Abstract: A support structure for supporting vehicles one above the other during transport or storage, the structure comprising a base frame having four corner posts extending generally vertically when in use to support a separate upper frame on which an upper vehicle can be supported in an elevated transport position, and one or more separate lower frames arranged to be positioned within the base frame when in use on which a lower vehicle can be supported. The upper frame is guided up the corner posts when the upper vehicle is raised to the elevated transport position. The base frame, upper and lower frames are transportable in a collapsed state when not in use by folding the corner posts down and collapsing the base frame, upper frame and lower frame so that they occupy less space with the upper, and lower and base frames in a nested configuration.

Abstract: A rig for connecting or disconnecting container couplers to or from the four lower corner fittings of a shipping container, the rig has two pairs of corner units held in the required transverse special relationship by a structure extending between the two corner units of each pair to form two operating end modules. A base member has sockets and/or other connectors to secure the operating end modules in a plurality of longitudinal special relationships to enable the corner units of the modules to simultaneously engage all the four lower corner fittings of a range of containers of different lengths or using different types of couplers. Each corner unit includes an Indexing means for engaging and manipulating an associated coupling to connect or disconnect the coupling to or from its associated container corner fitting.

Abstract: An adaptor including a pair of lifting beams for lifting two or more shipping containers in a side by side configuration, each container having corner fittings provided with lifting/fastening sockets. Each lifting beam is designed to extend across one end of the top of the containers to be lifted and has pairs of connectors designed to connect to the lifting sockets provided in the tops of the containers. Each lifting beam, or connecting beams extending between the lifting beams, have sockets for detachable connection with an associated crane or lifting machine to lift the adaptor and containers. Each lifting beam is also a continuous extendable component having first and second portions which are movable relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of testing a shipping container (10) for use as an upper container in a vertical tandem lift configuration the method comprising supporting the container other than by the lower corner fittings (15), connecting couplers (18) in the lower corner fittings of the container to be tested and then applying a proof load on the couplers to confirm that the container and/or the couplers can sustain the forces at least through the lower corner fittings which will be experienced during use in a vertical tandem lift. The invention also provides a rig (70, 143) for carrying out the proof test and/or for connecting or disconnecting couplers to or from the lower corner fittings of a shipping container. Various corner units for use in such a rig are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for lifting shipping containers each having corner fittings provided with lifting/fastening apertures, the system including lifting means for lifting en masse a matrix of containers including two or more columns of vertically connected containers, each column being at least two containers high. The lifting means uses the lifting apertures provided on the top of the top container in each column, and connecting means are provided for connecting each column transversely to each adjacent column to hold the columns together and prevent toppling of the columns relative to each other. A method of lifting is also disclosed together with a lifting beam and trailer and for use in handling containers.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting vehicles one above the other during transport or storage, the structure comprising a base frame having four corner posts extending generally vertically when in use to support a separate upper frame on which an upper vehicle can be supported in an elevated transport position, and one or more separate lower frames arranged to be positioned within the base frame when in use on which a lower vehicle can be supported. The upper frame is guided up the corner posts when the upper vehicle is raised to its upper transport position and support means associated with the corner posts fasten the upper frame in its transport position relative to the corner posts. The base frame, upper and lower frames are transportable in a collapsed state when not in use by folding the corner posts down and collapsing the base frame, upper frame and lower frame so that they occupy less space with the upper, and lower and base frames in a nested configuration.

Abstract: An adaptor including a pair of lifting beams for lifting two or more shipping containers in a side by side configuration, each container having corner fittings provided with lifting/fastening sockets. Each lifting beam is designed to extend across one end of the top of the containers to be lifted and has pairs of connectors designed to connect to the lifting sockets provided in the tops of the containers. Each lifting beam, or connecting beams extending between the lifting beams, have sockets for detachable connection with an associated crane or lifting machine to lift the adaptor and containers. Each lifting beam is also a continuous extendable component having first and second portions which are movable relative to each other.

Abstract: A system for transporting fluid cargo within a shipping container, the system comprising an open topped box having side walls and end walls and a flexible membrane which either independently or in combination with the box contains the fluid cargo. The box supports the portion of the cargo within the box and is designed to flex and absorb at least part of the horizontal forces generated within the cargo during its transportation thus preventing overloading of the walls of the surrounding container. The membrane may be a bladder which completely encloses the cargo and is disposed partially within the box to contain the cargo independently of the box. The box may have a floor pan which can seal the box against leakage of any cargo.

Abstract: A frame system for supporting an associated vehicle for transport within an existing transportable structure having longitudinally extending side structures. The frame system has a transverse supporting frame supported by two vertical posts located one at each end of the supporting frame. Each post has an attachment for securing the top and bottom of the post at a plurality of locations along the length of the associated side structure and the supporting frame is raiseable with or without a vehicle loaded thereon and once raised is fixable to the posts at a chosen location for transport within the transportable structure. Each end of the support frame has an end plate for sliding up and down an inwardly facing surface on the adjacent vertical post as it is raised and lowered. At least one of the end plates has a telescopic connection with the remainder of the support frame.

Abstract: A frame system for supporting an associated vehicle for transport within an existing transportable structure having longitudinally extending side structures. The frame system has a transverse supporting frame supported by two vertical posts located one at each end of the supporting frame. Each post has attachment means for securing the top and bottom of the post at a plurality of locations along the length of the associated side structure and the supporting frame is raiseable with or without a vehicle loaded thereon and once raised is fixable to the posts at a chosen location for transport within the transportable structure. Each end of the support frame has an end plate for sliding up and down an inwardly facing surface on the adjacent vertical post as it is raised and lowered. At least one of the end plates has a telescopic connection with the remainder of the support frame.

Abstract: A system for transporting fluid cargo within a shipping container, the system comprising an open topped box having side walls and end walls and a flexible membrane which either independently or in combination with the box contains the fluid cargo. The box supports the portion of the cargo within the box and is designed to flex and absorb at least part of the horizontal forces generated within the cargo during its transportation thus preventing overloading of the walls of the surrounding container. The membrane may be a bladder which completely encloses the cargo and is disposed partially within the box to contain the cargo independently of the box. The box may have a floor pan which can seal the box against leakage of any cargo.

Abstract: A flexible walled bag, tank (1), or flexitank, for shipping fluids, in particular liquids, disposed within an outer container (12) confines, and supportable by a container floor, side walls and end structures, an upper tank surface being constrained, loaded or biassed, by external restraints, such as depending local spaced intrusions or baffles (22) extending from one side towards the other.

Abstract: A frame system for supporting two wheels of an associated vehicle for transport within an existing transportable structure such as a standard ISO container which has longitudinally extending side structures 5, 6. The frame system comprising a transverse wheel supporting frame 41, 43 supported by two vertical posts 40, 42 located one at each end of the wheel supporting frame. Each post is provided with attachment means 44, 48a for securing the top and bottom of the post at a plurality of locations along the length of the associated side structure independent of the shape of the side structure. The wheel supporting frame 41, 43 is raiseable with or without a vehicle loaded thereon and once raised is fixable 49, 50, 51 to the posts 40, 42 at a chosen location for transport within the transportable structure. The attachment means may comprise ties 44 of adjustable length which pull each post in the fore and aft direction relative to the side structure 5, 6 to locate each post.

Abstract: A frame system for supporting two wheels of an associated vehicle for transport within an existing transportable structure such as a standard ISO container which has longitudinally extending side structures 5, 6. The frame system comprising a transverse wheel supporting frame 41, 43 supported by two vertical posts 40, 42 located one at each end of the wheel supporting frame. Each post is provided with attachment means 44, 48a for securing the top and bottom of the post at a plurality of locations along the length of the associated side structure independent of the shape of the side structure. The wheel supporting frame 41, 43 is raiseable with or without a vehicle loaded thereon and once raised is fixable 49, 50, 51 to the posts 40, 42 at a chosen location for transport within the transportable structure. The attachment means may comprise ties 44 of adjustable length which pull each post in the fore and aft direction relative to the side structure 5, 6 to locate each post.

Abstract: A flexible walled bag, tank (1), or flexitank, for shipping fluids, in particular liquids, disposed within an outer container (12) confines. and supportable by a container floor, side walls and end structures, an upper tank surface being constrained. loaded or biassed, by external restraints, such as depending local spaced intrusions or baffles (22) extending from one side towards the other.

Abstract: A vehicle support deck frame (10) is condfigured to allow wheel (12) penetration through the deck depth and projection somewhat below the deck underside, so that a projecting wheel and/or attendant tyre (13) acts as a resiliently deformable spacer, cushion, bolster or buffer, in relation to an underlying (vehicle) load (30); such a ‘sunken’ wheel disposition allows a vehicle to sit lower in relation to the deck, so reducing the load depth (31) on that deck.

Abstract: Computer apparatus for use with a database management system and database, the apparatus comprising a CPU and a memory, the apparatus configured to provide at least two task processes each process being apportioned a section of the memory when is use, wherein in response to the database management system or apparatus being instructed to carry out a first task, such as reading, and a second task, such as decryption, on a section of data in series, a first task process is configured to begin the first task on a first part of the section of data in the database and (after a the first process on the first part of the section of the data is complete); a second task process is instructed to carry out the first task on a second part of the section of data which begins where the first part ends, and when the first task is complete and the first task process switched to carry out the second task on data on which the first task has already been carried out, or the second process is instructed to carry out the second ta

Abstract: A demountable post extension (10) is configured for re-location, as an independent stub post (re-) mounting, with self-contained lockable clamp mounting facility, to inhibit transverse racking.

Abstract: A container (40) has a movable internal load support, such as a deck platform (15), with a demountable motorised drive (10), and a transfer drive, such as a threaded shaft (16), mounted within a deck chassis, with shaft runners or travellers (17, 27) connected to a cable suspension (18, 22), in turn running over transfer pulleys (19), mounted upon the platform and an external support, such as a container frame.

Abstract: A collapsible dual deck platform deck or flat rack container, adapted for vehicle cargo, has dual (40 fit and 45 ft) span capture and handling fittings upon twin or joint adjustable height corner support post modules, foldable transversely inward to overlie one another at platform deck ends, with an underlying hinged end gate upon one post; post modules feature telescopic rams with a pulley traveller carrying a cable lift to a movable deck.