Abstract: An acoustic-to-electrical transducer for sensing body sounds is provided. The transducer comprises a diaphragm that can be placed in direct contact with a body, whereby the diaphragm motion directly affects an electromagnetic sensing signal, which is then converted to an electrical signal representation of the diaphragm motion. Such sensing means allows the diaphragm to move freely without mechanical coupling to a secondary transducer, while providing a direct and efficient acoustic to electrical conversion means. The transducer further provides a means for using static diaphragm pressure to control gain and frequency characteristics of the electrical signal. The sensor, circuitry, manufacturing methods and improvements are provided.

Abstract: A container (41) has adjustable-span support posts (52)—to accommodate load height diversity and to meet external tunnel gauge through passage constraints—upstanding from a deck (46), with extendible post elements (53)—by multiple indexed, connector bar latching—carrying capture and handling fittings (54), accessed by localised extension above a load. Optional transverse post bracing is through a header beam (55), with optional arched profile, and/or coupled gate pairs upon opposed posts.

Abstract: A shipping pallet comprises a rectangular planar base member having two opposing ends and two opposing sides. Pivotally connected to one of the ends of the base member is a handle member that is adapted to be pivoted from a stored position, wherein the handle member is folded on top of the base member, to an operative position, wherein the handle member extends upwardly from the base member. The under surface of the base member includes a pair of elongated spaced apart pockets that extend the length of the base member on either side of the center line thereof. An elongated rail is associated with each of the pockets. Hydraulic rams or other power devices move the rails between a first position wherein they are within the pockets so that the planar base member of the pallet rests directly on a support surface and a second position where the rails extend downwardly to support the pallet thereon.

Abstract: A shipping pallet comprises a rectangular planar base member having two opposing ends and two opposing sides. Pivotally connected to one of the ends of the base member is a handle member that is adapted to be pivoted from a stored position, wherein the handle member is folded on top of the base member, to an operative position, wherein the handle member extends upwardly from the base member. The under surface of the base member includes a pair of elongated spaced apart pockets that extend the length of the base member on either side of the center line thereof. An elongated rail is associated with each of the pockets. Hydraulic rams or other power devices move the rails between a first position wherein they are within the pockets so that the planar base member of the pallet rests directly on a support surface and a second position Where the rails extend downwardly to support the pallet thereon.

Abstract: An acoustic- to-electrical transducer for sensing body sounds is disclosed. The transducer comprises a diaphragm that can be placed in direct contact with a body, whereby the diaphragm motion directly affects an electromagnetic sensing signal, which is then converted to an electrical signal representation of the diaphragm motion. Such sensing means allows the diaphragm to move freely without mechanical coupling to a secondary transducer, while providing a direct and efficient acoustic to electrical conversion means. The transducer further provides a means for using static diaphragm pressure to control gain and frequency characteristics of the electrical signal. The sensor, circuitry, manufacturing methods and improvements are disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustic-to-electrical transducer for sensing body sounds is disclosed. The transducer comprises a capacitive sensor, whereby a stethoscope diaphragm forms one plate of a capacitor, with the second plate of the capacitor being co-planar to the diaphragm. The capacitance of the two plates varies with the distance between them, said distance being modified by motion of the diaphragm in response to sound pressure. The sensor, circuitry, manufacturing methods and improvements are disclosed.

Abstract: A dedicated (log) cargo container (10), for loosely stacked (log) cargo 16, has a load bed (20), with longitudinal chassis rails (11, 12), surmounted by folding corner end posts (14, 15), for mutually-supportive, stacking inter-fit, with other containers, and multiple intervening lateral restraints (18), individually (re-) movable, or foldable longitudinally or laterally, to lie folded within the footprint of the load bed: allowing overall container collapse unladen, and container stacking inter-fit, either laden or unladen and collapsed; opposed lateral restraints may be braced, by a transverse (load support) beam (19), in an integrated foldable U-frame (3C).

Abstract: A method of assembling a platform-based container comprising a base having at least one longitudinal beam, wherein the method comprises pre-loading the longitudinal beam, prior to the completion of the assembly of the container. The beam is then used in the assembly of the container, resulting in a container which no longer takes a permanent deformation under maximum load.

Abstract: A platform based container (11), has longitudinal side rails (16), fabricated from sheet steel, and of `I`-section beam, with differential span, or width, opposed flanges (18, 48 and 19, 49), separated by an intervening web (35, 45), with a localized (side post-restraint, insertion) cut-out (36) in one flange, braced by a subsidiary flange (26), set at an intermediate web depth, and with a localized web bracing plate (32).

Abstract: A freight container comprises a profile defined between outer surfaces of corner fittings and a pair of opposed walls. Each wall has a plurality of elongated outwardly extending vertical members extending outwardly beyond the profile and the vertical members of one wall align with the spaces between the outwardly extending vertical members of the opposed wall. The vertical members are fixed to the top and bottom rails of the container and tapered toward the upper ends. The vertical members are terminated with a plate-like member covering the profile of the vertical members.

Abstract: A stackable pallet comprises a rectangular planar base member which has two opposing ends and two opposing sides. Extending into one of the ends of the base member is a recess which is defined by two side edges and a transverse edge. A pair of smooth curved members extend downwardly from the other end of the base member. A pair of spaced apart elongated beams extend downwardly from the base member between the ends of the same. A handle member is pivotally secured to the base member between the side edges of the recess. The handle member is adapted to be pivoted from an inoperative position, wherein the handle member is folded on top of the base member, to an operative position, wherein the handle member extends upwardly from the base member.

Abstract: A stackable pallet comprises a rectangular planar base member which has two opposing ends and two opposing sides. Extending into one of the ends of the base member is a recess which is defined by two side edges and a transverse edge. A pair of smooth curved members extend downwardly from the other end of the base member. A pair of spaced apart elongated beams extend downwardly from the base member between the ends of the same. A handle member is pivotally secured to the base member between the side edges of the recess. The handle member is adapted to be pivoted from an inoperative position, wherein the handle member is folded on top of the base member, to an operative position, wherein the handle member extends upwardly from the base member.

Abstract: A platform based shipping container with folding endwalls which enable the empty container to be stacked up with a pile of similar folded containers for economical transport. There is a twistlock at each corner to interlock folded containers together and a top lift aperture at each corner to enable the pile to be lifted from above. At least one endwall can also fold outwardly away from the base to provide a ramp for the loading of vehicles. The endwalls are resiliently biased to provide for folding in either direction.

Abstract: A folding flatrack freight carrier has folding walls (111) comprising slender corner posts (112) of a width similar to the conventional lashing gap (L). The posts (112) are synergetically supported by the wall structure (111) which may be transversely corrugated (113) or may have transverse or other stiffeners (127) secured to it. The slender corner posts (112) may comprise solid bars, rolled or pressed angle sections (129) or channel sections (138,139). The wall structure (113) may be extended angularly at (140) to form a hollow box section (141) with the slender corner post (112). The flatrack based platform may be made of an extended width (E) compared with the basic width (B) of a conventional flatrack, whilst still accommodating the corner posts (112) alongside the side rails (118) in the folded condition.

Abstract: A platform based cargo carrier has a base (1) and posts (2) at each comer of one end. The posts are interconnected by a wall member which, with the posts, forms an end wall (4) of the carrier. Each post is pivotally mounted on the base (1) such that the wall (4) can be pivoted inwardly onto the base for stacking of carriers and outwardly away from the base to form a ramp leading onto the base. Each post can be locked into an upright position and a resilient counterbalance (11, 57) is provided to resist pivoting of each post away from its upright position.

Abstract: A collapsible flatrack assembly has a counterbalancing system whereby a normally upright post, pivotable relative to a horizontal base, is movable relative to the base under the action of a biasing force towards the upright position. The counterbalance includes a bar spring and a coacting follower which engages with the spring during movement of the post to deflect the spring.

Abstract: A flatrack freight container is provided with cargo securing members within the platform area (1). The securing members optionally include stanchion sockets (18), pivoted stanchions (15'), abutments (19, 22, 38) for straps (24, 12, 31) or hooks (34, 35), or rings (29). The securing members lie below the platform surface (1) in recesses (27) or openings (18) [which may be longitudinal (36) or transverse (18)], conventionally provided to house demountable end wall structures (2) in the demounted condition.

Abstract: A freight container of the flatrack type is designed to have an end wall structure 22 plus inboard from the end wall structure a gate 23 which is pivotally or collapsibly mounted thereon. The gate 23 includes a load bearing post having a freight container-securing fitment 26 of conventional type, these fitments 26 being positioned at the standard positions for such fitments in a standard freight container but the platform 21 being extended beyond these positions to carry additional load. Diagonal bracing 29 and diagonal top links 37 triangulate and rigidify the gate structure against longitudinal, lateral and vertical forces in both tension and compression.

Abstract: A collapsable flat comprising a corner post (6) pivotally mounted to a stub post (23) provided at the corner of a loading platform (1) of the flat so that the corner post is pivotable out of an upright operational position into a collapsed stowed position and vice versa, interengaging latching means (28,51,52) provided by the stub post and the corner post remote from the pivotal connection (13) therebetween for holding the corner post relative to the platform in its upright operational position, resilient biasing means (35) interconnecting the corner post and the stub post partially to counterbalance the mass of the corner post during the pivotal movement and locking means (27) housed by the stub post for locking the collapsed flat to a similar flat said locking means being extendible from the stub post into an operative position, when the corner post is pivoted into its stowed position.

Abstract: A stackable pallet comprises a rectangular planar base member which has two opposing ends and two opposing sides. Extending into one of the ends of the base member is a recess which is defined by two side edges and a transverse edge. A pair of smooth curved members extend downwardly from the other end of the base member. A pair of spaced apart elongated beams extend downwardly from the base member between the ends of the same. A handle member is pivotally secured to the base member between the side edges of the recess. The handle member is adapted to be pivoted from an inoperative position, wherein the handle member is folded on top of the base member, to an operative position, wherein the handle member extends upwardly from the base member.