초록 ▼

Apparatus for supporting automobiles, including racks each capable of carrying two automobiles, one above the other, particularly in intermodal cargo containers, and a method for use of the apparatus. Each rack includes wheels on which the rack is supported for movement when it is in a collapsed con

Apparatus for supporting automobiles, including racks each capable of carrying two automobiles, one above the other, particularly in intermodal cargo containers, and a method for use of the apparatus. Each rack includes wheels on which the rack is supported for movement when it is in a collapsed configuration, for insertion of the rack into a cargo container. A pair of wheeled cradles carries an automobile by supporting its wheels. One pair of such cradles is supported by an upper pair of longitudinal beams which are each supported by a pivot connection to a collapsible upright at one end and by an upright strut spaced apart from that end. Another pair of cradles is fastened in a selected location to a pair of horizontal lower longitudinal support members of the rack, to hold the second automobile in a desired position beneath the first. In its collapsed configuration the rack is very low, enabling several empty racks to be carried in a single cargo container.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for supporting a wheeled vehicle, comprising: (a) moving a rack along a generally planar surface with said rack in a collapsed configuration, to a predetermined location; (b) placing said rack, supported by said generally planar surface, in a vehicle receiving configuration; (c) thereafter

A method for supporting a wheeled vehicle, comprising: (a) moving a rack along a generally planar surface with said rack in a collapsed configuration, to a predetermined location; (b) placing said rack, supported by said generally planar surface, in a vehicle receiving configuration; (c) thereafter moving a wheeled vehicle separately along said generally planar surface into a predetermined location with respect to said rack, with said wheeled vehicle supported at least in part by a wheeled cradle supported by said generally planar surface and engaging a wheel of said wheeled vehicle; and (d) fastening said wheeled vehicle to said rack by interconnecting said wheeled cradle with said rack.