Autran System for Fast Loading and Unloading of Autos, Locking Operation

After you have driven your car onto the platform to engage your front bumper with the lower part of the buffer, a lock operation will be performed by equipment that is alongside the platform. The platform has front and rear lock elements for engagement with the front and rear bumpers of your car and side lock elements which do not engage your car but are provided for protection.

The lock elements (blue) are in horizontal folded positions when you drive your car onto the platform. When the engagement of the buffer by a front bumper is sensed, the equipment will rotate all four of the lock elements from their horizontal folded positions to vertical unfolded positions. The front and rear elements will then be moved from positions at the forward and rearward ends of the platform and to positions as shown. The front lock element is moved rearwardly to firmly engage a portion of the front bumper that is alongside a portion engaged with the buffer. At the same time, the rear lock element is moved forwardly to firmly engage the rear bumper. See Foldable Auto Platform for a showing of the construction and operation of the platform.

After the locking operation is completed, a Final Loading Operation is performed in which the buffer is rotated to be moved upwardly and sideways to a position which allows the platform together with you and your car to be moved fowardly and toward your desination unloading station. The final loading operation also moves the forward end of the entrance section upwardly to allow a new platform to the moved thereunder and to a position for receiving another car.

The buffer is an important component. In addition to its use in centering your car on the platform, it insures that cars will not be driven off the end of the platform, it can absorb the energy of impacts by moving cars and it prevents damage to cars and platforms.

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