Truck mounted lifting mechanism for lifting and transporting containers

A loading mechanism for loading and unloading a container onto a truck having a box frame, said mechanism comprising:

• a horizontal track including two parallel horizontally spaced rails mounted on the frame and extending substantially the entire length of the frame;
• a vertical mast having a base axle supporting a first pair of rollers located to one side of said vertical mast, said first pair of rollers engaging said rails;
• a horizontal carriage coupled at one end to said base axle and having at another end a second pair of rollers, said second pair of rollers engaging said rails;
• means for coupling said vertical mast to said horizontal carriage for tilting said vertical mast around said base axle so that said horizontal carriage remains in a horizontal position while said vertical mast tilts;
• means for moving said carriage along said track;
• lifting fork means for lifting a container, said lifting fork means coupled to the other side of said mast;
• means for moving said lifting fork means up and down said vertical mast;
• and
• means for rotating said lifting fork means about an axis substantially perpendicular to said mast.

A loading mechanism for loading and unloading a container onto a truck having a box frame, said mechanism comprising:

• a horizontal track including two parallel horizontally spaced rails mounted on the frame and extending substantially the entire length of the frame;
• a vertical mast having a base axle supporting a first pair of rollers located to one side of said vertical mast, said first pair of rollers engaging said rails;
• a horizontal carriage coupled at one end to said base axle and having at another end a second pair of rollers, said second pair of rollers engaging rails;
• means for coupling said vertical mast to said horizontal carriage for tilting said vertical mast in two opposite directions around said base axle so that said horizontal carriage remains in a horizontal position while said vertical mast tilts;
• means for moving said carriage along said track;
• lifting fork means for lifting a container, said lifting fork means coupled to the other side of said mast;
• and
• means for moving said lifting fork means up and down said vertical mast.

A loading mechanism for loading and unloading a container onto a truck having a box frame, said mechanism comprising:

• a horizontal track including two parallel horizontally spaced rails mounted on the frame and extending substantially the entire length of the frame;
• a vertical mast having a base axle supporting a first pair of rollers located to one side of said vertical mast, said first pair of rollers engaging said rails;
• a horizontal carriage coupled at one end to said base axle and having at another end a second pair of rollers, said second pair of rollers engaging said rails, said carriage including a centrally located threaded member;
• means for coupling said vertical mast to said horizontal carriage for tilting said vertical mast around said base axle so that said horizontal carriage remains in a horizontal position while said vertical mast tilts;
• a driving screw mounted between said rails and engaging said threaded member of said carriage;
• means for rotating said driving screw to move said carriage along said track;
• lifting fork means for lifting a container, said lifting fork means coupled to the other side of said mast;
• and
• means for moving said lifting fork means up and down said vertical mast.