WO2015052688A1

WO2015052688A1 - Vehicle transport system

Info

Publication number: WO2015052688A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/065211
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Dawson Cox
Original assignee: Kar-Tainer International Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-10
Filing date: 2014-10-10
Publication date: 2015-04-16
Also published as: ZA201602446B

Abstract

A vehicle transport system 10 which is adapted to transport a vehicle within a container and comprises a vehicle carrier base 12 for being carried by a floor bed of the container and for receiving the first vehicle, and an inclined platform 14 extending upwardly from the base 12 for carrying the second vehicle in an inclined position. The arrangement is such that the first vehicle is pre-loaded onto the vehicle carrier base 12 prior to the vehicle transport system 10 being loaded into the container and so that the first vehicle is located under the inclined platform 14. The vehicle transport system 10 is designed to be stackable, so that when vehicles are not being transported in the container on said vehicle transport system 10, a large number of vehicle transport systems, each in an inoperable position, are stackable and returnable per container.

Description

VEHICLE TRANSPORT SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a vehicle transport system. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a vehicle transport system for transporting a single vehicle per cassette within a standard shipping container.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Motor vehicles of all types often require shipment from one location to another for purposes of importation and exportation thereof. Various transportation systems are, therefore, known in the art for facilitating the transportation of a multiple of these motor vehicles on an open trailer or within shipping containers.

During the transportation of the vehicles, it is important that the vehicles are not damaged. In addition to ensuring safe transportation of the vehicles, it is also important that as many as possible vehicles are transported at the same time to reduce the overall transportation costs.

A well known method of transporting a large number of vehicles at the same time, consists of utilising an overland hauler which is towed by a tractor over highways. While such a carrier is useful for its intended purpose, the vehicles are exposed to the environment and, during transport, the vehicles may be damaged. Furthermore, such haulers are not suitable for transporting vehicles in ships, since they are large and bulky and do not protect vehicles 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 into 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 U.S. 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 forklifts 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, the positioning of 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.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a vehicle transport system with which the aforesaid disadvantages can be overcome or at least minimised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a vehicle transport system for transporting a first and second vehicle within a container comprising:

- a vehicle carrier base for being carried by a floor bed of the container and for receiving the first vehicle; and

an inclined platform extending upwardly from the base for carrying the second vehicle in an inclined position, the arrangement being such that the first vehicle is pre-loaded onto the vehicle carrier base prior to the vehicle transport system being loaded into the container and so that the first vehicle is located under the inclined platform. The carrier base may include fork receptacles for receiving forks of a forklift for loading and manipulating the position of the vehicle transport system in the container.

The vehicle transport system may be movable from a first, inoperable position, wherein the inclined platform is flattened onto the base, to a second, operable position, wherein the inclined platform is in an inclined position.

The vehicle transport system may be stackable, so that when vehicles are not being transported in the container on said vehicle transport system, a large number of vehicle transport systems, each in the inoperable position, are stackable and returnable per container.

It is foreseen that approximately 40 vehicle transport systems may be stacked and returned in a standard size container.

Two vehicle transport systems may be locatable in a single standard size (40 ft HC) container, so that four vehicles are loaded and transportable in said container. The vehicle carrier bases of the two vehicle transport systems in the container may engage one another, by slotting into one another, to create stability once loaded in the container. The vehicle transport system may be provided with a plurality of securing formations, so that vehicles loaded onto the vehicle transport system may be secured to the vehicle carrier base by webbing and ratchet means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of the vehicle transport system for transporting a vehicle within a container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawing, a vehicle transport system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10. The vehicle transport system 10 is adapted to transport a first and second vehicle (not shown) within a container (also not shown) and comprises a vehicle carrier base 12 for being carried by a floor bed of the container and for receiving the first vehicle, and an inclined platform 14 extending upwardly from the base 12 for carrying the second vehicle in an inclined position. The arrangement is such that the first vehicle is pre-loaded onto vehicle carrier base 12 prior to the vehicle transport system 10 being loaded into the container and so that the first vehicle is located under the inclined platform 14. Therefore, the first vehicle is loaded onto the carrier base 12 first (so that said first vehicle fits within the space defined between the base 12 and the inclined platform 14) and, thereafter, the second vehicle is loaded onto the inclined platform 14.

The carrier base 12 includes fork receptacles 16 for receiving forks of a forklift (not shown) for loading and manipulating the position of the vehicle transport system 10 in the container. It is foreseen that since the system 10 is pre-loaded with a single vehicle only (the first vehicle), a standard forklift only is required to load the loaded vehicle and vehicle transport system 10 into the container, as opposed to a special heavy duty forklift, as is the case in prior art systems.

The vehicle transport system 10 is movable from a first, inoperable position, wherein the inclined platform 14 is flattened onto the base 12, to a second, operable position, wherein the inclined platform 14 is in an inclined position. Vehicles are loaded when the system 10 is in an operable position. The vehicle transport system 10 is designed to be stackable, so that when vehicles are not being transported in the container on said vehicle transport system 10, a large number of vehicle transport systems, each in an inoperable position, are stackable and returnable per container (return shipment). It is foreseen that approximately 40 vehicle transport systems 10 could be stacked and returned in a standard size container.

Two vehicle transport systems 10 are locatable in a single standard size (40 ft HC) container, so that four vehicles are loaded and transportable in said container. Two vehicles are loaded on the inclined platforms 14 (one vehicle per platform 14) and two vehicles are loaded underneath the platforms 14 (one vehicle under each platform 14). By shipping four vehicles in one container, the cost per vehicle is reduced, compared to that of the normal three vehicles per container. The vehicles loaded onto each inclined platform 14 are loaded onto said inclined platform 14 by means of an intermediate approach ramp.

The vehicle carrier bases 12 of the two vehicle transport systems 10 in the container engage one another, by slotting into one another, to create stability once loaded in the container.

The vehicle transport system 10 is provided with a plurality of securing formations (not shown), so that vehicles loaded onto the vehicle transport system 10 are secured to the vehicle carrier base 12 by means of webbing and ratchet means. The webbing is always tightened longitudinally to ensure constant length-wise pressure around the wheels of the vehicles. The vehicle transport system 10 is made of a much lighter material that the prior art systems, and it is thus relatively easier to handle and lighter to transport. It is further less expensive to manufacture as less material is used and the material is of a lighter grade.

It is further foreseen that the loading and securing of vehicles is relatively easy as only a single vehicle per system 10 is pre-loaded. Each system can be pre- staged, as it is self supporting and can be loaded simply and fast.

It will be appreciated that a number of variations in detail are possible with a vehicle transport system according to the invention without departing from the scope and/or spirit of this disclosure and the attached claims.

Claims

A vehicle transport system for transporting a first and second vehicle within a container comprising a vehicle carrier base for being carried by a floor bed of the container and for receiving the first vehicle, and an inclined platform extending upwardly from the base for carrying the second vehicle in an inclined position, the arrangement being such that the first vehicle is pre-loaded onto the vehicle carrier base prior to the vehicle transport system being loaded into the container and so that the first vehicle is located under the inclined platform.

The vehicle transport system of claim 1 , wherein the carrier base includes fork receptacles for receiving forks of a forklift for loading and manipulating the position of the vehicle transport system in the container.

The vehicle transport system of claim 1 , wherein the system is movable from a first, inoperable position, wherein the inclined platform is flattened onto the base, to a second, operable position, wherein the inclined platform is in an inclined position.

The vehicle transport system of claim 3, wherein the vehicle transport system is stackable, so that when vehicles are not being transported in the container on said vehicle transport system, a large number of vehicle transport systems, each in the inoperable position, are stackable and returnable per container.

The vehicle transport system of claim 4, wherein 40 vehicle transport systems stackable and returnable in a standard size container.

6. The vehicle transport system of claim 1 , wherein two vehicle transport systems are locatable in a single standard size (40 ft HC) container, so that four vehicles are loaded and transportable in said container.

7. The vehicle transport system of claim 6, wherein the vehicle carrier bases of the two vehicle transport systems in the container engage one another, by slotting into one another, to create stability once loaded in the container.

8. The vehicle transport system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle transport system is provided with a plurality of securing formations, so that vehicles loaded onto the vehicle transport system are securable to the vehicle carrier base by webbing and ratchet means.

9. The vehicle transport system of claim 1 , substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying figure.