Easy-loading Trailer in Three Parts
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A MULTI-PURPOSE trailer, incur ti a number of ingenious features, has been evolved by Mr. W. T. Townend, 6 Queen Anne's Gate, West
. minster, S.W.1. It comprises three units—a platform and two two-wheeled
carriages. In the running position the carriages are attached to the platform in such a way that by means of screw gear or hydraulic mechanism, the platform can be lowered to ground level and the carriages removed.
By removing only one carriage, the platform can be used as a ramp. If it is to be loaded at ground level, both carriages can be withdrawn. To simplify recoupling and to assist in raising a loaded platform by a fork-lift truck or other means, four steel pads are fitted to the underside to keep the platform above the ground. These pads are provided with a ball-type component So that a loaded platform can be handled without undue effort.
When a number of platforms is used in conjunction with only two carriages, a loaded platform can be dumped and the two carriages linked together to form a bogie and in this form towed away for another load.
The same principle is being applied to hand trucks for moving comparatively light loads in factories. In a logical development of the idea it is proposed to build a vehicle of this type as a prime mover. An oil engine would provide the power, and the drive from the gearbox would be taken to the front wheels.