Methods and systems for transporting loads

Abstract

A novel transport pallet ( 1 ) has an inclined load bed that extends from a low end to a high end. A vehicle ( 15 ) is driven onto the pallet 1 from the low end, which is close to the ground. As the pallet ( 1 ) is longer than the vehicle ( 15 ) carried on it, the gradient of the load bed is small as compared to conventional loading ramps. Thus, there is very little risk of the vehicle ( 15 ) grounding as it is driven onto the load bed. The vehicle ( 15 ) is secured to the load bed by tie-down points around the load bed. A forklift truck lifts the pallet ( 1 ) by engaging its forks within recesses at the high end. The truck then places the pallet ( 1 ), low end leading, into a shipping container ( 14 ), lowers the pallet ( 1 ) so that it rests on the floor of the container ( 14 ), and disengages from the pallet ( 1 ). Thus, the vehicle ( 15 ) is housed safely within the container ( 14 ), with little risk of damage during shipping.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A transport pallet comprising a base that rests on a substantially horizontal surface in use, the pallet further comprising an elongate load bed supported on the base, wherein the load bed is inclined to the horizontal surface to provide a high end and a low end that is close to the horizontal surface in use, relative to the high end, the pallet further comprising tie-down means for use in tying down a load supported on the load bed, and the inclined load bed having a substantially constant gradient from said low end to said high end. 
     
     
         26 . A transport pallet according to  claim 25 , provided with recesses to receive the forks of a forklift device at or adjacent said high end of the load bed, with the forks extending longitudinally of the load bed. 
     
     
         27 . A transport pallet according to  claim 25 , provided with recesses to receive the forks of a forklift device along or adjacent at least one side of the load bed, with the forks extending transversely of the load bed. 
     
     
         28 . A transport pallet according to  claim 25 , provided with towing points at or adjacent at least one end of the pallet, to facilitate towing of the pallet. 
     
     
         29 . A transport pallet according to  claim 25 , wherein said base comprises a pair of spars extending longitudinally of the load bed, at or adjacent respective sides of the load bed. 
     
     
         30 . A transport pallet according to  claim 29 , wherein said base further comprises a central spar extending longitudinally of the load bed, substantially centrally of the load bed. 
     
     
         31 . A transport pallet according to  claim 25 , wherein said base and load bed are of wood. 
     
     
         32 . A transport pallet according to  claim 31 , wherein the load bed is reinforced by lengths of metal of angle section, secured at edges of the load bed. 
     
     
         33 . A transport pallet according to  claim 25 , wherein said tie-down means comprises holes formed in the load bed, with bars extending across the holes to provide anchoring points for tie-down straps. 
     
     
         34 . A transport pallet according to  claim 25 , wherein the load bed has a length in the range 500 to 600 cm and a width in the range 180 to 250 cm. 
     
     
         35 . A transport pallet according to  claim 25 , wherein in use said high end of the load bed has a height above said horizontal surface in the range 15 to 40 cm and said low end of the load bed has a height above said horizontal surface of up to 10 cm and preferably in the range 2 to 7 cm. 
     
     
         36 . In combination, a transport pallet according to  claim 25  and a shipping container into which the transport pallets fits. 
     
     
         37 . A combination according to  claim 36 , further comprising a load tied down to said load bed by said tie-down means, the pallet being located in the shipping container with the low end of the load bed leading. 
     
     
         38 . A combination according to  claim 37 , wherein said load is a vehicle. 
     
     
         39 . A method of transporting a load on a transport pallet having a base that rests on a substantially horizontal surface, the pallet further comprising an elongate load bed that is supported by the base and inclined to the horizontal to provide a high end and a low end that is close to the ground, relative to the high end, the inclined load bed having a substantially constant gradient from said low end to said high end, the method comprising the steps of tying down a load on the load bed and placing the load in a shipping container 
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 39 , wherein the load is placed in the shipping container with the low end of the load bed leading. 
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 39 , wherein said step of placing the load in a shipping container is carried out by a forklift device that engages the pallet at or adjacent said high end of the load bed. 
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 39 , wherein said load is a vehicle and said step of placing the load on the load bed comprises driving the vehicle onto the load bed from said low end. 
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein said vehicle is heavier towards one end than the other and said one end is disposed towards said high end of the load bed.