Storage assembly for loading and transporting vehicles in a container

• US 5,775,858 A
• Filed: 12/01/1995
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vehicle Transport, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vehicle Transport, Inc.
• Inventors: Bacon, Dwight G.
• Primary Examiner(s): GORDON, STEPHEN T
• Application Number:
  US08/565,816
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 410/4, 410/24, 410/13, 410/26, 410/29, 410/15, 410/10, 410/11, 410/23, 410/30, 410/9, 414/498, 414/228, 414/229, 220/1.5, 24/115 K, 24/68 CD, 24/265 CD, 248/499, 188/32, 188/4 R, 211/13, 211/190, 211/191, 211/175, 211/162
• US Class Current: 410/26
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/08 Multilevel-deck construction carrying vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6867 automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/68 for machines, engines or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form

Abstract

A vehicle storage carriage includes a pair of upper and lower rails connected via side-mounted cross members for stability and four vertical posts, two in front, two in rear, that can be rigidly bolted to the floor of a standard cargo container. A pair of ramps with recessed wheel channels adapted to carry the rear tires of a stowed vehicle are mounted horizontally front and rear between a pair of the vertical posts. The front and rear of the ramps can be adjusted by selectively raising and lowering the cross members. The rear of the ramps are pivotably mounted to the rear cross member. Chock assemblies that are rigidly mountable to the container floor include slideably movable chocks that are movable forwardly or rearwardly and also movable sideways to accommodate different size vehicles. A pivotable strap securing plate is pivotably mounted to the container floor for use with vehicle tie-down straps for each of the stowed vehicles. Several carriages may be employed with a given standard cargo container.

Claims