Abstract: A collapsible car rack system for use in intermodal containers wherein each car rack is capable of carrying two automobiles. Each rack is configured so that two racks completely fill a standard 40 ft. intermodal container and each rack is also fitted with a dunnage device in order to extend the size of the rack to fill a standard 45 ft. intermodal container. Each rack is equipped with push plates and pulling eyes so that the loaded racks may be inserted into, and withdrawn from a standard intermodal container with a forklift. In use, each rack will accommodate two automobiles the first of which is driven onto the rack in a collapsed condition and after erecting a top portion of the rack with a forklift and securing by vertical support members, a second automobile is driven onto the lower portion of each rack. The erect rack, loaded with two automobiles is of a suitable size to be loaded into a standard intermodal container with a forklift.

Abstract: A modular and stackable cargo container, and a method of protecting such a container. The container comprises a body that defines a cargo space, and that includes a pair of support posts, a header extending between the support posts, and a plurality of post end members connected to the support posts to facilitate handling the cargo container. Energy absorption pads are mounted on the header immediately adjacent the post end members to protect the header from impact damage. In use, container handling equipment may strike and dent the energy absorption pads. After a pad has been dented, it can be cut away from the header, and a replacement pad can be connected to the header to further protect the header from container handling equipment.

Abstract: A chassis conversion saddle for a standard 40' ISO container trailer for converting it to allow it to carry a standard 20' intermodal container. The chassis conversion saddle is constructed to be carried by the container trailer, and includes a forward section, a central section and a rear section. The forward section of the conversion saddle includes two standard ISO corner castings for being secured to the two forward standard ISO corner fittings of a standard 40' ISO container trailer. The forward section lies at least partially above the raised forward portion of the container trailer which clears the fifth wheel of a tractor, and includes a downturned end where it connects to the central section of the conversion saddle. The central section of the conversion saddle is lower to the ground than the forward section, and includes an upper plane surface for receiving and supporting a standard 20.degree. intermodal container.

Abstract: A modular and stackable cargo container, and a method of protecting such a container. The container comprises a body that defines a cargo space, and that includes a pair of support posts, a header extending between the support posts, and a plurality of post end members connected to the support posts to facilitate handling the cargo container. Energy absorption pads are mounted on the header immediately adjacent the post end members to protect the header from impact damage. In use, container handling equipment may strike and dent the energy absorption pads. After a pad has been dented, it can be cut away from the header, and a replacement pad can be connected to the header to further protect the header from container handling equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high productivity, high density container storage yard adjacent to a facility for loading and unloading containers, such as to and from ships, with the individual containers stored therein being stacked up to four containers high. An integrated container handling system is designed to move the containers from the container storage yard to the loading and unloading facility, and includes an overhead grid rail system on which container carrying shuttle vehicles are routed to designated yard locations by a master control system. Passive switching mechanisms are utilized to selectively move the shuttle vehicles through the grid rail network, wherein the actual switch mechanism is carried on the shuttle vehicle rather than on the track. One disclosed embodiment of the loading and unloading facility comprises overhead cranes and associated buffers in a marine terminal for loading and unloading a container ship.

Abstract: The specification discloses a combined rope and fish net guard for use on large ocean going marine vessels. A rope guard extends outwardly from the stern frame to closely overlap the propeller hub. The propeller hub defines an annular groove underlying the rope guard. A cutting ring is mounted on the inner cylindrical wall of the rope guard and extends inwardly into the annular groove. The cutting ring is equipped with bidirectional cutting edges or teeth.

Abstract: A cargo restraining floor clamp for use in refrigerated carriers having a T-type flooring structure to enable such carriers to be used for the transport of general types of cargo, thus minimizing the problem of deadheading of these containers on a return trip. The floor clamp includes a channel shaped top floor plate positioned across the top of two adjacent T shaped floor members, and an under floor hold down plate positioned beneath the T tops between the two adjacent T shaped floor members. A pair of eye bolts extend through the top floor plate, between the two adjacent T shaped floor members, and through the under floor hold down plate, and serve to clamp the plates to opposite sides of the T tops of the T shaped floor members.

Abstract: The specification discloses a new articulated car for transporting intermodal containers over a railroad. A novel bogey configuration having large sliding bearing assemblies is used to suspend the load below the axles of the bogies. Draft and buff forces are transmitted through the axles and side rails of the bogey rather than through the articulated coupling, thereby relieving stress on the coupling. The design makes it possible to lower the sills and the center of gravity by passing the load bearing members below the axles of the bogey.

Abstract: Fixtures supportable in a containerized unit for compartmentalizing the container into predetermined areas for storage and shipment of non-stackable articles at one or more levels within the container. A series of vertical support hangers are releasably connected to a longitudinally-extending horizontal top ledge within the container at opposite sides at predetermined spaced longitudinal intervals such that all the vertical load is supported by the ledge. Each of the vertical support hangers is provided with a releasable ledge-engaging C-clamp for gripping the ledge and a series of vertically-spaced pairs of slots for supporting horizontal support beams at predetermined levels by opposite vertical support hangers. Beam supporting connectors are positioned to support planar decking on the horizontal support beams at predetermined levels for compartmentalizing the interior of the container depending upon the article to be stored and shipped.

Abstract: A harness for securing a vehicle wheel to a support structure, and a method for mounting a harness on a wheel. The harness comprises loop, hook and lashing straps having connected first ends, and a pair of cross straps extending between the loop and hook straps. To mount the harness on a wheel, the cross straps are placed on a vertically extending surface thereof, the hook strap is wrapped across that vertically extending surface and along an inside face of the wheel, and the loop strap is wrapped over a top surface thereof and along the inside face of the wheel. The hook strap is slipped through a loop on the loop strap, wrapped around the lashing strap, and connected to the loop strap. The lashing strap is connected to the support structure to secure the harness and the wheel thereto.

Abstract: A removable garment rack for transportation of hanging garments in a movable enclosure in which a pair of spaced-apart guide rails have a horizontal longitudinally-extending ledge for supporting a plurality of transversely extending garment supporting rails which are releasably retained on the guide rails for supporting garments.