Patent ID: 8317441
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: B60P,B60R

Abstract:
1. In a transverse-trough transport vehicle for transporting coils, rolled objects and cylindrical objects, which transport vehicle comprises a plurality of transverse troughs which support loads in a transverse direction such that an axis of each load is perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline axis of the transport vehicle, each said transverse trough having a pair of sloping side walls for supporting the load, the improvement comprising: at least one troughs liner mounted to at least one of said pair of sloping side walls of at least one said transverse trough for cushioning the load and for preventing lateral creep of the load; said at least one trough liner comprising a mounting base having a top surface and a bottom surface for secure mounting to a respective one of said sloping walls, a rib-structure extending from said mounting base and having a plurality of spaced-apart, flexible, rib elements for use in cushioning a load thereon and for preventing lateral creep of the load; each said rib element being flexible in a downward direction toward said mounting base when supporting a load thereon for cushioning the load; each said rib element also being at least partially deflectable in an opposite direction upon a load supported by other said rib elements impinging thereagainst during lateral creep of the load during transport by a transport vehicle, said rib element providing stiffened resistance to the lateral creep of the load when said rib element is caused to flex in said opposite direction; said plurality of rib elements being sloping rib elements extending in a same direction of slope and sloping in a direction such that, when the liner is mounted in a transverse trough of a coil transport vehicle, each said sloping rib element slopes toward a centerline of the transport vehicle; said plurality of rib elements being spaced apart from each other such that, when at least some of said rib elements are flexed downwardly from a load being placed thereon, each said respective rib element of said at least some of said rib elements deflecting and abutting against an immediately adjacent said rib element which immediately adjacent rib element is taken in a direction toward the centerline of a transport vehicle when said liner is mounted in a transverse trough thereof; each said rib element comprising a first sloping section of a first slope, and a second sloping section of a second slope steeper than said slope of said first sloping section, and a curved transitional region connecting said first and second sloping sections, whereby said second sloping section provides greater surface-contact area to a load positioned thereon and that reduces contact pressure therebetween.