Automobile loading rack and method for loading into containers
First Claim
1. A method of loading automobiles into a standard intermodal, dry cargo shipping container, comprising:
- (a) installing at one end on the floor of the container, a removable automobile-supporting rack having a tiltable ramp, one end of which is hingedly supported on said rack spaced above the floor of the container by more than the height of an automobile, and the other end of which is adjacent such floor,(b) rolling a first automobile onto the floor of the container and then from the floor of the container onto said ramp,(c) lifting said other end of said ramp bearing said first automobile to and securing it in a generally horizontal position,(d) rolling a second automobile onto the floor of the container under said ramp bearing said first automobile; and
(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) sequentially to the other end of the container to fill the container with stacks of two automobiles each.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for loading and carrying a maximum number of automobiles in a standard intermodal shipping container. The method utilizes an automobile supporting rack which is readily installed in a container and includes an inclined ramp upon which an automobile is driven from the floor of the container onto the ramp, the lower end of the ramp is then lifted to and secured in an upward generally horizontal position, and a second automobile is driven under the first automobile supported on the elevated ramp. The method includes sequentially loading automobiles on similar racks until the container is filled with six automobiles in three stacks of two automobiles each. The invention also includes an auxiliary ramp, upright sidewall frames for supporting the ramp, and locking means for locking the ramp in the upper position. The ramp and side frames are symmetrical. Automobiles are unloaded from the container in the reverse of the loading procedure.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of loading automobiles into a standard intermodal, dry cargo shipping container, comprising:
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(a) installing at one end on the floor of the container, a removable automobile-supporting rack having a tiltable ramp, one end of which is hingedly supported on said rack spaced above the floor of the container by more than the height of an automobile, and the other end of which is adjacent such floor, (b) rolling a first automobile onto the floor of the container and then from the floor of the container onto said ramp, (c) lifting said other end of said ramp bearing said first automobile to and securing it in a generally horizontal position, (d) rolling a second automobile onto the floor of the container under said ramp bearing said first automobile; and (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) sequentially to the other end of the container to fill the container with stacks of two automobiles each. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. The method of unloading automobiles supported one on a tiltable ramp over the other on the floor in a plurality of stacks in a shipping container, comprising:
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(a) rolling the lower automobile out from under the upper automobile in the last stack at one end of and out of the container, (b) lowering one end of the ramp of the last stack to the floor of the container, (c) rolling the upper automobile down the ramp and out of the container, and (d) removing the ramp from the container. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. An automobile rack for use in loading automobiles into a standard intermodal, dry cargo shipping container, comprising:
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(a) a pair of upright, opposed sidewall frames spaced apart approximately the inside width of the container and more than the width of an automobile, and extending vertically more than the height of an automobile, (b) an elongated ramp adapted to support the wheels of an automobile and hingedly connected at one end to the upper portions of said frames between the same for swinging between an inclined position in which an automobile may be driven up said ramp from the floor of a container and a generally horizontal position at the upper portion of said frames, and (c) locking means at the other end of said ramp for securing said ramp in said horizontal position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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Specification