Abstract: The invention provides improved climbing devices and structures for use in mobile and fixed climbing installations. The mobile climbing installation has a modular climbing tower pivotally mounted to a trailer to pivot between a road orientation and a climbing orientation. Modular climbing towers are generally assembled from panels having lateral curves by fastening upper and lower flanges of the panels together. The panels and flanges are integrally molded from fiberglass, and act as a monocoque structure. The climbing surface is on the radially outward portion of the partially or fully enclosed tower, thereby increasing the number of climbers that can safely be accommodated on a climbing surface of a given width. The invention also provides belaying devices for safely supporting a climber at the end of a flexible member such as a cable, rope, or the like. These belaying devices generally draw in the flexible member as the climber climbs.

Abstract: A method, a container combination, and a container, wherein at least two containers are handled simultaneously by a vehicle's loading device. The containers can be handled separately by a loading device. The individual containers are connectable to one another to form a container combination and the container combination is lifted onto a vehicle and removed from the vehicle by making engaging devices of the loading device engage with a grasping component on a foremost container of the container combination.

Abstract: The prior art teaches rudimentary "gooseneck-type roadway-chassis" advocated for overlyingly attachably removably accommodating, and directionally longitudinally between its rear-end and an elevated goosenecked front-end, a single only cargo-container of encountered-length. Herein disclosed is a novel concept for improved "gooseneck-type roadway-chassis" that is alternatively adaptable for removable attachment thereatop either: a single extended-overall-length cargo-container underlyingly centrally longitudinally provided with a partial-tunnel channel for the chassis forward gooseneck; or two longitudinally consecutive short-length cargo-containers devoid of underlying channel.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved chassis for hauling shipping containers over the road. The chassis includes a gooseneck portion having a support surface for engaging the tunnel section of a container. The support surface is manually adjustable and can be raised or lowered to change the effective height of the gooseneck portion so that the chassis is useable with containers having different tunnel depths. In particular, the gooseneck includes a pair of conversion rails that are pivotable to present alternative tunnel support surfaces. Stop members are also provided to secure the conversion rails in desired positions.

Abstract: A shipping container for shipping livestock includes a structural main body having a floor, side walls, a closed end wall, a gated end wall, and a roof, all enclosing an interior space. The interior space of the main body is selectively apportioned by one or more gates into one or more stalls for livestock. Each gate has an integral door. As well, a storage member is provided to accommodate the storage of a sufficient quantity of feed to permit substantially self-sufficient operation of the container during shipment over long distances.

Abstract: A dockable container chassis has a slidable bunk for carrying the container between transport and docking positions. This chassis may be used as the lead trailer of a "B train" or as a single semi-trailer. When the chassis is the lead trailer, a fifth wheel is mounted at the rear thereof between the chassis sides. The tail trailer is then equipped with a kingpin mounted to connect with the fifth wheel on the rear of the lead trailer, without interference between the chassis of the two units. The bunk on the lead trailer rides over the fifth wheel of the lead trailer which is located between the sides of its chassis. Locking mechanisms are provided to restrain the bunk from movement unless unlocked and the bunk is being moved from the docking to a transport position.

Abstract: A pair of main beams, a plurality of diagonal cross braces and transverse beams having a beam height of about 75% of prior art main beam heights provide a relatively flexible chassis. A clamp assembly central of the chassis clamps a cubicle cargo container central region to the chassis to rigidify the chassis. The cargo container is connected to the chassis front and rear by conventional bolster pin and twist lock assemblies. An upper container casting has an opening for receiving an interbox twist lock connector aligned on an axis closely spaced to the side panels of upper and lower containers on a rail car to minimize bending loads on lower container intermediate support posts. Lower castings at the base of each of the intermediate posts mate with a lower container upper castings in a stacked arrangement on a rail car. The chassis has a bogie assembly receiving channel for slidably receiving a bogie locked to the chassis by a conventional retractable pin mechanism.

Abstract: A carrier for transporting goods has a compartment adapted to hold goods. A crane is peripherally mounted near the underside of the compartment for articulating about a pivot axis between an upright position and a level position. The carrier has a carriage with a plurality of wheels. The carriage is adapted to slide under the compartment and on the crane. The carrier has an actuating controller for: (a) sliding the carriage between the compartment and the crane; and (b) hoisting and lowering the carriage with the crane. The system can operate by first lowering the crane to a level position. Then the carriage can be slid from underneath the compartment to a position suspended on the crane. Then the crane is articulated to an upright position to lift the carriage up against the compartment. The steps can also be reversed to bring the carriage back underneath the compartment.

Abstract: A truck trailer for transporting a structure over land that includes a frame having a low bed shelf for receiving transport platforms upon which said structure is secured wherein the height of the shelf is less than the height of the tires of the trailer wherein the height profile of the structure is reduced for both stabilization of the load on said frame as well as convenience of travel.

Abstract: A portable liquid reservoir comprising an open container mounted on a moveable frame. The reservoir is intended for fire fighting and has a liquid drain in which whirlpool prevention devices are incorporated to prevent the formation of whirlpools and allow water to be removed from the reservoir at a relatively high rate.

Abstract: An automatic, pneumatically operated flatrack lockdown device is provided for a palletized load system trailer. The lockdown device includes a manual release system which can override the pneumatic system when, for example, the pneumatic system fails. The release system includes a main handle, which when pivoted unlocks the flatrack. In one embodiment, the release system further includes a locking assembly which prevents the main handle from unlocking the flatrack , and a pair of release handles, each of which release the locking assembly to allow for operation of the main handle.

Abstract: A closeable container-type cargo holder is designed to be stackable, one on top of another, on board ships or other transportation devices. The cargo holders are also designed to be transferred between shore and ship by lifting equipment and transported to their intended destinations on land after unloading. A set of wheels are located in the rear section of the cargo holder between the rear doors of the cargo holder and a rear loading opening. The wheels are movable between a storage position above the bottom extreme of the cargo holder and a driving position below the bottom extreme of the cargo holder. The wheels are designed to be movable between the storage position and the driving position as the cargo holder is loaded or unloaded for transport. The front of the cargo holder includes a coupling device for connecting the cargo holder to a haulage vehicle for transport over land.

Abstract: A container carrying rail-highway vehicle in the form of a semitrailer chassis including an elongated center sill box extending longitudinally of the vehicle, a front box-type transverse sill attached to a forward portion of the center sill and a rear box-type transverse sill attached to a rearward portion of the center sill member. Two side beams are further provided and are attached at each end thereof to the front sill and rear sill, respectively, on either side of the center sill. The side beams are disposed from a generally higher position in the front of the vehicle to a lower level at the rear of the vehicle and are further attached to the center sill by a plurality of transverse outrigger members which extend between the center sill and each of the side beams.

Abstract: Two containers are mounted on telescoping chassis sections and moved toward each other. Mating coupler structure at juxtaposed lower corners of the containers rigidly connect the containers horizontally. At least one spacer member at the juxtaposed upper ends of the containers space the containers from each other. Cables connected to the ends of the coupled containers may be utilized to lift the containers as a unit off the chassis sections for loading into a container ship.

Abstract: A coupling device for detachably connecting of one container fitting to another or a container fitting to a ship's deck by way of a slot within the container fitting, employs a casing for abutment with the container fitting, a locking pin having at least at one end an integral hammerhead bolt with said casing including a longitudinal opening for rotatively carrying the bolt. The opening constitutes a continuous aperture, and the aperture is so disposed and has a cross-section relative to the bolt such that the bolt can be introduced therethrough to achieve assembly, rotated approximately 180.degree. and then subsequent rotation limited to permit the bolt to rotate between extreme operating positions which effectively lock the fitting to the device or release the fitting but prevent the bolt from passing through the casing aperture.

Abstract: A twist lock for detachably retaining a freight container on the bed of a transport vehicle, said lock being completely detachable from the vehicle bed when it is not needed, whereby the bed surface is unobstructed by projections that would interfere with movement or placement of freight on the bed surface.

Abstract: A coupling device for detachable connecting of one container fitting to another or a container fitting to a ships deck by way of a slot within the container fitting, employs a casing for abutment with the container fitting, a locking pin having at least at one end an integral hammerhead bolt with said casing including a longitudinal opening for rotatively carrying the bolt. The opening constitutes a continuous aperture, and the aperture is so disposed and has a cross-section relative to the bolt such that the bolt can be introduced therethrough to achieve assembly, rotated approximately 180.degree. and then subsequent rotation limited to permit the bolt to rotate between extreme operating positions which effectively lock the fitting to the device or release the fitting but prevent the bolt from passing through the casing aperture.