Multi-use freight carrier

• US 3,880,438 A
• Filed: 04/18/1974
• Issued: 04/29/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Leo A. Klein
• Original Assignee: Leo A. Klein
• Inventors: Klein, Leo A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Auton, Gary
• Application Number:
  US05/462,053
• Time in Patent Office: 376 Days
• Field of Search: 296/35R,15,28M,1A,28R 105/358,360,266,265 280/5R,5C,5E,5D,5F 298/8H,8R 222/144 214/300
• US Class Current: 280/838
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/2205 Constructional features
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/24 compartmented
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/426 from transport of fluids to transport of other types of goods

Abstract

A freight carrier for eliminating the problem of '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'deadheading'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' caused by having only freight which is incompatible for storage in the container used for the delivery trip available for the return trip of the carrier. The disclosed multi-use freight carrier employs two containers on one chassis one for each of the mutually incompatible freights. The unused, lighter container is carried above the loaded, heavier container so that the center of gravity remains low. Means are provided in one embodiment to rotate the containers about a longitudinal axis to exchange the active and passive container for the return trip. In another embodiment, the second container is nested within the first container when being used and is raised vertically and held above the first container when the first container is being used.

Claims

1. A carrier for freight comprising:

A. a first container;

B. a second container;

C. a vehicle chassis;

D. means operably connected to said first container and said second container for holding said first container and said second container in substantially parallel relationship with each other and for changing the vertical displacement of said first container in relationship to the position of said second container, said first container being at the top of its vertical displacement capability for operation of the carrier for freight with said first container empty and said second container loaded with freight, said first container being at the bottom of its vertical displacement capability for operation of the carrier for freight with said first container loaded with freight and said second container empty, said Changing of the vertical displacement of said first container in relationship to the position of said second container is accomplished by rotating said first container and said second container about a common axis in combination said means for holding said first container and said second container in substantially parallel relationship with each other and for changing the vertical displacement of said first container in relationship to the position of said second container comprising;

a. a front joining plate attached to one end of said first container and one end of said second container;

b. a rear joining plate attached to the other end said first container and the other end of said second container;

c. a front main shaft carried by said front joining plate;

d. a rear main shaft carried by said rear joining plate, said front main shaft and said rear main shaft being located along an axis substantially midway between said first container and said second container, said axis being said common axis of rotation of said first container and said second container in combination;

e. means carried by said chassis for rotatably supporting said front main shaft and said rear main shaft and for raising and lowering said front main shaft and said rear main shaft in combination to allow said first container and said second container to clear said chassis when said first container and said second container are rotated in combination; and

f. means for rotating said first container and said second container in combination; and

E. said chassis carrying said means for holding said first container and said second container in substantially parallel relationship with each other and for changing the vertical displacement of said first container in relationship to the position of said second container.

2. A carrier for freight as claimed in claim 1 wherein additionally:

means are carried by said chassis for securing said first container and said second container in combination to said chassis when said carrier for freight is carrying freight.