Apparatus and process for the container loading of motor vehicles

Abstract

Wheel skids are utilized to load, maintain, and thereafter unload vehicles to and from a container. Preferably, paired separate skids are designed to receive and trap the front steering wheels of a vehicle. Each skid includes a wheel supporting surface, and a forward bumper surface for stopping the forward rolling wheel. A rear upward folding ramp first permits the wheel of the vehicle to roll onto the skid and then folds upward for trapping the wheel. Trapping of the wheel occurs between the forward bumper and rear upward folded ramp. Side skid members contact the side of the container during sliding movement of the skid on the bottom of the container. In operation, the skids are placed just inside the front of a container, usually just beyond the end of an auto loading ramp that allows the vehicle to easily enter the container at the front steering wheels. The vehicle is started, battery may be disconnected, hood closed, and driven onto the skids until collision with the forward bumpers occurs. The driver then stops, sets the parking and wheel brake to prevent vehicle rolling, turns off the motor, exits, and locks the vehicle. Thereafter, the rear of the vehicle is lifted and advanced into the container. The skids slide interior of the container spacing the front wheels from the sides of the container until full loading of the vehicle within the container occurs.