Patent attributes
An apparatus for loading a container (e.g., a 16-foot container or other storage box) onto a truck, trailer, or other vehicle, includes first and second container-engaging beams (e.g. 20-foot long steel tubes) mounted on the vehicle in longitudinally extending, laterally spaced-apart, horizontal positions so that an operator can deploy the beams rearwardly of the vehicle, engage the container with them, and then lift and withdraw the beams with the container onto the vehicle. Beam-holding components on the vehicle hold the proximal end portions of the beams forward of the vehicle's rearward end for hydraulically powered, operator-controlled movement vertically, laterally, and longitudinally. Beam-supporting components at the rearward end of the truck support the intermediate portions of the beams immediately rearward of the vehicle's rearward end for operator-controlled movement of the intermediate portions vertically and laterally in concert with movement of the proximal end portions in order to achieve desired beam orientations for container-loading purposes.
