KR20020048932A - Multiple automobile transport system - Google Patents

Abstract

The multiple transport system A for transporting cars in the container 16 comprises first and second car carriers 18, 20. The first car carrier 18 has a base 24 having two legs 42 and 44, which extend from the base and are offset from each other to form a car carrier receiving space. The inclined platform 26 extends from the base to support the first vehicle 10 inclinedly. Since the second car carrier 20 supporting the second car 12 includes a front having a width smaller than the offset 46 of the two legs 42 and 44, the second car between the offset legs of the first car carrier You can insert

Description

Multiple automobile transport system

Car sales also involve transporting cars from various locations. The car must be transported from the manufacturing plant to the distribution center and finally to the dealer. During vehicle transport, it is important that the vehicle be repaired so that no damage that causes the overall vehicle price to rise occurs. In addition to ensuring the safe transport of cars, it is also important to transport as many cars as possible at once to reduce the overall cost of transport.

One way to carry several cars at the same time is to use a land vehicle pulled from the highway by a tractor. These carriers are useful for their original purpose, but they expose the vehicle to the surroundings, which can damage the vehicle during transportation by stones from the roadside.In addition, these carriers are large and do not protect the vehicle from the surroundings. It is not appropriate.

Another method of transporting a car is to load several cars in a transport container. This transport system seals the car and protects it from the outside environment. Currently, there are many ways to load a car into a container.

The first way to load a car into a container is to drive and load the car into the container. This method is known as "internal loading". The problem with internal loading is that there is little room between the car and the container sidewalls and there is a risk that the car doors will hit when the driver gets into the car. Also, while driving a car into a narrow inner space of a container, there is always a risk of accidental damage to the car. It must have a length sufficient to load it.

However, if the container has a sufficient height, inclined car carriers may be used to carry the car. Inclined car carrier systems are illustrated in co-pending US patent application 08 / 943,539. The inclined ramp of the inclined car carrier system allows two more cars to be transported to the vertical space inside the container. Typically, the car is driven over the inclined car carriers before loading the inclined car carriers inside the container. When the car is loaded on the inclined car carrier, the inclined car carrier is lifted by a forklift truck and placed inside the container. This technique is called "external loading".

In some cases, however, there is a limitation that one car carrier cannot be used to carry two cars. This limitation may arise due to the size of the transport container or the size of the vehicle to be transported. For example, some transport containers are low in height, limiting the inclination of the upper vehicle support, so that one vehicle carrier cannot carry several cars. Also, cars such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are very large and heavy. Therefore, if two similar cars of this type are arranged in one car carrier, there is a problem that the weight is heavy and cannot be lifted by the forklift. In addition, the size of these cars and the limited height of the container combine, so that when one car is placed under an inclined car, the required angle is too urgent to be realized.

Therefore, there is a need for a new system capable of carrying two or more vehicles in a standard container without improper problems. In addition, these systems must be designed to allow easy handling of the vehicle while loading and unloading the vehicle in the transport container.

The present invention relates to a vehicle transport system, and more particularly, to a multiple vehicle transport system for transporting a plurality of cars in a standard transport container.

1 shows three cars carried in a standard container according to the invention;

2 is a plan view showing a base of respective car carriers used in a multiple vehicle transport system according to the present invention;

3 is a side view of an inclined vehicle carrier used in a multiple vehicle transport system according to the present invention;

4 is a plan view of a base pallet of an inclined vehicle carrier used in a multiple vehicle transport system according to the present invention;

5 is a plan view of a base pallet of a horizontal vehicle carrier used in a multiple vehicle transport system according to the present invention;

6 is a side view of a locking mechanism for connecting respective car carriers used in a multiple vehicle transport system according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment according to the invention capable of carrying four large vehicles in a container having a sufficient length.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a horizontal pallet design that can utilize an inclined vehicle support so that two or more cars can be transported simultaneously through a transport container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism for connecting pallets so that the cars in the container can be lowered in order.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a unique pallet design for carrying a large vehicle.

The above objects are achieved by the present invention by providing a multiple vehicle transport system for transporting vehicles in a container. The transport system includes first and second car carriers that overlap each other. The first car carrier has a base that sits on the bottom of the container. The second car carrier also has a base that sits on the bottom of the container. This base forms the platform for the second car. The first and second carriers are configured to overlap in the longitudinal direction, allowing the two cars to be loaded in a space shorter than the length of the two horizontal cars by supporting the cars at an angle and at an angle possible within the container.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-vehicle transport system A carries three or more cars, that is, a first car 10, a second car 12 and a third car 14, in a standard container 16. Is used. The first car 10 is obliquely supported by the first car carrier 18. The second car 12 is partially inserted under the first car 10 and supported by the second car carrier 20. The third car 14 is supported by the third car carrier 22 behind the second car carrier 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the three car carriers have the same width to fit inside a standard container. 2300 mm is preferable for this width. The automobile carriers are disposed along a common longitudinal axis of the bottom surface of the container 16. In this arrangement three cars can be loaded inside the container 16. The first and second car carriers 18, 20 may overlap each other in the longitudinal direction, placing two cars of shorter length than two cars arranged horizontally on the container floor.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the first car carrier 18 has a first car carrier base 24 and an inclined lamp 26 which lies on the bottom of the container 16. The first vehicle carrier base 24 has a rear frame portion 30 and a front frame portion 32. The rear frame part 30 includes a front frame member 34, a left frame member 36, a right frame member 38, and a rear frame member 40. The rear frame portion 30 also includes a plurality of inner horizontal frame members 48 that are offset from each other, and a plurality of inner vertical frame members 50 that are offset from each other and cooperate with other frame members to form a lightweight pallet. do. A fork insertion portion 52 is attached to the rear frame portion 30 so that the arm of a handling device such as a forklift can be inserted to position the first car carrier 18 inside the container 16.

The front frame part 32 of the first vehicle carrier 16 has a first leg 42 extending beyond the front frame member 34 in the left frame member 36 and the front frame member 34 in the right frame member 38. A second leg 44 extending beyond). The first leg 42 and the second leg 44 are offset to form a second car carrier receiving space 46. As will be explained in detail later, the offset of the first and second legs 42 and 44 is usually the width of the front frame member 32 and the width of the front of the second vehicle carrier 20. In a preferred embodiment, this offset is about 2000 mm and the length of both legs is about 1430 mm. The total length of the first car carrier 16 is about 4450 mm.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the first vehicle 10 is supported by an inclined ramp 26 obliquely above the first automobile carrier base 24 by the first automobile carrier 18. Both ramp lamps 26 have a first end with U-shaped brackets connected to the transverse frame member 48. In order to support the inclined lamp 26 in the inclined position, the first inclined lamp support 54 is supported on the first leg 42 and the second inclined lamp support 56 is supported on the second leg 44. Both of these first and second ramp lamp supports 54, 56 run up on each leg. The horizontal support bar 58 is supported by the first and second ramp lamp supports. Both ramp lamps 26 have a second end with U-shaped brackets coupled to the horizontal support bar 58. In a preferred embodiment, the ramps 26 are raised to a height of about 121.92 cm (4 ft) above the legs 42 and 44, providing sufficient clearance for the hood of the second car located in the second car carrier compartment 46. To have.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the second car carrier 20 and the third car carrier 22 are identical. By making the third car carrier 22 the same as the second car carrier 20, there is flexibility in arranging the respective car carriers inside the container 16. Both of these car carriers have a car carrier base 60. The vehicle carrier base 60 includes a rear frame member 62 and a front frame member 64. The rear frame member 62 is wider than the front frame member 66. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the rear frame member 62 is about 2300 mm and the width of the front frame member 66 is about 1970 mm. As described above, the second car carrier receiving space has a size sufficient to accommodate the front frame member 66 of the second car carrier 20. In a preferred embodiment, the rear frame member 62 is composed of a left side member 68, a rear side member 70, and a right side member 72. The front frame member 66 includes a front left frame member 74 and a front right frame member 76. The front left frame member 74 is offset by about 150 mm from the left side member 68 of the rear frame member 62. Similarly, the front right frame member 76 is also offset by about 150 mm from the right side member 72 of the rear frame member 62. The front left frame member 74 and the front right frame member 76 are connected to the rear frame member 62 by offset frame members 78 and 80, respectively. Of course, the width of the rear frame portion and the front frame portion may be the same as long as the front frame portion can be accommodated at the offset of the first car carrier. The second car carrier 20 also has a plurality of wheel grooves 82 for receiving the wheels. A fixture 84 is used to secure the wheel to the vehicle carrier base. In addition, the fork insertion unit 52 for inserting the fork of the forklift is attached to the car carrier base 60.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, since the second car carrier 20 or the third car carrier 22 partially overlaps with the first car carrier 18, three car carriers can be simultaneously installed in a standard container. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the overlap is about 1430 mm. Due to the overlap, the ramps 26 can be tilted at an incline angle that rises above the front of the second vehicle 12 but not higher than a standard container of about 8.5 feet in height.

Three cars are packed for transport inside a standard container 16. Outside the standard container, the first vehicle 10 is driven and loaded onto the ramp 26. In a preferred embodiment, the ramp lamp 26 has a knuckle portion 86 for securing the front wheel of the vehicle to the ramp lamp. In addition, the second and third cars from the outside are driven on the low pallet and placed in the wheel groove, and then fixed with a fastener and loaded on the respective car carriers. After each of the three cars is loaded onto the car carrier from the outside, a fork of the forklift is inserted into each fork insert to lift each pallet and place it inside the standard container. Typically, one of the second or third car carriers is loaded first, followed by the other similar car carrier. In this way, the second loaded car carrier is lifted by a forklift, pushed back against the first loaded car carrier and then pushed back, pushing both the first and second loaded car carriers into the container. Next, the first car carrier is loaded with the front legs positioned so that the front frame portion of the second or third car carrier is located between the front legs of the first car carrier.

Next, the first car carrier is pushed into another car carrier until all the car carriers are loaded inside the container. Since cars are loaded from the outside, the risk of car breakage is reduced. In addition, since the second and third car carriers are the same, the car carriers are compatible, so that it is easy to handle the respective cars. It is not necessary to arrange the second or third car carriers in the container in a special order because the front frame members of all of these car carriers can be inserted at the offset of the first car carrier. In addition, because the pallet is provided, cars can be easily loaded from the outside and placed inside the container.

6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention for loading large and heavy vehicles such as SUVs. Because SUVs are heavier and larger than other vehicles, it is better to carry only one vehicle per carrier to handle it as a forklift. Typically, the exterior of an SUV is 15 feet long and 5.5 feet high. In order to carry the SUV into the first carrier 10, it is preferable that the inclined lamp 26 be inclined at 21 ° relative to the base. At this angle, the SUV can be positioned on the base to accommodate the height and length of the SUV. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the ramp 26 is about 5 feet above the base. At this height, the front of the low SUV above the second car carrier 12 can be positioned under the ramp. The front frame member 34 of the rear frame portion 20 of the first car carrier 10 is laterally positioned between these legs about 4.5 feet from the ends of the first and second legs 42, 44. The front frame member 34 abuts the leading edge of the second vehicle carrier 12 to serve as a stop. When the second car carrier 12 is located in the second car carrier receiving space 46, the leading edge of the second car carrier 12 is pushed forward until it comes in contact with the front frame member 34. This contact allows the car to be positioned under the inclined upper car so that the car is not caught and damaged by the inclined lamp. Due to this contact, the lower car can be operated from behind using a forklift or the like without fear of damage to the car. Once the second car carrier is placed in the second car carrier compartment of the first car carrier, the operator only has to advance the carrier until the second car carrier is in contact with the front frame part.

As shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the first and second car carriers 10 and 12 are locked with the locking device 86. The lock 86 includes a rectangular horizontal bar 88 across the first leg 42 of the first car carrier 10 and a latch 90 attached to the second car carrier 12. The latch 90 has a tapered front end 92 and a rear end pivotally supported by the latch housing 94. The latch 90 also further includes a latch groove 96 in the form of a rectangle to engage the horizontal bar 88. The horizontal bar 88 and the latch groove 96 are positioned to engage each other when the second car carrier is in contact with the front frame member 34. As the car carriers are positioned in an overlapping arrangement such that when the car carriers abut, the weight of the latch 90 causes the latch to descend and position the latch groove over the horizontal bar to engage the horizontal bar 88, the latch 90 being positioned. Tapered shear may slide over the horizontal bar 88.

When loading each car carrier into a closed container, the second car carrier 12 is positioned so that it overlaps with the first car carrier 10, so that the front part of the second car carrier contacts the front frame member 34 and latches at the same time. The groove 96 engages the horizontal bar 88 so that the second car carrier is fixed to the first car carrier 10. Of course, the horizontal bar 88 and the latch 90 may be positioned as long as the first and second car carriers are secured by such a locking mechanism when they are transported overlapping each other.

The second car carrier also has a horizontal bar 88 that engages the latch 90 of the third car carrier. In this case, the latch 90 depends on the second car carrier. Since the third car carrier or the second-first car carrier assembly does not overlap the second car carrier, the locking mechanism is designed to act when the front of the third car carrier or the front of the second-first car carrier assembly abuts the rear of the second car carrier. In this way, it may have several conveying structures.

For example, the first and second car carriers superimposed on each other and the third car carrier abutting on the rear portion of the second car carrier can be used to transport the generation of cars. Each of these carriers is fixed with a locking mechanism. In addition, to transport an SUV in a large container, four cars can be carried by placing two overlapping first and second car carrier assemblies inside the container. Each car carrier is also fixed as a locking mechanism.

When loading car carriers in a small container which can only carry three car carriers, it is preferable to operate the first car carrier by a forklift and load it in the container. Push this carrier into the container. Next, place the second car carrier inside the container and push it so that it overlaps the first car carrier. In this overlapping position, the first and second car carriers are fixed to each other by the locking mechanism. Next, place the third car carrier inside the container and move it forward until it reaches the second carrier. Upon contact with the second carrier, the second and third car carriers are fixed to each other by the locking mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 7, when carrying four cars, two sets of first and second car carrier assemblies are used. In the first set, two carriers are fixed to overlap each other, and in the second set, the two carriers are fixed to overlap each other. Also, the first set and the second set are fixed with a locking mechanism therebetween.

When lowering the car carriers, the car carrier close to the container door is moved backward by using a forklift truck. Since the car carriers are all connected to each other, they all move together. Unlock the latches and horizontal bars of the adjacent car carriers, lift the car carrier operated by forklift and lift it up out of the container. Lower other carriers in the same way.

As explained above, a very useful way of transporting a vehicle in a standard transport container is provided. By providing the respective car carriers, the car can be loaded and handled externally using a forklift truck. The unique design that allows the first car to tilt over the hood of the second car allows the car carriers to overlap. This maximizes the use of the horizontal floor space of standard containers, allowing up to three cars to be loaded into standard containers.

Claims (14)

In a multi-vehicle transport system for transporting cars in containers with roofs and floors: A first vehicle carrier having a base and a slope for supporting the first vehicle inclined above the container bottom; And A second car carrier having a base for horizontally supporting the second car under the first car; The first and second car carriers include a portion overlapping each other in the longitudinal direction, allowing two cars to be placed on the container floor within a length shorter than the length required to longitudinally place the two cars on the container floor. Multi-vehicle transport system. In a multi-vehicle transport system for transporting cars in containers: A first car carrier base supported at the bottom of the container, first and second legs extending from the base to offset each other to form a car carrier receiving space, and an inclined platform extending upwardly from the base to support the first car inclinedly; First car carrier; And And a second car carrier comprising a second car carrier base supported on the container bottom to form a platform for supporting a second car. The second car carrier base comprises a front part and a rear part; Since the width of the front part of the second car carrier base is narrower than the offset of the first and second legs of the first car carrier, the front part of the second car carrier can be stored in the car carrier receiving space of the first car carrier which forms the carrying part. Multiple vehicle transport system, characterized in that. The vehicle of claim 2, further comprising a third car carrier supported on the bottom of the container, the base of the third car carrier forming a platform for supporting the third car, the inclined support of the first car on the first car carrier with offset legs. By placing a second car carrier between the offset bridges, two cars can be placed in a container floor space that is too small to hold two cars, so that the third car can be loaded in the container so that three cars can be carried. Multi-vehicle transport system. 4. The multi-vehicle transport system of claim 3, wherein the container is about 40 feet in length and 9 feet or less in height from the bottom of the container to the roof. 3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein both the first and second car carriers have a predetermined length, and the sum of these lengths is shorter when combined into the transport position than when not joined to the transport position, thereby bringing the first and second car carriers into the transport position. Multiple vehicle transport systems, when combined, to cover a narrower area of the container floor than when not in a transport position. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first car carrier has a first locking means, and the second car carrier has a second locking means for engaging the first locking means when the car carrier is received in the car receiving space. Characterized in multiple vehicle transport system. In a multiple vehicle transport system for transporting cars in a container: A first car carrier base supported at the bottom of the container, first and second legs extending from the base to be offset from each other to form a car carrier receiving space, the first and second leg extensions forming a front boundary of the car receiving space A first vehicle carrier comprising a horizontal member connecting the two to each other, and an inclined platform extending upwardly from the base to support the first vehicle inclinedly; And And a second car carrier comprising a second car carrier base supported on the container bottom to form a platform for supporting a second car of general shape. The second car carrier base comprises a front part and a rear part; Since the width of the front portion of the second car carrier base is narrower than the offset of the first and second legs of the first car carrier, the front portion of the second car carrier can be stored in the car carrier receiving space of the first car carrier which forms the carrying portion. ; At least a pair of wheel supports which rest on the second car carrier base to support the front wheels of the second car are offset a predetermined distance from the front part; And the offset of the wheel support has a length sufficient to prevent the general type second car from contacting the inclined platform of the first car carrier when the second car carrier is inserted into the car carrier receiving space. In a transportation system for transporting four cars in a container: A first car carrier having a slope and a base for supporting the first car inclinedly on the container bottom; It has a base for supporting the second car horizontally under the first car, and can be stacked in a lengthwise overlap with the first car carrier so that two cars can be loaded in a space narrower than the space required when the two cars are arranged longitudinally on the container floor. Second car carrier; A third car carrier having a slope and a base for supporting the third car inclined to the bottom of the container; And It has a base for horizontally supporting the third car under the first car, and can overlap two cars in the lengthwise direction so that two cars can be loaded in a space that is narrower than the space required to longitudinally arrange two cars on the container floor. Including a fourth car carrier; A transport system characterized by being capable of transporting four cars in one container by each car carrier which facilitates handling of each car. 9. A transport system according to claim 8, wherein said first and second car carriers have engaging lock means for securing these carriers to one another when said second car carrier is inserted into a car storage space. 10. The transport system of claim 9, wherein the second and third car carriers have engagement locking means for securing these carriers to each other when the third car carrier is in contact with the second car carrier. 11. A transport system according to claim 10, wherein the locking means comprises a horizontal bar and a latch having a cross section corresponding to the horizontal bar. 12. A transport system according to claim 11, wherein the third and fourth car carriers have engagement locking means for securing these carriers to each other when the fourth car carrier is inserted into the car storage space of the third car carrier. In a system for transporting multiple cars in a transport container: Providing the first car carrier; Placing the first car on the first car carrier; Positioning a first car carrier in the container; Providing a second car carrier; Put a second car on the second car carrier; Positioning the second car carrier in a container so that the first car is inclined over the second car and overlaps the first car carrier; A system characterized by fastening these first and second car carriers together. The system of claim 13, wherein a third car carrier is provided, a third car is placed on the third car carrier, a third car carrier is placed in the container, and a third car carrier is fixed to the second car carrier.