Device for loading and unloading motor vehicles

A device for loading and unloading a truck having a load platform, including a plurality of essentially endless, parallel conveyor cables extending along the load platform and movable relative thereto, the cables defining respective upper support passes which project above the platform, a movable cross member fixed to the cables for moving them simultaneously, and a drive unit with chains for moving the cross member along the platform, wherein:

• the drive unit includes an electric motor with two outputs, a pair of sprockets driven by the two outputs of the electric motor, a pair of endless movable chains which extend adjacent sides of the platform, pass around the sprockets and are fixed substantially at ends of the cross member, and an automatic tensioning device for taking up slack in the chains,
• the motor, the sprockets and the automatic tensioning device form parts of a stationary unit fitted to one end of the platform, and
• the platform has longitudinal slots and respective profiled members, along which the upper and lower passes of the cables and of the two chains are guided and are fitted in said slots.