SYSTEM FOR LOADING MOTOR VEHICLES IN STANDARD CARGO-CARRYING ENCLOSURES

摘要

For loading motor vehicles (18) into a standard cargo-carrying enclosure, such as a container or van (16), for transport therein, the vehicles are loaded onto a frame (10) exterior of the enclosure so as to be supported thereby in multiple columns of vertically-spaced vehicles in end-to-end relation to one another. Thereafter the frame (10) and vertically-spaced vehicles (18) are inserted in unison matingly into the cargo-carrying enclosure (16) for transport to a destination where the frame and vehicles are withdrawn from the enclosure for unloading purposes. Positioning of the vehicles (18) on the frame (10) prior to insertion into the container (16) is accomplished by a powered gantry (20) which successively detachably engages each of a plurality of different vehicle-support assemblies (42a, 42b) and lifts them and their associated vehicles separately relative to the frame into elevated positions where the support assemblies (42a, 42b) are retained against downward movement by locking to the frame (10). During insertion into the cargo-carrying enclosure (16), the frame (10) is separated from the gantry (20).