TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the transportation by vehicle of items, particularly but not limited to the transportation by truck of delicate, fragile or un- stackable items, to or from exhibitions, including

conventions , field days , fairs , expos and the lik .

Background to the Invention

[0002] The transportation of delicate, fragile or

unstackable items is a complex business.

[0003] For example, a company promoting its product wants its merchandise and display props to arrive at an

exhibition on time and in perfect condition. This can be a major problem, particularly where props and signage are subject to multiple journeys around the country:

[0004] Promoters currently spend substantial time and money building special purpose frameworks around their fragile or irregularly shaped items . Once loaded onto a truck, substantial space is wasted and the unloading task at the exhibition is time consuming, the fork lift driver needing to carefully take account of the peculiarities of each item.

[0005] It is known to provide mezzanine levels inside trucks to allow increased space efficiency in transporting un-stackable items. However the items need to be secured and unsecured inside the truck manually, necessitating many people working inside the truck. This can be

dangerous and wastes expensive time in the loading bay.

[0006] There is therefore a need to provide an improved system for the transportation of such items.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to a first broad aspect of the invention there is provided a system for the loading of items into a loading space of a vehicle, comprising:

a lower and an upper platform each adapted to be loaded with one or more of the items and lifted by a lifting device into the loading space; and

a support structure attached or attachable to the lower platform to provide an elevated support on which the upper platform can be rested after being lifted by the lifting device into the loading space, so as to stack the loaded upper platform above the loaded lower platform.

[0008] In one embodiment, the lower platform has on an underside thereof a floor or lower support engaging apparatus comprising at least two wheels spaced apart and disposed near an opposite side of the lower platform from a lifting device-approaching side.

[0009] In one embodiment, at least two spaced apart rails or tracks are attached transversely across a floor of the loading space to provide a lower support for the lower platform and the lower platform has on an underside thereof a lower support engaging apparatus comprising at least two corresponding rail or track engaging elements, each shaped and sized to engage with and be guided along the corresponding rail or track . At least one of the rails or tracks may be a rail and the corresponding rail engaging element may comprise an inverted channel shaped and sized to fit over the corresponding rail, sides of the channel acting to prevent sideways slippage off the rail. The rail or track engaging elements may each further comprise a wheel disposed near an opposite side of the platform from the lifting device to facilitate movement of the elements along the corresponding rail or track.

[0010] In one embodiment, the platforms are sized to span substantially a width of the truck or trailer.

[0011] In one embodiment, the lower platform further comprises fixed or removable legs disposed near each of four corners adapted to support the elevated support structure. The four legs may each be inset at least about 300mm from a side edge of the lower platform. The legs may each comprise an inner leg portion attached to the lower platform and an outer leg portion that is adapted to slide up and down the inner leg portion and to be secured in one of a plurality of positions so as to adjust a total height of the leg. The elevated support structure comprises two support beams each connecting across opposing pairs of the legs on either side of the lower platform. Each support beam of the elevated support structure may comprise a rail and the upper platform comprises an elevated support engaging apparatus having at least two corresponding rail engaging elements, each shaped and sized to engage with and be guided along the corresponding rail. Each rail engaging element may comprise an inverted channel shaped and sized to fit over the corresponding rail, sides of the channel acting to prevent sideways slippage off the rail.

[0012] In one embodiment, the system further comprises ratchet straps to be attached across diagonals of side, front and/or back faces of the stacked upper and lower platforms between upper attachment points on the upper platform and lower attachment points on the lower platform or the vehicle.

[0013] In one embodiment, the system further comprises a display sheet to be attached across at least a front face between the stacked upper and lower platform structure for use in an exhibition display.

[0014] In one embodiment, the system further comprises a plurality of sets of the upper and lower platforms, together having a total length when loaded side by side into the truck such that substantially an entire length of the truck is occupied. There may be four of the sets.

[0015] In one embodiment, the lower and upper platforms are interchangeable.

[0016] In accordance with a second broad aspect of the invention there is provided a method of loading items into a vehicle using the system of the first broad aspect, comprising the steps of: attaching the elevated support structure to the lower platform; loading one or more of the items onto the lower platform; using a lifting device to lift the loaded lower platform into the loading space _r - loading one or more of the items onto the upper platform; using the lifting device to lift the loaded upper platform into the loading space; and resting the loaded upper platform on the elevated support structure.

[0017] In accordance with a third broad aspect of the invention there is provided a platform for the loading of items into a loading space of a vehicle, adapted to be loaded with one or more of the items and lifted by a lifting device into the loading space; the platform being able to act as a lower platform by having or receiving a support structure that provides provide an elevated support on which an upper platform can be rested after being loaded and lifted by the lifting device into the loading space, so as to stack the loaded upper platform above the loaded lower platform.

[0018] In accordance with a fourth broad aspect of the invention there is provided a system for the loading of items through an open side of a loading space of a vehicle, comprising a loading platform adapted to be loaded with one or more of the items and lifted by a lifting device into the loading space through the open side to rest on a support in the loading space, wherein the loading platform has on an underside thereof a support engaging apparatus adapted to engage with the support and assist in the positioning of the loading platform as the lifting device is lifting the loading platform into a final position.

[0019]

Brief Description of Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a platform according to an embodiment of the invention where the lower and upper platforms are interchangeable. The

platform is shown configured as a lower platform showing the four legs and elevated support structure to support an upper platform;

[0021] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the platform according to the embodiment of Figure 1 , showing one pair of adjustable outer legs and support beam removed.

[0022] Figure 3 is a view of a detail of the platform of Figure 1, showing a socket into which the removable leg may be inserted.

[0023] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the upper or lower support engaging apparatus according to the

embodiment of Figure 1.

[0024] Figure 5 shows one of the rails acting as a support for a lower platform according to Figure .

[0025] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the upper platform assembled onto the lower platform of Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 7 is a view of underside features of the upper platform of Figure 6.

[0027] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional shape of one of the structural member of the upper platform of Figure 7.

[0028] Figure 9 shows four sets of lower platforms, upper platforms and associated support structures of the

embodiment of Figure 1 loaded into a truck. Detailed Description of embodiments

[0029] An embodiment of the current invention will now be described. The lower and upper platforms and corresponding rails and engaging apparatuses are interchangeable in this embodiment, so references to lower and upper in the embodiment are often references to the configured use of identical structures .

[0030] Referring first to Figure 1, lower platform 10 has dimensions 3460 mm long by 2440 mm wide. This width substantially occupies a loading width of a typical long side loading truck or trailer. The platform is

manufactured from steel and comprises various structural members such as 31, 32 and 33 installed with item securing loops 35 and the surface is filled by steel plates 36 welded between the structural members . On an underside of platform 10 is attached lower support engaging apparatus embodied as rail engaging elements 21 and 22 in the form of inverted channels, and fork slippers 23 and 24 also forming part of the structural members, constructed from 100 mm by 200 mm rectangular steel tube.

[0031] Inserted into sockets in the lower platform surface, and bearing down on respective ends of the rail engaging elements 21,22 to transfer load from an upper platform directly to the trailer floor, are four vertical inner leg portions 41, 42, 43 and 44. The four inner legs are each disposed on a front or rear edge of the platform relative to the fork lifting points and about 430mm from a side edge of the deck. These form part of the support for an upper platform. In sliding engagement with each inner leg is its corresponding outer leg portions 45, 46, 47, 48. The outer leg portions can be adjusted between several positions at 100mm increments to change the overall height of an upper platform above the lower platform 10 from 1200mm to 1700mm by a locating pin 49 and locating holes in each leg. The height of about 1200 mm is particularly advantageous when transporting with a standard Tautliner® style truck/trailer, as this divides the loading space approximately in half vertically, enabling two large identical items such as camper trailers to be transported on the lower and upper platforms.

[0032] Support beams 50, 51 are welded to respective opposing pairs 45,46 and 47,48 of the outer leg portions across a width of and on either side of the lower

platform. Support beams 50,51 are constructed from 65 mm square steel tube and provide a rail as a support for an upper platform.

[0033] Referring now to Figure 2, one of the support beams 50 with attached outer leg portions 45,46 is shown

removed, revealing the positioning holes such as 53 in the inner leg portions 41,42.

[0034] Referring now to Figure 3, inner leg portion has been removed revealing · its receiving socket 54 that enables a load on the upper platform to bear down directly on the rail engaging element 22. A wheel 55 disposed at the end of rail engaging element 22 is also visible, which enables the platform to roll along the rails in use, from at least an opposite side of the platform from the

forklift. In this embodiment, there is a wheel placed at either end of the rail engaging element to allow the forklift to approach and lift the platform from either side .

[0035] Referring now to Figure 4, a side view of the region corresponding to Figure 3 can be seen, showing top and sides of the socket 54, wheel 55, and flared sides 58, 59 of the inverted channel which is shaped and sized to fit over a rail support.

[0036] Referring now to Figure 5, trailer side beams 60,61 and trailer floor 62 are shown. Support on which the lower platform 10 rests is in the form of two identical spaced apart rails attached transversely across floor 62 and positioned so that rail engaging elements 21,22 can engage and be guided along them. In the figure, one end of the rails 70 is shown, revealing tab 71 welded to trailer side beam 60, rubber mat 72 on a top surface of rail 70 to engage with the wheel disposed on the leading side and plastic rounded end piece 73 upon which the trailing wheel bears when the lower platform is in position. An identical end piece on the opposite end near side beam 61 allows the leading wheel to smoothly roll off the rail once the platform is in position, whereby the wheel no longer bears load and the inverted channel bears down on and sits on the rubber mat 72.

[0037] In this embodiment, platform 10 is also adapted to act as an upper platform. Figure 6 shows platform 10 in position as an upper platform.

[0038] Referring now to Figure 7, the construction of the underside of platform 10 can be seen. Structural members 32 and 33 extend along the length of the platform.

Reinforcing member 85 serves to provide central

strengthening to the steel plates that fill in the surface. Fork slippers 23,24 are also structural members and pass through cut outs in members 32,33. Reinforcing member 85 bears down on inverted channels 21,22 and fork slippers 23,24.

[0039] Referring now to Figure 8, structural members such as 31,32,33 are shown in cross section, constructed from folded steel.

[0040] Figure 9 shows four sets of assembled lower and upper platforms 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d loaded into a side- loading 48 foot truck trailer 80. Trailer 80 has floor rails 95 adapted to engage with the floor rail engaging elements 21, 22 of the lower deck 10. The length of the sets using the embodiment as described (3460 mm) are particularly advantageous for 48 foot trucks, since the four sets can fit in snugly with sufficient manoeuvring room between each set, and each set has a length that is not too large to handle by forklift but can secure large items such as camper trailers or other vehicles .

In use, the lower and upper platforms are typically placed on the ground and items secured to the item securing points with straps. If necessary,, the outer leg portions of the supporting structure are height adjusted to clear the items on the lower deck, and the supporting beams are fitted if removed. A lifting device in the form of a forklift is then used to lift loaded lower platform 10 by fork slippers 23, 24 and approach the truck trailer 80 from an open side. The forklift driver aligns a rear end of the lower platform so that the rail engaging elements 21, 22 engage with the floor rails, and then gradually drives the lower platform fully onto the trailer, aided by the wheels. The forklift is then used to similarly lift the loaded upper platform above the lower loading

platform, engaging the rail engaging elements with the support beam rails and then pushing the upper platform fully home, aided by wheels.

[0041] Locks may be provided to ensure that neither deck rolls sideways off its mount, such as may be provided by the abovementioned wheels on rear and front ends of the rail engaging elements .

[0042] .The structure may be stiffened by ratchet straps attached across diagonals of side, front and/or back faces of the assembled upper and lower loading platform

structure between upper attachment points on or near the upper platform and lower attachment points on or near the lower platform or on the truck or trailer itself. The manoeuvring space between the legs of neighbouring lower loading platforms as shown in Figure 9 allows a person to gain access for easy attachment of the straps.

[0043] The process is then repeated for any additional platforms. In this embodiment four sets of platforms may be fitted into a 48 foot trailer.

[0044] Removal is the reverse process to loading.

[0045] This embodiment of the invention allows the vehicle to be efficiently and safely loaded by loading the items onto the truck outside the loading space, and then lifting and stacking the loading platforms into the loading space . [0046] The upper and lower platforms may also be used as an exhibition display, with a display sheet or panel attached across a front face of the assembled upper and lower platform structure. In this way, for example, a large item of equipment such as a camper trailer may be displayed in plain view on the upper platform and smaller items and merchandise stored behind the display sheet, thus avoiding visual clutter.

[0047] Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the broadest scope of the invention.

[0048] For example, while the embodiment described shows the inner leg portions removable , in other embodiments the support structure may be welded to the lower platform, or even attached instead to the upper platform, although this would make loading the upper platform more difficult.

Further, other embodiments may have no rails or rail engaging elements, and lifting devices other than

forklifts are contemplated for other embodiments.

[0049] Further still, the wheels contemplated in this embodiment may in principle be substituted by low friction materials in sliding engagement, although wheels are the preferred form. Also, the method steps recited and claimed may be performed in any convenient order.

[0050] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word ^w comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but hot to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0051] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.