WO1995025023A1

WO1995025023A1 - Ramp apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1995025023A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/003423
Authority: WO
Inventors: Salmon Pienaar; Cornelius Johannes Meiring
Original assignee: Kar-Tainer International Inc.
Priority date: 1994-03-17
Filing date: 1995-03-15
Publication date: 1995-09-21
Also published as: AU2102995A; ZA952152B

Abstract

A ramp apparatus (10) suitable for providing a motor vehicle (30) in an inclined position relative to a support surface (40.1) by both the drive-up method and the hoist method, comprising two elongate ramp runways (11) whereupon a motor vehicle may be driven, each ramp runway (11) defining a first and a second end (11.1 and 11.2); a low support means (12) for supporting the first ends of the ramp runways in an elevated position from a support surface (40.1); pivot means (13) for allowing the ramp runways to pivot between a level position and an inclined raised position wherein the second ends (11.2) of the ramp runways (11) are raised above the first ends (11.1); and the apparatus further including high support means (14) for supporting the second ends (11.2) of the ramp runways (11) in the inclined raised position of the ramp runways, thereby in use to retain a motor vehicle, located on the ramp runways (11), in an inclined position.

Description

Ramp Apparatus

Introduction and Background

This invention relates to a ramp apparatus suitable for loading motor vehicles into a container.

When loading motor vehicles into containers such as shipping containers, at least some of the vehicles are usually provided in an inclined position [relative to the container floor] to allow the maximum amount of vehicles to be fitted into the container.

In order to load two motor vehicles into a standard six meter shipping container the- one or first vehicle is usually provided in an inclined position in the container with one end thereof located near the floor of the container and the other end provided near the roof of the container. The second vehicle is usually provided in a substantially horizontal position, parallel to the container floor, partly underneath the first vehicle. The same method may also be used to load for example, four vehicles into a standard twelve meter shipping container.

One method of providing the one vehicle in an inclined position in the container is to provide a ramp structure in an inclined position in the container and to drive the vehicle up onto the ramp which then retains the vehicle in an inclined position. In this specification the wording "drive-up method" is used to indicate any method wherein a vehicle is driven up an apparatus such as a ramp to provide the vehicle in an inclined position.

An alternative method of providing the one vehicle in an inclined position in the container is to provide a support frame in a substantially horizontal position, or a very slightly inclined position on the floor of the container. The vehicle is then driven in position onto the support frame and the one end of the support frame is then hoisted by means of an apparatus such a fork-lift or the like, to provide the vehicle in a raised inclined position. The support frame is then secured in this position. In this specification the wording "hoist method" is used to indicate any method wherein a vehicle is provided on an apparatus and the apparatus and vehicle is then hoisted at one end to provide the vehicle in an inclined position.

Both the drive-up method and the hoist method have ^■ their advantages and disadvantages, and specific circumstances may determine when the one method is preferable over the other. One disadvantage of the drive-up method is that the ramp is usually quite steep and in driving up a vehicle, especially a powerful one, the clutch of the vehicle may be damaged. On the other hand, a disadvantage of the hoist method is that expensive or specialized equipment is often needed to hoist the one end of the vehicle to provide it an inclined position. Such equipment may not always be available at locations where the vehicles are loaded or unloaded.

Object of the Invention

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a ramp apparatus suitable for loading motor vehicles into a container either by the drive-up method or the hoist method.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention a ramp apparatus suitable for providing a motor vehicle in an inclined position relative to a support surface by both the drive-up method and the hoist method, comprises two elongate ramp runways whereupon a motor vehicle may be driven when using both the drive-up method and the hoist method, each ramp runway in use extending along the length of the vehicle and each ramp runway defining a first and a second end; a low support means for supporting the first ends of the ramp runways in an elevated position from a support surface; pivot means for allowing the ramp runways to pivot between a level position wherein the second ends are lower or substan¬ tially level to the first ends and an inclined raised position wherein the second ends of the ramp runways are raised above the first ends; and the apparatus further including high support means for supporting the second ends of the ramp runways in the inclined raised position of the ramp runways, thereby in use to retain a motor vehicle, located on ' the ramp runways, in an inclined position.

In use when the ramp runways are in their level position a motor vehicle may be driven onto the runways. Thereafter suitable apparatus may be used to hoist the second ends of the ramp runways (and the vehicle thereon) to the inclined raised position of the runways, thereby to load the motor vehicle by means of the hoist method. Alternatively the ramp runways may be provided in their inclined raised position and a motor vehicle may then be driven onto the runways

A thereby providing the vehicle in an inclined position by means of the drive-up method.

The apparatus preferably has dimensions suitable for loading a motor vehicle in a container such as a shipping container.

The apparatus may be shaped in use to receive a second vehicle at least partly beneath a first vehicle provided on the ramp runways in their inclined raised position. The second vehicle may also be provided in an inclined position but preferably it is provided in a substantially horizontal position.

The centre portion of each ramp runway may be raised relative to the ends of the ramp runway in use to provide more space below the ramp apparatus for receiving a second vehicle at least partly therein. Both the first and second ends of each runway may be angled to extend downwardly from the centre portion thereby to raise the centre portion relative to the ends. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the second end of each runway is first angled to extend downwardly from the centre portion to provide a downward portion which raises the centre portion, and the second end is then angled upwardly from the downward portion in use to provide a stop for a wheel of a motor vehicle positioned on the runways in their inclined raised position.

The high support means may comprise two high stays which may be releasably securable to the second ends of the runways to support the runways in their inclined raised position. The high stays are preferably formed in use to leave the space between and below the runways substantially clear.

The low support means may comprise two low stays each for supporting a first end of a runway in an elevated position from a support surface.

The pivot means may comprise pivot attachment means for pivotally attaching the low support means to the ramp runways. The pivot attachment means may comprise a channel formation secured across each ramp runway towards the first ends thereof with the open ends of the channel formations in use facing downwardly; and a support bar provided towards the upper end of each low stay, the support bars in use being rotatably receivable in the channel formations thereby allowing the runways to pivot on the low stays. The ramp apparatus may also include stabilizing means for attaching the ramp runways and/or high stays to each other thereby to stabilize the apparatus. The stabilizing means may comprise a cross-bar in use extending between the ramp runways. Preferably the cross-bar in use extends between the upper ends of the high stays with the second ends of the runways in use resting on the cross-bar.

The apparatus may include attachment means for releasably attaching the second ends of the runways to the cross-bar extending between the high stays. The attachment means may comprise a bracket on the second end of each runway, which bracket in use hooks over the cross-bar.

The ramp apparatus may also include ramp runway extensions attachable to either ends of the ramp runways allowing a motor vehicle to be driven onto the runways from either end thereof when the ends are raised from a support surface. The device preferably includes two extensions, one for each runway.

The ramp apparatus may also include mini support means for supporting the second ends of the ramp runways in a position lower or substantially parallel to the first ends supported on the low support means when the ramp runways are in their level position. The mini support means may comprise two mini stays, one for each ramp runway.

The ramp apparatus may comprise a collapsible unit.

Without thereby limiting the scope of the invention and by means of example only, one embodiment of the invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Description of Diagrams

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ramp apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a low stay of the apparatus of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a high stay of the apparatus of Figure 1 ; Figures

4 to 6 are diagrammatic representations of the use of the apparatus of Figure 1 for loading motor vehicles by means of the drive-up method; and Figures

7 to 9 are diagrammatic representations of the use of the apparatus of Figure 1 for loading motor vehicles by means of the hoist method.

In the accompanying drawings the same reference numerals are used to denote corresponding parts.

Description of Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

Referring now to the drawings there is provided a ramp apparatus 10 suitable for loading a motor vehicle 30 in an inclined position in a container 40 by either the drive-up method [Figures 4 to 6] or the hoist method [Figures 7 to 9].

The ramp apparatus 10 comprises two elongate ramp runways 11 whereupon a motor vehicle 30 may be driven, each runway 11 in use extending along the length of the vehicle 30 and supporting a front 30.1 and a rear 30.2 wheel thereof . Each runway 11 also defines a first end 11.1 and a second end 11.2. Low support means in the form of two low stays 12 in use support the first ends 11.1 is an elevated position from a support surface such as the container floor 40.1. Pivot attachment means 13 is used for pivotally attaching the low stays 12 to the first ends 11.1 of the runways 11. The attachment means 13 allow the runways to pivot between a level position [Figure 7] wherein the second ends 11.2 are lower or substantially level to the first ends 11.1 and an inclined raised position [Figures 1, 5, 6, 8 and 9] wherein the second ends 11.2 are raised above the first ends 11.1. The apparatus 10 further includes high support means in the form of two high stays 14 releasably securable to the ramp runways 11 to support the runways 11 in their inclined raised position, thereby in use to provide a motor vehicle 30 located on the ramp runways 11, in an inclined position.

As shown in Figures 6 and 9 the apparatus 10 is adapted in use to receive a second vehicle 50 at least partly beneath the first vehicle 30 provided on the runways 11 in their inclined raised position. The second vehicle 50 is provided in a substantially horizontal position.

Each runway 11 comprises two elongate members 11.3 with a number of cross members 11.4 extending between them. The centre portion 11.5 of each runway 11 located between the ends 11.1 and 11.2 is raised relative to the ends 11.1 and 11.2 in use to provide more space below the ramp apparatus 10 for receiving a second vehicle 50 at least partly therein. The first end 11.1 is angled to extend downwardly from the centre portion 11.5 thereby to raise the centre portion 11.5. The second end 11.2 is first angled to extend downwardly from the centre portion 11.5 to provide a downward portion 11.2.1 which raises the centre portion 11.5, and the second end 11.2 is then angled upwardly from the downward portion 11.2.1 to provide a stop 11.2.2 for a wheel 30.1 of a motor vehicle 30.

Each high stay 14 [Figure 3] comprises a base member 14.1 which in use rests on a support surface such as the container floor 40.1, an upright member 14.2 and struts 14.3. Each stay 14 further includes a head coupling 14.4 which in use slidingly fits over the upper end of the upright member 14.2. The head coupling 14.4 comprises a socket 14.4.1 which in use slides over the upper end of the upright member 14.2. An attachment bracket 14.4.2 is transversely secured to the socket 14.4.1 and the head coupling is reinforced by means of a strut 14.4.3. Each high stay 14 may in use be secured to a support surface, such as the container floor 40.1 by means of bolts or the like [not shown] provided through the apertures 14.1.1 in the base members 14.1. In use the base members 14.1 extend generally along the ramp runways 11 [Figure 1] thereby leaving the space between and below the runways 11 substantially clear.

Each low stay 12 [Figure 2] comprises two upright members 12.1 and 12.2 respectively. The upright member 12.1 is secured to a base member 12.3 and a strut 12.4 reinforces the formation. The upright member 12.2 is secured to a base member 12.6 and the formation is reinforced with two struts 12.5. Each low stay 12 further includes a head coupling 12.7 which comprises a support bar 12.7.1 with a circular cross-sectional configuration, two sockets 12.7.2 extending therefrom and a strut 12.7.3 extending between the sockets 12.7.2.

In use the coupling 12.7 is used to couple the upright members 12.1 and 12.2 to each other by means of the sockets 12.7.2 received over the upper ends of said upright members. The base member 12.6 in use extends generally along the ramp runways 11 and the base member12.3 is arranged perpendicular to the base member 12.6. This arrangement in use takes up very little space underneath the ramp apparatus 10 [Figure 1] to interfere as little as possible with the second vehicle 50. In use the base members 12.3 and 12.6 may be secured to a support surface such as the container floor 40.1 by means of bolts or the like [not shown] provided through the apertures 12.3.1 and 12.6.1 respectively.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 the pivot attachment means 13 for attaching the runways 11 to the low stays12 comprises a channel formation 11.6 secured across the first end 11.1 of each runway with the open ends of the channel formations 11.6 in use facing downwardly. The pivot means 13 further comprises the support bars 12.7.1 of each low stay 12. In use the support bars 12.7.1 are rotatably received in the channel formations 11.6 thereby allowing the runways 11 to pivot on the low stays 12. '

The ramp apparatus 10 also includes stabilizing means in the form of a cross-bar 15 [Figures 1 and 3] for attaching the high stays 14 and runways 11 to each other thereby to stabilize the apparatus. In use the cross-bar 15 is secured to the high stays 14 by means °f the attachment brackets 14.4.2 of the head coupling 14.4. The cross-bar 15 is also secured to the free ends of the ends 11.2 and is in use located above the downward portions 11.2.1 to provide more space below the apparatus 10 for a second vehicle 50. Attachment means in the form of brackets 11.7 [Figure 3] secured to the second ends 11.2 of the runways 11 are in use employed to secure the second ends 11.2 of the runways 11 to the cross-bar 15. In use the brackets 11.7 hook over the cross-bar 15.

The ramp apparatus 10 also includes two ramp runway extensions 16 [Figure 1] attachable to the first and second ends of the runways 11 allowing a motor vehicle to be driven onto the runways 11 during the loading process either by means of the drive-up method [Figures 4 to 6] or the hoist method [Figure 7 to 9], Each extension 16 comprises two elongate members 16.1 and a number of cross members 16.2 extending between them. The ramp apparatus 10 also includes mini support means in the form of mini stays 17 [Figure 7], The mini stays 17 support the second ends 11.2 of runways 11 in their level position wherein the second ends 11.2 are lower than the first ends 11.1 supported on the low stays 12.

Bridge members 18 [Figure 1] are also provided. In use when the extension members 16 are attached to the second ends 11.2 of the runways 11 [Figure 7] during the hoist method, a rather deep dip is formed by the second ends 11.2 of the runways. The bridge members 18 are in use placed in these dips allowing the vehicle to be driven onto the ramp runways 11.

Once the rear-wheels 30.2 of the vehicle has passed over the bridge members 18, the bridge members 18 are removed allowing the front wheels 30.1 to be received on the second ends 11.2.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the apparatus 10 may be used to load two motor vehicles into a container by means of the drive-up method. One vehicle 50 is backed up into the container 40 the ramp apparatus 10 is then erected in the container over the vehicle 50 [Figure 4]. The extensions 16 are secured to the lower ends 11.1 of the runways 11 and ^'the other vehicle 30 is driven onto the runways 11 [Figure 5]. The extensions 16 are then removed [Figure 6].

Referring to Figures 7 to 9, the apparatus 10 may be used to load two motor vehicles into a container by means of the hoist method. With reference to Figure 7, the low stays 12 are placed towards the front end of the container 40. The runways 11 are erected with their first ends 11.1 resting on the low stays 12 and the second ends 11.2 resting on the mini stays 17. The extensions 16 are secured to the second ends 11.2 and the bridge members 18 are placed in the dips formed by the second ends 11.2. The one vehicle 30 is then backed onto the runways 11. Once the rear wheels 30.2 have passed over the bridge members 18, said members 18 are removed. The vehicle 30 is then backed up further until the front wheels are received on the second ends 11.2. The extensions 16 are then removed and the second ends 11.2 are hoisted by means of a fork-lift or similar apparatus [not shown]. The high stays 14 are then placed in position [Figure 8], The other vehicle 50 is then driven into the container 40 partly beneath the first vehicle 30 [Figure 9].

It will be appreciated that many variations in detail are possible without thereby departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the two ramp runways may be combined into a single ramp runway for in use supporting all the wheels of a vehicle.

Claims

A ramp apparatus suitable for providing a motor vehicle in an inclined position relative to a support surface by both the drive-up method and the hoist method as defined, comprising two elongate ramp runways whereupon a motor vehicle may be driven when using both the drive-up method and the hoist method, each ramp runway in use extending along the length of the vehicle and each ramp runway defining a first and a second end; a low support means for supporting the first ends of the ramp runways in an elevated position from a support surface; pivot means for allowing the ramp runways to pivot between a level position wherein the second ends are lower or substantially level to the first ends and an inclined raised position wherein the second ends of the ramp runways are raised above the first ends; and the apparatus further including high support means for supporting the second ends of the ramp runways in the inclined raised position of the ramp runways, thereby in use to retain a motor vehicle, located on the ramp runways, in an inclined position.

2. The ramp apparatus of claim 1 comprising dimensions suitable for loading a motor vehicle in a shipping container.

3. The ramp apparatus of claim 2 wherein the apparatus is shaped in use to receive a second vehicle at least partly beneath a first vehicle provided on the ramp runways in their inclined raised position.

4. The ramp apparatus of claim 3 wherein the second vehicle is received in a substantially horizontal position partly beneath the first vehicle.

5. The ramp apparatus of claim 4 wherein the centre portion of each ramp runway is raised relative to the ends of the ramp runway in use to provide more space below the ramp apparatus for receiving a second vehicle at least partly therein.

6. The ramp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the high support means comprises two high stays which are releasably securable to the second ends of the runways to support the runways in their inclined raised position.

7. The ramp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the low support means comprises two low stays each for supporting a first end of a runway in an elevated position from a support surface.

8. The ramp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivot means comprises pivot attachment means for pivotally attaching the low support means to the ramp runways.

9. The ramp apparatus of claim 6 which includes stabilizing means for attaching the high stays to each other thereby to stabilize the apparatus.

10. The ramp apparatus of claim 9 wherein the stabilizing means comprises a cross-bar in use extending between the upper ends of the high stays with the second ends of the runways in use resting on the cross-bar.

11. The ramp apparatus of claim 10 which includes attachment means for releasably attaching the second ends of the runways to the cross-bar.

12. The ramp apparatus of claim 1 which includes ramp runway extensions attachable to either ends of the ramp runways allowing a motor vehicle to be driven onto the runways from either end thereof when the ends are raised from a support surface.

13. The ramp apparatus of claim 1 which includes mini support means for supporting the second ends of the ramp runways in a position lower or substantially parallel to the first ends being supported on the low support means when the ramp runways are in their level position.

14. The ramp apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two ramp runways are combined into a single ramp runway for in use supporting all the wheels of a motor vehicle.

15. The ramp apparatus of claim 1 which is a collapsible unit.