Transport vehicle with portable cargo container

Claim 1

A reusable freight hauling and storing container for use as the body of a transport vehicle such as a truck, railroad car, and the like, comprising in combination a generally rectangular load-supporting base, side and end walls extending upwardly from said base defining a freight receiving area, first and second retractable and extensible wheel means located near the corners at one end of said base and within the outer periphery of said side and end walls, a third retractable and extensible wheel means located within the outer periphery of said side and end walls near the opposite end of said rectangular base, said third wheel means being pivotably movable about a vertical axis to permit grinding of said container, said retractable and extensible wheel means each having an associated vertically positioned hydraulic cylinder, an electric-powered hydraulic pump with an associated hydraulic fluid reservoir for operating said hydraulic cylinders to simultaneously retract and extend said wheel means, a relatively low voltage direct current electric motor for powering said pump, said electric -powered hydraulic pump, hydraulic fluid reservoir, and electric motor all being contained within the outer periphery of said container walls, said container being positionable on said base to form an immobile storing container when said wheel means are in a retracted position, and said container being supported by said wheel means when said wheel means are in an extended position for movement on said wheel means in the longitudinal direction of said side walls.