Abstract: A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Abstract: A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Abstract: A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Abstract: A livestock container has a plurality of levels and compartments formed by a plurality of convertible platforms and compartment gates. In some embodiments, the convertible platforms are bi-fold platforms hingedly mounted to sidewalls of the container and moveable between deployed and stored positions. When in the stored positions, the convertible platforms extend minimally from the sidewall, eliminating or reducing obstacles to movement of livestock or humans. The convertible platforms are configured to rest on upper edges of corresponding compartment gates below, and the container may be free of any central post, thereby eliminating obstacles caused thereby to movement of livestock or humans. The sidewalls and floor may be formed of hollow-core extruded aluminum panels, and longitudinal channels formed therein may house pipes or electrical wires for conducting water or electricity to ventilation fans, lights, or misters, or for storing water.

Abstract: A half-round cargo container comprises a plurality of curved panels and has a longitudinal axis. Each curved panel has a cross-sectional profile in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the respective cross-sectional profiles of the curved panels have curved shapes with a common curvature. Adjacent pairs of the curved panels are joined at respective abutting longitudinal edges parallel to the longitudinal axis to form a semi-cylindrical shell. The half-round cargo container has a top opening.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container includes: providing a plurality of rigid panels together formable into a cylindrical shell; forming a first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a second semi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; forming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell; forming a collar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell; constricting the collar to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels; rolling the cylindrical shell and collar to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing the collar from the cylindrical shell; and rolling the cylindrical shell to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when at the upper position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container includes: providing a plurality of rigid panels together formable into a cylindrical shell; forming a first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a second semi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; forming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell; forming a collar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell; constricting the collar to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels; rolling the cylindrical shell and collar to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing the collar from the cylindrical shell; and rolling the cylindrical shell to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when at the upper position.

Abstract: A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Abstract: A livestock container has a plurality of levels and compartments formed by a plurality of convertible platforms and compartment gates. In some embodiments, the convertible platforms are bi-fold platforms hingedly mounted to sidewalls of the container and moveable between deployed and stored positions. When in the stored positions, the convertible platforms extend minimally from the sidewall, eliminating or reducing obstacles to movement of livestock or humans. The convertible platforms are configured to rest on upper edges of corresponding compartment gates below, and the container may be free of any central post, thereby eliminating obstacles caused thereby to movement of livestock or humans. The sidewalls and floor may be formed of hollow-core extruded aluminum panels, and longitudinal channels formed therein may house pipes or electrical wires for conducting water or electricity to ventilation fans, lights, or misters, or for storing water.

Abstract: A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Abstract: A livestock container has a plurality of levels and compartments formed by a plurality of convertible platforms and compartment gates. In some embodiments, the convertible platforms are bi-fold platforms hingedly mounted to sidewalls of the container and moveable between deployed and stored positions. When in the stored positions, the convertible platforms extend minimally from the sidewall, eliminating or reducing obstacles to movement of livestock or humans. The convertible platforms are configured to rest on upper edges of corresponding compartment gates below, and the container may be free of any central post, thereby eliminating obstacles caused thereby to movement of livestock or humans. The sidewalls and floor may be formed of hollow-core extruded aluminum panels, and longitudinal channels formed therein may house pipes or electrical wires for conducting water or electricity to ventilation fans, lights, or misters, or for storing water.

Abstract: A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Abstract: A livestock container has a plurality of levels and compartments formed by a plurality of convertible platforms and compartment gates. In some embodiments, the convertible platforms are bi-fold platforms hingedly mounted to sidewalls of the container and moveable between deployed and stored positions. When in the stored positions, the convertible platforms extend minimally from the sidewall, eliminating or reducing obstacles to movement of livestock or humans. The convertible platforms are configured to rest on upper edges of corresponding compartment gates below, and the container may be free of any central post, thereby eliminating obstacles caused thereby to movement of livestock or humans. The sidewalls and floor may be formed of hollow-core extruded aluminum panels, and longitudinal channels formed therein may house pipes or electrical wires for conducting water or electricity to ventilation fans, lights, or misters, or for storing water.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container includes: providing a plurality of rigid panels together formable into a cylindrical shell; forming a first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a second semi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; forming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell; forming a collar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell; constricting the collar to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels; rolling the cylindrical shell and collar to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing the collar from the cylindrical shell; and rolling the cylindrical shell to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when at the upper position.

Abstract: A self-propelled welding carriage has a body supported by a wheeled suspension having a plurality of wheels including a carriage guide wheel having a tapered rim sized and shaped to roll in conforming contact with a carriage guiding seam of a workpiece, restricting lateral movement of the welding carriage for alignment with the carriage guiding seam. Welding equipment is mounted to the body, and has a welding torch for welding an unwelded seam of the workpiece. The welding torch is mounted to the body relative to the carriage guide wheel for disposition of a welding torch tip of the welding torch in alignment with the unwelded seam of the workpiece to weld the unwelded seam when the welding carriage moves with the carriage guide wheel rolling in the carriage guiding seam. The welding carriage has a motor coupled to drive the carriage guide wheel to propel the welding carriage.

Abstract: A welding apparatus includes a welding torch mounted to a frame and electrically connectable in a source current path of a welding current source, and an electrically conductive return current roller rollably mounted to the frame a substantially fixed distance from the welding torch. The return current roller is electrically connectable in a return current path of the welding current source, and has a rim sized and shaped to roll in electrically conductive contact with an unwelded seam of a workpiece.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cylindrical cargo container includes: providing a plurality of rigid panels together formable into a cylindrical shell; forming a first semi-cylindrical shell from a first set of the panels; forming a second semi-cylindrical shell from a second set of the panels; forming the cylindrical shell from the first semi-cylindrical shell and the second semi-cylindrical shell; forming a collar conformably encircling the cylindrical shell; constricting the collar to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels; rolling the cylindrical shell and collar to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to a lower position, and welding an inside seam of the joint when at the lower position; removing the collar from the cylindrical shell; and rolling the cylindrical shell to bring respective joints of pairs of panels to an upper position, and welding an outside of the joint when at the upper position.

Abstract: A quasi-cylindrical cargo container is formed of a plurality of rigid, curved panels together forming first and second semi-cylindrical shells, and a plurality of rigid, flat extension panels bridging the first and second semi-cylindrical shells. A method of manufacturing the container includes forming the first and second semi-cylindrical shell from the curved panels, forming the quasi-cylindrical shell from the first and second semi-cylindrical shells and the flat extension panels, forming collars conformably encompassing the quasi-cylindrical shell, constricting the collars to compress joints formed at abutting edges of pairs of adjacent panels, rolling the shell and collars sequentially to bring the joints to a lower position, welding inside seams of the joints when at the lower position, removing the collars, rolling the shell sequentially to bring the joints to an upper position, and welding outside seams of the joints when at the upper position.

Abstract: A trailer has a container with top doors having a frame and weatherproof thermoplastic inserts. Sealing flaps are provided at edges of the top doors to make sealing contact with sidewall top rails or top edges of end walls and tailgate. The top doors have angled extensions with grooves for ball gaskets to overlap in hand-in-hand fashion to form a reliable seal where the top doors come together. The system provides a weatherproof means to enclose the container to prevent or deter entry of water.

Abstract: A protective rail for a trailer is formed of an extension or ridge projecting outwardly from a wall of the trailer and extending along at least a part of a length of the wall. The protective rail is provided with tie-down anchors for coupling with tie-downs having couplers such as rings, eyes, or loops. The anchors may tongues formed in the protective rail when the protective rail is cut-out at selected locations along the protective rail. The anchors may be sized and shaped such that the surrounding portion of the protective rail prevents or tends to prevent other trailers or objects contacting the protective rail from damaging or becoming caught on the anchors.