Abstract: The wall joint of the present invention is configured to reduce or eliminate protrusions into the interior of the trailer or container, but does not require coining or stamping of the edges of consecutive sidewall panels. According to some highly preferred embodiments of the present invention, the wall joint includes two consecutive sidewall panels, each bent to form a main plateau, a spliced plateau and a jogged portion serving as a transition therebetween. In this way, the spliced plateau lies in a plane substantially parallel to, but spaced apart from, the main plateau, with the thickness of the sidewall panel most preferably remaining substantially constant throughout. When two consecutive sidewall panels are positioned next to each other, the spliced plateaus of the two consecutive sidewall panels abut each other and lie in a first plane, while the main plateaus of the two panels preferably lie in another parallel plane.

Abstract: The wall joint of the present invention is configured to reduce or eliminate protrusions into the interior of the trailer or container, but does not require coining or stamping of the edges of consecutive sidewall panels. In some embodiments of the present invention, the wall joint includes two consecutive sidewall panels, each bent to form a main plateau, a spliced plateau and a jogged portion therebetween. In this way, the spliced plateau lies in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the main plateau, with the thickness of the sidewall panel most preferably remaining substantially constant throughout. Also, a recessed region is preferably defined at the seam between the two panels. A splicer plate connecting the adjacent panels can be received into this recessed region. In some preferred embodiments, adhesive and/or rivets are employed to further strengthen the sidewall panel joints.

Abstract: A top casting for stacking frames of cargo containers. The top casting has an aperture for stacking and top picking non-standard cargo containers. The top casting also has a cavity that is configured to allow for the insertion and rotation of a standard top-picking device. The top casting positions the aperture near the outboard wall of the cargo container to reduce moment stresses caused by stacking and lifting. The outboard wall of the casting is provided with an internal recess adequate to allow the rotation of a lifting device head after it has been inserted into the cavity of the top casting. The aperture of each top casting is capable of receiving a top picking device and its axis is located at a distance no greater than 3 inches from the outboard wall of the cargo container so as to position the aperture as near as possible to the stacking post.

Abstract: A joining member for joining an adjacent pair of plates to form a portion of a side wall of a trailer, wherein at least one of the plates includes a series of openings. The joining member includes a strip having an inner surface adjacent the plates and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, the strip including a plurality of rows of apertures, wherein each aperture extends between the inner surface and the outer surface and is adapted to receive a fastener for attaching the strip to both plates, the inner surface also including a first channel aligned to overlap both plates and a second channel aligned with the series of openings to define a series of logistics slots, and a sealing strip situated in the first channel.

Abstract: An intermodal container having a nonstandard length and a plurality of lock-receiving fittings for interconnecting the container to other intermodal containers or to a support surface. The container also includes stacking points for supporting the weight of one or more other containers stacked thereon. The fittings and the stacking points are laid out on the container so that it is interfaceable with a wide variety of standard length intermodal containers.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved chassis for hauling shipping containers over the road. The chassis includes a gooseneck portion having a support surface for engaging the tunnel section of a container. The support surface is manually adjustable and can be raised or lowered to change the effective height of the gooseneck portion so that the chassis is useable with containers having different tunnel depths. In particular, the gooseneck includes a pair of conversion rails that are pivotable to present alternative tunnel support surfaces. Stop members are also provided to secure the conversion rails in desired positions.

Abstract: A container stacking apparatus for use in supporting a pair of cargo containers in stacked relation on at least one first cargo container, the container stacking apparatus comprising an elongated frame adapted to be supported on the at least one first cargo container, the elongated frame including a mechanism for supporting the pair of cargo containers in end-to-end relation thereon, a mechanism for releaseably locking the frame down on the first cargo container, and a mechanism for releaseably locking the pair of cargo containers down on the frame.