Patent US4081196A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4081196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automotive vehicle transport system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-10-20
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Granted: 1978-03-28
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Expires: 1996-10-20
Abstract
Abstract An automotive vehicle transport system is disclosed which comprises a tractor with a cab at the front end, and coupling unit at the rear end thereof and an overhead horizontally extending upper vehicle supporting ramp in combination with a trailer possessing at least one axle in the rear, a coupling unit in the front and three levels for securing automotive vehicles therein; the bottom section comprising a front lower ramp and a back lower ramp, the intermediate section comprising a rearward intermediate back ramp and an intermediate front ramp and the upper section comprising an upper front ramp, upper middle ramp and upper back ramp wherein the upper back ramp possesses a substantially horizontally adjustable track telescoping in the direction of the cab and the upper front and upper middle ramps possess a substantially horizontal bidirectional extending track.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest M. Dandridge, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:30
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/06; B62D53/067; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
362 words
A transportation vehicle carrier adapted for transporting eight compact passenger vehicles within a length of about 55 feet and a height of about 131/2 feet, said passenger vehicles having a length of about 187 inches to 197 inches, a roof height of about 52 inches to 54 inches, and a wheel base of 103.0 inches to about 111.0 inches comprising in combination: a. a tractor having a main frame with a cab at the front end thereof, a coupling reception means at the rear end thereof and a horizontally extending upper vehicle supporting ramp on the tractor in connection with said frame extending over said cab, said ramp having a substantially horizontally extending track therefrom and; b. a trailer having a frame possessing at least one axle at the rear portion thereof and a coupling means at the front portion thereof to couple said trailer to said tractor, said trailer comprising: i. a bottom section comprising a front lower ramp and a back lower ramp wherein said front lower ramp is vertically adjustable to maintain one of said passenger vehicles at an angle of from about 35° to about 50° and wherein each of said ramps contains one of said passenger vehicles; ii. an intermediate section comprising an intermediate front ramp and an intermediate rearward back ramp wherein said intermediate ramps are vertically adjustable to an angle of from about 5° to 25° and wherein said intermediate front ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof disposed above said passenger vehicle disposed within said front lower ramp and said rearward intermediate ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof disposed above said passenger vehicle disposed within said bottom section back lower ramp; and, iii. an upper section comprising an upper front, upper middle and upper back ramp wherein said upper back ramp possesses a substantially horizontally adjustable planar track supporting surface telescoping in the direction of said cab and said upper front and upper middle ramps possess a substantially horizontal bidirectional extending planar track supporting surface and wherein each of said three upper ramps contains one of said passenger vehicles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
362 words
A transportation vehicle carrier adapted for transporting eight compact passenger vehicles within a length of about 55 feet and a height of about 131/2 feet, said passenger vehicles having a length of about 187 inches to 197 inches, a roof height of about 52 inches to 54 inches, and a wheel base of 103.0 inches to about 111.0 inches comprising in combination: a. a tractor having a main frame with a cab at the front end thereof, a coupling reception means at the rear end thereof and a horizontally extending upper vehicle supporting ramp on the tractor in connection with said frame extending over said cab, said ramp having a substantially horizontally extending track therefrom and; b. a trailer having a frame possessing at least one axle at the rear portion thereof and a coupling means at the front portion thereof to couple said trailer to said tractor, said trailer comprising: i. a bottom section comprising a front lower ramp and a back lower ramp wherein said front lower ramp is vertically adjustable to maintain one of said passenger vehicles at an angle of from about 35° to about 50° and wherein each of said ramps contains one of said passenger vehicles; ii. an intermediate section comprising an intermediate front ramp and an intermediate rearward back ramp wherein said intermediate ramps are vertically adjustable to an angle of from about 5° to 25° and wherein said intermediate front ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof disposed above said passenger vehicle disposed within said front lower ramp and said rearward intermediate ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof disposed above said passenger vehicle disposed within said bottom section back lower ramp; and, iii. an upper section comprising an upper front, upper middle and upper back ramp wherein said upper back ramp possesses a substantially horizontally adjustable planar track supporting surface telescoping in the direction of said cab and said upper front and upper middle ramps possess a substantially horizontal bidirectional extending planar track supporting surface and wherein each of said three upper ramps contains one of said passenger vehicles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicle carrier of claim 1 further characterized in that the bidirectional extending tracks traverse a distance of from about 114 inches to about 175 inches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle carrier of claim 1 further characterized in that said upper back ramp is adjustable to a length of about 121 inches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vehicle carrier of claim 1 further characterized in that said upper front, upper middle and upper back adjustable tracks comprise two sliding metal elements for the containment of said passenger vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle carrier of claim 4 further characterized in that said sliding metal elements are interconnected by a metal cross piece at the ends of said tracks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle carrier of claim 5 further characterized in that said metal cross pieces comprise the ends of said ramps in a retracted position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle carrier of claim 1 further characterized in that said adjustable tracks comprise said metal sliding elements inwardly transverse an exterior metal channel element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vehicle carrier of claim 7 further characterized in that said metal horizontally sliding elements are locked in position by means of a locking peg and hole disposed through said elements and channels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle carrier of claim 7 further characterized in that said metal channel elements are locked in vertical position by means of placement of a peg in a hole disposed in the vertical trailer side posts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle carrier of claim 7 further characterized in that said metal channel elements are locked in vertical position by means of fluid hydraulic pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
The vehicle carrier of claim 1 further characterized in that said upper front ramp contains one of said passenger vehicles disposed over the vehicles disposed within said front lower ramp and said front intermediate ramp, said upper middle ramp contains one of said passenger vehicles disposed over the vehicles disposed within said lower front ramp, lower back ramp and intermediate back ramp and said upper back ramp contains one of said automotive vehicles disposed over the vehicles disposed within said intermediate back ramp and said lower back ramp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
245 words
An automotive vehicle trailer adapted for transporting seven passenger vehicles which comprises a frame possessing at least one axle disposed in the rear portion thereof and a coupling means disposed at the front portion thereof, said trailer comprising: a. a bottom section comprising a front lower ramp and a back lower ramp wherein said front lower ramp is vertically adjustable to maintain one of said passenger vehicles at an angle of from about 35° to about 50° and wherein each of said ramps contains one of said passenger vehicles; b. an intermediate section comprising an intermediate front ramp and a rearward intermediate back ramp wherein said intermediate ramps are vertically adjustable to an angle of from about 5° to 15° and wherein said intermediate front ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof positioned above said passenger vehicle disposed within said front lower ramp and said rearward intermediate ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof positioned above said passenger vehicle disposed within said bottom section back lower ramp; and, c. an upper section comprising an upper front, upper middle and upper back ramp wherein said upper back ramp possesses a substantially horizontal adjustable planar track supporting surface telescoping in the direction of said cab and said upper front and upper middle ramps possess a substantially horizontal bidirectional extending planar track supporting surface to maintain one of said passenger cars on said means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
245 words
An automotive vehicle trailer adapted for transporting seven passenger vehicles which comprises a frame possessing at least one axle disposed in the rear portion thereof and a coupling means disposed at the front portion thereof, said trailer comprising: a. a bottom section comprising a front lower ramp and a back lower ramp wherein said front lower ramp is vertically adjustable to maintain one of said passenger vehicles at an angle of from about 35° to about 50° and wherein each of said ramps contains one of said passenger vehicles; b. an intermediate section comprising an intermediate front ramp and a rearward intermediate back ramp wherein said intermediate ramps are vertically adjustable to an angle of from about 5° to 15° and wherein said intermediate front ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof positioned above said passenger vehicle disposed within said front lower ramp and said rearward intermediate ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof positioned above said passenger vehicle disposed within said bottom section back lower ramp; and, c. an upper section comprising an upper front, upper middle and upper back ramp wherein said upper back ramp possesses a substantially horizontal adjustable planar track supporting surface telescoping in the direction of said cab and said upper front and upper middle ramps possess a substantially horizontal bidirectional extending planar track supporting surface to maintain one of said passenger cars on said means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The trailer of claim 12 further characterized in that said adjustable means are metal telescoping tracks sufficient to maintain the ramps at a distance of from about 114 inches to about 175 inches from end to end of the track.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The trailer of claim 12 further characterized in that said adjustable means comprises continuous metal tracks slideable in a bidirectional direction wherein the midsection of said tracks comprises a bridge of a continuous metal sheet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The trailer of claim 14 further characterized in that said metal tracks are extendable by transversing metal channels within the frame of said vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The trailer of claim 15 further characterized in that said metal tracks are vertically adjustable by means of hydraulic pressure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The trailer of claim 15 further characterized in that said metal tracks are lockable by means of placement of a peg in a hole disposed in the side of said channels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The trailer of claim 12 further characterized in that the seven passenger vehicles are of compact car passenger size.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The trailer of claim 18 further characterized in that said compact cars possess a wheel base of from about 103.0 inches to about 111.0 inches, a height of about 52.9 inches to about 54.3 inches, and an over-all length of approximately 197 inches.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The trailer of claim 12 further characterized in that said automotive vehicles comprise from one to six trucks.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
270 words
A transportation vehicle carrier adapted for transporting eight passenger vehicles which comprises in combination: a. a tractor having a main frame with a cab at the front end thereof, a coupling reception means at the rear end thereof and a horizontally extending upper vehicle supporting ramp on the tractor in connection with said frame extending over said cab, said ramp having a substantially horizontally extending track therefrom and; b. a trailer having a frame possessing at least one axle at the rear portion thereof and a coupling means at the front portion thereof to couple said trailer to said tractor, said trailer comprising: i. a bottom section comprising a front lower ramp and a back lower ramp wherein each of said ramps contain one of said passenger vehicles; ii. an intermediate section comprising an intermediate front ramp and an intermediate back ramp wherein said intermediate front ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof disposed above said passenger vehicle disposed within said front lower ramp and said rearward intermediate ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof disposed above said passenger vehicle disposed within said bottom section back lower ramp; and, iii. an upper section comprising an upper front, upper middle and upper back ramp wherein said upper back ramp possesses a substantially horizontally adjustable planar track supporting surface telescoping in the direction of said cab and said upper front and upper middle ramps possess a substantially horizontal bidirectional extending planar track supporting surface and wherein each of said three upper ramps contains one of said passenger vehicles.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
270 words
A transportation vehicle carrier adapted for transporting eight passenger vehicles which comprises in combination: a. a tractor having a main frame with a cab at the front end thereof, a coupling reception means at the rear end thereof and a horizontally extending upper vehicle supporting ramp on the tractor in connection with said frame extending over said cab, said ramp having a substantially horizontally extending track therefrom and; b. a trailer having a frame possessing at least one axle at the rear portion thereof and a coupling means at the front portion thereof to couple said trailer to said tractor, said trailer comprising: i. a bottom section comprising a front lower ramp and a back lower ramp wherein each of said ramps contain one of said passenger vehicles; ii. an intermediate section comprising an intermediate front ramp and an intermediate back ramp wherein said intermediate front ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof disposed above said passenger vehicle disposed within said front lower ramp and said rearward intermediate ramp is disposed to carry one of said passenger vehicles with a portion thereof disposed above said passenger vehicle disposed within said bottom section back lower ramp; and, iii. an upper section comprising an upper front, upper middle and upper back ramp wherein said upper back ramp possesses a substantially horizontally adjustable planar track supporting surface telescoping in the direction of said cab and said upper front and upper middle ramps possess a substantially horizontal bidirectional extending planar track supporting surface and wherein each of said three upper ramps contains one of said passenger vehicles.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-27 | 1981-09-26 | 1982-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-27 | 1985-09-26 | 1986-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-27 | 1989-09-26 | 1990-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |