Module cradle for vehicle bed

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting and retaining a concrete building module on a vehicle bed includes a module supporting structure for placing onto a vehicle bed upper surface extending to at least the extent of the module over the vehicle bed for supporting the module; and at least two stop structures extending upwardly from the module supporting structure adjacent to upright module surfaces for retaining and obstructing movement of the module off the supporting structure. The apparatus may additionally include a module strap assembly for securing the module onto the supporting structure and thus onto the vehicle bed. The supporting structure preferably is an elongate member for placement onto a vehicle bed.

I claim as my invention:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for supporting and retaining a concrete building module on a vehicle bed, comprising: 
 a module supporting structure for placing onto a vehicle bed upper surface extending to at least the extent of the module over the vehicle bed for supporting the module;    and stop structures extending upwardly from the module supporting structure substantially adjacent to upright module surfaces for retaining and obstructing movement of the module off the supporting structure.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , additionally comprising a module strap assembly for securing the module onto said supporting structure and thus onto the vehicle bed.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said supporting structure comprises an elongate member for placement onto a vehicle bed.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said supporting structure comprises an I-beam having an I-web portion interconnecting two spaced apart I-end portions for orientation on a vehicle bed having a vehicle bed upper surface such that said I-web portion is substantially parallel to the vehicle bed upper surface, and such that said I-end portions extend substantially upright from the vehicle bed.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said supporting structure additionally comprises a cushion layer secured along the length of said I-beam and against said I-end portions for providing a cushion between said I-beam and a building module resting on said supporting structure.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said stop structures each comprise an end portion plate secured to one of said I-beam longitudinal ends such that each said stop structure extends upwardly above said I-beam and upwardly above said cushion layer.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said I-beam has a length substantially matching the lateral extent of a module to be transported.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , additionally comprising cushion layer mounting means for mounting said cushion layer onto said I-beam, said cushion layer mounting means comprising at least one cushion layer mounting strut secured between said I-end portions generally parallel to said I-web portion, registering holes in said cushion layer and said at least one cushion layer mounting strut, a cushion layer bolt extending through the registering holes and thereby fastening said cushion layer to said I-beam.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said I-beam, said end portion plates and said mounting strut are formed of steel and said end portion plates and said mounting strut are secured to said I-beam with welds.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said cushion layer comprises a wooden plank.  
     
     
         11 . A module transport apparatus for transporting a concrete building module, comprising: 
 a vehicle having a vehicle bed;    a module supporting structure for placing onto a vehicle bed upper surface to at least the extent of the module over the vehicle bed for supporting the module;    and stop structures extending upwardly from the module supporting structure substantially adjacent to upright module surfaces for retaining and obstructing movement of the module off the supporting structure.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , additionally comprising a module strap assembly for securing the module onto said supporting structure and thus onto the vehicle bed.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said supporting structure comprises an elongate member for placement onto a vehicle bed.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said supporting structure comprises an I-beam having an I-web portion interconnecting two spaced apart I-end portions for orientation on a vehicle bed having a vehicle bed upper surface such that said I-web portion is substantially parallel to the vehicle bed upper surface, and such that said I-end portions extend substantially upright from the vehicle bed.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said supporting structure additionally comprises a cushion layer secured along the length of said I-beam and against said I-end portions for providing a cushion between said I-beam and a building module resting on said supporting structure.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said stop structures each comprise an end portion plate secured to one of said I-beam longitudinal ends such that each said stop structure extends upwardly above said I-beam and upwardly above said cushion layer.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said I-beam has a length substantially matching the lateral extent of a module to be transported.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , additionally comprising cushion layer mounting means for mounting said cushion layer onto said I-beam, said cushion layer mounting means comprising at least one cushion layer mounting strut secured between said I-end portions generally parallel to said I-web portion, registering holes in said cushion layer and said at least one cushion layer mounting strut, a cushion layer bolt extending through the registering holes and thereby fastening said cushion layer to said I-beam.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said I-beam, said end portion plates and said mounting strut are formed of steel and said end portion plates and said mounting strut are secured to said I-beam with welds.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said cushion layer comprises a wooden plank.  
     
     
         20 . A module transport apparatus, comprising: 
 a concrete building module;    a vehicle having a vehicle bed;    a module supporting structure for placing onto a vehicle bed upper surface to at least the extent of the module over the vehicle bed for supporting the module;    and at least one stop structure extending upwardly from the module supporting structure substantially adjacent to an upright module surface for retaining and obstructing movement of the module off the supporting structure.    
     
     
         21 . A module transport apparatus, comprising: 
 a concrete building module;    a vehicle having a vehicle bed;    a module supporting structure for placing onto a vehicle bed upper surface to at least the extent of the module over the vehicle bed for supporting the module;    and at least two stop structures extending upwardly from the module supporting structure substantially adjacent to upright module surfaces for retaining and obstructing movement of the module off the supporting structure.