Abstract: A lifting device for lifting a rail car includes a frame with a load plate movably disposed thereon and a back plate movably disposed on the frame and coupled to the load plate. The lifting device further includes a first actuator disposed on the frame and operatively coupled to the back plate and at least one second actuator operatively coupled to the load plate such that the first actuator and the at least one second actuator produce forces in first and second directions. Further still, the first actuator and the at least one second actuator move the load plate of the lifting device in a substantially vertical direction.

Abstract: A system for handling shipping containers includes first and second lifting beams and first and second holding beams. The system further includes a plurality of vertical beams wherein the plurality of vertical beams support the first and second lifting beams and the first and second holding beams. In the system, first and second pluralities of lifting shoes are disposed respectively on each of the first and second lifting beams while first and second pluralities of holding shoes are disposed respectively on each of the first and second holding beams. The system also has a hoisting mechanism that raises and lowers the first and second lifting beams, and the first and second lifting beams, the first and second holding beams, the plurality of vertical beams, and the hoisting mechanism are arranged to form a lift beam system.

Abstract: A lock for securing a container includes a lock platform, a coupler including a portion that is disposed above the lock platform, an interaction member associated with the coupler, and a linkage mechanism including an actuation device and an actuation surface. The actuation surface is curved or sloped. In addition, movement of the actuation device causes movement of the interaction member along the actuation surface in a first direction such that the coupler automatically secures the container to the lock.

Abstract: A system for handling shipping containers includes first and second lifting beams and first and second holding beams. The system further includes a plurality of vertical beams wherein the plurality of vertical beams support the first and second lifting beams and the first and second holding beams. In the system, first and second pluralities of lifting shoes are disposed respectively on each of the first and second lifting beams while first and second pluralities of holding shoes are disposed respectively on each of the first and second holding beams. The system also has a hoisting mechanism that raises and lowers the first and second lifting beams, and the first and second lifting beams, the first and second holding beams, the plurality of vertical beams, and the hoisting mechanism are arranged to form a lift beam system.

Abstract: A system for positioning a vehicle chassis in which tires are mounted on an axle associated with the chassis is provided. The system includes first and second tire guides spaced apart from one another in which the first and second tire guides are configured to opposedly face one another. The system further includes tire guide sections joined to form each of the first and second tire guides. Each tire guide section is adjustable within a range such that a distance between opposing tire guide sections may be adjusted. The tire guide sections are adjusted based on the position of the tires mounted on the axle associated with the chassis.

Abstract: An interbox connector used in intermodal transportation systems is provided. The interbox connector is adapted to secure a top container to a bottom container in which the top container and bottom container each have corner castings. A plate is configured to be positioned between a corner casting of the bottom container and a corner casting of the top container prior to the top container being stacked on the bottom container. A first latch extends upwardly from the plate in which the first latch is configured to be disposed in the corner casting of the top container. A second latch extends downwardly from the plate in which the second latch is configured to be disposed in the corner castings of the bottom container. Placement of the top container on top of the bottom container causes the second latch and the first latch to automatically rotate and secure the top container to the bottom container.

Abstract: A lock for securing a container includes a lock platform, a coupler including a portion that is disposed above the lock platform, an interaction member associated with the coupler, and a linkage mechanism including an actuation device and an actuation surface. The actuation surface is curved or sloped. In addition, movement of the actuation device causes movement of the interaction member along the actuation surface in a first direction such that the coupler automatically secures the container to the lock.

Abstract: A front pin arrangement for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis is provided. The front pin latching arrangement includes first and second latching systems disposed proximate two corners of a container chassis, wherein each of the first and second latching systems automatically secure the container to the container chassis. The front pin latching arrangement also includes an interlock assembly operably coupled to the first and second latching systems. The interlock assembly is configured to provide a fail-safe operation such that the first and second latching systems maintain securement of the container to the container chassis.

Abstract: A lifting device for lifting a rail car includes a frame with a load plate movably disposed thereon and a back plate movably disposed on the frame and coupled to the load plate. The lifting device further includes a first actuator disposed on the frame and operatively coupled to the back plate and at least one second actuator operatively coupled to the load plate such that the first actuator and the at least one second actuator produce forces in first and second directions. Further still, the first actuator and the at least one second actuator move the load plate of the lifting device in a substantially vertical direction.

Abstract: A system for handling shipping containers having first and second lift beams, first and second support beams, and a plurality of vertical beams wherein the plurality of vertical beams are connected by the first and second lift beams and the first and second support beams. The system further includes first and second pluralities of lifting pads disposed respectively on each of the first and second lift beams wherein the lifting pads of the first and second pluralities are arranged to have an initial position recessed within the respective lift beam on which each lifting pad is disposed and the lifting pads of the first and second pluralities are arranged to have a deployed position distal to the respective lift beam on which each lifting pad is disposed. Further still, the system has first and second pluralities of swivel feet disposed respectively on each of the first and second support beams and a lift beam driving mechanism that raises and lowers the first and second lift beams.

Abstract: A method for storing an empty trailer chassis includes positioning a trailer chassis between a first and a second vertical storage rack and lowering first and second stabilizing beams along the vertical storage racks toward the trailer chassis. The first and second stabilizing-beam trolleys are attached to the respective first and second stabilizing beams and a spreader extends between the first and second stabilizing-beam trolleys. The spreader contains a chassis clamping mechanism that forms a downward-facing portion of the spreader. The chassis clamping mechanism is disposed below the first and second stabilizing beams. The method further includes engaging the trailer chassis with the chassis clamping mechanism. The first and second stabilizing beams are above the trailer chassis when the chassis-clamping mechanism has engaged the trailer chassis.

Abstract: A method (100) for handling chassis is disclosed. The method (100) can include: providing (110) a multi-level structure including a plurality of levels including a first level with an opening to receive a chassis and a second level; locating (120) a plurality of shelves adjacent to the opening including a port shelf and a starboard shelf, each configured to receive a chassis; and providing (130) an transfer mechanism configured to pick a chassis and place it on one of the plurality of shelves. The method allows compact storage, stacking and retrieving and inventorying of chassis, for enhanced logistics.

Abstract: A method for storing an empty trailer chassis includes positioning a trailer chassis between a first and a second vertical storage rack and lowering first and second stabilizing beams along the vertical storage racks toward the trailer chassis. The first and second stabilizing-beam trolleys are attached to the respective first and second stabilizing beams and a spreader extends between the first and second stabilizing-beam trolleys. The spreader contains a chassis clamping mechanism that forms a downward-facing portion of the spreader. The chassis clamping mechanism is disposed below the first and second stabilizing beams. The method further includes engaging the trailer chassis with the chassis clamping mechanism. The first and second stabilizing beams are above the trailer chassis when the chassis-clamping mechanism has engaged the trailer chassis.

Abstract: A chassis stacker having a first and a second vertical storage rack displaced from one another by a distance wide enough to accommodate a trailer chassis, and connected at a top end by a trolley rail support beam. A trolley is positioned on the trolley rail support beam, said trolley having an elevation system capable of raising and lowering a first and a second stabilizing beam that are suspended from the trolley and guided in their vertical motion by low-friction, storage-rack contact members attached at respective first and second ends of the elevating structure, said contact members in contact with an inner surface of the respective first and second vertical storage racks. A first and a second stabilizing-beam trolley is attached to the, respective, first and second stabilizing beams while a spreader containing a chassis-clamping mechanism extends between and attaches to the first and the second stabilizing beam trolley.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a supporting truck for a crane comprises a load bearing member and a frame rigidly coupled to the load bearing member. A plurality of substantially equally spaced and substantially equally sized wheels is rigidly journaled in the frame at substantially equal heights such that the wheels have a single degree of freedom comprising rotational movement with respect to the frame and the load bearing member. The load bearing member and the frame have a moment of inertia of at least a particular value to cause the wheels to experience substantially equal loading by forces applied to the load bearing member.

Abstract: A latching system for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis is provided. The latching system includes an actuation device that extends through a surface of the container chassis, a linkage mechanism disposed below the surface, and a latch coupled to a pivot. The latch is positioned above the surface of the container chassis. Placement of the container on the container chassis actuates the actuation device causing the linkage mechanism to move the latch such that the latch automatically secures the container to the container chassis.

Abstract: A system for positioning a vehicle chassis in which tires are mounted on an axle associated with the chassis is provided. The system includes first and second tire guides spaced apart from one another in which the first and second tire guides are configured to opposedly face one another. The system further includes tire guide sections joined to form each of the first and second tire guides. Each tire guide section is adjustable within a range such that a distance between opposing tire guide sections may be adjusted. The tire guide sections are adjusted based on the position of the tires mounted on the axle associated with the chassis.

Abstract: A connector system for connecting stacked containers includes a frame and a locating lever coupled to the frame. The locating lever is configured to detect when a lower container is placed into a containment cavity. The system further includes a coupler plate tucked along the frame in a starting position. The coupler plate is deployed to a deployed position distal to the frame in response to the locating lever detecting when the lower container is placed into the containment cavity. The connector system further includes a plurality of connecting pins such that the coupler plate and the connecting pins are configured to connect an upper container to the lower container. A return lever is coupled to the frame, and a return mechanism returns the coupler plate to the starting position in response to the upper container being lifted off of the lower container.

Abstract: A front pin arrangement for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis is provided. The front pin latching arrangement includes first and second latching systems disposed proximate two corners of a container chassis, wherein each of the first and second latching systems automatically secure the container to the container chassis. The front pin latching arrangement also includes an interlock assembly operably coupled to the first and second latching systems. The interlock assembly is configured to provide a fail-safe operation such that the first and second latching systems maintain securement of the container to the container chassis.

Abstract: A latching system for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis is provided. The latching system includes an actuation device disposed on an upper surface of the container chassis, a linkage mechanism disposed below the upper surface, and a connector positioned on a further surface elevated above the upper surface. Placement of the container on the container chassis actuates the actuation device causing the linkage mechanism to move the connector and automatically secure the container to the container chassis.