Abstract: Cargo systems are provided for vehicles that include, in one embodiment: a variable cargo surface disposed within a body of the vehicle behind one or more occupant seats, the variable cargo surface including: a low friction surface that facilitates movement of cargo within the cargo system, the low friction surface having a first coefficient of friction; a high friction surface that inhibits movement of cargo within the cargo system, the high friction surface having a second coefficient of friction that is greater than the first coefficient of friction; and a control device that selectively activates the low friction surface and the high friction surface based on conditions for the vehicle; wherein the low friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the low friction surface is activated; and the high friction surface contacts the cargo within the cargo system when the high friction surface is activated.

Abstract: A utility land vehicle is provided having a cargo compartment that includes a retention system. One embodiment of the retention system includes latch and receiver assemblies. The latch assembly includes first and second latches. The first and second latches are spaced apart from each other. A tie attached to each of the first and second latches actuates to cause both first and second latches to release. The receiver assemblies comprise first and second receivers. Each of the first and second receivers includes a body and a slot formed in the body. Each of the slots formed in each body of each of the first and second receivers includes an opening wherein the opening of the slot formed in the body of the first receiver faces the first latch, and the opening of the slot formed in the body of the second receiver faces the second latch.

Abstract: A cargo handling system is disclosed. A method for storing and restraining cargo is disclosed. The method includes positioning a unit load device at a parked location on a conveyance surface and in contact with a drive roller, deploying a restraint to engage the unit load device, and verifying engagement of the restraint with the unit load device by activating the drive roller and detecting movement of the unit load device with respect to the conveyance surface.

Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein include an automated securement system that lock a wheeled mobility device into a designated station aboard an autonomous public transit vehicle, thus preventing unintended movement that is discomforting and potentially dangerous for both the WMD user and other passengers. The automated securement system includes features that integrate with typical autonomous public transit vehicles to minimize obstruction during stowage while maximizing effectiveness during deployment.

Abstract: An actuator assembly may comprise a control unit and a shape memory coil spring in electrical communication with the control unit. The shape memory coil spring may increase from a first length to a second length in response to receiving a current from the control unit. The shape memory coil spring may be configured to translate a spacer and/or a slider shaft in response to increasing in length. The shape memory coil spring may be configured to transition a pawl in a latch assembly from a retracted state to an erected state, and vice versa.

Abstract: A mobility aid tie-down securing a mobility aid during transit in a vehicle. The mobility aid tie-down comprises a retractor secured to the vehicle at a first anchor point. The retractor has a spool and a restraint extendable therefrom. The restraint has a first restraint segment extending from the spool to a securement point on the mobility aid and a second restraint segment extending from the securement point on the mobility aid to a second anchor point. The tie-down configuration enables a load from the mobility aid during an adverse driving event to be distributed between the first restraint segment and the second restraint segment.

Abstract: A load securing device for securing a load such as a pallet within a container such as a cargo trailer so as to prevent the load from side-to-side shifting or jostling. The load securing device includes an inner support telescopically connected to an outer support. The inner support includes a first brace and the outer support includes a second brace. The inner and outer supports each include a ratchet for drawing the supports towards or away from each other so as to lengthen or shorten the effective length of the load securing device. A handle is connected between the first and second ratchets so that the handle may adjust the ratchets. A locking device is included for selectively locking the handle in place to prevent further adjustment of the supports. The braces may be secured between a load and a container to secure the load within the container.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adjustable shoring beam having a hook assembly configured to mate with E-track mating features. The adjustable shoring beam can be adjusted over a predetermined length range by adjusting the tube assembly and the rod assembly. In some embodiments, the extension length is fixed using a fixing clamp coupled to the tube assembly and the rod assembly. A connecting clamp and bracket may be used to couple a first adjustable shoring beam to a second adjustable shoring beam.

Abstract: An anchor device for a cargo securement strap includes a frame configured to engage a mounting track. The anchor device further includes a hook receiver coupled to the frame. The hook receiver is configured to receive a hook of the cargo securement strap. The anchor device further includes a keeper coupled to the frame. The keeper includes a keeper body and at least one keeper finger extending from a side of the keeper body. The keeper is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the at least one keeper finger contacts a bolt and the keeper body is positioned to retain the hook. In the second position, the keeper body is positioned to allow for removal of the hook from the hook receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine rotor blade spacer, a transportation and storage system for wind turbine rotor blades and a related method that prevent the vertical flexion of each one of the blades assemblies, minimizing the stresses and avoiding the contact between vertically and/or horizontally adjacent blades, and in consequence, blade damage. Also, the overall occupied surface by the system once assembled is minimised.

Abstract: A transport trailer includes a chassis, a deck, a lifting assembly, and a stabilizer assembly. The lifting assembly is mechanically coupled to the deck and the chassis and selectively raises and lowers the deck relative to the chassis. The stabilizer assembly includes a support post and a slide member. The support post is laterally disposed between first and second edges of the deck and extends from the chassis to a top end of the support post. The slide member is coupled to the deck and translates along a length of the support post as the deck is raised and lowered to stabilize the deck. An upper surface of the deck is above the top end of the support post when the deck is in a raised position and is below the top end of the support post when the deck is in a lowered position.

Abstract: A modular aerial cargo aerodynamic encasement and a method for modular aviation cargo transport is provided. The aviation cargo aerodynamic encasement comprises a platform having a planar upper surface configured to accept cargo and a lower surface. The lower surface includes two or more ground supports displacing a portion of the platform from contact with a supporting surface. The platform includes two or more load transfer structures. The aviation cargo aerodynamic encasement further comprises a fairing configured to detachably couple to the platform, wherein the fairing, when coupled to the platform, forms an aerodynamic encasement, and wherein the aerodynamic encasement is detachably mountable to an aircraft by the two or more load transfer structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of a fairing of the present invention generally include a pair of fins that intersect at a first closed end thereof forming a V-shaped/pointed frontal geometry and are connectable at a second end thereof via a fin connection assembly, wherein the fairing is adapted and configured to be engaged about at least a portion of a tie-down strap that is securing a cargo object to a cargo support structure, wherein the first closed end is directionally oriented such that air flow resulting from transportation of the cargo object impinges thereupon, and wherein the first closed end geometry is adapted and configured to shield the tie-down strap from excessive vibration during transportation of the cargo object. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of fairings of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A load strapping device (10) has a first elongated member (12) having a first end (14), a second elongated member (16) having a second end (18) and a pivot assembly (20) interconnecting the first and second ends. A strap end receiving assembly (22) is connected to a free end (24) of one of the elongated member (16). For use, one end of a strap (40) is engaged to the strap end receiving assembly. A load strapping arrangement over a load (44) is formed when a user, located at one side of the load, grips the device and lifts the one end of the strap to a first position just above the height of the load. From this position, the one end of the strap, by pivotal manipulation of the elongated members, is then fed over the top of the load until the one end of the strap reaches a second position at the other side of the load. After this position is reached, the one end of the strap is disengaged from the strap end receiving assembly and the device is withdrawn from the top of the load.

Abstract: A saddle-mount has a bolster configured to be disposed on a towing vehicle. A head assembly has at least one clamp assembly configured to receive a vehicle to be towed. The head assembly has a socket formed in a bottom surface, and a ball disposed in the socket. The ball is further disposed on the bolster, whereby the head assembly is permitted to freely pivot in any direction about the ball. The clamp assembly has a J-clamp, a rocker portion, and a straight bolt. The J-clamp is slidably disposed in the rocker portion and selectively secured to the rocker by the straight bolt. The straight bolt disposed through the rocker and threaded with the J-clamp, whereby a position of the J-clamp relative to the rocker is controlled by a rotation of the straight bolt.

Abstract: A tie-down secures a load onto a vehicle. The tie-down has a pivot, and a winch. The pivot has a pin, a rotatable sleeve, a cap, and a base. The pin is an annular tube. The winch has a U-shaped frame comprising first and second walls, and a third wall interconnecting the first and second walls. Flanges attach the first and second walls, respectively, of the winch to the sleeve. The third wall is perpendicular to the sleeve. The vehicle has a support surface for supporting the load, and a plurality of the tie-downs. The tie-downs comprise left-hand tie-downs and right-hand tie-downs. The tie-downs are attached to shelves attached to the vehicle adjacent and extending away from the support surface. The shelves comprise left-hand shelves and right-hand shelves. Alternatively, anchors are attached to the tie-downs for removably mounting the tie-downs within stake pockets of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tie down assembly. The tie down assembly having a ring, a bracket assembly, a support insert, and a position-locking mechanism. The support insert is configured to secure the ring relative to the bracket assembly. The ring being configured to rotate relative to the bracket assembly about an axis. The position-locking mechanism is configured to secure the ring at one or more rotational positions about said axis via one or more engagement features. In one example, the position-locking mechanism is a detent mechanism.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of securing containers, comprising: connecting a first strap end connector of a tension strap to a first strap connector fitting on a first container, wherein: the first strap end connector comprises a first hook portion configured to engage a first recess in the first strap connector fitting, and the first strap end connector comprises a first protrusion configured to engage a second recess in the first strap connector fitting; connecting a second strap end connector of the tension strap to a second strap connector fitting on a second container, wherein: the second strap end connector comprises a first hook portion configured to engage a first recess in the second strap connector fitting, and the first strap end connector comprises a first protrusion configured to engage a second recess in the second strap connector fitting; and tensioning the tension strap.

Abstract: An anti-rollout assembly may comprise: a housing defining a cavity; a guide/restraint head pivotably coupled to the housing at a first end of the cavity; an overridable trigger pivotably coupled to the housing at a second end of the cavity, the second end opposite the first end; and a locking system operably coupled to the guide/restraint head and the overridable trigger, the locking system configured to bias the guide/restraint head into an upright position, the locking system configured to retract the guide/restraint head into the cavity in response to a first lateral force driving the overridable trigger. The locking system may comprise a drive link and a locking link and be configured to lock the guide/restraint head in a raised state.

Abstract: Provided is a transport assembly for use in the transport of a large heavy load, including a frame unit realized to lie on a load platform of a transport vehicle; a number of first load-positioning beams, wherein a first load-positioning beam is realized to span a single frame unit; and/or a number of second load-positioning beams, wherein a second load-positioning beam is realized to span a pair of adjacent frame units; and a part adapter realized to engage with a load-positioning beam and to engage with the load. The embodiments further describe a method of securing a large heavy load on a load platform during a transport maneuver.