Meshing wheel for transferring cargo

Abstract

A device and method for moving tilt frame and transfer bed portions of a cargo transfer system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention includes a table and a pin. The table may be mounted on a horizontal axis and secured to the tilt frame. The table has a first surface permitting coaxial rotation of an opposing second surface, where the opposing second surface is on the transfer bed. The pin may extend from the table and may be secured to the transfer bed such that the first surface opposes the second surface. The table may pivot on the horizontal axis such that the transfer bed may be horizontal during inclination of the tilt frame.

1 . A device for moving a tilt frame in relation to a transfer bed, the device comprising:
 a table mounted on a horizontal axis configured to be secured to the tilt frame, the table having a first surface configured to permit coaxial rotation of an opposing second surface located on the transfer bed; and   a pin extending from the table, the pin configured to be secured to the opposing second surface of the transfer bed;   wherein the table and the opposing second surface are cooperatively engaged to enable the transfer bed to be oriented generally parallel to the ground during inclination of the tilt frame.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the table and the opposing second surface cooperate to allow the transfer bed to rotate about a vertical axis coincident with the pin. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pin is threaded and further comprising a threaded fastener configured to mate with the pin for rotatably securing the first and opposing second surfaces. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting plate securing the device to the tilt frame using one or more risers extending from the mounting plate and one or more table supports extending down from the table, to provide a vertical separation between the table and the mounting plate, thereby facilitating clearance between the transfer bed and tilt frame. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a trolley movable along the tilt frame, wherein the table is secured to the trolley. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the trolley is configured to be driven by a chain. 
   
   
       7 . A device for pivotally connecting a transfer bed to a tilt frame supported by a vehicle chassis, the device comprising:
 a mounting plate configured to be secured to the tilt frame; and   a table having a first meshing surface configured to be secured to a second meshing surface on the transfer bed, the table having one or more supports configured to pivotally turn on a horizontal axis between the mounting plate and the table permitting the transfer bed to be oriented generally parallel to the ground during inclination of the tilt frame;   wherein the first and second meshing surfaces engaged allow the transfer bed to rotate about a vertical axis coincident with the pin.   
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a pin for securing the first meshing surface to the second meshing surface. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the horizontal axis is formed by using one or more risers extending from the mounting plate and the one or more supports to provide a vertical separation between the table and the mounting plate, thereby facilitating clearance between the transfer bed and tilt frame. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a trolley moveable along the tilt frame, wherein the table is secured to the trolley. 
   
   
       11 . A method for moving a tilt frame supported by a vehicle chassis in relation to a transfer bed pivotally connected to the tilt frame, the method comprising the steps of:
 mounting a table for pivotable movement about a horizontal axis; and   securing the table to the tilt frame, the table having a first surface configured to permit coaxial rotation of an opposing second surface on the transfer bed;   wherein the table pivots on the horizontal axis such that the transfer bed may be oriented generally parallel to the ground during inclination of the tilt frame.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of extending a pin from the table, the pin configured to be secured to the transfer bed such that the first surface opposes the second surface. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the table and the second surface cooperate to allow the transfer bed to rotate about a vertical axis coincident with the pin. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of providing a mounting plate configured for securing the device to the tilt flame, wherein the horizontal axis is formed using one or more risers extending from the mounting plate and one or more table supports extending down from the table, to provide a vertical separation between the table and the mounting plate, thereby facilitating clearance between the transfer bed and tilt frame. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of providing a trolley movable along the tilt frame, wherein the table is secured to the trolley. 
   
   
       16 . A device for pivotally moving a transfer bed in relation to a tilt frame supported by a vehicle chassis, the device comprising:
 means for mounting a table on a horizontal axis; and   means for securing the table to the tilt frame, the table having a first surface configured to permit coaxial rotation of an opposing second surface on the transfer bed;   wherein the table pivots on the horizontal axis such that the transfer bed may be oriented generally parallel to the ground during inclination of the tilt frame.   
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising means for moveably securing the table to the tilt frame such that the table may move along the tilt frame. 
   
   
       18 . A loading and unloading device for transferring cargo between a vehicle having a chassis and a cab and a loading ramp of varying height, the device comprising:
 a tilt frame pivotally engaged to the vehicle chassis, the tilt frame having a first end near the cab of the vehicle and a second end distal from the cab;   a transfer bed having a first end movable along an upper surface of the tilt frame;   a table mounted on a horizontal axis configured to be secured to the tilt frame, the table having a first surface configured to permit coaxial rotation of an opposing second surface located on the transfer bed;   a pin extending from the table, the pin configured to be secured to the opposing second surface of the transfer bed; and   an adjustable height carriage configured to support a second end of the transfer bed;   wherein the transfer bed may be leveled at varying heights by varying at least one of: the height of the carriage; and the height of the first end of the transfer bed by moving it along the tilt frame, and wherein the table and the opposing second surface cooperate to enable the transfer bed to be oriented generally parallel to the ground during inclination of the tilt frame.