B63B, E05B

The present invention relates to a vehicle securing device for securing a vehicle in a cargo container during transportation of the vehicle.

BACKGOUND

Vehicles once manufactured are typically transported via cargo container or aboard vehicle transport ships known as Ro-Ro (roll -on, roll-off) vessels, whereby live vehicles arc driven on to and parked side b side. Ro-Ro vessels due their enormous size are onl finically viable when used along major shippin routes. Further, Ro-Ro vessels leave the vehicles exposed to tampering and theft, which is unlike the case of stacked cargo containers whom are not accessible to vessel cr during transport. Accordingly, cargo containers transportation remains the only viable means of transporting vehicles across the oceans, which is the focus of the invention.

The automotive industry currently loads vehicles into cargo containers. This is done in the absence of equipment specifically designed tor loading the vehicle into the containers. Prior art includes strapping or making make-shift stands which have inadequate support to maintain the vehicle securely in a transport position. Examples include welding an A-frame support about the vehicle _* which welding often results in damage to the vehicle. Such welded supports are non-reusable and provide inadequate vehicle support.. Further, configuring such welded supports is time consuming which extended loading times attribute significantly to transport costs. Consequently use of prior art results in wasted load space and significant damage is caused to the vehicles within the containers. The invention seeks to provide vehicle securing- device for securing a vehicle in a cargo container during transportation of the vehicle that at least partially ameliorates the abovementkmed disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a vehicle securing device for securing a vehicle in a transport position, the securing device comprises a vertical vehicle support having a securing assembly at its free-end t secure the vehicle to the vertical support, wherein the securing assembly is reieasably securablc about a wheel hub of the vehicle. Preferably the vehicle securing device comprises a pair of vertical supports, which are spaced from one another and located about either the front wheels, alternately rear wheels of the vehicle, i use.

Preferably the vehicle securing device comprises a horizontal support, which rests upon the pair of vehicle securing devices. In use, the: vehicle rests upon the horizontal support, which in turn is supported by the vertical vehicle supports. The vertical support maintaining the vehicle in a secured, elevated condition

_. .Preferabl ^' the vehicle support securing assembly comprises a wheel clamping .arrangement for securing about the wheel, in use.

Conveniently; securing assembly comprises a plate, which is securable about a wheel hob assembly of the vehicle. In use, a bolt extends from the plate and is secured through at least one complimentary aperture of the wheel hub assembly, the apertures being the point of wheel attachment.

Conveniently, the securing assembly plate is interchangeable, thereby enabling varying dimensioned plates to he used for securing a plurality wheel hub configurations and dimensions. referably the vertical vehicle support comprises a retractable horizontal stabilizer arm, which extends distally away from the vehicle, in use, the stabilizer arm extends to the walls of a cargo container in which the vehicle is transported, thereby reducing vehicle movement during transportation.

Preferably the horizontal support comprises a lift securing means about which a vehicle lifting means is secured when lifting and placing the vehicle int a secured storage position, alternately removing the vehicle from its storage position.

Preferably the vertical vehicle support comprises a telescopic extension means t vary the height at which the securing assembly engage the vehicle.

Conveniently, the vertical vehicle support comprises at least one support aperture through which an external securing means ma be passed, to secure said vertical vehicle support to a remote point in the cargo container.

Further features, variants and/or advantages of the invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of an example of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION. OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a perspective top view of a vehicle securing device of the

invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective top vie of a horizontal support arm of the vehicle securing device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a side view of a second vehicle securing device embodiment of the invention;

Fi ure 4 shows a rear view of a vehicle securing device of the invention of

Figure 3: and

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of loading vehicles into a cargo container using the second embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a vehicle securing device 10 of the invention. The vehicle securing device comprises a pair of vertical supports 12 and a wheel securing assembly 14 which is realeasbly seeurablc around a wheel of a vehicle, in use. The vertical support comprises a substantially triangular base, where each side 16 of the base has an L-shaped sectional profile for providing structural support and rigidity to the vertical support. The apex of the triangular base has a flattened horizontal section 18 upon which a horizontal support 20 rests, in use.

The horizontal support comprises a rectangular section upon which the vehicle is supported during lifting and moving the vehicle. Beneath the rectangular section is a pair of channels 22 through which arms of a fork lift are securably received which maintains the horizontal support and vehicle in position during liftin and moving.

The wheel securin assembly 14 clamp the wheels into position by means of a strap 24 that secures around the wheel. The stra is released and tightened b means of a ratchet assembly (not h wn). This embodiment allows a vehicle to be secured i position without the need to remove its wheels, as is the case with the second embodiment of the invention.

Figures 3 to 5 show a second embodiment of the invention and its use when storing the vehicles in a cargo container 30 and retrieving vehicles from the container, in this embodiment there the vehicle securing device 10 similarly comprises a pair of vertical support 12.1 and a wheel securin assembly 14.1 which are realeasbly securable to a heel hub assembly of vehicle, in use. The vertical support comprises substantially triangular base, where each side 16.1 of the base has an L-shaped sectional profile for providing structural support and rigidity to the vertical support. The base has pair of support aperture 31 through which an external securing means such as a rope may be passed, which is in turn secured a suitable attachment point within the container.

Extending from the apex of the base is a vertical tubular sleeve 32 into which a second vertical support 34 is teiescopically receivable thereby making the height of the vehicle securing device adjustable- The tubular sleeve and second vertical support comprises a pluralit of apertures 36 located about their respective lengths. The apertures of the tubular sleeve and second vertical support, when aligned, allow a bolt to be secured therethrough t maintain the second vertical support in a desired position.

The second vertical support has a substantially L-shaped configuration, with its horizontal free-end comprising the wheel securing assembly 14.1. The securing assembly comprises a circular plate 38 comprising a plurality of apertures 40, The apertures 40 correspond with those of the wheel hub of the vehicle and once the respective apertures are aligned - a set of securing bolts (not shown) are received therethrough to rele s bly secure the plate to the wheel hub, in use. For reinforcement purposes, the second vertical support comprises diagonal gusset support 42 which extends between its horizontal and vertical sections.

The second vertical support further comprises a retractable horizontal stabilizer arm 44, which i extendable distally away from the vehicle. The stabilizer arm is maintained. in position b an adjustable stopper. In use, the stabilizer arm extends to and abuts the alls of a cargo container i which the vehicle is transported, thereby reducing horizontal vehicle movement within the container during transportation.

The invention is not limited to the precise details described above and shown in the drawings. Modification may be made and other embodiments developed without departin from the spirit of the invention.

The summary of invention and claims form an integral aspect of the description of the invention.