Flatbed vehicle transport system

• US 6,287,061 B1
• Filed: 03/16/2000
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Randy Tinnell
• Original Assignee: Randy Tinnell
• Inventors: Tinnell, Randy
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Stephen T.
• Application Number:
  US09/526,103
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 410/4, 410/24, 410/26, 410/27, 410/28.1, 410/29.1, 296/3, 296/43, 105/380, 105/390
• US Class Current: 410/26
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/08 Multilevel-deck construction carrying vehicles

Abstract

A flatbed vehicle transport system for of the support member, cross members and ramp members. The inventive device includes a plurality of support members that are positionable within apertures within a trailer, a plurality of cross members insertable into the support members, a plurality of ramp members attached across the cross members, and a loading ramp for loading vehicles upon the trailer. A plurality of chains are preferably secured to one or more support members to prevent longitudinal movement of the structure while loaded.

Claims

1. A flatbed vehicle transport system, comprising:

a plurality of support members having a lower end and an upper end, wherein said lower end is positionable within apertures of a trailer;

a plurality of cross members attachable to said upper end of each of said plurality of support members; and

a plurality of ramp members attachable to said plurality of cross members for receiving and supporting wheels of a vehicle;

wherein said cross members include a pair of slots extending into an upper surface of said cross members and said plurality of ramp members each include a pair of lip portions at opposing ends for insertion into said slots of said cross members.

2. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 1, wherein said lip portions are retained within said slots by at least one fastener.

3. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 1, including a pair of front ramps for extending between a platform of a trailer and one of said cross members.

4. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 1, including a pair of loading ramps extendable between a ground surface and a platform of a trailer.

5. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 1, including at least one stabilizer device for stabilizing horizontal movement of said plurality of support members.

6. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 5, wherein said at least one stabilizer device is comprised of a length of chain.

7. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of support members each include an upper opening; and

said plurality of cross members each include a pair of opposing insert members that are positionable within each said upper opening of said plurality of support members.

8. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 7, wherein said plurality of cross members are retained within each said upper opening by at least one fastener.

9. A flatbed vehicle transport system, comprising:

a plurality of support members having a lower end and an upper end, wherein said lower end is positionable within apertures of a trailer;

a plurality of cross members attachable to said upper end of each of said plurality of support members; and

a plurality of ramp members attachable to said plurality of cross members for receiving and supporting wheels of a vehicle;

wherein said cross members include a plurality of slots extending into an upper surface of said cross members and said plurality of ramp members each include a plurality of lip portions at opposing ends for insertion into said slots of said cross members.

10. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 9, wherein said lip portions are retained within said slots by at least one fastener.

11. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 9, including a pair of front ramps for extending between a platform of a trailer and one of said cross members.

12. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 9, including a pair of loading ramps extendable between a ground surface and a platform of a trailer.

13. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 9, including at least one stabilizer device for stabilizing horizontal movement of said plurality of support members.

14. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 13, wherein said at least one stabilizer device is comprised of a length of chain.

15. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 9, wherein:

said plurality of support members each include an upper opening; and

said plurality of cross members each include a pair of opposing insert members that are positionable within each said upper opening of said plurality of support members.

16. The flatbed vehicle transport system of claim 15, wherein said plurality of cross members are retained within each said upper opening by at least one fastener.