Side shift and skewing device for van carrier

Claim 1

In a van carrier vehicle having a horizontally extending U-shaped frame forming an open bay for embracing the load to be transported by the vehicle, a pair of transversely spaced motors mounted upon opposite legs of the U-shaped frame in each end portion thereof, lifting arch means connecting the motors of each such pair of hoist motors above the U-shaped frame for elevation therewith, a spreader frame embraced by the U-shaped frame and connected by flexible chain or cable means to the lifting arch means for elevation therewith and with said pairs of hoist motors and load lifting means depending from opposite end portions of the spreader frame, said spreader frame being movable downwardly with the lifting arch into a position atop a container to be engaged wherein said lifting means are registrable in locking relation with upper portions of the container so that the container may be elevated within the U-shaped frame, a guide beam extending transversely through one end portion only of the spreader frame having opposite ends thereof engaging a pair of transversely spaced upright channel sections secured in opposed facing relation in one end portion of the U-shaped frame and elevatable therein, a pair of hydraulic actuator cylinders connected between opposite end portions of said guide beam and opposite sides of the spreader frame for causing said spreader frame to skew in one direction or the other in the bay of the U-shaped frame and on said guide beam, and a side shift cylinder connected to said guide beam and to the spreader frame for actuating the latter transversely of the bay of the U-shaped frame and on said guide beam, the end of said spreader frame opposite from said guide beam being freely suspended from said chain or cable means without other connection to the U-shaped frame.