Car support frame with tyre protection barrier

Abstract

A vehicle support deck frame ( 10 ) is condfigured to allow wheel ( 12 ) penetration through the deck depth and projection somewhat below the deck underside, so that a projecting wheel and/or attendant tyre ( 13 ) acts as a resiliently deformable spacer, cushion, bolster or buffer, in relation to an underlying (vehicle) load ( 30 ); such a ‘sunken’ wheel disposition allows a vehicle to sit lower in relation to the deck, so reducing the load depth ( 31 ) on that deck.

1 . A movable frame or deck for vehicle load support, configured for installation within the confines of a freight container, the frame being fitted with a plurality of adjustable vehicle wheel and/or tyre capture elements configured to allow tyre penetration through the frame depth to project from the underside. 
   
   
       2 . A support frame of  claim 1 , with localised span underside and/or side wall exposure between a support, capture and retention facility. 
   
   
       3 . A support frame of  claim 1 , in which the wheels and/or tyres project approximately one inch beyond and below the frame underside. 
   
   
       4 . A support frame of  claim 1 , in which the wheels and/or tyres project approximately two inches beyond and below the frame underside. 
   
   
       5 . A support frame of  claim 1 , movable to rest upon a container floor for vehicle access in (un)loading. 
   
   
       6 . A support frame of  claim 1 , with wheel and/or tyre support adjustable longitudinally, to accommodate a diversity of wheelbase, wheel and tyre diameter. 
   
   
       7 . A support frame of  claim 1  with wheel and/or tyre support adjustable transversely to accommodate diversity in vehicle wheel track. 
   
   
       8 . A support frame of  claim 1 , with wheel support configured with a clearance between vehicle body and frame. 
   
   
       9 . A support frame of  claim 1  in which disposition of a projecting wheel of a suspended vehicle serves as a buffer or cushion in relation to an underlying vehicle. 
   
   
       10 . A support frame of  claim 1 , with wheel supports of an effective projection or depth adjustable with deck position, to allow vehicle passage over a lowered deck, but, upon deck elevation, to allow vehicle wheel projection between supports and to present a differential step to inhibit ready vehicle passage. 
   
   
       11 . A support frame of  claim 1 , in which suspended vehicle wheel projection through a support restrains a vehicle against movement in transit, {with minimal supplementary restraint, such as ties or lashing}. 
   
   
       12 . A support frame of  claim 1 , configured so that upon frame lowering onto a (container) floor, the wheels of a vehicle load can rest on the floor between respective supports and yet preserve sufficient longitudinal clearance between supports and wheels to allow vehicle momentum build-up before encountering supports upon drive-on loading. 
   
   
       13 . A support frame of  claim 1 , with one or more wheel support blocks deployed upon a (container) floor to raise a vehicle wheel nearer to a support apex to facilitate drive-over, the blocks remaining on the floor upon frame elevation, allowing the wheels to penetrate between supports. 
   
   
       14 . A support frame of  claim 1 , in which a frame is raised from a (container) floor and supported by means, selected from the group comprising . . . ride-over blocks with inclined ramps. 
   
   
       15 . A support frame of  claim 1 , in which a ground floor incorporates an inclined (un)loading ramp, but once the frame is raised above the ramp, vehicle load wheels penetrate between spaced supports. 
   
   
       16 . A support frame of  claim 1 , configured of minimal load intrusive profile, skeletal, open lattice or fragmented format, for flexible dispositions in relation to a vehicle load carried thereby, and the penetration of elements, in particular tyres, of that load though the deck depth and their spacing from and interaction with an underlying load. 
   
   
       17 . A support frame of  claim 1 , configured with operational clearance respectively between mutually stacked vehicle loads and between deck frame and a supported vehicle load, with compact load inter-nesting and inter-fit, and minimal intrusion into overall load capacity. 
   
   
       18 . A support frame of  claim 1 , configured to allow stacked vehicle loads to fit within a common footprint or planform whilst allow vehicle support frame lateral overspill, but within container confines. 
   
   
       19 . A support frame of  claim 1 , with localised span lift or displacement blocks deployable to control tyre and so wheel penetration through local apertures in a vehicle support frame. 
   
   
       20 . A support frame of  claim 1 , with localised span lift or displacement blocks deployable to control tyre and so wheel penetration through local apertures in a vehicle support frame;
 such blocks being underslung from the deck frame and operative only once a vehicle deck is lowered to a container floor.   
   
   
       21 . A support frame of  claim 1 , with local lift or displacement blocks deployable to control tyre and so wheel penetration through local apertures in a vehicle support frame;
 the displacement blocks being carried by an underslung block frame co-operatively disposed with the vehicle frame and operative only upon deck lowering to a container floor.   
   
   
       22 . A support frame of  claim 1 , with local lift or displacement blocks deployable to control tyre and so wheel penetration through local apertures in a vehicle support frame;
 the displacement blocks being carried by an underslung block frame co-operatively disposed with the vehicle frame and operative only upon deck lowering to a container floor;   vehicle and block frames being suspended within a container to pivot at one end for vehicle (un)loading access, so respective frame interaction arises upon tilt for (un)loading with respective lower ends resting upon a container floor.   
   
   
       23 . A movable frame or deck for vehicle load support configured for installation within the confines of a freight container, the frame being fitted with a plurality of adjustable vehicle wheel and/or tyre capture elements configured to allow tyre penetration through the frame depth to project from the underside, with tyre periphery and sidewall exposed as a buffer cushion in relation to an underlying vehicle. 
   
   
       24 . A movable frame or deck of  claim 23 , with minimal local up-stand to allow drive-over and side profile to preserve tyre exposure.