Abstract: A device for attaching a lifting mechanism to a container provided with an aperture through its end wall comprises a probe member secured to the lifting mechanism and including a head portion for location through the aperture in the end wall of the container, and having a surface for abutting a region of the inner face of the end wall bounding the aperture. The probe member further includes a body portion projecting from the container and provided with a surface which abuts a substantially diametrically opposed region of the outer face of the end wall bounding the aperture. On raising the lifting mechanism, the probe member engages the underside of the upper bounding wall of the aperture and is retained in this operative position by co-operation between the surfaces on the head and body portions with the surfaces on the inner and outer faces of the end wall of the container respectively.

Abstract: A self-adjusting bearing comprises an elongate body portion of compressible, resilient material of truncated conical shape with a central cylindrical bore formed therethrough. A plurality of independent segments of wear-resistant material are secured to the inner surface of the body portion to form a liner adapted to make bearing contact with a component received within the bore. The segments are each of arcuate transverse section, the side edges of adjacent segments being spaced from one another and the arrangement being such that, on location of the bearing in an associated, correspondingly-tapered bore whereby the body portion is radially compressed, the radial forces established within the body portion urge the segments of the liner into bearing contact with the component within the bore of the body portion.

Abstract: An adaptor for a hook-lift vehicle provided with a hydraulically-operated lifting mechanism on its chassis to load and unload freight containers having conventional corner fittings, the adaptor comprising an adaptor frame for attachment to the lifting mechanism and including releasable securing members for co-operation with the end corner fittings of a container to secure the frame to the container, and a pair of pivotal, laterally-spaced support surfaces for location one to each side of the rear end of the chassis whereby, subsequent to securing the adaptor frame to the front of a container on the ground and on actuating the lifting mechanism, the front of the container is drawn upwardly onto the chassis until the outer lower side regions of the container engage the support surfaces, continued actuation of the lifting mechanism drawing the container over the pivoting surfaces and onto the chassis.

Abstract: Device for securing together, in end-to-end relationship, a pair of containers each provided with apertures of predetermined sizes and locations adjacent the corners of the end walls thereof, including a female member having a hollow body portion and a locking portion pivotally mounted on the body portion and having a surface forming a continuation of the bore through the body portion. A male member of the securing device includes a shaft portion for location within the bore of the female member and provided with a surface thereon co-operating with that on the locking portion of the female member in the operative position of the securing device to prevent relative movement between the male and female members and to secure the containers together between flange flanges on the male and female members.

Abstract: Members are provided for securing together a pair of freight containers having corner fittings which abut one another, the abutting walls of the corner fittings each having formed therein aligned, elongate apertures. The members comprise an elongate locking member in the opposed sidewalls of which are formed opposed grooves each of generally tapering configuration. On passage of the locking member through the aligned apertures to bring the grooves into axial alignment with the abutting walls, and on subsequent rotation of the locking member about its central longitudinal axis, the edge regions of the walls bounding the apertures are received within the grooves to be urged into locking engagement with one another by the sidewalls of the grooves.

Abstract: Means for locating door locking assemblies of freight containers comprises a backing member including a portion of generally plate-like form adapted to be secured, preferably by welding, to the door of the container, the front surface of the backing member being shaped to receive therein part of the circular section of the locking bar of the assembly. The means further comprises a saddle bracket having a body portion of generally U-shape to seat over the bar and to define, with the shaped front surface of the backing member, a substantially cylindrical guide channel for the locking bar. The free edges of the bracket are secured, preferably by welding, to the backing member at regions remote from the door.

Abstract: A length of chain, particularly in the form of an endless track for a tracked vehicle, consists of a plurality of interconnected chain links each of which includes a pair of opposed link parts. Each link part comprises a side portion together with pin portions and/or bush portions which project inwardly of the associated side portions. The pin portions of one link are rotatably received within the bores of corresponding bush portions of the adjacent link.