Abstract: A stalk sensor comprising a first wand comprising a contact surface at a distal end, a first magnet disposed at a distal end of the first wand, a second wand comprising a contact surface at a distal end, and a second magnet disposed at a distal end of the second wand, the magnet configured to attract the first magnet and thereby the first wand into contact with the second wand at the contact surfaces with the second wand, wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface are in contact when the stalk sensor is in a home position. The stalk sensor wherein the wands are self-aligning on horizontal and vertical axes.

Abstract: A mechanical fuse device having a weakened central portion and end portions that clamp to a cable having a slack portion located between the end portions. The device bends or breaks at the weakened central portion at loads less than the breaking load of the cable. The bending of the weakened central portion of the device provides measurable data relevant to the loads experienced by the cable.

Abstract: A dual trolley, single boom crane system for loading and unloading containers from ships moored at a dock that effectively doubles the rate of container loading and unloading of conventional prior art single boom crane systems. The present invention also concerns a novel method for retrofitting conventional prior art single boom crane systems to convert them to dual trolley systems, while at the same time retaining the basic geometry of the prior art system so that the same number of multiple cranes may be positioned over the dock side.

Abstract: A dual trolley, single boom crane system for loading and unloading containers from ships moored at a dock that effectively doubles the rate of container loading and unloading of conventional prior art single boom crane systems. The present invention also concerns a novel method for retrofitting conventional prior art single boom crane systems to convert them to dual trolley systems, while at the same time retaining the basic geometry of the prior art system so that the same number of multiple cranes may be positioned over the dock side.

Abstract: A wire rope pre-failure indicating device that can be installed at any location along a length of conventional wire rope of the character used in many industrial applications. The indicating device reliably functions to provide a pre-failure warning that the wire rope has been loaded beyond a specified magnitude. The indicating device also provides a pre-failure warning that the swaged fittings, which interconnect the indicator to the wire rope, have undesirably slipped.

Abstract: A wire rope pre-failure indicating device that can be installed at any location along a length of conventional wire rope of the character used in many industrial applications. The indicating device reliably functions to provide a pre-failure warning that the wire rope has been loaded beyond a specified magnitude. The indicating device also provides a pre-failure warning that the swaged fittings, which interconnect the indicator to the wire rope, have undesirably slipped.

Abstract: The present invention provides a collision safety device having a breakaway coupling. The collision safety device comprises first and second post segments. A first shear plate is attached to the first post segment and a second shear plate is attached to the second post segment. The first shear plate has a first contact surface and the second shear plate has a second contact surface opposite the first contact surface. The first and second shear plates are releasably attached by a breakaway coupling including a band. Friction between the shear plates and strength of the band are adjustable such that the upper post is released from the lower post when subjected to a pre-selected collision force.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to enhance intermodal containers for transport of vehicles wherein multiple longitudinal rails on container walls support movable and removable transverse cargo pallets having foot members which are articulatably connected to the pallets are disclosed. Cargo, preferably an automobile fixed to front and rear pallets is loaded by inserting each pallet's feet onto appropriate rail(s) at door opening, then sliding to stowage spot, the rail selection determining height and tilt. Stowage of any mix of automobiles in intermodal containers is optimized by double-decking, half-decking, double half-decking, mirror-imaging, and envelope intervention. On back haul, pallets serve other cargo as restraints, hangers, pallets, or dunnage deck supports, or they are stowed out of the way. Method and apparatus permit automated load planning and container stuffing, and make containerized shipment of large volumes of automobiles cost competitive with current methods.