Patent Abstract:
A mechanical apparatus for loading and securing a load in transit. The mechanical apparatus includes (a) a platform formed by a first horizontal member, a first vertical member, a second horizontal member and a second vertical member, and (b) at least one arch shaped structure positioned above the horizontal and vertical members of the platform for receiving the load. Multiple apparatuses may be stacked upon each other for ease of storage and transportation in an unloaded condition.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FOR ROLL STOCK 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an apparatus for enabling the secure transport of a load in transit. 
     2. Brief Description of the Background Art 
     A secure engagement of a load in transit is essential for the safe handling of goods over the roadways, and in the air and/or water. For example, because many goods are transported over roadways that have steep inclines, surfaces that are rough or uneven and are sloped from side to side, the forces of gravity will cause goods to shift during transit. Further, for example, traffic patterns over the roadways due to congestion of the roadway or inclement weather may attribute to additional physical forces that are placed upon the goods resulting from sudden acceleration or deceleration of the transportation source, such as for example but not limited to, a motor vehicle and/or trailer, containing the goods that are being transported. Any one or combination of the above-mentioned factors may cause the goods to shift in the transportation source containing the goods. Such shifting of goods being transported poses an unstable situation, such as for example, for the driver of the motor vehicle and/or trailer that may lead to the driver&#39;s loss of control of the motor vehicle and/or trailer on the roadway. Further, such shifting of the goods housed within the transportation source, such as for example, the motor vehicle and/or trailer, may cause a rupture of the walls of the transportation source resulting in spillage of the goods onto land, and/or into the air and/or water. It will be appreciated, for example, that damage to the driver, the transportation source, the goods and any third party and/or chattel of a third party in the pathway of the transportation source is likely to occur if the goods shift and the driver of the motor vehicle and/or trailer looses control of the motor vehicle and/or trailer. Thus, it is desirable to secure loads being transported from one destination to another to avoid the possible destruction of the goods, potential injuries to human beings or the loss of life, and possible damage to other items of value. The secure engagement of goods in transit shall enable the successful delivery of the goods to the intended end user and provide an increased level of safety on the roadways and waterways and/or in the air. The instant invention is particularly useful for loading and securing loads of goods onto a transportation source wherein the goods or the packaging for the goods are in the form of a round, elliptical or parabolic shape, such as for example but not limited to, rolls of paper stock, piping, telegraph poles, and tubular containers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,170 (Walton) discloses an apparatus for loading a water craft onto the bed of a pickup truck that includes a cradle assembly for supporting the water craft within the bed of the pickup truck. 
     In spite of this background art, there remains a very real and substantial need for an apparatus for enabling the ease of loading and securing a load of goods to a transportation source for improving the safe transportation of the goods over land, and/or in the air and/or water. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has met the above-described need. The apparatus of the present invention provides an efficient and economical approach for substantially reducing and/or eliminating the undesired problems associated with accidental and/or unintentional shifting of goods while in transit. Further, this invention provides for an easy to use and safe apparatus for the loading of goods, such as for example but not limited to, large bulky goods, onto a transportation source, such as for example but not limited to, a motor vehicle and/or trailer, boxcar, a water craft and/or aircraft. 
     The apparatus of this invention provides for the secure engagement of a load in transit. The apparatus includes a platform having (a) a first horizontal member having a proximal end, a distal end and a middle section that is disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the horizontal member, (b) a first vertical member having a proximal end, a distal end and a middle section that is disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the first vertical member, and wherein the proximal end of the first vertical member is in communication with the distal end of the first horizontal member, (c) a second horizontal member having a proximal end, a distal end and a middle section that is disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the second horizontal member, wherein the proximal end of the second horizontal member is in communication with the distal end of the first vertical member, and (d) a second vertical member having a proximal end, a distal end and a middle section that is disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the second vertical member, wherein the proximal end of the second vertical member is in communication with the distal end of the second horizontal member, and wherein the distal end of the second vertical member is in communication with the proximal end of the first horizontal member. Preferably, the first horizontal member is parallel in relation to the second horizontal member and wherein the first vertical member is parallel in relation to the second vertical member. The apparatus further includes at least one arch shaped structure, wherein the arch shaped structure has a proximal end, a distal end and a middle section disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the arch shaped structure. The arch shaped structure has an outer surface and an inner surface. At least a portion of the arch shaped structure is positioned above at least a portion of one of the horizontal members of the platform. Further, the apparatus includes wherein at least a portion of the middle section of the arch shaped structure is in communication with a portion of at least one of the proximal end, distal end, middle section and combinations thereof of the horizontal member. At least a portion of the middle section of the arch shaped structure is positioned, with regard to the longitudinal axis of at least one of the horizontal members, in the same longitudinal plane of at least one of the horizontal members of the platform. The proximal end and the distal end of the arch shaped structure are positioned, relative to each other, in similar upward directions and in opposing outward directions in such a manner that the proximal end and the distal end of the arch shaped structure lie on opposite sides of the longitudinal plane with regard to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal member. 
     In another embodiment of the instant invention, the apparatus, as described herein, includes wherein the vertical members and the horizontal members each comprise a rail wherein the rail has a front face, a back face, a top and a bottom, and a center section disposed between the front face, the back face, the top and the bottom of the rail. The apparatus of this invention includes wherein at least one of the rails of one of the vertical members has at least one slot that begins at the front face of the rail of the vertical member and extends through at least a portion of the center of the rail of the vertical member. Preferably, the slot further extends through all of the center of the rail and terminates at the back face of the rail. The slot of the present invention is provided for accommodating the engagement of at least one tine of a fork lift. Engagement of the tine of the fork lift into the slot of the vertical member of the platform of this invention allows for the efficient movement and placement of the apparatus bearing a load of goods on to, such as for example but not limited to, a bed of a motor vehicle and/or trailer, boxcar, and/or into a hull of a water craft and/or aircraft. 
     In another embodiment of this invention, the apparatus further includes at least one foot means for supporting the platform, wherein the foot means is mounted to at least one of the rails. Further, the foot means provides for stacking one apparatus of this invention upon another substantially identical apparatus of this invention. Preferably, another embodiment of the apparatus of this invention includes at least one foot adjusting means for adjusting the movement and the position of the platform is provided wherein the foot adjusting means is in juxtaposition to and in communication with at least one of the rails. 
     Another embodiment of this invention provides a transportation source having a flat bed wherein the platform of the the apparatus of the instant invention for securing a load in transit rests upon the flat bed of the transportation source. The transportation source may be any transportation source known by those skilled in the art, such as for example, a truck-trailer. 
     The apparatus of the instant invention will be more fully understood from the following descriptions of the invention, and the drawings and the claims appended hereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG.1 is a partial perspective view illustrating the horizontal and vertical members of the platform, the arch shaped structures, foot means, and the slots of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a view top view of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a rear view of the apparatus of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides for a mechanical apparatus for the loading of goods onto a transportation source and for securing the load of goods in transit. 
     FIGS. 1-4 illustrate various views of a preferred form of the mechanical apparatus  1  of the present invention for loading and securing goods prior to commencing transportation of the same. In FIGS. 1-4, a mechanical apparatus having a platform  1  is provided. The platform  2  has (a) a first horizontal member  3  (as shown in FIG. 2) having a proximal end  5 , a distal end  7  and a middle section  9  that is disposed between the proximal end  5  and the distal end  7  of the first horizontal member  3 , (b) a first vertical member  11  (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) having a proximal end  13 , a distal end  15  and a middle section  17  that is disposed between the proximal end  13  and the distal end  15  of the first vertical member  11 , and wherein the proximal end  13  of the first vertical member  11  is in communication with the distal end  7  of the first horizontal member  3 , (c) a second horizontal member  19  (FIGS. 1 and 2) having a proximal end  21 , a distal end  23  and a middle section  25  that is disposed between the proximal end  21  and the distal end  23  of the second horizontal member  19 , wherein the proximal end  21  of the second horizontal member  19  is in communication with the distal end  7  of the first vertical member  11 , and (d) a second vertical member  25  (FIGS. 1 and 2) having a proximal end  27 , a distal end  29  and a middle section  30  that is disposed between the proximal end  27  and the distal end  29  of the second vertical member  25 , wherein the proximal end  27  of the second vertical member  25  (FIGS. 1 and 2) is in communication with the distal end  23  of the second horizontal member  19 , and wherein the distal end  29  of the second vertical member  25  is in communication with the proximal end  5  of the first horizontal member  3 . In FIG. 2, the first horizontal member  3  is parallel in relation to the second horizontal member  19 , and wherein said first vertical member  11  is parallel in relation to said second vertical member  25 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the mechanical apparatus of the present invention further includes a third vertical member  10  and a fourth vertical member  26  as shown in FIG. 2 that are each disposed perpendicular to and in communication with the first horizontal member  3  and the second horizontal member  19 . The third and fourth vertical members,  10  and  26 , respectively, are in a parallel position in relation to the first vertical member  11  and the second vertical member  25 . The third vertical member  10  and the fourth vertical member  26  are optional features of the mechanical apparatus of the present invention and provide added structural support to the platform  2   
     FIGS. 1-4 show at least one arch shaped structure  31 X (wherein X equals A, B, C and D, respectively, and combinations thereof). The arch shaped structure  31 X has a proximal end  33 X, a distal end  35 X and a middle section  37 X disposed between the proximal end  33 X and the distal end  35 X, wherein X equals A, B, C and D, respectively, of the arch shaped structure  31 X. The arch shaped structure  31 X has an outer surface  32 X and an inner surface  34 X, wherein X is equal to A, B, C and D, respectively, as set forth in FIG.  1 . FIGS. 1-4 show at least a portion of the arch shaped structure  31 X is positioned above at least a portion of one of the horizontal members  3 ,  19 , respectively. In FIG. 2, at least a portion of the middle section  37 A of the arch shaped structure  31 A is in communication with a portion of the proximal end  5  of the first horizontal member  3 . In FIG. 2, at least a portion of the middle section  37 B of the arch shaped structure  31  B is in communication with a portion of the distal end  7  of the first horizontal member  3 . In FIG. 2, at least a portion of the middle Section  37 C of the arch shaped structure  31 C is in communication with a portion of the proximal end  21  of the second horizontal member  19 . In FIG. 2, at least a portion of the middle section  37 D of the arch shaped structure  31 D is in communication with a portion of the distal end  23  of the second horizontal member  19 . 
     FIG. 2 shows that at least a portion of the middle section  37 A and  37 B of arch shaped structure  31 A and  31 B, respectively, is positioned, with regard to the longitudinal axis (not shown) of the first horizontal member  3 , in the same longitudinal plane of the first horizontal member  3 . FIG. 2 shows that at least a portion of the middle section  37 C and  37 D of the arch shaped structure  31 C and  31 D, respectively, is positioned, with regard to the longitudinal axis (not shown) of the second horizontal member  19 , in the same longitudinal plane of the second horizontal member  19  of the platform  2 . In FIGS. 1,  2  and  4 , the proximal end  33 X and the distal end  35 X of the arch shaped structure  31 X are positioned, relative to each other, in similar upward directions and in opposing outward directions in such a manner that the proximal end  33 X and the distal end  35 X of the arch shaped structure  31 X lie on opposite sides of the longitudinal plane with regard to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal members  3 ,  19 , respectively. 
     FIG. 2 shows that the vertical members  11 ,  25 ,  10  and  26  each comprise a rail  39 V′,  39 V″,  39 V′″, and  39 V″″, respectively, and that the horizontal members  3 ,  19  each comprise a rail  39 H′ and  39 H″, respectively. Each rail  39 V′,  39 V″,  39 V′″,  39 V″″, 39 H′ and  39 H″ hasa front face  41 V′,  41 V″,  41 V′″,  41 V″″,  41 H′ and  41 H″ ( 41 H″ and  41 V″ shown in FIG.  1 ), respectively, a back face  43 V′,  43 V″,  43 V′″,  43 V″″,  43 H′ and  43 H″ (not shown), respectively, a top  45 V′,  45 V″,  45 V′″,  45 V″″,  45 H′ and  45 H″ (FIG.  2 ), respectively, and a bottom  47 V′,  47 V″,  47 V′″,  47 V″″,  47 H′ and  47 H″ (not shown), respectively, and a center section  49 V′,  49 V″,  49 V′″,  49 V″″,  49 H′ and  49 H″ (not shown), respectively, disposed between the front face  41 V′,  41 V″,  41 V′″,  41 V″″,  41 H′ and  41 H″, respectively, the back face  43 V′,  43 V″,  43 V′″,  43 V″″,  43 H′ and  43 H″, respectively, the top  45 V′,  45 V″,  45 V′″,  45 V″″,  45 H′ and  45 H″, respectively, and the bottom  47 V′,  47 V″,  47 V′″,  47 V″″,  47 H′ and  47 H″, respectively, of the rail  39 V′,  39 V″,  39 V′″,  39 V″″,  39 H′ and  39 H″, respectively. 
     In FIG. 1, at least one of said rails  39 V″ of the second vertical member  25  has at least one slot  51 A,  51 B that begins at the front face  41 V″ of rail  39 V″, of the vertical member  25  and extends through at least a portion of the center  49 V″ of the rail  39 V″ of the second vertical member  25 . Preferably, the apparatus of the present invention includes wherein slot  51 A and slot  51 B are both provided and wherein slots  51 A and  51 B further extend through all of the center  49 V″ of rail  39 V″ and terminate at the back face  43 V″ of rail  39 V″. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, each slot  51 A and  51 B has a first end, a second end and a mouth having an opening disposed between the first and the second ends of each slot. The mouth opening preferably has a width from about ten to twelve inches, and a height from about two to four inches. It will be appreciated that the height and width of the mouth opening of the slot may vary to accommodate at least one tine of a fork lift or any similar machine capable of engaging the platform  2  of the instant invention and moving and/or placing the platform  2  to/in a desired location/position. Preferably, the instant invention provides both slot  51 A and slot  51 B, wherein slot  51 A is positioned on the front face  41 V″ of the rail  39 V″ of the second vertical member  25  at the distal end  29  of the second vertical member  25 , and wherein slot  51 B is positioned on the front face  41 V″ of rail  39 V″ of the second vertical member  25  at the proximal end  27  of the second vertical member  25  as provided in FIG.  1 . Most preferably, the distance taken along the lateral axis (not shown in FIG. 1) of the second vertical member  25  between the adjacent ends of each of the slots  51 A and  51 B relative to each other is from about one to twenty inches, so as to accommodate the tines of a conventional fork lift. It will be understood that if optional fourth vertical member  26  is employed in the instant invention one or more additional slots similar to slots  51 A and  51 B shall be provided on rail  39 V″″ that shall be in alignment with slots  51 A and B, respectively, to accommodate the length of the tines of a conventional fork lift. It will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that a fork lift is a self-propelled machine for hoisting and transporting heavy objects by means of fingers (tines) inserted under the load or in case of the bail clamp fork lift the fingers (clamps) are inserted around the load. The fork lift machine is not part of the instant invention. 
     The vertical and horizontal members of the platform  2  of the mechanical apparatus  1  for enabling the secure loading and transport of a load of the present are preferably rails as described herein, however, it will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that the rails may be various shapes, for example round or oval bars or “I” beams. 
     The arch shaped structure  31 X of the mechanical apparatus of the present invention preferably has a radius of curvature  36  from about thirty to forty inches, and most preferably, thirty six inches. It will be appreciated that the radius of curvature  36  of the arch shaped structure  31 X may be adjusted to accommodate various shapes and sizes, and that the width and length of the inner surface  34  of the arch shaped structure  31 X may be varied to accommodate the characteristics of a particular good or load. Further, it will be understood that by those skilled in the art that the length, width, and height of the platform  2  and the arch shaped structure  31 X of the present invention as described herein may be varied to accommodate various sizes, lengths and/or thickness and/or diameter of specific goods or loads to be loaded and/or transported. In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the radius of curvature  36  of each arch shaped structure  31 A, B, C and D, respectively, is substantially identical. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention as described herein, the apparatus further comprises the platform  2  and the first horizontal member  3  having (a) a portion of the middle section  37 A of one arch shaped structure  31 A in communication with the proximal end  5  of the first horizontal member  3  and (b) a portion of the middle section  37 B of a second arch shaped structure  31 B in communication with the distal end  7  of the first horizontal member  3 , wherein the adjacent ends of the arch shaped structure  31 A and the second arch shaped structure  31 B are a distance of from about 42.0 to 50.0 inches from each other to provide a space to accommodate a conventional bail-clamp fork lift employed to load and unload round roll stock into and out of the apparatus. 
     Further, it will be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention is made of materials, such as for example but not limited to a metal, steel, aluminum, or a polymer(s) such as for example but not limited to poly(vinyl chloride), and is capable of being formed, such as example by employing conventional welding or a molding processes well known by those skilled in the art, to establish a rigid platform  2  and arch shaped structure  31 X. 
     In yet another embodiment of the instant invention, the apparatus as described herein, includes at least one support means  53 X (wherein X is equal to A, B, C and D, respectively, and combinations thereof, see FIGS. 1-4) for supporting the weight of the load received in the arch shaped structure  31 X, respectively, and more particularly the weight of the load resting on the proximal ends  33 X of the arch shaped structure  31 X, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, one end  55 C of the support means  53 C is in juxtaposition to and in communication with at least a portion of the outer surface  32 C of the arch shaped structure  31 C and wherein another end  57 C of the support means  53 C is fixedly engaged to the front face  41 H″ of rail  39 H″ of the horizontal member  19 . FIG. 1 also shows support means  53 D in juxtaposition and in communication with at least a portion of the outer surface  32 D of the arch shaped structure  31 D and fixedly engaged to the front face of  41 H″. FIG. 2 shows support means  53 A,  53 B,  53 C and  53 D. FIG. 3 shows support means  53 C and  53 D. FIG. 4 shows support means  53 B and  53 C. 
     FIGS. 1 and 4 show an optional preferred embodiment of the instant invention wherein bridge means  61 X (wherein X is equal to A, B, C and D, respectively and combinations thereof) is further provided for supporting the weight of the load received in the arch shaped structure  31 X, and more particularly the weight of the load resting on the distal ends  35 X of arch shaped structures  31 X, respectively. The bridge means  61 X has a distal end  63 X, a proximal end  65 X, a top  67 X, a bottom  69 X and a middle section  68 X (wherein X is equal to A, B, C and D) wherein the middle section  68 X is disposed between the distal end  63 X, the proximal end  65 X, the top  67 X and the bottom  69 X of bridge means  61 X. In FIG. 1, the distal end  63 A of the bridge means  61 A is in juxtaposition to and in communication with at least a portion of the distal end  35 D of the outer surface  32 D of the arch shaped structure  31 D and wherein the proximal end  65 A of the bridge means  61 A is in juxtaposition to and in communication with at least a portion of the distal end  35 A of the outer surface  32 A of arch shaped structure  31 A. FIG. 1, shows a most preferred embodiment of the present invention that includes wherein the bottom  69 A of the bridge means  61 A is in juxtaposition to and in communication with the top  45 V″ of rail  39 V″ of the second vertical member  25 . FIG. 4 shows bridge means  61 D. Bridge means  61 B and  61 C (not shown in FIGS. 1-4) are optionally disposed in juxtaposition to and in communication with at least a portion of the outer surface  32 X of the arch shaped structure  31 X and wherein the bottom  69 B and C of the bridge means  61 B and  61 C, respectively, is in juxtaposition to and in communication with the top  45 V″″ and  45 V′″, respectively, of rail  39 V″″ and  39 V′″, respectively. FIG. 4 shows bridge means  61 D in juxtaposition to and in communication with at least a portion of the outer surface of arch shaped structures  31 B and  31 C and the top  45 V′ of rail  39 V′ of the first vertical member  11 . 
     In another embodiment of the instant invention, the apparatus as described herein further includes at least one foot means  71 X (wherein X is equal to A, B, C and D, respectively, and combinations thereof, as shown in FIGS. 1-4) for supporting the platform  2 , wherein the foot means  71 X is mounted to at least one of the rails  39 H′ and  39 H″. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, at least one of the foot means  71 A is mounted on the bottom  47 H′ of the rail  39 H′ of the first horizontal member  3  at the proximal end  5  of the first horizontal member  3 , (b) at least one of the foot means  71 D is mounted on the bottom  47 H″ of the rail  39 H″″ of the second horizontal member  19  at the distal end  23  of the second horizontal member  19 , (c) at least one of the foot means  71 B is mounted on the bottom  47 H′ of the rail  39 H′ at the distal end  7  of the first horizontal member  3 , and (d) at least one of the foot means  71 C is mounted on the bottom  47 H″ of the rail  39 H″ at the proximal end  21  of the second horizontal member  19 . In a most preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the instant invention as described herein, the foot means  71 A and  71 D are mounted substantially in a parallel and aligned arrangement in relationship to each other as set forth in FIG.  2  and the foot means  71 B and  71 C are mounted substantially in a parallel and aligned arrangement in relationship to each other as set forth in FIG. 2 to provide a platform  2  that is stable and not prone to tipping when it is being loaded. 
     In yet another embodiment of the apparatus of the instant invention as described herein, at least one adjustable foot means  73 X (wherein X is equal to A, B, C and D, respectively, and combinations thereof) for adjusting the movement and the position of the platform  2  is provided as shown in FIGS. 1,  3  and  4 . The adjustable foot means  73 X is mounted to at least one of the rails  39 H′ and/or  39 H″, and preferably is mounted to the bottom  47 H′ and/or  47 H″ of rail  39 H′ and/or  39 H″, respectively. In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of this invention, adjustable foot means  73 B is mounted on the bottom  47 H′ of the rail  39 H′ at the distal end  7  of the first horizontal member  3  and adjustable foot means  73 C is mounted on the bottom  47 H″ of the rail  39 H″ at the proximal end  21  of the second horizontal member  19 . In a most preferred embodiment of the apparatus of this invention, as described herein, the adjustable foot means  73 B and  73 C are mounted substantially in a parallel and aligned arrangement in relationship to each other as set forth in FIG.  4 . The adjustable foot means  73 X may be adjusted either to the right or left directions laterally to provide directional horizontal movement of the platform  2  when at least one slot of the platform  2  is engaged by the tines of a conventional fork lift, and physical force applied to the platform  2  by the fork lift. FIG. 4 shows that adjustable foot means  73 X may be for example, one or more wheels or rollers, and axle assemblies  75 B,  75 C or circular objects such as a caster (not shown) that may be turned to provide movement of the platform  2  in a desired horizontal direction. 
     The apparatus of the instant invention includes wherein the adjustable foot means  73 X is at least one foot hinge assembly  77 X (wherein X is equal to A, B, C and D, respectively, and combinations thereof), that is disposed perpendicular to the bottom of the first and/or second horizontal members  3 ,  25 , respectively, wherein the foot hinge assembly  77 X has a foot hinge joint  78 X and a foot hinge pin  79 X (not shown) wherein the foot hinge pin  79 X passes through the foot hinge joint  78 X and is in friction engagement with the foot hinge joint  78 X for adjusting the vertical movement and the position of the adjustable foot means  73 X in an upward or downward position in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the rails  39 H′ and  39 H″, respectively, at an angle from about one degree to twenty degrees (about 1.0° to 20°) from the perpendicular position of the foot hinge assembly  77 X in a direction toward the bottom of first horizontal member  3  and/or the second horizontal member  19  as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     In yet another embodiment of the apparatus of this invention, FIGS. 1 and 3 show that the distal end  7  (not shown) of first horizontal member  3  and the proximal end  21  of the second horizontal member  19  are tapered  90  to allow for adjusting the movement and angle of the foot hinge assembly  77 B and  77 C without damaging the proximal end or distal end of rail  39 H′ and/or rail  39 H″. 
     In another optional embodiment of the apparatus of the instant invention as described herein, each arch shaped structure  31 X is provided with a flange  82 X disposed at the arch shaped structure&#39;s  31 X proximal end  33 X and a flange  84 X disposed at the arch shaped structure&#39;s  31 X distal end  35 X for aiding in loading a round or elliptical shaped load onto and into and out of the arch shaped structure  31 X, wherein X is equal to A, B, C, and D, respectively, and combinations thereof, as set forth in FIG.  2 . 
     In another optional embodiment of the instant invention as described herein, a “U” shaped means  86  for engaging attachment means (not shown) for pulling the platform  2  is provided, wherein the “U” shaped means  86  is in communication with the front face  41 ′,  41 V″,  41 V′″ and  41 V′″ of at least one of the rails  39 V′,  39 V″,  39 V′″, and  39 V″″ of at least one of the vertical members  11 ,  25 ,  10  and  26 , respectively, as set forth in FIG.  2 . 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention advantageously provides for an efficient and safe mechanical apparatus for loading and securing goods, such as a roll of paper  80 ′ and/or  80 ″ as shown in FIG. 4, for transportation by, such as for example, a motor vehicle and/or truck-trailer. Thus, it will be appreciated that the present invention has met the long unmet and unsolved need in the transportation industry in providing a mechanical apparatus for safely loading and transporting substantially circular goods of a bulky nature. 
     Whereas particular embodiments of the present invention have been described herein for the purpose of illustration, it will be evident to those persons skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1