Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for automatically connecting a watercraft to a trailer. The invention permits a watercraft to be connected to a submerged trailer so that the watercraft can be withdrawn from a body of water by a single operator. The systems and methods of the invention incorporate a bow target guide which guides the operator of a watercraft to a catch mechanism so that a connection between the trailer and watercraft can be made automatically. The systems of the invention may be provided as a kit for modifying an existing trailer, or they may form an integral component of a trailer. Methods of making and using the present system are within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: Shipping and storage containers, racks, and pallets including interlocking mechanisms are provided. An embodiment of the pallet includes openings, interface fittings aligned with the openings, respectively, and sized to fit into openings of identical sizes and configurations as the first and second openings, respectively, locking components operatively connected to one another, and an actuator for moving concomitantly the locking components into and out of the openings, respectively.

Abstract: A load leveler for different widths of open semi-trailers preferably includes a load support member, a plurality of vertical support members and two adjustable stakes. Each vertical support member is attached under the load support member. A stake receiver is preferably secured to each end of the load leveler with welding. The stake receiver is sized to receive an outer perimeter of the adjustable stake. The adjustable stake includes a receiver portion and a stake portion. The stake portion is sized to be received by a stake pocket in an open semi-trailer. The receiver portion is sized to be received by the stake receiver. At least one of the adjustable stake is fractionally rotated to accommodate different distances between stake pockets. A chain tie is preferably attached to a top of the stake receiver to retain a tie down chain.

Abstract: Non-protruding seat track apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a track includes an elongated support having a support surface and an engagement surface. The support surface is adapted to engage a lower surface of a floor panel, and the engagement surface is adapted to be coupled to a payload assembly. The engagement surface is at least one of flush with and recessed below the lower surface of the floor panel when the support surface is engaged with the lower surface. The engagement surface may have at least one of an engagement slot and an attachment aperture disposed therein.

Abstract: Non-protruding seat track apparatus and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a track includes an elongated support having a support surface and an engagement surface. The support surface is adapted to engage a lower surface of a floor panel, and the engagement surface is adapted to be coupled to a payload assembly. The engagement surface is at least one of flush with and recessed below the lower surface of the floor panel when the support surface is engaged with the lower surface. The engagement surface may have at least one of an engagement slot and an attachment aperture disposed therein.

Abstract: Shipping and storage containers, racks, and pallets including interlocking mechanisms are provided. An embodiment of the pallet includes openings, interface fittings aligned with the openings, respectively, and sized to fit into openings of identical sizes and configurations as the first and second openings, respectively, locking components operatively connected to one another, and an actuator for moving concomitantly the locking components into and out of the openings, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for beaming some or all payload component loads out to surrounding support structure and adaptably coupling payload assemblies to a support structure are disclosed. In one embodiment, a payload assembly includes a payload member and at least one payload support. The payload member is adapted to be positioned proximate the support structure, and the at least one payload support is coupled to the payload member and is adapted to operatively engage at least one of the elongated supports of the support structure. The at least one payload support is further adapted to beam loads from the payload member to the at least one elongated support, and to be moveable with the payload member relative to the support structure. In one particular embodiment, the payload support includes an end portion adapted to engage with a top surface of the elongated support.

Abstract: A container is provided for transporting cargo on a flatbed vehicle. The container includes a top wall structure; a bottom wall structure opposing the top wall structure; a front wall structure; a rear wall structure opposing the front wall structure; and a pair of sidewall structures disposed in opposing relation. The top wall structure, the bottom wall structure, the front wall structure, the rear wall structure and the sidewall structures are coupled so as to form an enclosed interior space. The bottom wall structure has leg structures extending therefrom. The leg structures are spaced a sufficient length and are constructed and arranged to be received in recesses defined at opposing sides of a cargo carrying surface of the flatbed vehicle to mount the container with respect to the cargo carrying surface. Certain of the wall structures are constructed and arranged to be opened and closed to place and store cargo in the interior space.

Abstract: A load carrier such as a swap body for a road and/or rail vehicle including at least a base, the base being substantially square and defining a width and a length of the carrier, the base having at each of its corners a pair of spigot receiving locations, each one of the pair having a center, the distance between closest centers in a direction of the width and the length being a first distance and the distance between furthest centers in the direction of the width and length being a second distance.

Abstract: A cargo restraining device for use in tine cargo areas of vehicles, trailers, and boats for holding cargo secure and resist sliding and tipping of the cargo placed on a flat surface therein. The restraining device includes a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion comprises material having a coefficient of friction for enhanced adhesion against a metal, carpet or plastic supporting surface. The box, container, or cargo (item) is placed on flop of the lower portion of the restraining device which is deposed between the box and supporting surface. This will cause the cargo item to resist movement. The upper portion of the restraining device consists of a rigid material integrally attached to the lower portion making the bond as strong as the lower portion and mechanically locking the two materials together. Thus transferring any energy applied to the upper portion to the lower portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing cargo in a vehicle having a flat horizontal surface, such as a van or an SUV, is disclosed. Strips, which may be separate or part of a unitary member, have openings adapted to receive pins. The openings have vertical sections extending downwardly and horizontal sections extending forward in the direction of vehicle travel. The bins have an upper storage area and pins mounted at the bottom of the bin. The bin is mounted to the strips by directing the pins first through the vertical section and then through the horizontal section of the openings. The pins may extend outwardly from a reduced width area at the bottom of the bin, or may be centrally mounted at the bottom of the bin. Alternatively, pins are mounted to the strips and openings are formed in the bins. The strips may be formed into a unitary frame. Flat filler boards are also provided which may be placed between the strips when no storage bin is used in order to provide a flat surface.

Abstract: A system for securing accessories in a truck box comprises right and left anchor beams adapted to be fastened to respective right and left edges of the floor such that inner faces of the anchor beams face each other across an inner floor area. An anchor lip extends from each inner face and an accessory has right and left edges comprising an under lip adapted to fit slidingly under the anchor lip of each anchor member. A lock is operative to lock the accessory in a substantially fixed position along the length of the floor. The accessory can be ballast, a toolbox or other accessory that is secured in a truck box but is easily removed to load cargo.

Abstract: A T-flange engaging load bearing bed consisting of a metal sheet having an upper load bearing surface, a lower surface, and having a post receiving slot, and further consisting of a C-channel beam having an upwardly opening T-receiving channel, the C-channel beam being fixedly attached to the lower surface of the metal sheet so that the upwardly opening T-receiving channel underlies the post receiving slot.

Abstract: A clamp to be placed against payload objects carried in a truck or other vehicle including a corrugated bed liner comprising one or more pairs of movable opposing jaws, each pair selectively engaging a portion of the truck bed liner. The clamp jaws are slidebly retained in grooves in a clamp frame, and moved by spirally disposed grooves in a disk rotated by a connected operator lever. Further improvements include anchoring apertures to further secure the object(s) with rope or strapping, and latching apparatus to maintain the clamp in a closed or “engaged” position relative to the bed liner.

Abstract: A rail car transporting system is used to transport relatively heavy structures by rail car, particularly prefabricated concrete structures. At least one pair of portable retaining devices are configured to retain the structure on the rail car generally at opposite longitudinal sides thereof. Each retaining device includes a base member positionable under the structure with a vertically extending boss member configured on the base member. This boss member has a shape and size so as to fit into a recess defined in the bottom of the structure. Each of the retaining devices also includes at least one securing device that is configured to secure the retaining device to the rail car such that the structure is retained on the rail car by engagement of the boss members within the recesses.

Abstract: A rail car transporting system is used to transport relatively heavy structures by rail car, particularly prefabricated concrete structures. At least one pair of portable retaining devices are configured to retain the structure on the rail car generally at opposite longitudinal sides thereof. Each retaining device includes a base member positionable under the structure with a vertically extending boss member configured on the base member. This boss member has a shape and size so as to fit into a recess defined in the bottom of the structure. Each of the retaining devices also includes at least one securing device that is configured to secure the retaining device to the rail car such that the structure is retained on the rail car by engagement of the boss members within the recesses.

Abstract: The cargo restraint assembly is for a vehicle cargo bed and includes a vehicle cargo bed liner adapted to lie on the floor of the cargo bed. The liner has spaced parallel grooves extending from the rear to the front of the liner and defined by spaced parallel upstanding ribs. The assembly also includes a cargo stop block having a rear end, opposite front end, top, bottom and opposing sides. The block bottom has parallel spaced forwardly extending ribs defining spaced parallel grooves therebetween. The block ribs and grooves are adapted to mate with the grooves and ribs of the bed liner. The assembly further includes a stop block lock which is adapted to draw the block laterally to engage the sides of the block depending ribs with the sides of the upstanding ribs of the bed liner in order to secure the block in place on the bed liner. In one embodiment the lock has a body with a depending rib which fits in a bed liner groove.

Abstract: An enclosure for holding a machine includes a lower body made of polymer materials, such as polyolafins and/or nylon. The lower body includes an interior region having a surface with one or more features integrally molded therein and an upper body overlying the lower body for enclosing the machine between the upper and lower bodies. The one or more features integrally molded into the surface of the interior region are adapted for at least partially securing the machine to the lower body. In one embodiment, the one or more features integrally molded into the surface of the lower body include a projection extending above the surface of the interior region and the machine includes a recess formed in a bottom surface thereof. The projection may be sized and shaped to fit within the recess for securing the machine to the surface of the lower body so as to prevent the machine from moving laterally with respect to the surface of the interior region.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a ribbed vehicle cargo bed, including a vehicle cargo bed liner, which contains a means for stabilizing an object during transport. The stabilizing means is created by a reduced floor rib height in an area shaped to hold a cargo object. The area having reduced rib height is adjacently surrounded by a supporting ridge comprising a plurality of cross sectioned rib walls extending essentially perpendicularly from said floor. The supporting ridge provides a barrier which prevents a suitably shaped object situated atop the (recessed) area from sliding during transportation.

Abstract: A thermoformed thermoplastic truck bedliner has a bottom wall with parallel front-to-back ribs which overlies the floor of a truck cargo bed. Two side walls extend upwardly on opposite sides of the bottom wall and are joined at a front wall. Ribs of a normal height define the load support surface of the bedliner bottom wall, while regions of parallel ribs which are lower in height than the normal ribs define cargo containment regions. The intersection of the reduced height ribs with the normal height ribs defines ridges which restrain escape of cargo in the front-to-back direction, while the bedliner side walls and elevated height protrusions on normal height ribs adjacent to the cargo containment regions restrain side-to-side displacement of the cargo.

Abstract: A cargo chock for a cargo bed which has a corrugated liner defining channels and ridges. The chock includes a base having a top with a planar area and a bottom with alternating channels and ridges which mate with the liner of the cargo bed. An upstanding ridge in the form of a cross is arranged on the top. The upstanding ridge includes sides which are normal to the planar area of the top and an upper surface which includes an apex from which the elements of the cross extend downwardly toward the ends thereof. The elements of the cross are aligned parallel to and perpendicular to the channels of the bed, respectively. The element lying parallel to the channels of the cargo bed is displaced laterally to create additional adjustment capability.

Abstract: A cargo restraining device for use in grooved truck beds, especially for use with grooved bed liners commonly used in pick up trucks. The restraining device includes a lower portion which protrudes downwardly into the grooves of the truck bed and an upper portion which is a platform member affixed to the downward protrusions. By placing the platform in a position to contact the cargo to be restrained and engaging the downward protrusions into the bed grooves, movement of the cargo will be inhibited. Additional verticality for the device can be achieved by making the platform thicker or by adding at least one vertical member. The downward protrusions can be designed to engage a variety of bed-liner-groove configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a camper on the bed of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a pair of laterally spaced and generally opposed stabilizers that are mounted adjacent respective side walls on the bed and have vertical, inwardly facing surfaces that are configured to engage the camper's side walls. Each stabilizer engages a respective one of the camper's side walls, and the stabilizers collectively define a mounting surface therebetween within which the camper is removably mounted and stabilized. The apparatus further includes a pair of guides for positioning the camper as the camper is mounted on the vehicle. Each guide extends at an angle generally upwardly and outwardly from the stabilizer and toward the side wall to which the stabilizer is adjacent to provide an angled surface that is configured to engage and direct the camper into the mounting surface between the stabilizers as the camper is mounted on the bed, even if the camper and the bed are originally slightly out of alignment.

Abstract: A system of modular attachments for a railcar or truck trailer to convert the trailer to various uses is disclosed. A system of compressed air driven locking pins allows the various modules to be readily secured to or removed from the trailer chassis. Air suspension shock absorbers permit the load to be weighed on the car or trailer.

Abstract: A cargo restraining device for use in grooved truck beds, especially for use with grooved bed liners commonly used in pick up trucks. The restraining device includes a lower portion which protrudes downwardly into the grooves of the truck bed and an upper portion which is a platform member affixed to the downward protrusions. By placing the platform in a position to contact the cargo to be restrained and engaging the downward protrusions into the bed grooves, movement of the cargo will be inhibited. Additional verticality for the device can be achieved by making the platform thicker or by adding at least one vertical member. The downward protrusions can be designed to engage a variety of bed-liner-groove configurations.

Abstract: An improved shelving assembly for transporting and displaying goods on a carrier incorporates a cylindrical shoe with a rounded top and a lower flange that compliments the shape of a series of posts set into the bed of the carrier. The posts set into the bed of the carrier are preferably arranged so that the shelving units tilt inward toward the center of the truck bed, thereby reducing the shifting and spillage of items placed on the units while at the same time shifting the weight of the load toward the center of the carrier bed.

Abstract: An insert for a pickup truck bed comprised of a truck bed insert comprising a plurality of longitudinally and latitudinally extending rib members. The longitudinally and latitudinally extending rib members together forming a plurality of square openings. The truck bed insert is dimensioned to be received within a truck bed of a pickup truck. A plurality of attachment brackets are adapted for securement of the insert within a pickup truck bed. Lock mechanisms have a key insert through an upper portion. The lock mechanisms have lugs selectively extending outwardly of opposing sides of a lower portion thereof to engage slots within a lower portion of the longitudinally extending rib members of the insert for a truck bed whereby the lugs cooperate with the key insert to selectively engage or disengage the slots.

Abstract: An anti-skid device adapted to be used with a truck bed liner, wherein the truck bed liner has a plurality of liner ribs forming a plurality of liner rib recesses. The anti-skid device is constructed of an anti-skid material. At least two device ribs are formed on the anti-skid device. The device ribs are sized so that the device ribs are disposed within the liner rib recesses when the anti-skid device in placed on the truck bed liner. A portion of cargo is disposed on the anti-skid device. The anti-skid device grippingly engages the cargo and the truck bed liner for substantially preventing movement of the cargo.

Abstract: A locking device is disclosed which is adapted to be welded to at least two support rails of the bed of a truck such as a garbage truck and which engages the I-beams of the container such as a garbage container to eliminate the necessity of chaining the container to the garbage truck, thus saving time and providing safety from snapping a chain.

Abstract: An automatic hold down and locking as well as automatic load configuration change capability device system, which can be used to hold down and lock either one long container or several shorter containers within the same loading space, regardless of the outside width or width of bottom side rail flange on the container. The locking device system has four fixed non-retractable fully automatic locking devices positioned on the load carrier at the four outer standard locking points of each long container, and at least two retractable fully automatic locking devices positioned at the long side of the load carrier between and in line with the outer locking points.

Abstract: A dumping trailer and truck for containers has a frame for mounting and keeping firmly a container thereon and an oil pressure cylinder possible to raise the frame inclinedly with its front up so shock-enduring goods such as scrap, grain, etc., can be loaded in a container inclinedly raised up through an opening at the front or unloaded from a container inclinedly raised up through an opening at the rear.

Abstract: A gooseneck truck trailer (13) including a hydraulic mechanism for longitudinally positioning a large cargo container (27) is disclosed. The hydraulic load positioning mechanism includes a horizontal bar (37) and a hydraulic actuator (65). The horizontal bar (37) is located near the rear of the trailer (13) and oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the trailer. The hydraulic actuator (65) lies along the longitudinal axis of the trailer (13). The hydraulic actuator (65) is oriented such that the outer end of the shaft (39) of the actuator (65) is attached to the bar (37) and the actuator housing is attached to the trailer (13), inwardly of the bar (37). The rear edge of a cargo container (27) to be transported by the trailer (13) is positioned atop, and attached to, the bar (37). The bar (37) and the forward end of the container (27) lie atop strips of low-friction material (63 and 73).

Abstract: A rail car is adjustable in length to accommodate the mounting thereon of cargo containers of various lengths and widths, such as the presently employed 20 foot, 40 foot, 45 foot and 48 foot lengths and 96 and 102 inch widths. Length adjustment is effected either by forming the rail car frame in two telescopic end sections, or by providing an extensible coupling tongue on one or both ends of the rail car frame. The rail car also may incorporate a collapsible fifth wheel connector for the king pin of a cargo container trailer chassis to accommodate transport of a trailer-mounted cargo container. The rail car also includes structure by which it may be manipulated by external lifting equipment to stack a plurality of the rail cars one atop another, either for stationary storage in a rail yard or for transport in a train to another location.

Abstract: An attachment and means for anchoring a tackle box on a moving object, such as a boat, against the effects of heave and motion, has a frame upon which are two parallel interlocking rails which mate with corresponding interlocking grooves provided within the tackle box or within an attachment affixed to a tackle box's exterior surface. The design of the rail is particularly adapted to reduce the chance of injury to individuals working around the rails and to reduce the effect of impact and wear damage to the rails. The rails are of a substantially broad based inverted truncated prismoidal section, extending outward at an angle from a base of substantial width and having a substantially flat top. The edges of the rails are rounded to reduce the effects of wear and to eliminate the change of injury to a person contacting a rail while the tackle box is removed.

Abstract: A fixing and locking device for containers of the box pallet type which are to be transported on vehicles, having fork-engaging channels and elongated feet which are fixed to the underside of the container in each case in the area of the four corners. Fixing rails on/in the loading surface of the vehicle or on/in the upper side of the containers are provided with openings into which the feet engage. The feet (36, 38) in each case have a perpendicular web (40) which extends parallel to the fork-engaging channels (32) of the container (30) and which, with its upper margin (42), can be connected to the underside of the container and is provided on its underside with flange legs (46, 48) projecting on both sides.

Abstract: A plurality of payload containers are assembled from modularly extendable base plates, and standardized side walls and covers; each base plate has a trapezoidally cross-sectioned trough-like guide channel and includes centrally positioned counterplug means for providing mechanical electrical communication and thermotechnical connection; a payload container fastening plate is provided with corresponding and matching trapezoidally cross-sectioned ridge-like extensions received by the troughs in the container bottom plates for guiding, indexing and heat removal; and plug means extend from the trapezoidal ridges for plug connections with the counterplugs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cargo handling system including cargo containers (10) having recesses (68) extending through the lower central region of the containers. The containers straddle and are transported over a route that is formed by four types of conveyor modules: lateral transfer modules (16) which move cargo along a straight line path; turntable/elevator modules (20) for transfer of containers between modules that are horizontally and vertically displaced from one another; ship connector modules (26) for linking shore-bound modules to shipboard modules (28); and shipboard modules for stowage of the containers during transit on a ship.

Abstract: Medium-size containers with corner fittings (21) that are not in accordance with ISO specifications may be locked to ISO locking elements (25) of the type provided on loading areas of container transport vehicles by means of locking plates (10) movably disposed inside the hollow frame elements (11) of the containers, provided the container frame has a corresponding width. The locking plate (10) has an overall width that corresponds to the clear diagonal dimension of the frame element (11) and is provided on its outer longitudinal edge with cut-outs (12, 13) in the region of which the remaining width of the locking plate corresponds to the clear width of the frame element (11). For locking the container, the locking plate (10) is adapted to be moved so that one (16) of the webs defined by the cut-outs (12, 13) extends outwards through an edge hole (22) that may be formed in the frame element (11) and a further web (18) extends outwards through a corner opening (28) of the corner fitting (21).

Abstract: A payload retention system for securing and retaining a payload in a fixed docked position on a platform in a cargo bay of a space vehicle is disclosed which includes a plurality of latching assemblies 16 carried by platform 10 each of which includes a latching member A having a contoured spherical latch element 24. A plurality of payload latching elements B are carried by the payload having a complementary contoured spherical latch element 18. The latching elements 18 are carried in interlatching alignment with the latching members 24 of the latching assemblies 16 defining latch couplings C. Spherical latch element 18 has a convex latching surface 19 and spherical element 24 has a concave latching surface 25 which mate and couple with one another when interlatched. The spherical latch elements 18, 24 having their axes aligned with one another when interlatched whereby the payload is retained in a fixed docked position.

Abstract: An improved container for bulk cargo is provided with a peripheral wall, a top, and a bottom. The top defines a longitudinally extending central ridge and the bottom defines two spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending skirts separated by a central recess. The contour of the top generally corresponds to the contour of the bottom such that multiple containers can be stacked one over the other. The container is provided with a perforated floor which simultaneously braces the peripheral wall against spreading and provides a support surface for palletized cargo and the like. The floor perforations allow bulk cargo to fall from the upper portions of the container to the lower portions of the container. A bulk cargo loading door is provided in the top along the uppermost portion of the central ridge, and two bulk unloading doors are provided along the lowermost portions of the skirts. In addition, end doors are provided for moving palletized cargo into and out of the container.

Abstract: Anti-rattle track fitting for anchoring loads to slotted seat tracks has a vertically movable shear pin at its forward end and a rotationally adjustable threaded stud at its rearward end. The shank of the adjustable stud extends above the fitting and supports a stop collar which prevents excessive loosening of the stud while permitting the stud to be tightened so as to force it into engagement with the lips of the floor track. The shank is hidden from view by being inside the rear leg of a seat but a slot(s) at its upper end is engageable through a small aperture in the rear surface of the leg.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a U-shaped bracket forms pivot pins by means of the bent-out end areas of the bracket arms, which pivot pins are insertable (and held by the resilience of the bracket) in recesses of the car container sidewalls. The U-shaped bracket has its respective arms engaging in lateral slots of the container insert. The removable container insert may be lowered into engagement with the U-shaped bracket after assembly of the bracket with the car container, with the dimensioning such that the container insert prevents disengagement of the retaining pins. Outwardly inclined parts of the bracket arms may engage in close fitting elongated slots of the container insert so that the container insert pivots as a unit with the supporting bracket.

Abstract: The invention provides an easily transportable, general purpose box which may be carried about by hand and then anchored to rails and locked in place. Once the lid is locked on the box, no one without a key can move the box from the anchor rails. The invention is primarily intended as a portable trunk for mounting on a truck; however, it may be used anytime that a box is to be mounted on a chassis, such as a toolbox mounted on a wheeled dolly, a toolroom shelf, or the like, for example.