Abstract: A vehicle is structured for transporting heavy loads of unstable elongated items such as logs or heavy pipes and includes longitudinally spaced lateral members or "bunks" and vertical stakes at the ends of the bunks. Each of the bunks comprising an elongated steel beam having at least three spaced mutually perpendicular plates defining a hollow inside of the beam, preferably a box beam formed by welding together elongated plates. A number of trusses are placed in the hollow inside of the beam, at least some of which extend diagonally between spaced plates, especially the upper and lower plates. The trusses form triangular bracing structures with the plates for supporting the load on the beams at spaced points along the length of the vehicle.

Abstract: A frame assembly for shipment of dunnage includes a frame for supporting the dunnage. A bar and latch arrangement releasably secures the dunnage in the frame. The bar and latch arrangement includes a bar mounted on the frame for swinging movement in a direction toward the dunnage. A latch has a latch bolt mounted on the bar for movement from a retracted to an extended position. A rack is mounted on the frame in a position adjacent to the latch bolt when the bar is in the dunnage retaining position. The rack has a plurality of teeth aligned in the direction of bar movement. The latch bolt is engageable in any of the spaces between the teeth when the latch bolt is in its extended position to hold the bar in the dunnage retaining position.

Abstract: In order to provide a manner of supporting a load lock in a semi-trailer even during transport, a load lock rack kit includes a load lock rack comprising a generally planar shelf-like supporting surface having a front edge and a rear edge spaced therefrom and a pair of tie down fittings. The shelf-like supporting surface has at least one opening extending from the front edge to at least a point generally intermediate the front and rear edges to receive the shaft of the load lock wherein the opening is formed such that a bearing pad on at least one end of the shaft cannot pass through the opening. With this arrangement, the load lock rack also includes a plate for mounting the shelf-like supporting surface with the rear edge adjacent the side wall of the semi-trailer and a lip or angled surface to maintain the load lock on the load lock rack during transport of the semi-trailer.

Abstract: A system for tying down cargo on the deck of a transport vehicle such as a cargo of stacked steel plates on a railway flat car. Link chains are used for tying the cargo down. The system utilizes chain retainers secured to the deck or to the bottoms of C-channels recessed in the deck. The retainers are positioned on opposite sides of the cargo and close in to the bottom. A selected link of a length of each of two tie-down chains is inserted into one of two retainers. The free ends of the two chains are fastened together on top of the cargo and then ratcheted to place the chains under tension. The chain retainers are in the form of one-piece castings with a pair of right and left hand uprights with a slot therebetween in which a chain link will fit and pivot in its narrow orientation but not in its wide orientation. A selected link in its wide orientation serves to anchor the lower end of the chain to a chain retainer.

Abstract: A log bunk assembly for use on logging truck-trailer units. The bunk comprises a generally horizontal bunk beam having a recess, hub-and-saucer assembly for allowing the bunk beam and trailer/log load to pivot in the horizontal plane, an upper trunnion saddle contained within the bunk beam recess, a lower trunnion saddle, and a trunnion tube attached to a pedestal mounted on the hub-and-saucer assembly. The trunnion tube is clamped between and frictionally engages the upper and lower trunnion saddles. The bunk beam pivots about the horizontal axis of the trunnion tube in the vertical plane. The trunnion tube always remains perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trailer/log load.

Abstract: A vehicle timber bank arrangement having a horizontal supporting beam and generally vertical post assemblies mounted at respective ends of the beam. Each post assembly includes a bottom post anchored firmly to the beam, and at least one top post which is displaceable telescopically to its associated bottom post. A pivotal upper connection member is pivotally mounted at at least the first top post, and at the second top post there is mounted a device for coupling with the upper connection member when this device is in a position in which it connects or binds the two to posts. The upper connection member is swung by a piston-cylinder device which functions to displace the first top post telescopically in relation to the first bottom post. The first top post and the part of the piston-cylinder device which actuates the first top post are coupled together by a rack-and-pinion arrangement.

Abstract: A dunnage bar construction comprises an elongated tubular bar of rectangular cross-section having an elongated slot in the inner wall thereof. A reinforcement for the tubular bar comprises an elongated channel extending lengthwise within the bar. The channel has a bottom wall spaced from the inner slotted wall and side flanges welded to the side walls of the tubular bar. The channel and the slotted inner wall define a pocket for a dunnage strip. The dunnage strip has a nose portion projecting through the slot. The reinforcement also includes an elongated brace of inverted, generally U-shape extending lengthwise within the space beneath the channel. The brace has a base in full surface-to-surface contact with and secured to the bottom wall of the channel. The brace has side flanges extending from the base into contact with the tubular bar at the intersections of the outer wall and side walls of the tubular bar.

Abstract: A frame assembly for shipment of dunnage that includes a generally rectangular frame having spaced side bars, support rails for vertically supporting dunnage, and a bar and lock arrangement mounted on the frame for locking the dunnage against the support rails. The bar and lock arrangement features a bar having latches at opposed ends of the bar for releasably securing each bar end to an opposed striker mounted on the frame. A pair of swing arms respectively extend from each end of the bar, and are pivotally mounted to an adjacent side bar of the frame so that the swing arms and bar are pivotable as a unit with respect to the frame through an arc between a lowered position remote from the dunnage in the frame upwardly and then downwardly to a second position in which the bar vertically engages the dunnage to lock the dunnage within the frame. Strikers are affixed to the frame for releasably locking the bar in both of the first and second positions.

Abstract: An apparatus providing for the lockable securing of cargo load locks for the trucking industry is disclosed. Load locks comprising extendible, rigid elongate poles are installed laterally within trailers or vans to secure partial loads, and due to their portability are subject to loss or theft. The present invention is installable upon the exterior surface of the rear of a truck tractor cab, and comprises two opposed box-like structures having facing open sides. One of the structures is completely closed on all other sides when installed, requiring the end(s) of the load lock(s) to be inserted into the facing open side. The opposite structure includes an adjacent side opening into which the other end(s) of the load lock(s) may be inserted. The adjacent side opening may then be closed by a pivotable plate which locks in place with a single padlock to lock the end(s) of the load lock(s) within the two opposed boxes.

Abstract: A bar lock arrangement that includes a bar of rectangular cross section, a bar lock received on an end of the bar for releasably latching the bar to a frame in a position to secure freight, and a swing arm attached to the bar lock and pivotally mounted to the frame for enabling the bar to be moved from the latched position to a remote position for loading or unloading freight while keeping the bar captive to the frame. The bar lock has a spring-biased latch bolt and a locator pin projecting outwardly of the bar for receipt by a striker plate positioned on the frame opposite the end of the bar when the bar is in the latched position. The striker plate has an aperture for receiving the latch bolt to latch the bar and a slot for receiving the locator pin to guide the latch bolt into the aperture. A cable is attached to the latch bolt to retract the bolt from the aperture to unlatch the bar.

Abstract: A storage or shipping carton for automotive parts or the like has disposed therewithin layers of resilient tubular dunnage having part configured cut outs in the side walls. The dunnage extends transversely of the carton between two of the side walls while the parts extend transversely of the dunnage between the other two side walls. The tubular dunnage is preferably formed of low density polyethylene and the notches in the dunnage are formed by flattening the dunnage and severing the side walls thereof while in the flattened condition and then reopening the dunnage to its normal configuration.

Abstract: A system embodied within an over-the-road trailer or other carrier for use when transporting frangible sheet material, such as sheets of glass, utilizes a frame, a side section hingedly connected to the frame and a frame structure attached to the side section. The frame includes a bed surface having two opposite side edges and a cutout opening out of at least one side edge of the bed surface. The side section includes a bed surface section and is hingedly connected to the frame for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first position at which the bed surface section is positioned within the cutout so that the bed surface and bed surface section collectively provide a bed for the system and a second position at which the bed surface section overlies and faces downwardly upon the bed surface of the frame.

Abstract: A sheet material handling frame comprises a plurality of base portions (18) for supporting material, such as sheet glass. A stanchion (16) extends from each base portion (18). The stanchions (16) are held in a spaced relationship by means of cross-bars (12, 14). Each stanchion (16) is formed with a slot in which a strap guide (24) is slideably movable. A securing strap passes inside the stanchion (16) through the hollow base (18) around the sheet material and over the strap guide (24). Thus, the strap guide is movable to accommodate different heights of material loaded on the frame. The frames are securable back-to-back to form a structure which is capable of carrying sheets of different sizes. When the sheet material is being loaded, the strap guide (24) is pivoted about a pair of retaining lugs into the slot so that it is out of the way. The strap guide (24) is provided with a hook-like recess (27) which is used to engage a retaining pin inside the slot when it is not in use.

Abstract: Road transport vehicle for securing and transporting large plates of glass. The road transport vehicle transports the plates, such as glass, in a large load space located between the rear axles of the vehicle. The road transport vehicle supports the plates such that they are inclined against a pair of interior brace walls and supported from beneath by a frame. The plates are secured with a pair of transport braces which are hydraulically actuated through a parallel crank gear which maintains the transport braces in a parallel relation to the plates throughout the full range of the transport braces, regardless of the aggregate thickness of the plates. The securing force imparted by the transport braces is in a generally downward direction and toward the inclined plane of the plates so as to accommodate various sizes and thicknesses of plates. A buffer is employed to avoid damage to the plates by better distributing the securing force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shipping container utilizing flexible divider panels each formed with one or more flaps attachable to a surrounding frame structure in a way to vary the panel curvature to accommodate variously contoured parts for shipping.

Abstract: A center beam/center partition flat car, cable/strap retention assembly and method for retaining a load to a center beam/center partition flat car. Cables or straps are respectively retained to a plurality of winches positioned along the opposite side sills of the flat cars. The cables or straps extend around the load from bottom to top and downward with their free ends being secured to the floor deck of the flat car at a position adjacent the respective winches.

Abstract: A chain release apparatus is set forth wherein a vertically reciprocating plate is mounted within a post accepting a plurality of chains across a passageway formed by a second post wherein the chains are positionable over vertically oriented fingers integrally formed to the reciprocating plate. The post is formed with a plurality of cylindrical abutments surrounding the fingers in a lower position and positioned adjacent an upper end of the fingers in a second position when the plate is dropped to a lowered second position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shipping facility including at least one cargo supporting structure mounted for easy, sliding movement on a receiving structure disposed within the cargo bay of a cargo transport vehicle preferably adapted for side and/or rear loading and unloading, wherein the at least one cargo supporting structure and the cargo held thereby is secured, during transport thereof, by conventional retaining facilities to minimize and dampen the lateral, longitudinal, oscillatory and random transportation forces which act upon the cargo during the transport thereof. The at least one cargo supporting structure is adapted for easy slidable/rollable movement along said receiving structure between an operating position within a shipment area of the cargo bay and a non-operating position within a storage area of the cargo bay for thereby freeing the shipment area for shipment of any type of cargo which it is normally capable of holding, after the original cargo has been unloaded, and vice versa.

Abstract: System for retaining or releasing a number of panels piled onto a supporting structure, such as solar panels of a spacecraft which can be deployed from the piled condition and retracted. The panels each comprise a number of passages at a distance of the edge defining a number of channels through the piled panels. A retainer extending through each channel, comprises operating elements at one side connected to control means attached to the supporting structure and at the other side connected to one or more seizing elements, which under control of said control means and through said operating elements can be moved from a retaining condition in which they seize the outer panel of the pile to a releasing condition in which they do not obstruct the deployment of the panels.

Abstract: A trailer structure for transporting sheet glass and other frangible sheet material which includes in a preferred embodiment, a support structure characterized by a fixed A-frame rigidly mounted on the chassis of a trailer with a cooperating material-supporting saddle frame pivoted on the apex ridge of the fixed A-frame and disposed for controlled pendulum movement responsive to road and motion stresses ecountered during transportation of the glass. The glass or other frangible sheets are secured by conventional straps on the saddle frame for transportation over roads and highways and coil springs with cooperating shock absorbers serve to minimize the transmission of stresses from the trailer chassis and fixed A-frame to the saddle frame. The trailer chassis is fitted with pivoting deck panels to facilitate convenient and safe loading of the glass and to provide additional deck area for other cargo.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle-mounted shipping rack for bendable objects (such as construction materials) which have a lengthwise dimension greater than a dimension of the vehicle. The shipping rack is mounted on a transport body of the vehicle, and includes a frame defining plural compartments across the body, each compartment having a dimension longer than a corresponding dimension of the transport body, but being curved so as to fit within the corresponding dimension of the body so that the bendable objects may be transported in the shipping rack by bending along the curved compartments.

Abstract: Freight carrying platforms are disclosed which can be stacked when empty and interconnected to enable the stack to be handled as a unit by conventional handling equipment for ISO Containers. Each platform has a set of links in the form of closed loops. Each such loop is traversed by a bar rigid with the platform and in the unlinked state hangs down from its bar. During linking, each link is lifted into a slot in the next superimposed platform and engaged by a sliding bolt of the latter. Two types of lateral registration means are disclosed.

Abstract: A knock-down support system for standard-sized containers which enables the containers to be automatically handled on rails, hangers or the like for routing, loading and unloading onto trucks.

Abstract: In order to adapt a container lashing bar to securely fasten its hooking-in fitting not only in the lower corner lateral openings of a standard shipping container, but also in the differently-shaped upper corner end openings, the usual hooking-in fitting which includes a pin with a locking lug extending from it is provided with a second locking lug extending in the same plane as the first, but in a substantially different angular direction. Particular mechanical design elaborations are described including replication of the two locking lugs in mirror image on the opposite end of the same pin, or on the same side of a similar pin provided on the opposite end of the bar.

Abstract: A load holder (10) is used in conjunction with load binder (12) and spaces the load binder (12) away from a load (14). The load holder (10) has two selectively usable load engaging portions. A first load engaging portion (20) of the holder (10) is adapted to engage load corners while a second load engaging portion (22) is adapted to engage flat or slightly curved load surfaces. A bridge (24) integrally formed with the two load engaging portions (20, 22) has an aperture (50) therein for receiving the binder (12) which extends therethrough.

Abstract: A chain cap is provided for forming a stable load suitable for vehicular travel from a plurality of elongate articles. A plurality of the chain caps are provided for encompassing the elongate articles. Each of the chain caps are provided with interfitting surfaces which interlock when the chain caps are stacked, tie bar surfaces which define tie bar channels extending between adjacent chain caps and conformal surfaces for engaging the elongate articles. Each of the elongate articles is engaged by at least a pair of the chain caps, the conformal surfaces of the chain caps engaging opposing sides of the elongate articles. A first planar array of the elongate articles is established, the elongate articles being disposed in a roughly parallel relationship with pairs of chain caps being adjacently disposed for defining a tie bar channel therebetween. A tie bar is mounted in the tie bar channel, the tie bar extending between adjacent pairs of chain caps.

Abstract: A frame fixture having a support base, receiving plate, a pair of carrier bolts and a post, the fixture is placed onto the top of a telephone switchgear frame so that the base grips the frame. The post has two carrier bolts extending therefrom and further has a cargo bar placed transversely to the bolts and is located therebetween. A receiving plate is attached to the bolts to fasten the cargo bar between the post and plate. A plurality of spaced switchgear frames in a transport vehicle are adapted to be interconnected by the cargo bar so as to prevent toppling of the former about their bases.

Abstract: A hold-down apparatus clamps functional elements, for instance solar cell nels which are unfoldable from a carrying body, possibly a spacecraft, in their folded condition. The folded functional elements (15) rest on a counter support (3) provided on the carrying body. A pressure piece (4) is mounted on the outermost functional element (15a). A swingable retaining arm or bail (5) rests with its one end on the pressure piece (4). In order to produce a high biasing force in the locked position, and in order to be able in an easy and reliable manner to reverse at any time from the unlocked to the locked position, the hold-down apparatus has the following features. A lever arm (7) is articulated or journalled to the counter support (3) and may be rotated by means of a drive element (10). The lever (7) is rotatably connected at one of its ends to the retaining arm or bail (5) which is biased by a spring (9) pressing in the direction toward the pressure piece (4).

Abstract: A separator sheet for disposition between layers of newspaper bundles on a movable pallet, for stabilizing the newspaper bundles as the pallet is moved. The separator sheet has a central portion and an outer portion circumscribing the central portion. The outer portion includes inclined sections extending at acute angles to, and in both directions from, the central portion. The inclined sections engage, and exert pressure against the peripheral edges of the layers of newspaper bundles both above and below the separator sheet for stabilizing the layers of newspaper bundles on the pallet. The separator sheet is preferably a unitary structure, formed of a resilient plastic material.

Abstract: A system for releasably securing support elements in a space vehicle wher a holding element extending through the support elements is pivotally mounted to a lever at the inner end thereof with a spring loaded release lever maintaining the outer end of the holding element in securing position. The inner end of the holding element is pivotally mounted to the lever at a point located eccentrically relative to the point of rotation of the lever and a releasable spring loaded piston operates upon severing of a blocking element to release the spring loaded piston to enable the lever to rotate to move the holding element so that the release lever engaging the outer end thereof may operate to release the holding engagement between the release lever and a support bushing whereupon the support elements will be released for movement. A limitation member is provided to limit the angle of movement of the release lever to 90.degree. when releasing the outer end of the holding element.

Abstract: A device for holding nested bell and plain end push on joint pipes in a fixed position utilizing a novel frame work of simple members fastened firmly together. The inner pipe may be held concentrically or eccentrically with respect to the outer pipe.Padding may be added to protect inside coatings, and safety strapping offers added security that allows an abrasion resistant sheet to be held in place until disassembly occurs.

Abstract: A crane is mounted on a platform having ground engaging legs adapted to support the platform in an elevated position straddling railroad tracks so that a railway car to be loaded or unloaded is adapted to be moved beneath the platform. The legs are adapted to be displaced between raised and lowered positions relative to the platform and are in the lowered positions thereof when the platform is so ground supported. When a railway car has been moved beneath the platform, the legs are displaced toward their raised positions whereby the platform is lowered onto the car to rest on the top edges of the side walls thereof. The platform carries clamping arrangements for releasably gripping the side walls of the car when the platform is supported thereon, and the crane is operable with the platform supported on the car to achieve the loading and/or unloading thereof.

Abstract: A trailer for loading and unloading fences and includes two rollers at the rear of the trailer for assisting passage of fence sections onto the trailer. The rollers are drawn via a pulley which is movable into and out of contact with a wheel of the trailer. A sprocket is connected to the pulley and one roller and an endless chain engaged the sprocket to drive the rollers. The trailer may be tilted relative to its drawbar to assist in loading and unloading the fences.

Abstract: A sheet supporting rack has (1) a base including a pair of spaced elongated runners detachably secured on flatbed of a trailer; (2) a back support including a strut mounted on each of the runners; and (3) a front restraint including an upright slidably mounted on each of the runners. The sheets are mounted in a generally vertical position with an edge of the sheet supported on the base, and a major surface of the sheets supported by the back support. The uprights of the front restraint are slid and angled with respect to the runners to urge the sheets against the back support and to secure the uprights in position on the runners to prevent movement of the sheets during shipment thereof.

Abstract: In a system for holding support elements on a body, which elements can be lded or swung out from the held position, such as support elements used with solar generators on space vehicles, a pin is arranged to carry the support elements and a locking bolt retains the pin in the held position. The locking bolt is biased toward a position where it releases the pin. The pin is tensioned so that it contributes to the biasing action on the locking bolt. A blocking element holds the locking element in position for securing the pin in the held position. When the blocking element is displaced, the locking bolt is released and, due to the biasing action, moves out of the position where it secures the pin in the held position. A number of pin-locking bolt-blocking element combinations can be secured in the held position by a common cable acting on the blocking elements. When the cable is cut, each of the combinations is released at the same time.

Abstract: A sheet supporting rack has (1) a base including a pair of spaced elongated runners detachably secured on flatbed of a trailer; (2) a back support including a strut mounted on each of the runners; and (3) a front restraint including an upright slidably mounted on each of the runners. The sheets are mounted in a generally vertical position with an edge of the sheet supported on the base, and a major surface of the sheets supported by the back support. The uprights of the front restraint are slid and angled with respect to the runners to urge the sheets against the back support and to secure the uprights in position on the runners to prevent movement of the sheets during shipment thereof.

Abstract: A device for holding nested pipes to one another radially and axially thereof each at one end, comprising a substantially U-shaped hook member engageable with axially opposite side faces of an inner flange on one end of an outer pipe and also engageable at its bottom with an outer peripheral shoulder portion of one end of an inner pipe, an engaging member engageable with one end face of the inner pipe, and screw means for fastening these two members to each other. Like the hook member, the engaging member is preferably U-shaped. For holding at least three pipes together, an engaging member substantially resembling the hook member is used for the intermediate pipe.

Abstract: A bow and spreader bar has adjustable telescoping members for mounting slings thereon when lifting glass sheets and a pin mounted on the end of each telescoping member to mount the bar in holes provided on sides of an open-top trailer. In the mounted position, the bar supports the protective covering and aids in maintaining the trailer walls in spaced relationship to one another.

Abstract: A cargo-carrying container having end walls and cargo tie-down devices on the end walls thereof each including a ring affixed to one of the end walls and a strap assembled to the ring, the effective length of the strap being adjustable, and further including a hook with a spring-loaded latch, the hook being fastened on the free end of the strap. The container can rest on and be secured to either a floor of a cargo space in transport craft such as a helicopter or can rest on and be secured to an underlying similar container.

Abstract: A deck container restraint system is disclosed which unitizes discrete containers against vertical movement in modules of three-wide, typically four-high stacks or columns to prevent overboard loss due to static and dynamic load conditions experienced at sea. A three-wide, one-high bottom tier of containers is secured against side to side and vertical movement by deck cones having locking devices. The overlying three-wide second tier is secured against side to side and vertical movement by cones having locking devices at the top of the first tier. Finally the three-wide, two-high top third and fourth tiers of containers are loaded, first by being tied vertically together by cones having locking devices and second, by being lifted in vertically tied pairs onto stacking fittings at the second-third tier interface. The stacking fittings restrain side to side movement at the second-third tier interface only.

Abstract: A pick-up truck cargo box capable of transporting standard 4.times.8 foot construction panels in a flat mode even though the spacing between the wheel housings protruding into the cargo area is less than the width of the panels. The inner body panels 17 of the cargo box 10 are provided with recesses 19 having platform surfaces 21 adapted to support the ends of load bearing support members 25 extending laterally across the cargo area from side wall 12 to side wall 13. The recesses 19 are formed such that when a support member 25 is positioned with its ends on aligned surfaces 21 of the recesses, the top surface 26 of the support member will be at the same elevation as the flat upper surfaces 16 of the wheel housings 14 and 15.