Transfer of quick-disconnect engine modules from vehicles

Claim 1

A service cart for transferring thereto and therefrom a vehicle engine assembly which includes a support frame having parallel side members, the frame being releasably matable with a vehicle chassis for movement into and out of an operative position in the vehicle through an end of the chassis, the vehicle including cart positioning means at the end thereof through which the engine assembly is movable, selectively operable latch means cooperable between the chassis and the frame in a selected position of the frame in the vehicle for securing the frame from movement relative to the chassis in a direction corresponding to removal of the frame from the chassis, and release means operable for disabling the latch means, the cart comprising (1) a base, (2) a pair of frame side member engaging rails, (3) means movably mounting the rails on the base in parallel relation and spaced a distance corresponding to the spacing between the frame side members, the mounting means including (a) guide means for guiding the rails vertically relative to the base, and (b) means for adjusting the vertical distance between the base and each end of each rail, and (4) locating means carried by the cart matable with the positioning means and operable when mated with the positioning means for operating the release means, whereby the frame can be moved relative to the chassis from said selected position onto the cart rails and removed from the chassis.