting configurations thereof to the intermediate configurations thereof and providing clearance for the shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations thereof to the storage configurations thereof and then lowering said container bolsters onto the body bolsters.

Claim 32

A self-supporting container for usE in a system for storing and for transporting ladings, wherein the system includes a road vehicle for transporting the container to and from an associated stationary support surface and including a first body bolster for receiving one end of the container and a second body bolster for receiving the other end of the container and lifting means for causing relative vertical movement between the container and the body bolsters; said container comprising a body wall defining a chamber for containing lading and having means for introducing lading thereinto and means for removing lading therefrom, a first container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to one end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated first body bolster on the road vehicle and a second container bolster mounted on said body wall adjacent to the other end thereof and arranged to be seated upon and supported by the associated second body bolster on the road vehicle, a first pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to one end of said container and a second pair of support leg assemblies disposed adjacent to the other end of said container, each of said leg assemblies including a leg housing mounted on said container for pivotal movement about a first axis and a support leg mounted on said leg housing for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a second axis all to accommodate shifting of said leg assembly among a storage configuration and an intermediate configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the storage configuration thereof having all parts thereof disposed closely adjacent to said container for facilitating unencumbered transporting thereof, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said housing and spaced from the associated support surface, each of said leg assemblies in the intermediate configuration thereof being arranged to accommodate translational movement of said leg housing and said support leg with respect to each other for shifting said leg assembly between said intermediate configuration and a supporting configuration, each of said leg assemblies in the supporting configuration thereof having said leg housing extending laterally outwardly from said container and said leg extending substantially vertically downwardly from said leg housing and resting upon the associated support surface to firmly support said leg housing and said container thereon, the leg assemblies in each pair of support leg assemblies being spaced apart a distance to receive the associated road vehicle therebetween when said leg assemblies are in the supporting configurations thereof, and a container abutment surface on said container adjacent to each of said leg housings and first and second housing abutment surfaces on each of said leg housings and first and second and third leg abutment surfaces on each of said legs, shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations to the supporting configurations thereof effecting movement of said abutment surfaces to a locking condition cooperating with one another to lock said leg assemblies in the supporting configurations thereof, said first leg abutment surfaces cooperating with said container abutment surfaces in said locking condition for restraining said leg housings against pivotal movement about said first axes, said second leg abutment surfaces cooperating with said first leg housing abutment surfaces and with the weight of said container in said locking condition for restraining said leg housings and said legs against translational movement with respect to each other, said third leg abutment surfaces cooperating with said second leg housing abutment surfaces in said locking condition for restraining said legs against pivotal movement about said second axes; whereby the lifting means on the associated road vehicle may be opErated to transfer said container from the road vehicle to the stationary support surface by raising said container above the body bolsters for providing clearance to shift said leg assemblies from the storage configurations to the intermediate configurations thereof and then lowering said container and said leg assemblies onto the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations to the supporting configurations thereof to support said container solely on said leg assemblies, and whereby the lifting means on the road vehicle may be operated to transfer said container from the stationary support surface to the road vehicle by raising said container above the support surface for thereby shifting said leg assemblies from the supporting configurations thereof to the intermediate configurations thereof and providing clearance for the shifting of said leg assemblies from the intermediate configurations thereof to the storage configurations thereof and then lowering said container bolsters onto the body bolsters.