Retainer Patents (Class 410/77)
  • Patent number: 6964551
    Abstract: An improved trailer for transporting bulk seed boxes is provided. The trailer includes a bed, a hopper extending below the bed for receiving seed from the bulk seed box, and an auger for unloading seed from the hopper. The bed includes upwardly and outwardly extending guide plates to provide self-centering of the seed box when the box is loaded onto the bed with a forklift truck. The bed includes lock bars moveable between locked and unlocked positions to secure the seed box to the bed. The hopper includes a slide gate with a control arm connected to the gate and extending to the auger side of the trailer for moving the slide gate between open and closed position. The auger includes a foldable upper section which is pivotal between a folded transport position and an extended raised operative position. The folding of the upper auger section is facilitated by a gas cylinder and a lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Friesen USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Garry D. Friesen
  • Patent number: 6926481
    Abstract: Various kinds of apparatus are known for mounting functional units of conveyor systems, in particular latch units, which can be installed on the floor of a cargo hold in an aircraft. They are provided with detachable fixation devices to fix the functional units to retaining devices attached to the floor, such as seat rails or lock trays. In order to make better use of a cargo hold without the need for installing special fixation devices on its floor, it is proposed to equip the mounting apparatus with a support base that comprises, on opposite sides thereof, different fixation devices, a first of which can be fixed to a first kind of retaining device, such as a seat rail, while simultaneously a second fixation device can be fixed to a second kind of retaining device, such as a lock tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Telair International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 6923138
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various exemplary watercraft docking systems including a boat attachable portion that couples and aligns to a trailer portion. Detailed information on various example embodiments of the inventions are provided in the Detailed Description below, and the inventions are defined by the appended claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Rockne Byron Holbrook
  • Patent number: 6916142
    Abstract: A utility vehicle for removably mounting and carrying a plurality of different equipment, such as turf maintenance equipment, is provided. The utility vehicle is motorized and has a support frame. A multi-purpose platform is mounted to the support frame. The multi-purpose platform has a plurality of different equipment mounts so configured and arranged to removably mount the plurality of different equipment to the multi-purpose platform. A hydraulic lifting mechanism pivots the multi-purpose platform upward while the equipment is mounted to the multi-purpose platform to provide access to the area of the vehicle underneath the multi-purpose platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Loren F. Hansen, Stephanie L. Homewood, Thomas J. Deves
  • Patent number: 6902363
    Abstract: The apparatus for attachment to a non-inflatable part of a tandem, two-wheel cycle for rigidly mounting the cycle for transit purposes includes a bracket-like member adapted to be secured to the frame or other non-inflatable part of the cycle. A multi-part assembly is connected to the bracket for supporting the same for movement in longitudinal, transverse and vertical directions. The multi-part assembly includes a component adapted to be secured to the bed of a trailer or other transit vehicle. The multi-part assembly includes an adjustable securing mechanism for fixing the position of the bracket-like member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Stephen Couto
  • Patent number: 6896456
    Abstract: The invention relates to a latch unit for use in an aircraft cargo hold to secure freight. The latch unit includes a claw that can be depressed out of an elevated, position in which an item of freight can be brought into an immobilizing engagement with the claw, into a resting position in which an item of freight can travel over the latch unit. The latch unit is constructed to engage freight that approaches in a direction leading out of the cargo hold and allows freight to freely move when the freight approaches from all other directions. In addition, the latch unit allows freight to rotate while in the door region, while at the same time prevents freight from accidentally rolling out of the cargo hold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Telair International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 6896457
    Abstract: A method and system for securing freight during transport. The method and system secure the freight by using rotatable clamping mechanisms configure to apply axial pressure to the freight so as to prevent movement or shifting in transit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: TTX Company
    Inventor: William R. Halliar
  • Patent number: 6877939
    Abstract: Frames and attachments thereto and methods of use thereof for the support and/or releasable securing of cargo and/or cargo containers upon and/or to cargo containers and/or cargo container transports and/or lifting devices. Linking frame (10) may be used upon and/or beneath containers that possess insufficient mutually corresponding mounting-points to otherwise enable them to be vertically stacked and secured together. Parallel longitudinal beams (11) are joined by shorter lateral beams (12). Attached directly or indirectly, protruding outward the outer side surfaces of said framework, are connectors (13) able to correspond upwardly and/or downwardly with various mounting-point layouts as provided upon the surfaces of cargo transport equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventors: Philip Tomkins, Nicholas Michael Kavanagh, Francis David Patten
  • Patent number: 6874981
    Abstract: A series of transport carts are positioned in side by side relation in fore and aft extending spaced apart rows disposed along a delivery van to leave an aisle between them. The carts have wheel supported upright frames with bottom supports for the products disposed at a level above the floor of the van and open fronts from which the carts can be unloaded. The carts have rear posts which are disengageably locked in track sections provided in longitudinally spaced relation along the van side walls. Pallets with discs projecting downwardly from the floors of the pallets support the product stacks on the cart bottom supports. A hand truck with a bifurcated nose plate defining disc receiving arms engages under each pallet to enable removal of a pallet and product stack from the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph D. Krawczyk, Robert W. Grace, Norman C. Strohfus, David J. Glancy
  • Patent number: 6860684
    Abstract: A loading system for securing cargo with, typically, at least two spaced forwardly located pin and receptacle assemblies and at least two spaced rearwardly located tensioning systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robert Antonelli, David Harper, Dennis M. Pape, Wayne L. Reed, Richard W. Seeman
  • Patent number: 6843625
    Abstract: A mobile base assembly wherein a plurality of wheels 12 are attached to a frame 14 for movably supporting the frame 14 on a support surface 16 and an anchor mechanism 10 lifts the wheels 12 from the support surface 16 and anchors the frame 14 to the support surface 16. A pair of spaced plates (20 or 22) are attached to the frame 14 and an anchor member 34 is pivotally mounted between the plates (20 or 22) for pivotal movement between an anchor position (FIG. 4) and a retracted position (FIG. 3). A lever 70 is pivotally mounted between the plates (20 or 22) and presents a cam 72 for engaging and pivoting the anchor member 34 against the biasing reaction of a spring 60 from the retracted position to the anchor position. A foot 40 is attached to a foot flange extending from the anchor member 34 and has a base 42 for engaging the support surface 16 in the anchor position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: HTC Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Hewitt
  • Patent number: 6840724
    Abstract: A pivotally mounted spade connector for attaching an intermodal sea container to a U-shaped vehicle. A sleeve is rigidly connected to the container to receive the spade connector. A ledge is located on the U-shaped vehicle and is received within a groove on the container. The U-shaded vehicle lowers to the ground, backs up to surround the container, the ledge is guided onto the groove, and the spade connector is projected into the sleeve. The container is connected to the vehicle and both are raised in order to transport the container over roads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: William Bernard Trescott
  • Publication number: 20040265085
    Abstract: A cargo carrier restraint device that is specially designed to permit faster and more expeditious loading of the last of a number of cargo pallets being loaded into the cargo bay of an airplane or like transport vehicle. In one form of the invention, the restraint device is movable angularly upward within the cargo bay upwardly in such manner as to provide substantial additional clearance for loading the last cargo pallet into the transport vehicle of on the order of one inch in the forward direction and on the order of one-half inch in the vertical direction. Following loading of the last pallet, the cargo restraint device can be moved angularly downward to a position wherein a device provides substantial forward and vertical restraint to the last to be loaded cargo pallets or containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Henry P. Mayer, Lloyd Misner
  • Patent number: 6835035
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for securing horizontally loaded cargo units on a vessel, in which method the cargo units (13) are handled and secured for transporting the cargo units (13) on the vessel. The cargo unit (13) is secured to the vessel and/or to an adjacent cargo unit (13) by means of securing elements extending in the longitudinal direction of the cargo unit such that securing parts (11, 12) of the securing element (10) fixed to a bulkhead (15) of the vessel and to the cargo unit or to adjacent cargo units form an interlocking coupling, whereby the cargo unit (13) that is secured remains in place in the securing position. The invention also relates to a device for securing horizontally loaded cargo units on a vessel, which device is used for securing the cargo units (13) for transport on the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Finnlines Oyj
    Inventors: Mikko Hänninen, Martti Salokannel, Markku Seppälä
  • Publication number: 20040234354
    Abstract: A method and system for securing freight during transport. The method and system secure the freight by using rotatable clamping mechanisms configure to apply axial pressure to the freight so as to prevent movement or shifting in transit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: TTX Company
    Inventor: William R. Halliar
  • Patent number: 6817578
    Abstract: A single transportation platform system capable of interfacing with standardized ISO containers, PLS truck-and-trailer systems, HSVs Fast Sealift Ships, and cargo aircraft's 463L rail and pallet locking systems. The system can be handled by a LHS equipped vehicle as a joined platform or separated into individual pallets and handled like a 463L pallet. The platform provides a pallet system that eliminates the need for a married pallet system to be used in the process of loading and supporting loads normally transported on standard CROPs when being transported on a cargo aircraft. The platform can be positioned directly on the roller assembly of a loading ramp of a cargo aircraft, such as a C-17 by a LHS equipped vehicle, so as to facilitate loading and unloading from the aircraft without the need for large cranes or K-loaders. The platform also permits combat offloads to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Anibal J. Garcia, James S. Wells, Myles A. Rohrlick, John B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6796757
    Abstract: An ambulance cot frame securing system for a patient transport vehicle which includes a floor frame adapted to be secured to a floor of the patient transport vehicle. The floor frame has at a first end thereof a fixed angled restraint inclined upwardly and in a direction toward a second end of the floor frame to define an overhang spaced upwardly from the floor frame so as to provide a gap into which is adapted to be received a first part of the cot frame. The floor frame additionally has a releasable latch mechanism adapted to be releasably coupled to a second part of the cot frame so as to hold is the cot frame in a fixed lengthwise location relative to the floor frame. The securement system additionally has a self-activating locking mechanism activatable in response to a sudden burst of either acceleration or deceleration of the patient transport vehicle to additionally securely lock the first part of the cot frame in a fixed position relative to the patient transport vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher B. Way, Clifford E. Lambarth
  • Patent number: 6773213
    Abstract: A plurality of rail assemblies are used for supporting cargo on the floor of a vehicle. Each rail assembly has two main parts, a cross track and a compression bar which are connected together. One free end of the compression bar has shear lugs which are fitted into a track having cutout portions separated from each other by lip portions which is attached to the vehicle floor. The other end of the cross track is attached to one end of the compression bar. The other end of the compression bar abuts against a tube member attached to the vehicle floor. Each rail assembly is attached at points between is ends to a pair of cross rails. Rollers along which the pallet on which the cargo is loaded and can be moved are attached to the cross tracks. The pallet is retained in position on the rail assemblies by mean of manually operable latch devices installed one each of the cross tracks of the rail assemblies which have tongues which fit into cavities in the pallet in response to manual actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Ancra International, LLC.
    Inventor: Edward Moradians
  • Patent number: 6773148
    Abstract: A system for mounting an object on a surface. The system has first and second supports for placement at spaced locations on a surface, and a plurality of modules that are engageable with each other and the first and second supports to define a first spanning section between the first and second supports that is spaced relative to a surface on which the first and second supports are placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: George C. Kasboske
  • Patent number: 6758643
    Abstract: A positioning assembly includes a first connecting rod with a threaded end section, a second connecting rod with a threaded end section, an adjusting member having two opposite threaded ends that threadedly engage the threaded end sections of the first and second connecting rods, and a third connecting rod that is pivoted to the second connecting rod so as to pivot relative to the second connecting rod between used and folded states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: David Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6749379
    Abstract: A u-shaped trailer frame that includes a drawbar that is connectable to a trailer hitch. The u-shaped frame includes forward holding means and also a pair of axle supports for the wheel axles of the greens mower once the wheels have been removed. The trailer includes a pair of wheels that have special mounts, allowing the frame to be positioned as close to ground as possible, thus eliminating the need for any pivot members to raise the greens mower as found in the prior art. A special offset draw bar configuration is also provided to allow the ground hugging trailer frame to be attached to a conventionally located trailer hitch mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventors: Orrin W. Feld, Ho Phi Tang
  • Patent number: 6729818
    Abstract: A retractable restraint device is provided for restraining cargo pallets within a fuselage of an aircraft during flight. The device includes a lock mechanism having a base that is fixedly secured within a channel in a floor of the fuselage. Two parallel channels are typically used which each contain a plurality of the locking mechanisms spaced apart therealong. Each locking mechanism includes a guide having a lock hook and a lock catch member pivotally secured thereto. The lock hook is moveable from an unlocked position into a lock position relative to the pallet by releasing the lock catch member. A biasing spring urges the lock hook into engagement with the pallet. The lock hook is retained in its unlocked position by the lock catch member, which is also spring biased and which can be engaged with a foot to release the lock member into the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul L. Yee, Oscar M. Atienza
  • Patent number: 6695554
    Abstract: Methods for vertically restraining palletized cargo within an aircraft that quickly restrains and unrestrains vertical movement of transportation pallets of uneven shapes within a transportation bay employs a plurality of cams having upwardly oriented circular geared portion and downwardly oriented extended portion mounted onto the sides of the bay. Once a pallet is inserted into the bay with the outboard edges under cams urging the downwardly oriented extended portions to turn to accommodate distortions of the outboard edges, rotating the cams. Once the pallet is fully inserted into the bay, the methods employ locking levers with linear gears along the bottom mesh with the circular gears on portions of the cams preventing the cams from rotation. The extended portions of the cams with shock absorbing bumpers lie on the upper surface of the pallet restraining the vertical movement of the pallets. Alarm means to detect the status of the locking levers are also provided for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Matt Afful
  • Patent number: 6695553
    Abstract: A device for securing a container to a hoist includes a frame rigidly connectable to the hoist; first and second hooks mounted in mutually close proximity and to the frame to rotate about an axis between a retracted, unlocked position away from the long sill of the container and an activated, locking position disposed at least partially over the long sill; an actuator mounted to the frame to move between an activating position and a retracting position, the actuator engageable with the hooks to rotate the hooks from the activated, locking position to the retracted, unlocked position when the actuator moves from the activating position and the retracting position; springs operationally connected with the hooks for urging the hooks toward the activated, locking position; and, a power device connected with the actuator to move the actuator between the activating and retracting positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventors: Donald E. Galbreath, Francis Widner, Randall D. Sommers
  • Patent number: 6695555
    Abstract: A freight loading system for an aircraft includes roller drive units for transporting freight load units such as containers or pallets or the like, latching units for latching the freight load units, and control units for operating the drive units and/or the latching units. At least one of the roller drive units and the latching units is embodied as a pneumatically operated component including a pneumatic actuator. Pressurized air is supplied to the pneumatic components through a pressurized air line system. A pneumatic controller provides pneumatic control signals through pneumatic lines to the pneumatic components to achieve a purely pneumatic system, or an electric controller provides electric control signals over electric conductors to control valves for the pneumatic components to achieve a hybrid electro-pneumatic system. The sparking, overloading, and fire hazard problems of fully electric systems are avoided, and the weight, cost, and maintenance are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Eilenstein, Hartmut Sempert
  • Patent number: 6688820
    Abstract: A cargo bed structure of a truck has concave portions formed within an inside surface of each right and left side wall for detachably mounting long materials on a lower surface of the concave portion, respectively. The bed structure includes a rotational member, an end side of which is supported rotatably by a surface of the side wall formed over the concave portion. The rotational member regulates a movement of the long materials in a vertical direction with the other end of the rotational member when the rotational member rotates in one direction, and deregulates the movement of the long materials when the rotational member rotates in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomonori Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 6685403
    Abstract: A universal, mobile occupant carrier, restraint device that may be adapted to fit various commercially available mobile occupant carriers. The restraint device allows the occupant to perform self-securement in a transport vehicle while providing resistance against multi-point collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Bruce J. Constantin
  • Publication number: 20040013489
    Abstract: A utility vehicle for removably mounting and carrying a plurality of different equipment, such as turf maintenance equipment, is provided. The utility vehicle is motorized and has a support frame. A multi-purpose platform is mounted to the support frame. The multi-purpose platform has a plurality of different equipment mounts so configured and arranged to removably mount the plurality of different equipment to the multi-purpose platform. A hydraulic lifting mechanism pivots the multi-purpose platform upward while the equipment is mounted to the multi-purpose platform to provide access to the area of the vehicle underneath the multi-purpose platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Loren F. Hansen, Stephanie L. Homewood, Thomas J. Deves
  • Patent number: 6669417
    Abstract: A positioning assembly includes a connecting rod, a pivot pin, and a hook member. The connecting rod has a U-shaped end with opposing first and second arm portions which cooperatively define a gap therebetween and which are respectively formed with first and second through-holes. The first arm portion is formed with a first flange that projects outwardly and that converges from a periphery of the first through-hole. The second arm portion is formed with a second flange that projects inwardly from a periphery of the second through-hole. The first and second flanges confine first and second openings, respectively. The pivot pin extends into the first and second through-holes, and has a diameter greater than dimensions of the first and second openings so as to be limited in the first and second through-holes. The hook member has a pivot end that is disposed in the gap and that is rotatably sleeved on the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: David Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6666633
    Abstract: A positioning assembly includes a first connecting rod with a threaded end section, a second connecting rod with a threaded end section, an adjusting member having two opposite threaded ends that threadedly engage the threaded end sections of the first and second connecting rods and an intermediate section extending between the threaded ends, and a restricting member mounted on one of the first and second connecting rods and releasably engageable with the intermediate section when said one of the first and second connecting rods rotates relative to the adjusting member in a loosening direction, thereby preventing further rotation of said one of the first and second connecting rods relative to the adjusting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: David Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6659697
    Abstract: A winch bar is provided for use in combination with a strap winding winch for flat bed trailers. The winch bar has two stable positions of engagement with the strap winch. The winch bar will reduce accidents commonly caused by slippage of the winch bar relative to the winch during application of high torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Martin Guenther
  • Publication number: 20030210965
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting cargo includes a rotatable support arm and at least one bracing arm that extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from the longitudinal arm. No more than one of the bracing arms contacts and supports a corner of the cargo. At least one of the bracing arms preferably includes an extendable assembly for providing at least partial support of the cargo. The extendable assembly may include, for example, a sleeve and a movable structure located within the sleeve, wherein the movable structure may be extended from the sleeve to contact the cargo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Saul Erech, Dexter J. Fowler, James A. Kirk
  • Publication number: 20030170088
    Abstract: Latch units are known components of loading systems for use in an aircraft cargo hold in which roller and ball units attached within or on a floor of a cargo hold operate in such a way that containers, pallets or similar items of freight can be conveyed into said hold through a door leading thereto and anchored at specified positions within the cargo hold. The present latch unit comprises a claw that can be depressed out of an elevated, operating position, in which an item of freight can be brought into an immobilizing engagement with the claw, into a resting position in which an item of freight can travel over the latch unit, this lowering movement being achieved by means of an actuator such as a ramp, lever or similar device when the latter are encountered by an approaching item of freight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: TELAIR INTERNATIONAL GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 6585464
    Abstract: A control system for a container chassis latching assembly of a trailer provides for initial pressurization of the latching assembly via the trailer supply line. Once a trailer reservoir is sufficiently charged, pressure is maintained for the latch assembly by the trailer reservoir. A preferred control valve interconnects the supply line with a supply port of the valve to provide the desired pressure at a delivery port. A control port of the valve is connected with the trailer reservoir and shuts off this flow once the trailer reservoir has reached a predetermined pressure. Thereafter, the latch assembly is maintained via air supplied from the trailer reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Charles E. Eberling
  • Patent number: 6568892
    Abstract: A trailer winch assembly (100) is provided for loading containers (52, 53, 94, 96) onto a trailer (50). The winch assembly (100) comprises two movable winch apparatuses (102, 104) mounted on a winch transport assembly (106). A wheel assembly (200) having a rigid wheel frame (202), a wheel (206) rotatably and slidable supported in the wheel frame (202), and an attachment assembly (204) utilizes a jack (298) to raise the container onto the wheel. An off-load foot (350) including a downwardly extending leg (354) having abase (396) for engaging a ground surface (85) is utilized to off-load containers. A container lockdown mechanism (500) includes a securement member (504) attached to the trailer (50), an attachment member (502), and an extension member (506) extended between the container and the securement member (504) to hold the container (52) on the trailer (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Landoll Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Landoll, Sterling W. Gunter, Keith Vacha
  • Publication number: 20030095845
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically gripping and retaining cargo on a platform includes spaced apart hooks for rotation from retracted positions beneath the platform to extended, cargo engaging positions, in which the hooks engage opposite sides or ends of the cargo; a pivot arm rotatably mounted in the platform and normally extending above the platform, the arm being moved downwardly by the cargo to operate linkage assemblies which cause the hooks to rotate upwardly to the cargo engaging positions. The hooks are returned to the retracted positions by foot pedal operated levers beneath the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Mario Guilbault, Pascal Forbes
  • Patent number: 6565299
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically gripping and retaining cargo on a platform includes spaced apart hooks for rotation from retracted positions beneath the platform to extended, cargo engaging positions, in which the hooks engage opposite sides or ends of the cargo; a pivot arm rotatably mounted in the platform and normally extending above the platform, the arm being moved downwardly by the cargo to operate linkage assemblies which cause the hooks to rotate upwardly to the cargo engaging positions. The hooks are returned to the retracted positions by foot pedal operated levers beneath the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Moody Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Guilbault, Pascal Forbes
  • Patent number: 6533511
    Abstract: A movable container lock slides into and out of position laterally and is held in a secure position by the combination of longitudinal and lateral stop blocks coacting with a gravity lock and is further tethered to be moved from one selected position of a vehicle to another so that the need for multiple locks can be minimized and flexibility in selection of containers sizes for lading can be maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Holland Company
    Inventor: Todd J. deKoning
  • Patent number: 6524042
    Abstract: A compact apparatus for securing equipment to a surface of a vehicle includes an elongate shaft slidably extending through a support member attached to the vehicle. An engagement member is formed on one end of the shaft for engaging and retaining equipment on the exterior of the vehicle. A spring-loaded latching assembly is provided to retain the engagement member in a securing relationship with the equipment. The latching assembly illustratively includes an arrangement for transferring a biasing force from a spring to the shaft to bias the shaft in a condition wherein the engagement member secures the equipment in place. The latching assembly includes control lever and a cam arrangement that allows easy manual operation of the latching assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Jeffrey Chasen
  • Patent number: 6511271
    Abstract: A locking clamp mechanism is designed for securing a ladder to a mounting rack that can be disposed on a roof or a side of a vehicle. The locking clamp mechanism is operative between an open and locked position in response to the position of an operating handle, which pivots from an open position over its pivot connection to a locked position. In pivoting, the handle draws a curved link over the top dead-center position of its pivot and secures a hook member that engages a rung of the ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Kevin J. Saroka
  • Patent number: 6488457
    Abstract: A pallet latching mechanism for a palletized system of an aircraft. The latching mechanism includes a frame within which are pivotally disposed a first pawl and a second pawl. The first pawl has a handle associated therewith. Each of the pawls have camming surfaces and are spring biased by associated torsion springs. Movement of the first pawl via the handle into locking engagement with an associated restraining pin of a rail assembly secured to a floor of the aircraft substantially simultaneously causes locking engagement of the second pawl with a different one of the restraining pins. A safety latch system associated with the handle ensures that once the mechanism is placed in the locked position it cannot be accidentally moved into an unlocked position without first releasing the safety latch system. The latching mechanism even more effectively restrains a palletized system associated therewith against forward and aft movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Richard G. Diamante
  • Patent number: 6485238
    Abstract: An aircraft cargo carrier restraint device that is constructed so that it cannot be accidentally moved from extended, pallet locking position to a retracted position. The device embodies locking pawls of unique design that positively preclude movement of the pawls into a retracted position unless a specific sequence of operation is followed. One of the locking pawls includes a locking notch and the other of the locking pawls includes a locking protuberance, which is closely received within the locking notch so as to positively prevent accidental downward movement of the pawls into their lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Pemco Aviation Group
    Inventor: B. Javier Segura
  • Patent number: 6485239
    Abstract: A cargo hold down system to quickly restrain and unrestraint vertical movement of transportation pallets of uneven shapes within a transportation bay employs a plurality of cams having upwardly oriented circular geared portion and downwardly oriented extended portion mounted onto the sides of the bay. A pallet is inserted into the bay with the outboard edges under the cams urging the downwardly oriented extended portions to turn to accommodate distortions of the outboard edges, rotating the cams. Once the pallet is fully inserted into the bay, locking levers with linear gears along the bottom mesh with the circular gears on portions of the cams preventing the cams from rotation. The extended portions of the cams with shock absorbing bumpers lie on the upper surface of the pallet restraining the vertical movement of the pallets. An alarm to detect the status of the locking levers is also provided for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Matt Afful
  • Patent number: 6474916
    Abstract: A universal, mobile occupant carrier, restraint device that may be adapted to fit various commercially available mobile occupant carriers. The restraint device allows the occupant to perform self-securement in a transport vehicle while providing resistance against multi-point collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Bruce J. Constantin
  • Publication number: 20020131837
    Abstract: An aircraft cargo carrier restraint device that is constructed so that it cannot be accidentally moved from extended, pallet locking position to a retracted position. The device embodies locking pawls of unique design that positively preclude movement of the pawls into a retracted position unless a specific sequence of operation is followed. One of the locking pawls includes a locking notch and the other of the locking pawls includes a locking protuberance, which is closely received within the locking notch so as to positively prevent accidental downward movement of the pawls into their lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: Pemco Engineers
    Inventor: B. Javier Segura
  • Patent number: 6450744
    Abstract: A cargo restraint system for retaining a cargo pallet. The cargo restraint system comprising a frame having a receiving channel and a pallet latching member. The pallet latching member is rotatably coupled at a first end to the frame for pivotal movement between a stowed position and a retaining position. The latch member includes a pair of camming surfaces that are engageable with the cargo pallet during an overriding movement of the cargo pallet, which forces the pallet latching member into the stowed position. The pallet latching member has an overall maximum width that is less than a width of the receiving channel of the frame to eliminate any wing-like feature and minimize the potential for damage to the pallet latching member caused by inadvertent snagging of the pallet latching member by the cargo pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel Roger Gilhuys, Rosario Simon Saggio, Karlton Kazumi Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20020122709
    Abstract: A pallet latching mechanism for a palletized seat system of an aircraft. The latching mechanism includes a frame within which are pivotally disposed a first pawl and a second pawl. The first pawl has a handle associated therewith. Each of the pawls have camming surfaces and are spring biased by associated torsion springs. Movement of the first pawl via the handle into locking engagement with an associated restraining pin of a rail assembly secured to a floor of the aircraft substantially simultaneously causes locking engagement of the second pawl with a different one of the restraining pins. A safety latch system associated with the handle ensures that once the mechanism is placed in the locked position it cannot be accidentally moved into an unlocked position without first releasing the safety latch system. The latching mechanism even more effectively restrains a palletized seat system associated therewith against forward and aft movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventor: Richard G. Diamante
  • Publication number: 20020119022
    Abstract: A cargo restraint system for retaining a cargo pallet. The cargo restraint system comprising a frame having a receiving channel and a pallet latching member. The pallet latching member is rotatably coupled at a first end to the frame for pivotal movement between a stowed position and a retaining position. The latch member includes a pair of camming surfaces that are engageable with the cargo pallet during an overriding movement of the cargo pallet, which forces the pallet latching member into the stowed position. The pallet latching member has an overall maximum width that is less than a width of the receiving channel of the frame to eliminate any wing-like feature and minimize the potential for damage to the pallet latching member caused by inadvertent snagging of the pallet latching member by the cargo pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel Roger Gilhuys, Rosario Simon Saggio, Karlton Kazumi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6427947
    Abstract: A pallet interface system for supporting a Container Roll in/Out Platform (CROP), flatrack or ISO container within an aircraft, such as a C-17 aircraft. The interface system includes two independent, identical interface pallets which are coupled together by flexible cables. The cables have lengths which enable the two interface pallets to be spaced apart a precise distance so as to be able to support a CROP, flatrack or ISO container. The interface pallets are of small enough dimensions and weight such that same can be manipulated by one or more individuals, thereby obviating the need for a crane to be employed to lift the load onto the pallets before the loading process can begin. Each pallet has a plurality of ISO locking assemblies which allow a CROP, flatrack or ISO container to be locked thereto. Each pallet also has a 463L cargo system edge structure which permits it to be locked to the rails within the C-17 aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Myles A. Rohrlick, Anibal J. Garcia, Richard Joseph Almassy, James Sterling Wells
  • Patent number: 6425717
    Abstract: A cargo restraint device including a base having an outer pawl and an inner pawl pivotally connected to the base. The outer pawl has a generally horizontal locking surface that cooperates with a generally horizontal locking surface on the inner pawl to provide a cargo restraint device capable of resisting vibration and downward forces applied to the inner pawl to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the cargo restraint device. During an unlocking movement, foot pressure is applied generally downward upon the outer pawl to enable the inner pawl to rotate to an unlocked position. The foot pressure is then released from the outer pawl to enable the outer pawl to rotate to an unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rosario Simon Saggio, Frank J. Caldwell, Jr., Karlton K. Okamoto