Vehicle carrier

Abstract

To provide a vehicle carrier capable of simply adjusting the ground height of a rear bumper by a bolt.SOLUTION: A vehicle carrier 1 comprises: a vehicle body frame 2; a load-carrying platform 4 on which a carried vehicle is mounted; a loading / unloading device 3 that loads / unloads the load-carrying platform 4 between the vehicle body frame 2 and the ground; a first arm 11 supported on the rear part of the vehicle body frame 3; a second arm 13 provided so as to be vertically rotatable on the head with respect to the first arm 11; a rear bumper 9 provided in the rear part of the second arm 13; and a bolt 16 including a head 17 and a male screw 18 fixed at axial one end 18b to the head 17, provided in the first arm 11. The firs arm 11 has a female screw 11c into which the male screw 18 is driven. The second arm 13 has a restriction part 13b that abuts against the axial other end 18c of the male screw 18 driven into the female screw 11c at a protruding position to restrict downward-rotation of the second arm 13 from the protruding position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle transporter. [Background technology]

[0002] The car carrier described in Patent Document 1 includes a body frame, a tilt frame that is tilted downward toward the rear relative to the body frame, and a loading platform that can move in the front-rear direction relative to the tilt frame. The loading platform moves rearward relative to the tilted tilt frame and is lowered to the ground. Cars are loaded onto or unloaded from the loading platform. The loading platform is then returned onto the tilted tilt frame, the tilt frame assumes a horizontal position, and the loading platform returns to the state where it is mounted on the body frame.

[0003] A rear bumper is supported on the rear end of the vehicle body frame via a first arm portion and a second arm portion. A front portion of the first arm portion is provided so as to be vertically rotatable relative to the vehicle body frame. A front portion of the second arm portion is provided so as to be vertically rotatable on the rear portion of the first arm portion, and a rear bumper is provided on the rear portion of the second arm portion. A bolt is attached to the front end of the second arm portion, and the head of the bolt abuts against the rear end of the first arm portion, thereby restricting downward rotation of the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion. In this state, upward rotation of the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion is permitted.

[0004] When the car carrier is traveling (see FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1), the first arm portion and the second arm portion are arranged in a substantially straight line in the front-rear direction behind the body frame, and the head of the bolt abuts against the rear end of the first arm portion. As a result, the rear bumper is held in a protruding position protruding rearward from the body frame at a predetermined height from the ground. When the tilt frame is tilted rearward from this state to lower the loading platform to the ground (see FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1), the first arm portion rotates downward in conjunction with the tilt frame, and the second arm portion rotates upward relatively to be bent with respect to the first arm portion. As a result, the rear bumper is held in a retracted position retracted to the ground side, and interference with the loading platform being lowered to the ground can be avoided. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7220620 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the car carrier of Patent Document 1, the ground clearance at the protruding position of the rear bumper can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of fastening of the bolt to the second arm portion. However, in Patent Document 1, when the rear bumper is in the protruding position, the head of the bolt abuts against the rear end of the first arm portion, so the amount of fastening of the bolt cannot be adjusted by operating the head of the bolt. Therefore, when adjusting the ground clearance of the rear bumper, it is necessary to rotate the second arm portion upward relative to the first arm portion to release the abutment between the head of the bolt and the first arm portion, which requires time and effort.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle transporter in which the ground clearance of the rear bumper can be easily adjusted by means of bolts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The present invention is a vehicle transporter comprising a body frame, a loading platform on which a transported vehicle is placed, a loading / unloading device for loading and unloading the loading platform between the body frame and the ground, a first arm supported on a rear portion of the body frame, a second arm having a front portion capable of rotating up and down relative to the first arm, a rear bumper provided on the rear portion of the second arm, and a bolt provided on one of the first arm and the second arm, the bolt having a head and a male threaded portion having one axial end fixed to the head, the one arm having a female threaded portion into which the male threaded portion is fastened, and the other arm of the first arm and the second arm having a regulating portion that abuts against the other axial end of the male threaded portion fastened to the female threaded portion when the second arm is in a predetermined rotation position, thereby regulating downward rotation of the second arm from the rotation position.

[0009] According to the present invention, the bolt is attached to one arm by fastening the male threaded portion, one axial end of which is fixed to the head of the bolt, into the female threaded portion of the one arm. In this state, the other axial end of the male threaded portion of the bolt abuts against the restricting portion 13b of the other arm, thereby restricting the second arm from rotating downward from a predetermined rotation position. In this state in which the downward rotation of the second arm is restricted, the head of the bolt does not abut against the other arm. Therefore, the tightening amount of the male threaded portion of the bolt relative to the female threaded portion can be adjusted by operating the head of the bolt, without rotating the second arm in the protruding position upward relative to the first arm. This allows the ground clearance of the rear bumper to be easily adjusted by the bolt.

[0010] (2) In the vehicle transporter of (1) above, it is preferable that the female threaded portion is positioned so that the male threaded portion is tightened downward, in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, or in the vehicle width direction when the second arm is in the pivoted position. When the male thread of the bolt is tightened upward into the female thread of one arm, the male thread will loosen downward. Therefore, if the male thread loosens downward due to vibrations while the vehicle transporter is traveling, the bolt may fall due to its own weight. In contrast, in (2) above, the male thread of the bolt is tightened downward, in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, or in the width direction of the vehicle, so the male thread will not loosen downward. This makes it possible to prevent the bolt from falling due to its own weight.

[0011] (3) In the vehicle transporter of (1) or (2), it is preferable that the one arm has a limiting portion that abuts against the other arm when the male threaded portion is not fastened to the female threaded portion, thereby limiting the downward rotation of the second arm so that the rear bumper does not contact the ground. In this case, even if the male thread of the bolt loosens due to vibrations while the vehicle transporter is traveling and the bolt comes off one of the arms, the limiting portion of one arm abuts against the other arm, limiting the downward rotation of the second arm so that the rear bumper does not touch the ground. This makes it possible to prevent the rear bumper from touching the ground and being damaged.

[0012] (4) In the vehicle transporter of (3) above, it is preferable that the limiting portion abuts against the regulating portion of the other arm. In this case, there is no need to provide a dedicated member on one arm that abuts against the limiting portion of the other arm, so that the structure of the vehicle transporter can be simplified.

[0013] (5) In the vehicle transporter of (3) or (4) above, it is preferable that the restricting portion is the female thread portion. In this case, the female thread portion also serves as the restricting portion, so that the structure of the vehicle transporter can be further simplified. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the vehicle transporter of the present invention, the ground clearance of the rear bumper can be easily adjusted by means of bolts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle transporter according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state during traveling. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle transporter, showing a state in which the loading platform is moved rearward relative to the tilt frame in a horizontal position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a side view of the vehicle transporter, showing a state in which the tilt frame is moving rearward while tilting rearwardly downward. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle transporter, showing the loading platform moved to a rearward position relative to the tilt frame which is in the middle of tilting. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle transporter, showing the state in which the platform is in a rearward position relative to the tilt frame in an inclined posture and in contact with the ground. [Figure 6] 2 is an enlarged side view showing the rear of the vehicle transporter of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view showing the rear of the vehicle transporter of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the periphery of the rear bumper in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of part I in FIG. 6. [Figure 10] 10 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which a bolt or the like has fallen from the first arm from the state shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a support mechanism for a vehicle transporter according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 12 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which a bolt or the like has fallen from the first arm from the state shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a support mechanism for a vehicle transporter according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 14 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which a bolt or the like has fallen from the first arm from the state shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a support mechanism for a vehicle transporter according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 16 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which a bolt or the like has fallen from the second arm from the state shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view showing a support mechanism for a vehicle transporter according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 18 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which a bolt or the like has fallen from the second arm from the state shown in FIG. 17. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any combination. First Embodiment 1 to 5 are side views of a vehicle transporter 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle transporter 1 is a cargo vehicle that transports transported vehicles such as automobiles. Hereinafter, in this specification, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle transporter 1 is referred to as the "front-to-rear direction", and the up-to-down direction of the vehicle transporter 1 is referred to as the "up-to-down direction". The left-to-right direction when the vehicle transporter 1 is viewed from the front or rear is referred to as the "vehicle width direction".

[0017] [Overall configuration] 1 to 5, a vehicle transporter 1 includes a body frame 2, a loading / unloading device 3, a bed 4, a tailgate (footboard) 5, and a rear bumper 9. A transported vehicle can be placed on the bed 4 from the rear thereof. The loading / unloading device 3 is a device for loading and unloading the bed 4 between the body frame 2 and the ground. A ground roller 4a that comes into contact with the ground is provided at the rear end of the bed 4 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction. The tailgate 5 is attached to the rear end of the bed 4 so as to be rotatable up and down. The rear bumper 9 is supported at the rear of the body frame 2 via a support mechanism 10, which will be described later.

[0018] The loading / unloading device 3 has a tilt frame 6 and a drive mechanism 7. The tilt frame 6 is provided on the vehicle body frame 2 and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body frame 2. The rear of the tilt frame 6 is placed on a guide roller 8 provided at the rear end of the vehicle body frame 2. The guide roller 8 is rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction relative to the vehicle body frame 2. A ground roller 6a that comes into contact with the ground is provided at the rear end of the tilt frame 6 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0019] The drive mechanism 7 (see FIG. 3) has a hydraulic cylinder 7a and an arm 7b. When the hydraulic cylinder 7a is extended, the arm 7b stands up relative to the vehicle body frame 2. When the arm 7b stands up, the tilt frame 6 tilts downward toward the rear with the guide roller 8 as a fulcrum, and moves rearward while sliding on the guide roller 8. In other words, the drive mechanism 7 can move the tilt frame 6 rearward while tilting it downward toward the rear relative to the vehicle body frame 2 (see FIGS. 3 to 5). When the hydraulic cylinder 7a is contracted from a state in which the tilt frame 6 is in an inclined position (see FIG. 5), the arm 7b falls down, and the tilt frame 6 returns to a horizontal position (see FIG. 1) while moving forward.

[0020] The drive mechanism 7 further includes a moving mechanism (not shown) for moving the platform 4 in the front-rear direction along the tilt frame 6. The moving mechanism includes a power transmission member such as a chain connected to the platform 4, and can move the platform 4 in the front-rear direction along the tilt frame 6. This moving mechanism can move the platform 4 between a forward position (FIG. 1) and a backward position (FIGS. 4 and 5) with respect to the tilt frame 6 in a horizontal or inclined position. When the platform 4 is moved backward with the tilt frame 6 in an inclined position, the ground roller 4a at the rear end of the platform 4 rotates while touching the ground, so that the platform 4 can be moved smoothly. When the vehicle transporter 1 is traveling (see FIG. 1), the tilt frame 6 is in a horizontal position, and the platform 4 is in a forward position.

[0021] [Support mechanism configuration] Fig. 6 is an enlarged side view showing the rear part of the vehicle transporter 1 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view showing the rear part of the vehicle transporter 1 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the periphery of the rear bumper 9 of Fig. 6. In Figs. 6 to 8, the vehicle transporter 1 is equipped with a support mechanism 10 that movably supports the rear bumper 9 with respect to the rear part of the body frame 2. The support mechanism 10 has a first arm (one arm) 11, a first connecting member 12, a second arm (the other arm) 13, a second connecting member 14, a bracing member 15, and a bolt 16. The first arm 11, the second arm 13, and the bolt 16 are each provided in pairs in the vehicle width direction.

[0022] The pair of first arms 11 are supported on the rear of the vehicle body frame 2. Each first arm 11 has an arm main body portion 11a, a base portion 11b fixed to the arm main body portion 11a, and a female thread portion 11c fixed to the base portion 11b (see also FIG. 9).

[0023] A front portion of the arm main body 11a is provided so as to be vertically rotatable about an axis X1 extending in the vehicle width direction relative to a support frame 2a fixed to the rear portion of the vehicle body frame 2. This allows the first arm 11 to be vertically rotatable about the axis X1 relative to the vehicle body frame 2 between a protruding position (FIG. 6) where it protrudes rearward from the vehicle body frame 2 and a retracted position (FIG. 7) where it is retracted to the ground side.

[0024] FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view of part I in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, the base 11b is made of a plate member and has a pair of plate surfaces 11b1, 11b2. The base 11b is fixed to the arm body 11a so that the pair of plate surfaces 11b1, 11b2 are generally oriented in the up-down direction when the first arm 11 is in the protruding position. The female thread portion 11c is made of, for example, a nut, and has a female thread 11c1 formed on its inner periphery. The female thread portion 11c is fixed to the lower plate surface 11b2 of the base 11b by welding or the like. In the state shown in FIG. 9, the female thread portion 11c is fixed to the plate surface 11b2 of the base 11b in a state in which the male thread 18a (described later) of the bolt 16 is arranged to be tightened downward into the female thread 11c1.

[0025] 6 to 8, the first connecting member 12 is disposed between the pair of first arms 11 and extends in the vehicle width direction. The first connecting member 12 is made of, for example, a square pipe material. Both ends of the first connecting member 12 in the vehicle width direction are fixed to the front parts of the arm main body parts 11a. As a result, the pair of first arms 11 are connected to each other by the first connecting member 12.

[0026] The pair of first arms 11 are adapted to rotate up and down in conjunction with the movement of the tilt frame 6 by an interlocking mechanism (not shown). Specifically, when the tilt frame 6 moves from a horizontal position (FIG. 6) to an inclined position (FIG. 7), the pair of first arms 11 rotate downward about the axis X1 from the projected position (FIG. 6) to the retracted position (FIG. 7) in conjunction with the movement. Also, when the tilt frame 6 moves from the inclined position (FIG. 7) to the horizontal position (FIG. 6), the pair of first arms 11 rotate upward about the axis X1 from the retracted position (FIG. 7) to the projected position (FIG. 6) in conjunction with the movement. The configuration of the interlocking mechanism is the same as that disclosed in JP 2009-67299, which was previously filed by the applicant of the present application, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0027] The pair of second arms 13 are supported at the rear portions of the first arms 11. Each of the second arms 13 has an arm main body portion 13a extending in the front-rear direction, and a restricting portion 13b fixed to the front portion of the arm main body portion 13a.

[0028] A front portion of the arm main body 13a of the second arm 13 is provided so as to be vertically rotatable about an axis X2 extending in the vehicle width direction relative to a rear portion of the arm main body 11a of the first arm 11. As a result, the second arm 13 is vertically rotatable about the axis X2 between a protruding position (FIG. 6) in which the second arm 13 extends rearward in a substantially straight line relative to the first arm 11 in the protruding position and serves as a predetermined rotation position, and a retracted position (FIG. 7) in which the second arm 13 is rotated upward so as to be bent relative to the first arm 11 in the retracted position.

[0029] A rear bumper 9 is provided at the rear of the arm body portions 13a of the pair of second arms 13. The rear bumper 9 has a bumper body 9a extending in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of rollers 9b rotatably provided with respect to the bumper body 9a. The bumper body 9a is fixed to the rear end of the arm body portions 13a of each second arm 13. The pair of rollers 9b are provided at both ends of the bumper body 9a in the vehicle width direction so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction. Each roller 9b comes into contact with the ground when the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 rotate from the protruding position to the retracted position.

[0030] When the tilt frame 6 moves from the horizontal position (FIG. 6) to the inclined position (FIG. 7), the pair of first arms 11 rotate downward about axis X1 from the protruding position to the retracted position in conjunction with the movement. When the first arms 11 rotate downward, the pair of second arms 13 rotate upward relatively about axis X2 from the protruding position to the retracted position. As a result, the rear bumper 9 is disposed forward of the rear of the tilt frame 6 in the inclined position, so that interference with the tilt frame 6 moving from the horizontal position to the inclined position can be avoided.

[0031] The restricting portion 13b of the second arm 13 is fixed to the front portion of the arm main body portion 13a, forward of the axis X2. The restricting portion 13b is made of, for example, a plate member, and has an abutment surface 13b1 that faces generally upward when the second arm 13 is in the protruding position (see also FIG. 9). When the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 are in the protruding position, the abutment surface 13b1 of the restricting portion 13b is disposed adjacent to and below the female thread portion 11c of the first arm 11.

[0032] The second connecting member 14 is disposed between the pair of second arms 13 and extends in the vehicle width direction. The second connecting member 14 is made of, for example, a square pipe material. Both ends of the second connecting member 14 in the vehicle width direction are fixed to the middle parts of the arm main body parts 13a in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the pair of second arms 13 are connected to each other by the second connecting member 14.

[0033] The tension member 15 is fixed to the center of the second connecting member 14 in the vehicle width direction and extends obliquely upward and forward. When the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 are in the protruding position, the upper end of the tension member 15 abuts against the ground roller 6a on the tilt frame 6 side from below. In this way, the tension member 15 restricts the second arm 13 from rotating upward from the protruding position.

[0034] [bolt] A pair of bolts 16 are provided on each of the first arms 11. Each bolt 16 is, for example, a hexagonal bolt and has a head 17 and an externally threaded portion 18. In FIG. 9 , the head 17 is formed in a regular hexagonal column shape. The externally threaded portion 18 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an external thread 18a formed on its outer periphery over almost the entire length in the axial direction. One axial end 18b of the externally threaded portion 18 is fixed to the head 17.

[0035] A nut 21 for preventing loosening is fastened to the male thread 18a of the male thread portion 18. The nut 21 is fastened to the axial end 18b side of the male thread portion 18. The other axial end 18c side of the male thread portion 18 penetrates the base portion 11b of the first arm 11 from above via a lock washer 22 and a lock plate 23, and the male thread 18a is fastened to the female thread 11c1 of the female thread portion 11c. Due to this fastening, the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18 protrudes downward from the female thread portion 11c. In this state, the nut 21 is rotated and moved toward the lock washer 22 side relative to the male thread portion 18 to prevent the male thread portion 18 from loosening from the female thread portion 11c.

[0036] When first arm 11 and second arm 13 are in the protruding position, abutment surface 13b1 of restricting portion 13b of second arm 13 abuts against the other axial end 18c of male thread portion 18 of bolt 16. As a result, restricting portion 13b of second arm 13 restricts second arm 13 from rotating downward from the protruding position.

[0037] 6 and 7, when the tilt frame 6 moves from the inclined position (FIG. 7) to the horizontal position (FIG. 6), the pair of first arms 11 rotate upward about the axis X1 from the retracted position to the protruding position in conjunction with the movement. When the first arms 11 rotate upward, the pair of second arms 13 rotate downward relatively about the axis X2 from the retracted position to the protruding position. When each of the first arms 11 and each of the second arms 13 rotate downward to the protruding position, the restricting portion 13b abuts against the other axial end 18c of the bolt 16, and the tension member 15 abuts against the ground roller 4a of the cargo bed 4. As a result, each of the second arms 13 is held in the protruding position, and the rear bumper 9 is held at a predetermined height position from the ground behind the body frame 2.

[0038] 6 and 9, an operator can adjust the downward protruding length L of the male thread portion 18 relative to the female thread portion 11c by adjusting the tightening amount of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 relative to the female thread portion 11c of the first arm 11. Specifically, from the state shown in FIG. 9, an operator uses a tool such as a spanner or a wrench to rotate the nut 21 toward the head 17 relative to the male thread portion 18, thereby releasing the locking of the male thread portion 18 relative to the female thread portion 11c. After that, the operator operates the head 17 of the bolt 16 with the tool (or another tool) to adjust the tightening amount of the male thread portion 18 relative to the female thread portion 11c. This allows the operator to adjust the protruding length L of the male thread portion 18.

[0039] After adjusting the protruding length L of the male thread portion 18, the worker uses the tool to perform a locking operation for the male thread portion 18. Specifically, the worker uses the tool to rotate the nut 21 toward the lock washer 22 relative to the male thread portion 18. This prevents the male thread portion 18 from loosening relative to the female thread portion 11c, and therefore prevents the protruding length L of the male thread portion 18 from changing.

[0040] By adjusting the protruding length L of the male thread portion 18 as described above, the ground clearance of the rear bumper 9 changes when the restricting portion 13b of the second arm 13 abuts against the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18. Therefore, by adjusting the tightening amount of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 relative to the female thread portion 11c of the first arm 11, the ground clearance of the rear bumper 9 can be adjusted.

[0041] Incidentally, it is assumed that after adjusting the tightening amount of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16, the worker forgets to perform the above-mentioned locking operation of the male thread portion 18. If the vehicle transporter 1 is driven without performing the above-mentioned locking operation, the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 may loosen and come off from the female thread portion 11c due to vibrations during driving. If the male thread portion 18 comes off from the female thread portion 11c, the bolt 16, the nut 21, the lock washer 22, and the lock plate 23 fall from the first arm 11. If the bolt 16 etc. falls in this way, the second arm 13 may rotate downward from the protruding position due to its own weight, and the rear bumper 9 may touch the ground and be damaged.

[0042] Therefore, the first arm 11 has a limiting portion 11d that limits the downward rotation of the second arm 13 so that the rear bumper 9 does not touch the ground when the bolt 16 or the like falls as described above. In this embodiment, the female thread portion 11c functions as the limiting portion 11d. Fig. 10 is an enlarged side view showing a state in which the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 is not fastened to the female thread portion 11c of the first arm 11, that is, a state in which the bolt 16 or the like (including the nut 21, the lock washer 22, and the lock plate 23) has fallen from the first arm 11 from the state shown in Fig. 9.

[0043] When bolt 16 or the like falls from first arm 11 from the state shown in Fig. 9, the restriction on downward rotation of second arm 13 in the protruding position is released, and second arm 13 rotates downward about axis X2 due to its own weight relative to first arm 11. When second arm 13 rotates downward, abutment surface 13b1 of restricting portion 13b of second arm 13 abuts against female thread portion 11c of first arm 11, as shown in Fig. 10.

[0044] The rotation angle of the front part of the second arm 13 from the protruding position until the abutment surface 13b1 of the restricting portion 13b abuts against the female thread portion 11c is smaller than the rotation angle of the rear part of the second arm 13 from the protruding position until the roller 9b of the rear bumper 9 touches the ground. As a result, when the second arm 13 rotates downward from the protruding position, the abutment surface 13b1 of the restricting portion 13b abuts against the female thread portion 11c of the first arm 11 before the rear bumper 9 touches the ground. Therefore, even if the bolt 16 or the like falls from the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 rotates downward, the abutment surface 13b1 of the restricting portion 13b abuts against the female thread portion 11c (limiting portion 11d) of the first arm 11, so that the downward rotation of the second arm 13 can be restricted so that the rear bumper 9 does not touch the ground.

[0045] [Effects] According to the vehicle transporter 1 of the first embodiment, the bolt 16 is provided on the first arm 11 by fastening the male threaded portion 18, the axial end 18b of which is fixed to the head 17, into the female threaded portion 11c of the first arm 11. In this state, the restricting portion 13b of the second arm 13 abuts against the other axial end 18c of the male threaded portion 18 of the bolt 16, thereby restricting the second arm 13 from rotating downward from the protruding position. In this state in which the downward rotation of the second arm 13 is restricted, the head 17 of the bolt 16 does not abut against the second arm 13. Therefore, the amount of fastening of the male threaded portion 18 of the bolt 16 to the female threaded portion 11c can be adjusted by operating the head 17 of the bolt 16, without having to rotate the second arm 13 in the protruding position upward relative to the first arm 11. This allows the ground clearance of the rear bumper 9 to be easily adjusted by the bolt 16.

[0046] When the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 is tightened upward relative to the female thread portion 11c of the first arm 11, the male thread portion 18 loosens downward. Therefore, if the male thread portion 18 loosens downward due to vibrations or the like while the vehicle transporter 1 is traveling, the bolt 16 may fall due to its own weight. In contrast, in this embodiment, the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 is tightened downward relative to the female thread portion 11c of the first arm 11, so the male thread portion 18 loosens upward. This makes it possible to prevent the bolt 16 from falling due to its own weight.

[0047] If the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 loosens relative to the female thread portion 11c and falls due to vibrations or the like while the vehicle transporter 1 is traveling, the second arm 13 comes into contact with the limiting portion 11d of the first arm 11, thereby limiting the downward rotation of the second arm 13 so that the rear bumper 9 does not touch the ground. This makes it possible to prevent the rear bumper 9 from touching the ground and being damaged.

[0048] If the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 becomes loose and falls, the restricting portion 13b of the second arm 13 abuts against the limiting portion 11d of the first arm 11. This eliminates the need to provide a dedicated member on the second arm 13 for the limiting portion 11d of the first arm 11 to abut against, thereby simplifying the configuration of the vehicle transporter 1. Furthermore, since the female thread portion 11c of the first arm 11 also serves as the limiting portion 11d, the structure of the vehicle transporter 1 can be further simplified.

[0049] <Second embodiment> 11 is a schematic side view showing a support mechanism 10 of a vehicle transporter 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and differs from the first embodiment in the configurations of a first arm 11 and a second arm 13 of the support mechanism 10. The first arm 11 of this embodiment has an arm main body portion 11a and a female thread portion 11e provided on the arm main body portion 11a.

[0050] When the first arm 11 is in the protruding position (FIG. 11), the female thread portion 11e is provided integrally with the arm main body portion 11a so as to protrude downward from the rear end portion of the arm main body portion 11a. The female thread portion 11e is made of, for example, a block-shaped member, and has a female thread 11e1 formed therein. The female thread portion 11e is arranged so that, in the state shown in FIG. 11, the male thread 18a of the bolt 16 is fastened into the female thread 11e1 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction (rearward in this case).

[0051] The second arm 13 has an arm body 13a extending in the front-rear direction, and a restricting portion 13c provided on the arm body 13a. The restricting portion 13c is provided integrally with the arm body 13a behind the axis X2 at the front of the arm body 13a. The restricting portion 13c is made of, for example, a block-shaped member, and has an abutment surface 13c1 that faces forward when the second arm 13 is in the extended position. When the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 are in the extended position (FIG. 11), the abutment surface 13c1 of the restricting portion 13c is disposed adjacent to the rear of the female thread portion 11e of the first arm 11.

[0052] The male thread 18a of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 is fastened from the front of the female thread portion 11e of the first arm 11 into the female thread 11e1. Due to this fastening, the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18 protrudes rearward from the female thread portion 11e. Although not shown in Fig. 11, a nut 21, a lock washer 22, and a lock plate 23 are interposed between the head 17 at the axial end 18b side of the male thread portion 18 and the female thread portion 11e, as in the first embodiment (see Fig. 9).

[0053] When first arm 11 and second arm 13 are in the protruding position, abutment surface 13c1 of restricting portion 13c of second arm 13 abuts against the other axial end 18c of male thread portion 18 of bolt 16. As a result, restricting portion 13c of second arm 13 restricts second arm 13 from rotating downward from the protruding position.

[0054] An operator can adjust the rear protruding length L of the male threaded portion 18 relative to the female threaded portion 11e by adjusting the amount of tightening of the male threaded portion 18 of the bolt 16 relative to the female threaded portion 11e of the first arm 11. The specific method for adjusting the protruding length L is similar to that in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0055] By adjusting the protruding length L of the male thread portion 18 as described above, the ground clearance of the rear bumper 9 changes when the restricting portion 13c of the second arm 13 abuts against the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of tightening of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 into the female thread portion 11e of the first arm 11, the ground clearance of the rear bumper 9 can be adjusted.

[0056] 11, if the bolt 16 or the like falls from the first arm 11 due to vibration or the like while the vehicle transporter 1 is traveling, the restriction on the downward rotation of the second arm 13 in the protruding position is released, and the second arm 13 rotates downward about the axis X2 due to its own weight relative to the first arm 11. If the second arm 13 rotates downward in this manner, there is a risk that the rear bumper 9 will touch the ground and be damaged.

[0057] The female thread portion 11e of the first arm 11 functions as a limiting portion 11d that limits the downward rotation of the second arm 13 so that the rear bumper 9 does not touch the ground when the bolt 16 or the like falls as described above. When the bolt 16 or the like falls from the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 rotates downward from the state shown in Fig. 11, the abutment surface 13c1 of the restricting portion 13c of the second arm 13 abuts against the female thread portion 11e of the first arm 11 as shown in Fig. 12.

[0058] The rotation angle of the second arm 13 from the protruding position until the abutment surface 13c1 of the restricting portion 13c abuts against the female thread portion 11e is smaller than the rotation angle of the second arm 13 from the protruding position until the roller 9b of the rear bumper 9 touches the ground. As a result, when the second arm 13 rotates downward from the protruding position, the abutment surface 13c1 of the restricting portion 13c abuts against the female thread portion 11e of the first arm 11 before the rear bumper 9 touches the ground. Therefore, even if the bolt 16 or the like falls from the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 rotates downward, the abutment surface 13c1 of the restricting portion 13c abuts against the female thread portion 11e (limiting portion 11d) of the first arm 11, so that the downward rotation of the second arm 13 can be restricted so that the rear bumper 9 does not touch the ground.

[0059] Other configurations of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted. The same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 is tightened backward into the female thread portion 11e of the first arm 11, so that the male thread portion 18 loosens in the forward direction. This makes it possible to prevent the bolt 16 from falling due to its own weight.

[0060] <Third embodiment> 13 is a schematic side view showing a support mechanism 10 of a vehicle transporter 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is another modified example of the first embodiment, and differs from the first embodiment in the configurations of the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 of the support mechanism 10. The first arm 11 of this embodiment has an arm main body portion 11a and a female thread portion 11f provided on the arm main body portion 11a.

[0061] When the first arm 11 is in the extended position (FIG. 13), the female thread portion 11f is integrally provided on the arm main body portion 11a so as to protrude rearward at the rear end of the arm main body portion 11a. The female thread portion 11f is made of, for example, a block-shaped member, and has a female thread 11f1 formed therein. The female thread portion 11f is arranged so that the male thread 18a of the bolt 16 is screwed upward into the female thread 11f1 in the state shown in FIG.

[0062] The second arm 13 has an arm main body 13a extending in the front-rear direction. In the state shown in FIG. 13, the arm main body 13a is disposed above the female thread portion 11f of the first arm 11. A portion of the front part of the arm main body 13a, rearward and below the axis X2, functions as a restricting portion 13d. For convenience, the restricting portion 13d is shown by cross-hatching in FIG. 13. The restricting portion 13d has an abutment surface 13d1 that faces downward when the second arm 13 is in the protruding position. When the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 are in the protruding position (FIG. 13), the abutment surface 13d1 of the restricting portion 13d is disposed adjacent to and above the female thread portion 11f of the first arm 11.

[0063] The male thread 18a of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 is fastened to the female thread 11f1 from below the female thread portion 11f of the first arm 11. Due to this fastening, the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18 protrudes upward from the female thread portion 11f. Although not shown in Fig. 13, a nut 21, a lock washer 22, and a lock plate 23 are interposed between the head 17 at the axial end 18b side of the male thread portion 18 and the female thread portion 11f, as in the first embodiment (see Fig. 9).

[0064] When first arm 11 and second arm 13 are in the protruding position, abutment surface 13d1 of restricting portion 13d of second arm 13 abuts against the other axial end 18c of male thread portion 18 of bolt 16. As a result, restricting portion 13d of second arm 13 restricts second arm 13 from rotating downward from the protruding position.

[0065] An operator can adjust the upward protruding length L of the male threaded portion 18 relative to the female threaded portion 11f by adjusting the amount of tightening of the male threaded portion 18 of the bolt 16 relative to the female threaded portion 11f of the first arm 11. The specific method for adjusting the protruding length L is similar to that in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0066] By adjusting the protruding length L of the male thread portion 18 as described above, the ground clearance of the rear bumper 9 changes when the restricting portion 13d of the second arm 13 abuts against the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18. Therefore, by adjusting the tightening amount of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 relative to the female thread portion 11f of the first arm 11, the ground clearance of the rear bumper 9 can be adjusted.

[0067] 13, if the bolt 16 or the like falls from the first arm 11 due to vibration or the like while the vehicle transporter 1 is traveling, the restriction on the downward rotation of the second arm 13 in the protruding position is released, and the second arm 13 rotates downward about the axis X2 due to its own weight relative to the first arm 11. If the second arm 13 rotates downward in this manner, there is a risk that the rear bumper 9 will touch the ground and be damaged.

[0068] The female thread portion 11f of the first arm 11 functions as a limiting portion 11d that limits the downward rotation of the second arm 13 so that the rear bumper 9 does not touch the ground when the bolt 16 or the like falls as described above. When the bolt 16 or the like falls from the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 rotates downward from the state shown in Fig. 13, the abutment surface 13d1 of the restricting portion 13d of the second arm 13 abuts against the female thread portion 11f of the first arm 11 as shown in Fig. 14.

[0069] The rotation angle of the second arm 13 from the protruding position until the abutment surface 13d1 of the restricting portion 13d abuts against the female thread portion 11f is smaller than the rotation angle of the second arm 13 from the protruding position until the roller 9b of the rear bumper 9 touches the ground. As a result, when the second arm 13 rotates downward from the protruding position, the abutment surface 13d1 of the restricting portion 13d abuts against the female thread portion 11f of the first arm 11 before the rear bumper 9 touches the ground. Therefore, even if the bolt 16 or the like falls from the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 rotates downward, the abutment surface 13d1 of the restricting portion 13d abuts against the female thread portion 11f (limiting portion 11d) of the first arm 11, so that the downward rotation of the second arm 13 can be restricted so that the rear bumper 9 does not touch the ground.

[0070] Other configurations of this embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof will be omitted. According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved, except for the effect of preventing the bolt 16 from dropping due to its own weight.

[0071] <Fourth embodiment> 15 is a schematic side view showing a support mechanism 10 of a vehicle transporter 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a bolt 16 is provided on a second arm 13. The second arm (one of the arms) 13 of this embodiment has an arm main body portion 13a and a female thread portion 13e provided on the arm main body portion 13a.

[0072] When the second arm 13 is in the protruding position (FIG. 15), the female thread portion 13e is integrally provided with the arm main body portion 13a so as to protrude upward at the front end of the arm main body portion 13a. The female thread portion 13e is made of, for example, a block-shaped member, and has a female thread 13e1 formed therein. In the state shown in FIG. 15, the female thread portion 13e is arranged so that the male thread 18a of the bolt 16 is fastened into the female thread 13e1 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction (here, the rearward direction).

[0073] The first arm (the other arm) 11 has an arm main body 11a and a restricting portion 11g provided on the arm main body 11a. The restricting portion 11g is provided integrally with the arm main body 11a above the axis X2 at the rear of the arm main body 11a. The restricting portion 11g is made of, for example, a block-shaped member and has an abutment surface 11g1 that faces forward when the first arm 11 is in the extended position. When the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 are in the extended position (FIG. 15), the abutment surface 11g1 of the restricting portion 11g is disposed adjacent to the rear of the female thread portion 13e of the second arm 13.

[0074] The male thread 18a of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 is fastened from the front of the female thread portion 13e of the second arm 13 into the female thread 13e1. Due to this fastening, the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18 protrudes rearward from the female thread portion 13e. Although not shown in Fig. 15, a nut 21, a lock washer 22, and a lock plate 23 are interposed between the head 17 at the axial end 18b side of the male thread portion 18 and the female thread portion 13e, as in the first embodiment (see Fig. 9).

[0075] When the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 are in the protruding position, the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 abuts against the abutment surface 11g1 of the restricting portion 11g of the first arm 11. As a result, the restricting portion 11g of the first arm 11 restricts the second arm 13 from rotating downward from the protruding position.

[0076] An operator can adjust the rear protruding length L of the male threaded portion 18 relative to the female threaded portion 13e by adjusting the amount of tightening of the male threaded portion 18 of the bolt 16 relative to the female threaded portion 13e of the second arm 13. The specific method for adjusting the protruding length L is similar to that in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0077] Adjusting the protruding length L of the male thread portion 18 as described above changes the ground clearance of the rear bumper 9 when the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18 abuts against the restricting portion 11g of the first arm 11. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of tightening of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 into the female thread portion 13e of the second arm 13, the ground clearance of the rear bumper 9 can be adjusted.

[0078] 15, if the bolt 16 or the like falls from the second arm 13 due to vibration or the like while the vehicle transporter 1 is traveling, the restriction on the downward rotation of the second arm 13 in the protruding position is released, and the second arm 13 rotates downward about the axis line X2 due to its own weight relative to the first arm 11. If the second arm 13 rotates downward in this manner, there is a risk that the rear bumper 9 will touch the ground and be damaged.

[0079] Therefore, the second arm 13 has a limiting portion 13f that limits the downward rotation of the second arm 13 so that the rear bumper 9 does not touch the ground when the bolt 16 or the like falls as described above. In this embodiment, the female thread portion 13e functions as the limiting portion 13f. When the bolt 16 or the like falls from the second arm 13 and the second arm 13 rotates downward from the state shown in Fig. 15, the female thread portion 13e of the second arm 13 abuts against the abutment surface 11g1 of the restricting portion 11g of the first arm 11 as shown in Fig. 16.

[0080] The rotation angle of the second arm 13 from the protruding position until the female screw portion 13e abuts against the abutment surface 11g1 of the restricting portion 11g is smaller than the rotation angle of the second arm 13 from the protruding position until the roller 9b of the rear bumper 9 touches the ground. As a result, when the second arm 13 rotates downward from the protruding position, the female screw portion 13e of the second arm 13 abuts against the abutment surface 11g1 of the restricting portion 11g before the rear bumper 9 touches the ground. Therefore, even if the bolt 16 or the like falls from the second arm 13 and the second arm 13 rotates downward, the female screw portion 13e (limiting portion 13f) of the second arm 13 abuts against the abutment surface 11g1 of the restricting portion 11g, so that the downward rotation of the second arm 13 can be restricted so that the rear bumper 9 does not touch the ground.

[0081] Other configurations of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted. The same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 is tightened backward into the female thread portion 13e of the second arm 13, so that the bolt 16 can be prevented from falling due to its own weight.

[0082] <Fifth embodiment> 17 is a schematic side view showing a support mechanism 10 of a vehicle transporter 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment is a modification of the fourth embodiment, and differs from the fourth embodiment in the configurations of the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 of the support mechanism 10. The second arm 13 of this embodiment has an arm main body portion 13a and a female thread portion 13g provided on the arm main body portion 13a.

[0083] When the second arm 13 is in the extended position (FIG. 17), the female thread portion 13g is integrally provided on the arm main body portion 13a so as to protrude forward at the front end of the arm main body portion 13a. The female thread portion 13g is made of, for example, a block-shaped member, and has a female thread 13g1 formed therein. In the state shown in FIG. 17, the female thread portion 13g is arranged so that the male thread 18a of the bolt 16 is tightened upward into the female thread 13g1.

[0084] The first arm 11 has an arm main body 11a and a restricting portion 11h provided on the arm main body 11a. The restricting portion 11h is provided integrally with the arm main body 11a at a rear portion of the arm main body 11a, forward and above the axis X2. The restricting portion 11h is made of, for example, a plate member, and has an abutment surface 11h1 that faces downward when the first arm 11 is in the protruding position. When the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 are in the protruding position (FIG. 17), the abutment surface 11h1 of the restricting portion 11h is disposed adjacent to and above the female thread portion 13g of the second arm 13.

[0085] The male thread 18a of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 is fastened into the female thread 13g1 from below the female thread portion 13g of the second arm 13. Due to this fastening, the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18 protrudes upward from the female thread portion 13g. Although not shown in Fig. 17, a nut 21, a lock washer 22, and a lock plate 23 are interposed between the head 17 at the axial end 18b side of the male thread portion 18 and the female thread portion 13g, as in the first embodiment (see Fig. 9).

[0086] When the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 are in the protruding position, the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 abuts against the abutment surface 11h1 of the restricting portion 11h of the first arm 11. As a result, the restricting portion 11h of the first arm 11 restricts the second arm 13 from rotating downward from the protruding position.

[0087] An operator can adjust the upward protruding length L of the male threaded portion 18 relative to the female threaded portion 13g by adjusting the amount of tightening of the male threaded portion 18 of the bolt 16 relative to the female threaded portion 13g of the second arm 13. The specific method for adjusting the protruding length L is similar to that in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0088] Adjusting the protruding length L of the male thread portion 18 as described above changes the ground clearance of the rear bumper 9 when the other axial end 18c of the male thread portion 18 abuts against the restricting portion 11h of the first arm 11. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of tightening of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 into the female thread portion 13g of the second arm 13, the ground clearance of the rear bumper 9 can be adjusted.

[0089] 17, if the bolt 16 or the like falls from the second arm 13 due to vibration or the like while the vehicle transporter 1 is traveling, the restriction on the downward rotation of the second arm 13 in the protruding position is released, and the second arm 13 rotates downward about the axis line X2 due to its own weight relative to the first arm 11. If the second arm 13 rotates downward in this manner, there is a risk that the rear bumper 9 will touch the ground and be damaged.

[0090] The female thread portion 13g of the second arm 13 functions as a limiting portion 13f that limits the downward rotation of the second arm 13 so that the rear bumper 9 does not touch the ground when the bolt 16 or the like falls as described above. When the bolt 16 or the like falls from the second arm 13 and the second arm 13 rotates downward from the state shown in Fig. 17, the female thread portion 13g of the second arm 13 abuts against the abutment surface 11h1 of the restricting portion 11h of the first arm 11, as shown in Fig. 18.

[0091] The rotation angle of the second arm 13 from the protruding position until the female screw portion 13g abuts against the abutment surface 11h1 of the restricting portion 11h is smaller than the rotation angle of the second arm 13 from the protruding position until the roller 9b of the rear bumper 9 touches the ground. As a result, when the second arm 13 rotates downward from the protruding position, the female screw portion 13g of the second arm 13 abuts against the abutment surface 11h1 of the restricting portion 11h before the rear bumper 9 touches the ground. Therefore, even if the bolt 16 or the like falls from the second arm 13 and the second arm 13 rotates downward, the female screw portion 13g (limiting portion 13f) of the second arm 13 abuts against the abutment surface 11h1 of the restricting portion 11h, so that the downward rotation of the second arm 13 can be restricted so that the rear bumper 9 does not touch the ground.

[0092] Other configurations of this embodiment are the same as those of the fourth embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted. According to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved, except for the effect of preventing the bolt 16 from dropping due to its own weight.

[0093] <Other> The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope of the claims and the meaning equivalent thereto.

[0094] For example, the rear bumper 9 in each of the above embodiments is composed of the bumper body 9a and the rollers 9b, but may be composed of only the bumper body 9a. The first arm 11 in each of the above embodiments may be rotated up and down by an actuator without being linked to the loading / unloading device 3. Also, in the above embodiments, the first arm 11 and the second arm 13 are each configured to rotate up and down, but it is also possible to rotate only the second arm 13 up and down without rotating the first arm 11 up and down.

[0095] The bolt 16 in each of the above embodiments is not limited to a hexagonal bolt. For example, the bolt 16 may be a screw operated by a Phillips or flat head screwdriver, or may be a bolt operated manually, such as a thumb screw or a bolt with a knurled head. The male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 may have a male thread 18a formed only in a part of the axial direction. The nut 21, the lock washer 22, and the lock plate 23 may not be interposed between the head 17 on the axial end 18b side of the male thread portion 18 of the bolt 16 and the female thread portions 11c, 11e, 11f, 13e, and 13g.

[0096] The female threaded portions 11c, 11e, 11f, 13e, 13g in each of the above embodiments may be arranged so that the male threaded portion 18 of the bolt 16 is fastened in the vehicle width direction. Also, the female threaded portions 11c, 11e, 11f (13e, 13g) in each of the above embodiments are provided separately from the arm main body portion 11a (13a), but a part of the arm main body portion 11a (13a) may be made into the female threaded portions 11c, 11e, 11f (13e, 13g), and the female threads of the female threaded portions 11c, 11e, 11f (13e, 13g) may be formed directly in the arm main body portion 11a (13a).

[0097] The limiting portion 11d (13f) in each of the above embodiments may be provided separately from the female thread portions 11c, 11e, 11f (13e, 13g). Also, the limiting portion 11d (13f) in each of the above embodiments may be brought into contact with a member other than the restricting portions 13b, 13c, 13d (11g, 11h) of the second arm 13 (first arm 11). [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1 Vehicle transport vehicle 2 Body frame 3. Loading and unloading equipment 4 Cargo platform 9 Rear bumper 11 First Arm 11c, 11e, 11f Female thread 11d Restrictions 11g,11h Regulation Department 13 Second Arm 13b, 13c, 13d Regulatory Department 13e, 13g Female thread 13f Restrictions 16 Volts 17 Head 18 Male thread 18b One axial end 18c Axial other end

Claims

1. The vehicle frame, A loading platform for carrying a vehicle to be transported; a loading / unloading device for loading and unloading the cargo bed between the vehicle body frame and the ground; a first arm supported on a rear portion of the vehicle body frame; a second arm having a front portion that is vertically rotatable relative to the first arm; a rear bumper provided at a rear portion of the second arm; a bolt having a head and a male thread portion having one axial end fixed to the head, the bolt being provided on one of the first arm and the second arm, the one arm has a female threaded portion into which the male threaded portion is fastened, A vehicle transporter, wherein the other arm of the first arm and the second arm has a regulating portion that abuts against the other axial end of the male threaded portion fastened to the female threaded portion when the second arm is in a predetermined rotation position, thereby regulating downward rotation of the second arm from the rotation position.

2. 2. The vehicle transporter according to claim 1, wherein the female thread portion is arranged such that the male thread portion is tightened downward, in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, or in a vehicle width direction when the second arm is in the pivot position.

3. 3. The vehicle transporter according to claim 1, wherein the one arm has a limiting portion that abuts against the other arm when the male threaded portion is not fastened to the female threaded portion, thereby limiting downward rotation of the second arm so that the rear bumper does not contact the ground.

4. The vehicle transporter according to claim 3 , wherein the restricting portion abuts against the restricting portion of the other arm.

5. The vehicle transporter according to claim 3 , wherein the restricting portion is the female thread portion.

Images