WO2001020104A1

WO2001020104A1 - Multiple automobile transport system

Info

Publication number: WO2001020104A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/021155
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Dawson Cox; Salmon Pienaar; Mark Lacy
Original assignee: Kar-Tainer International, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-08-25
Filing date: 1999-09-10
Publication date: 2001-03-22
Also published as: ZA987667B

Abstract

A multiple transport system (A) for transporting automobiles within a container (16) includes a first and second automobile carriers (18, 20). The first automobile carrier (18) includes a base (24) having a first and second leg (42, 44) extending from the base offset from one another to define an automobile carrier receiving space. An inclined platform (26) extends upward from the base and carries a first automobile (10) in an inclined position. A second automobile carrier (20) for carrying a second automobile (12) includes a front portion having a width less than the offset (46) of the first and second legs (42, 44) of the first automobile carrier enabling the second automobile carrier to be received between the offset legs of the first automobile carrier in an overlapping transport position.

Description

MULTIPLE AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORT SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a transportation system for transporting

automobiles and more particularly to a multiple automobile transport system for

transporting a plurality of automobiles within a standard shipping container.

The marketing of automobiles involves transporting the automobiles from a

variety of locations. The automobiles require transporting from a manufacturing

facility to a distribution center and finally to the dealer for sale to the public. During

the transport of the automobiles, it is important that the automobiles are not damaged

which would require repairs and increase the overall cost of the automobiles. In

addition to ensuring the safe transport of the automobiles, it is also important that as

many automobiles as possible be transported at the same time to reduce the overall

transportation costs .

One method of transporting a large number of automobiles at the same time

consists of utilizing an overland hauler which is towed by a tractor over highways.

While such carrier's are useful for their intended purpose, they expose the automobile

to the environment and during transport, the automobiles may be damaged by road grit

or rocks flying up from the road. Furthermore, such haulers are not suitable for

transporting in ships since they are large and bulky and do not protect the automobiles

from the environment.

Another method of transporting automobiles consists of storing the automobiles

within shipping containers. This transport system encloses the automobiles and protects them from the outside environment. Currently, there are many ways in which

automobiles are shipped within containers.

A first method of loading automobiles within the container consists of individuals driving the automobiles within the container's interior. This method of

loading is known as "internal" loading. A problem with internal loading is that little

clearance exists between the automobiles and the sides of the container and there is a

risk that the automobile doors may be dinged when the drivers exit the automobiles.

Also, there is always a risk that human error may result in the automobile being damaged while being driven within the narrow confines of the container. Furthermore,

when cars are driven into the interior of the containers, they generally are only loaded

upon the container floor and typically, a container only has sufficient length to contain

two automobiles on its floor bed.

However, if the container has sufficient height, inclined vehicle carriers may

be utilized for transporting the automobiles. Such an inclined vehicle carrier system is

illustrated in co-pending United States patent application 08/943,539. The inclined

ramps of the inclined vehicle carrier system enable two additional automobiles to be

transported within the vertical space of the container's interior above the floor bed.

Typically, automobiles are driven onto the inclined vehicle carriers prior to the inclined vehicle carriers being loaded within the interior of the container. Once the automobiles

are loaded onto the inclined vehicle carriers, the inclined vehicle carriers are handled

by fork lifts and deposited within the interior of the container. This technique is

referred to as "external loading".

However, in some situations, limitations arise which prevent the utilization of a single vehicle carrier for transporting two automobiles. These limitations may either arise from the size of the shipping container or the size of the automobiles being

transported. For instance, some shipping containers have height limitations which limit the incline of an upper automobile support preventing a single vehicle carrier

from being used for transporting multiple automobiles. Additionally, some automobiles such as sports utility vehicles or other large automobiles are very large,

bulky and heavy. Consequently, positioning two similar sized vehicles of this type

onto a single vehicle carrier results in a vehicle carrier which cannot be handled by

forklifts due to the extreme weight. Additionally, due to the size of these vehicles in

combination with the height limitations of a shipping container, if one automobile were to be positioned directly beneath an inclined one, the angle required would be too steep

to be feasible.

Thus, there is a need for a new system which will enable more than two

automobiles to be transported within a standard container in a manner which is not

unduly cumbersome. Furthermore, such a system should be designed to facilitate in the easy handling of the respective automobiles during the loading and unloading from

a shipping container.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a transportation system which will enable more than two automobiles to be transported simultaneously

within the interior of a container; Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a horizontal pallet

design which may be utilized with an inclined automobile support to enable more than

two automobiles to be transported simultaneously within the interior of a shipping

container; Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a locking

mechanism providing for the connectability of pallets enabling the removal of automobiles within the interior of a shipping container to be achieved in an orderly

manner; Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a unique pallet

design for transporting large vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are accomplished according to the invention by providing

a multiple automobile transport system for transporting automobiles within a container.

The transport system includes a first and second automobile carrier which include

overlapping portions. The first automobile carrier includes a base for being carried by

the floor bed of a shipping container. An inclined platform extends upward from the

base for carrying a first automobile in an inclined position. The second automobile

carrier includes a base for being carried by the floor bed of the shipping container.

The base defines a platform for carrying a second automobile. The first and second

automobile carriers are constructed to longitudinally overlap thereby enabling two

automobiles to be positioned within a footprint smaller than two horizontal automobiles

by supporting an inclined automobile at an angle and length which is acceptable within

the container's interior.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be

described together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily

understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the

accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is

shown and wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates three automobiles being transported within a standard

container according to the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a top plan view of the bases of individual automobile

carriers for use in a multiple automobile transport system according to the present

invention; Figure 3 illustrates a side view of an inclined automobile carrier for use in a

multiple automobile transport system according to the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the base pallet of the inclined automobile

carrier for use in the multiple automobile transport system according to the present

invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the base pallet of a horizontal automobile

invention;

Figure 6 illustrates a side view of the latching mechanism utilized for

integrating the respective automobile carriers for use in the multiple automobile

transport system according to the present invention;

Figure 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention enabling four

large automobiles to be transported within a container having sufficient longitudinal

length.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, as shown in Figure 1, multiple

automobile transport system A is utilized for transporting at least three automobiles,

first automobile 10, second automobile 12 and third automobile 14 within a standard

container 16. First automobile 10 is carried in an inclined position by first automobile

carrier 18. Second automobile 12 is carried by second automobile carrier 20 partially

underneath first automobile 10. Third automobile 14 is carried by third automobile

carrier 22 behind second automobile carrier 20.

As shown in Figure 2, the three automobile carriers have generally the same

width for fitting within the interior of a standard container. Preferably this width is two thousand and three hundred millimeters. The vehicle carriers are positioned along

a common longitudinal axis along the floor bed of container 16. In this arrangement, three automobiles may be stored within the interior of container 16. The first and

second automobile carriers 18 and 20 overlap one another in a longitudinal direction

enabling two automobiles to be positioned within a longitudinal footprint which is smaller than two automobiles positioned horizontally on the base of the container.

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, first automobile carrier 18 includes first

automobile carrier base 24 which rests upon the floor bed of container 16 and inclined

ramps 26. First automobile carrier base 24 includes a back frame portion 30 and a

front frame portion 32. Back frame portion 30 includes front frame member 34, left frame member 36, right frame member 38 and rear frame member 40. Back frame

portion 30 also consists of a plurality of internal lateral frame members 48 which are offset from one another and a plurality of internal longitudinal frame members 50

which are also offset from one another and which in combination with the other frame

members define a lightweight pallet. Fork receptacles 52 are carried by back frame portion 30 for receiving the arms of a material handling device such as a forklift

enabling first automobile carrier 18 to be positioned within container 16.

Front frame portion 32 of first automobile carrier 16 includes a first leg 42

which extends from left frame member 36 forward and away from front frame member

34 and a second leg 44 which extends from right frame member 38 forward and away from front frame member 34. First leg 42 and second leg 44 are offset to define

second automobile carrier receiving space 46. The offset of first and second legs 42 and 44 is generally the width of front frame member 32 and the width of the front

portion of second automobile carrier 20 as will be described in more detail. In the preferred embodiment this offset is approximately two thousand millimeters and both legs are approximately one thousand four hundred and thirty millimeters in length.

The overall length of first automobile carrier 16 is approximately four thousand four

hundred and fifty millimeters.

As shown in Figures 1 and 6, first automobile 10 is carried by first automobile carrier 18 in an inclined position above first automobile carrier base 24 by inclined

ramps 26. Both inclined ramps 26 include a first end which carry u-shaped brackets

for attachment to lateral frame members 48. To support inclined ramps 26 in an

inclined position, first inclined ramp support 54 is carried by first leg 42 and second

inclined ramp support 56 is carried by second leg 44. Both first and second inclined ramp supports 54 and 56 extend upward from their respective legs. Horizontal support

bar 58 is carried by first and second inclined ramp supports. Both inclined ramps 26

include a second end which carry u-shaped brackets for attachment to horizontal

support bar 58. In the preferred embodiment, inclined ramps 26 are elevated to a height approximately four feet above first and second legs 42 and 44 to provide

sufficient clearance for the hood of a second automobile to be positioned within second automobile carrier receiving space 46.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, second automobile carrier 20 and third

automobile carrier 22 are the same. By having third automobile carrier 22 identical to second automobile carrier 20 flexibility is provided in the arrangement of the

respective automobile carriers within the interior of the container 16. Both of these vehicle carriers include vehicle carrier base 60. Vehicle carrier base 60 includes back

frame member 62 and front frame member 64. Back frame member 62 is wider than

front frame member 66. In the preferred embodiment, back frame member 62 is approximately two thousand three hundred millimeters in width and front frame member 66 is one thousand nine hundred seventy millimeters in width. As previously

mentioned, a second automobile carrier receiving space 46 is of sufficient size for

receiving front frame member 66 of second automobile carrier 20. In the preferred

embodiment, back frame member 62 consists of a left side member 68, rear side

member 70 and right side member 72. 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 from left side member 68 of back frame member 62 by approximately one

hundred and fifteen millimeters. Likewise, the front right frame member 76 is offset from right side member 72 of back frame member 62 by approximately one hundred

and fifteen millimeters. Offset frame members 78 and 80 connect the front left frame member 74 and front right frame member 76 respectively with back frame member 62.

Of course, the width of the back frame portion and the front frame portion may be the

same as long as the front frame portion may be received within the offset of the first

automobile carrier. The second automobile carrier 20 also includes a plurality of wheel wells 82 receiving the wheels of an automobile. Tie downs 84 are used to secure the

wheels to the vehicle carrier base. Also, fork receptacles 52 are carried by vehicle

carrier bas 60 for receiving the forks of a forklift.

As can be seen in Figures land 2, the overlapping transport position of the

second automobile carrier 20 or third automobile carrier 22 with respect to first

automobile carrier 18 enables the three automobile carriers to be placed simultaneously within the interior of a standard container. In the preferred embodiment, the

overlapping area is approximately one thousand four hundred and thirty millimeters. The overlap enables the incline ramps 26 to be gradually inclined such that the overall grade of the incline is sufficient to position the incline over the front of the second

automobile 12 while also being of a height less than the height of a standard container

which is approximately eight and one-half feet high.

In operation, three automobiles are packaged for transport within standard

container 16. The first automobile 10 is externally loaded outside of the standard

container's interior by driving the automobile onto intermediate ramps onto inclined

ramps 26. In the preferred embodiment, inclined ramps 26 include a knuckle portion

86 for securing the front wheels of the automobile onto the inclined ramps. Also, second and third automobiles are externally loaded onto the respective automobile

carriers by driving the automobiles over the low profile of the pallet and onto the wheel wells where they are secured to the tie downs. Once the three automobiles are loaded

respectively externally onto the vehicle carriers, a forklift places its forks within the

respective fork receptacles for lifting the respective pallets upward and positioning the

respective pallet within the standard container's interior. Typically, either the second

or third automobile carrier will be loaded first with the other similar automobile carrier

loaded second. In this manner, the second loaded automobile carrier is lifted by the

forklift to abut the first loaded vehicle carrier and is pushed backwards thereby pushing

both the first and second loaded vehicle carriers into the container. The first

automobile carrier is then loaded with the legs of the automobile carrier positioned such that the front frame portion of either the second or third automobile carrier is

positioned to be received between the front legs of the first automobile carrier.

The first automobile carrier is then pushed into the interior of the automobile

carrier until the entire automobile carrier is loaded within the interior. By having the automobiles externally loaded, the risk of damage to the automobiles is reduced. Furthermore, by having the second and third automobile carriers identical, these

vehicle carriers may be interchangeable thereby facilitating in the ease of handling the

respective automobiles. The positioning of the second or third automobile carrier

within the interior in a special order is not required since the automobile carriers each

have a front frame member which can be received within the offset of the first

automobile carrier. Additionally by providing pallets, the cars may be easily loaded

externally and positioned within the interior of the container.

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention for shipping large and

heavy automobiles such as sport utility vehicles. Since sport utility vehicles are heavy

and larger than other automobiles, it is advantageous to transport only one vehicle per

vehicle carrier to enable handling by a forklift. A typical sport utility vehicle has an

external length of over fifteen feet and a height of over five and a half feet. For

transporting a sport utility vehicle on first automobile carrier 10, inclined ramps 26 are

preferably inclined at twenty-one degrees relative to the base. This incline enables the

sport utility vehicle to be positioned above the base in a manner which accommodates

both the height and length of the sport utility vehicle. In this preferred embodiment,

the height of the inclined ramps 26 is approximately five feet above the base. This

height enables the front portion of a lower sport utility vehicle upon the second

automobile carrier 12 to be positioned beneath the ramps. Front frame portion 34 of

back from portion 20 of first automobile carrier 10 is positioned traversely between

first and second legs 42 and 44 approximately four and a half feet from the end of first

and second legs 42 and 44. Front frame member 34 provides a stop for abutting the

front edge of second automobile carrier 12. When second automobile carrier 12 is

positioned within the second automobile carrier receiving space 46, the front edge of second automobile carrier 12 is pushed forward until it abuts front frame member 34.

This abutting interface enables the lower automobile to be positioned beneath the

inclined upper automobile in a manner which prevents the lower automobile from

engaging the inclined ramps and damaging the automobile. The abutting interface

enables the lower automobile to be manipulated from behind utilizing a forklift or other

lifting means without fear of damaging the automobile. Once the second automobile

carrier is positioned within the second automobile carrier receiving space of the first

automobile carrier, the operator merely slides the second automobile carrier forward

until it abuts the front frame portion.

As shown in Figures 3,4 5, and 6, locking interface 86 locks first and second

automobile carriers 10 and 12 together. Locking interface 86 preferably includes a

horizontal bar 88, which is preferably square, which traverses across first leg 42 of

first automobile carrier 10 and a latch 90 which is carried by second automobile carrier

12. Latch 90 includes tapered front end 92 and a back end which is pivotally carried

by latch housing 94. Latch 90 includes latch opening 96 which is preferably square

for receiving horizontal bar 88. The positioning of horizontal bar 88 and latch opening

96 are positioned with respect to one another such that opening 96 is positioned in an

interlocking relationship with horizontal bar 88 when the front of second automobile

carrier abuts stop 34. The tapered front portion of latch 90 enables the front portion

to ride over horizontal bar 88 as the automobile carriers are being positioned in an

overlapping arrangement enabling the latch opening to be positioned above the

horizontal bar when the vehicle carriers abut enabling the vehicle carriers to become

interlocked due to gravity lowering latch 90 into engagement with the horizontal bar. In operation, when loading the respective vehicle carriers into a closed

container, as second automobile carrier 12 is being positioned in the overlapping relationship with first automobile carrier 10, the front portion of the second automobile

carrier will abut stop 34 and latch opening 96 will simultaneously engage horizontal bar 88 for locking second automobile carrier with first automobile carrier 10. Of

course, the location of horizontal bar 88 and latch 90 may be positioned in any manner

with respect to the respective vehicle carriers as long as the locking mechanism secures the first and second vehicle carriers when in the overlapping transport position.

Additionally, second vehicle carrier also includes horizontal bar 88 for locking engagement with latch 90 carried by third vehicle carrier. When the second

embodiment is present, latch 90 is carried by a second first vehicle carrier assembly.

Since the third vehicle carrier or a second first vehicle carrier assembly do not overlap

the second vehicle carrier, the interlocking mechanism is designed to function when the

front portions of either the third vehicle carrier or a second first vehicle carrier

assembly abut the back of the second vehicle carrier. In this manner, a plurality of

transport configurations may be had.

For example, three automobiles may be transported with the first and second

automobile carriers in an overlapping arrangement and a third automobile carrier abutting the back portion of the second automobile carrier. Each of these automobile

carriers would be interlocked via respective locking mechanisms. Additionally, in a

second example, for transporting sport utility vehicles in conjunction with a larger

container, two separate assemblies of first and second overlapping vehicle carriers may be positioned within the container's interior enabling four automobiles to be transported. Each of these vehicle carriers would also be interlocked via respective

locking mechanisms.

In operation, when loading the respective vehicle carriers into a small container

which will only allow for the transportation of three vehicle carriers, the first vehicle

carrier is manipulated preferably by a fork lift and positioned within a container. The

vehicle carrier is pushed into the container's interior. The second vehicle carrier is

subsequently positioned within the container and pushed into overlapping engagement

with the first vehicle carrier. Upon reaching the overlapping engagement with the first

vehicle carrier, the locking mechanism secures the first and second vehicle carriers

together. Next, a third vehicle carrier is positioned within the container and is

positioned forward to abut the second vehicle carrier. Upon abutting the second

vehicle carrier, the locking mechanism secures the second and third vehicle carriers

together.

As shown in Figure 7, if four automobiles are to be transported, two sets of

first and second vehicle carrier assemblies are utilized. A first set of first and second

vehicle carriers will be locked in an overlapping position and a second set of first and

second vehicle carriers will be locked in an overlapping position. Additionally, the

first set will be interlocked with the second set via the locking mechamsms between the

second vehicle carrier of the first assembly and the first vehicle carrier of the second

assembly.

In unloading the vehicle carriers, the vehicle carrier closest to the container's

door will be moved rearwardly utilizing a forklift. Since all of the vehicle carriers are

interlocked, they will move simultaneously. The vehicle carrier manipulated by the

forklift will be lifted upwards disengaging that vehicle carrier's latch with the horizontal bar of the adjacent vehicle carrier and enabling the vehicle carrier to be

removed from the container's interior. The additional vehicle carriers will be removed

in like manner.

Thus it may be seen, that a more advantageous method of transporting

automobiles within a standard shipping container may be had. By providing individual

vehicle carriers for the automobiles, the automobiles may be loaded externally and

handled by forklifts. By providing a unique design, the vehicle carriers may be

overlapped such that a first automobile may be inclined over the hood of a second

automobile. This maximizes the utilization of the horizontal floor space of the standard

container enabling three automobiles to be positioned within the shipping container.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A multiple automobile transport system for transporting automobiles

within a container having a roof and a floor comprising:

a first automobile carrier including a base and an inclined portion for

carrying a first automobile in an inclined position above the floor of the container;

a second automobile carrier including a base for carrying a second

automobile in a generally horizontal position beneath the first automobile;

said first and second automobile carriers including overlapping portions

in a longitudinal direction enabling the two automobiles to be positioned within a

longitudinal footprint of the floor of said container which is less than the longitudinal

footprint required by two automobiles positioned longitudinally on the floor of said

container.

2. A multiple automobile transport system for transporting automobiles

within a container comprising:

a first automobile carrier comprising:

a first automobile carrier base for being carried by the floor bed

of said container;

a first and second leg extending from said base offset

from one another to define an automobile carrier receiving space

; and

an inclined platform extending upward from said base for

carrying a first automobile in an inclined position; and

a second automobile carrier comprising: a second automobile carrier base for being carried by the

floor bed of said container, said second automobile carrier base

defining a platform for carrying a second automobile;

said second automobile carrier base including a front

portion and a back portion;

said front portion of said base having a width less than

said offset of said first and second legs of said first automobile

carrier enabling said front portion of said second automobile

carrier base to be received within said automobile carrier

receiving space of said first automobile carrier defining a

transport position.

3. The multiple automobile transport system of claim 2 including

a third automobile carrier being carried by said floor bed of said container, said

third automobile carrier base defining a platform for carrying a third automobile,

whereby a system for transporting three automobiles in a standard container is

provided wherein a first automobile is elevated in an inclined position and carried by a

first automobile carrier having offset legs and a second automobile carrier is disposed

between the offset legs enabling two automobiles to be stored in a space on the

container's floor bed which is less than the area of two automobiles enabling a third

automobile to also be carried within the container.

4. The multiple transport system of claim 3 wherein said container has a

length of approximately forty feet and a height from said container floor bed to said

container storage roof not greater than nine feet.

5. The multiple transport system of claim 2 wherein both said first and

second automobile carriers have a predetermined length and wherein the summation of

the combined lengths of said first and second automobile carriers is less when

combined in said transport position than when not combined in said transport position

such that a smaller area of said container floor bed is covered when said first and

second automobile carriers are combined in said transport position than when not

combined in said transport position.

6. The multiple transport system of claim 2 wherein said first automobile

carrier includes a first locking means and said second automobile carrier includes a

second locking means which engages said first locking means when said second

automobile carrier is received within said automobile receiving space.

7. A multiple automobile transport system for transporting automobiles

within a container comprising:

a first automobile carrier comprising:

a first automobile carrier base for being carried by the floor bed

of said container;

a first and second leg extending from said base offset

from one another to define an automobile carrier receiving space

a transverse member interconnecting said first and second

leg extensions defining a front boundary of said automobile

carrier receiving space; and

an inclined platform extending upward from said base for

carrying a first automobile in an inclined position; and a second automobile carrier comprising:

a second automobile carrier base for being carried by the

floor bed of said container, said second automobile carrier base

defining a platform for carrying a second automobile having a

general profile;

said second automobile carrier base including a front

portion and a back portion;

said front portion of said base having a width less than

said offset of said first and second legs of said first automobile

carrier enabling said front portion of said second automobile

carrier base to be received within said automobile carrier

receiving space of said first automobile carrier defining a

transport position;

at least a pair of wheel supports carried by said second

automobile carrier base for carrying the front wheels of a second

automobile, said pair of wheel supports being offset from said

front portion a predetermined distance; and

said wheel supports offset being of sufficient length such

that said general profile of said second automobile will not

contact said inclined platform of said first vehicle carrier when

said second automobile carrier is received within said automobile

carrier receiving space.

8. A transportation system for transporting four automobiles within a

container comprising: a first automobile carrier including a base and an inclined portion for carrying a first automobile in an inclined position above the floor of

the container;

a second automobile carrier including a base for carrying a

second automobile in a generally horizontal position beneath the first automobile;

said first and second automobile carriers including overlapping

portions in a longitudinal direction enabling the two automobiles to be positioned within a longitudinal footprint of the floor of said container which is less than the longitudinal footprint required by two automobiles positioned longitudinally on the floor of said container; a third automobile carrier including a base and an inclined

portion for carrying a third automobile in an inclined position above the

floor of the container; a fourth automobile carrier including a base for carrying a fourth automobile in a generally horizontal position beneath the third

automobile;

said third and fourth automobile carriers including overlapping

portions in a longitudinal direction enabling the two automobiles to be positioned within a longitudinal footprint of the floor of said container which is less than the longitudinal footprint required by two automobiles positioned longitudinally on the floor of said container; wherein four automobiles may be transported within a single

container upon individual automobile carriers facilitating in the material

handling of each respective automobile.

9. The transportation system of claim 8 wherein said first and said second

automobile carriers include matingly engaging locking means for securing said first and

second automobile carriers together when said second automobile vehicle carrier is

received within said automobile receiving space.

10. The transportation system of claim 9 wherein said second and third

automobile vehicle carriers include matingly engaging locking means for securing said

second and third automobile vehicle carriers together when said third vehicle carrier

abuts said second automobile vehicle carrier.

11. The transportation system of claim 10 wherein said locking means

includes a horizontal bar and a latch having a cross-section representative of said

horizontal bar.

12. The transportation system of claim 11 wherein said third and fourth

third and fourth automobile vehicle carriers together when said fourth automobile

vehicle carrier is received within said automobile receiving space of said third

automobile vehicle carrier.

13. A system for transporting multiple automobiles within a shipping

container, said system comprising:

providing a first automobile carrier;

positioning a first automobile upon said first automobile carrier; positioning said first automobile carrier within said shipping container

providing a second automobile carrier;

positioning a second automobile upon said second automobile carrier; positioning said second automobile carrier within said shipping container

in an overlapping position with said first automobile carrier wherein said first

automobile is inclined above said second automobile;

interlocking said first and second automobile carriers.

14. The system of claim 13 further including providing a third automobile carrier, positioning a third automobile upon said third automobile carrier, positioning said third automobile carrier within said shipping container, interlocking said third

automobile carrier with said second automobile carrier.