AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTING SYSTEM INCLUDING INSERTABLE TILT-UP RACK

摘要

Apparatus for supporting automobiles (26, 28), including racks (24) each capable of carrying two automobiles, one above the other, particularly in intermodal cargo containers (20), and a method for use of the apparatus. Each rack (24) includes wheels (56) 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 (110) carries an automobile by supporting its wheels. One pair of such cradles is supported by an upper pair of longitudinal beams (62) which are each supported by a pivot connection to a collapsible upright (38) at one end and by an upright strut (64) spaced apart from that end. Another pair of cradles (110) is fastened in a selected location to a pair of horizontal lower longitudinal support members (32) of the rack, to hold the second automobile (28) in a desired position beneath the first. In its collapsed configuration the rack (24) is very low, enabling several empty racks to be carried in a single cargo container.