Importance

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Abstract

A retractable roller system for handling cargo has a main channel which is mounted on the floor of a vehicle into which cargo is to be loaded. a pneumatically actuated bladder is mounted along the bottom of the channel and a roller tray on which a plurality of roller members are rotatably supported is mounted in the channel above the bladder. Extending outwardly from each of the opposing side walls of the roller tray is a flange member, the flange member of one of the walls being at a lower level therealong than the flange member of the opposing wall. Extending inwardly from each of the side walls of the main channel is a flange member, the flange member of one of the channel walls being at a lower level therealong than the flange member of the other channel wall. The roller tray is mounted in the main channel such that the side thereof on which this flange is at a lower level is opposite the side of the channel with the lower level flange with the side of the roller tray and main channel having the higher positioned flanges being opposite each other. The rollers are raised and lowered by inflating and deflating the bladder. With the bladder deflated, the roller tray moves downwardly to recess the rollers below the level of a removable cover plate. In such a lowered position, with the cover plate removed, the roller tray can be readily removed from the channel by sidewise tilting which permits the side flanges of the roller tray to clear the side flanges of the channel.

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First Claim