Loading and unloading apparatus for vehicles

摘要

This invention relates to a loading and unloading apparatus for a load-carrying vehicle. The arrangement includes a plurality of cables which are laid on the floor of the vehicle and which support loads placed thereon. The cables can be moved in either longitudinal direction on the vehicle floor whereby loads supported on the cables are moved along the vehicle floor to facilitate loading and unloading of the vehicle. The cables are for all practical purposes endless and have a load supporting run and a return run. The return run is so arranged as to not interfere with the understructure of the vehicle and the fifth wheel connection, in the case of a trailer of a tractor-trailer rig. The cables are driven by means of a driven bulkhead which is connected to the cables and which is, in turn, driven by a chain drive mechanism.