A TRUCK FOR TRANSPORTING VEHICLES AND A METHOD FOR LOADING AND
UNLOADING THEREOF Field of the Invention
[001] The present invention relates to a truck preferably a mass transit truck provided with three platforms capable of lifting using a lifting mechanism for loading and unloading of vehicles such as two-wheelers for transporting.
Background of the Invention
[002] Existing transit trucks accommodates vehicles for storing and transporting on pallets or individual containers for accommodating a single vehicle with appropriate locking provisions. These pallets are loaded with vehicles in appropriate places outside the transit truck and further the pallets are loaded in to the transit truck along with the vehicles for transporting. In this case, multi-leveled mounting of vehicles on the pallets is not possible. It is experienced that mounting of vehicles on the pallets after locating the pallets inside the trucks is cumbersome. Also, lifting of pallets loaded with vehicles is critical.
[003] With the increase in demand for the vehicles especially two-wheelers there is a necessity to transit more number of vehicles/ two-wheelers to distribution centers to meet the demand. With the existing pallet trucks, the cost of transporting is increasing as the number of transit trucks has to be increased to transport more number of vehicles.

[004] Therefore, there is a need for a dedicated transit truck with multiple platforms for accommodating vehicles with ease of loading and unloading the vehicles by lifting the platforms by incorporating a lifting mechanism.
Objects of the Invention
[005] It is a primary object of the present invention to accommodate more number of vehicles in a transit truck for transporting to a distribution location.
[006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a dedicated transit truck for storing and transporting vehicles as two-wheelers.
[007] It is another object of the present invention to provide three platforms for accommodating more number of vehicles.
[008] It is a further object of the present invention to lift the platforms for loading and unloading the vehicles to and from the truck.
[009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a lifting mechanism for lifting the platforms.
[010] It is yet another object of the present invention to have a transit truck with operable roof.
Summary of the Invention

[011] According to an aspect of the present invention, a truck for transporting vehicles comprising a first platform; a second platform located at a distance above the first platform; a third platform located at a distance above the second platform; and an openable roof provided at a distance above the third platform; wherein the second and the third platforms are configured to be sequentially lifted to a predetermined height by a lifting mechanism, such that, when the second platform is lifted, the first platform is accommodated with vehicles, when the third platform is lifted, the second platform is accommodated with vehicles, and the openable roof is lifted to accommodate vehicles in the third platform.
[012] It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the second platform is capable of being lifted to a height up to the third platform, and the third platform is capable of being lifted to a height up to the openable roof.
[013] It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the lifting mechanism includes chain-pulley mechanism or hydraulic piston mechanism or pneumatic piston mechanism or electric power operated lifting mechanism.
[014] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for loading vehicles in a truck comprising a first platform, a second platform, a third platform, and an openable roof, comprising steps of lifting the second platform to a predetermined height for accommodating the first platform with vehicles; lowering the second platform to its original position; lifting the third platform to a predetermined height for accommodating the second platform with vehicles; lowering the third platform to its original position; lifting an openable roof of the truck for

loading the third platform with vehicles and closing the openable roof after loading the third platform.
[015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for unloading vehicles from a truck comprising a first platform, a second platform, a third platform, and an openable roof, comprising steps of: lifting the openable roof of the truck for unloading vehicles from a third platform; closing the roof after completely unloading the third platform; lifting the third platform to a predetermined height for unloading the vehicles from the second platform; lowering the third platform to its original position; lifting the second platform to a predetermined height for unloading the vehicles from the first platform and lowering the second platform to its original position.
Brief description of the drawings
[016] Referring now to the drawings wherein the illustrations are for the purpose of depicting a possible embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
[017] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a truck according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[018] FIGS. 2a-2d illustrates platforms incorporated with lifting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[019] FIGS. 3a-3c illustrates a side view of the truck indicating the lifting of the platforms according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[020] FIG. 4 illustrates steps for loading the truck according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[021] FIG. 5 illustrates steps for unloading the truck according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description of the Invention:
[022] Referring to FIG. 1, illustrates the truck (1) for transporting vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention. The truck comprises of a first platform (2); a second platform (3) located at a distance above the first platform; a third platform (4) located at a distance above the second platform; and an openable roof (5) provided at a distance above the third platform as shown in FIG. 1. Initially, these platforms are arranged in their original position as shown in FIG. 3a. These platforms are affixed to a frame (7) of a truck (1) using one or more hinges (8) as shown in FIG. 2b.
[023] The second and the third platforms (3, 4) are configured to be sequentially lifted to a predetermined height by a lifting mechanism (6) as shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c, such that, when the second platform (3) is lifted, the first platform (2) is accommodated with vehicles, when the third platform (4) is lifted, the second platform (3) is accommodated with vehicles, and the openable roof (5) is lifted to accommodate vehicles in the third platform (4).

[024] Further, the second platform (3) is capable of being lifted to a height up to the third platform (4), and the third platform (4) is capable of being lifted to a height up to the openable roof (5) as shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c. The lifting mechanism (6) includes chain-pulley mechanism; or hydraulic piston mechanism or pneumatic piston mechanism as shown in FIG. 2c; or electric power operated lifting mechanism as shown in FIG. 2d.
[025] Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrates method steps for loading vehicles in a truck (1) comprising a first platform (2), a second platform (3), a third platform (4), and an openable roof (5). The method comprising step of lifting the second platform (3) to a predetermined height for accommodating the first platform (2) with vehicles (S101), lowering the second platform (3) to its original position, lifting the third platform (4) to a predetermined height for accommodating the second platform (3) with vehicles (S102), lowering the third platform (4) to its original position, lifting an openable roof (5) of the truck for loading the third platform (4) with vehicles (S103) and closing the openable roof (5) after loading the third platform (4) (S104).
[026] Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrates method steps for unloading vehicles from a truck (1) comprising a first platform (2), a second platform (3), a third platform (4), and an openable roof (5). The method comprising steps of lifting the openable roof (5) of the truck for unloading vehicles from a third platform (4) (S111), closing the roof (5) after completely unloading the third platform (4) and lifting the third platform (4) to a predetermined height for unloading the vehicles from the second platform (3) (S112); lowering the third platform (4) to its original position and lifting the second platform (3) to a predetermined height for unloading the vehicles

from the first platform (2) (S113) and lowering the second platform (3) to its original position (S114).
[027] The truck (1) as disclosed in above paragraphs is a dedicated truck for transporting vehicles preferably two- wheelers, where the platforms are provided with wheel locators, lockers for locking two-wheelers, damage prevention pad and suitable locking mechanism for securely holding the two-wheelers in place. Further, the truck is not limited to comprise three platforms; it may comprise more than three platforms for accommodating two-wheelers meeting all the necessary load requirements for transporting including safety measures of the truck.
[028] It is to be understood that the invention described in the above paragraphs relates to specific embodiments and the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments shown. It is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

WE CLAIM:
1. A truck (1) for transporting vehicles, comprising:
a first platform (2);
a second platform (3) located at a distance above the first platform;
a third platform (4) located at a distance above the second platform; and
an openable roof (5) provided at a distance above the third platform;
wherein the second and the third platforms (3, 4) are configured to be sequentially lifted to a predetermined height by a lifting mechanism (6), such that, when the second platform (3) is lifted, the first platform (2) is accommodated with vehicles, when the third platform (4) is lifted, the second platform (3) is accommodated with vehicles, and the openable roof (5) is lifted to accommodate vehicles in the third platform (4).
2. The truck as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second platform (3) is capable of being lifted to a
height up to the third platform (4), and the third platform (4) is capable of being lifted to a height
up to the openable roof (5).
3. The truck as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting mechanism (6) includes chain-pulley
mechanism or hydraulic piston mechanism or pneumatic piston mechanism or electric power
operated lifting mechanism.
4. A method for loading vehicles in a truck (1) comprising a first platform (2), a second platform
(3), a third platform (4), and an openable roof (5), comprising steps of:

lifting the second platform (3) to a predetermined height for accommodating the first platform (2) with vehicles;
lowering the second platform (3) to its original position;
lifting the third platform (4) to a predetermined height for accommodating the second platform (3) with vehicles;
lowering the third platform (4) to its original position;
lifting an openable roof (5) of the truck for loading the third platform (4) with vehicles; and
closing the openable roof (5) after loading the third platform (4).
5. A method for unloading vehicles from a truck (1) comprising a first platform (2), a second platform (3), a third platform (4), and an openable roof (5), comprising steps of:
lifting the openable roof (5) of the truck for unloading vehicles from a third platform (4);
closing the roof (5) after completely unloading the third platform (4);
lifting the third platform (4) to a predetermined height for unloading the vehicles from the second platform (3);
lowering the third platform (4) to its original position;
lifting the second platform (3) to a predetermined height for unloading the vehicles from the first platform (2); and
lowering the second platform (3) to its original position.