Abstract: A self tracking land vehicle includes a number of cargo or passenger cars and a drive car. Each cargo car may have a chassis with a standardized container mounted on it. At least front and rear axles which have at least two inflatable tires each are provided for each of the cars. The front axle is pivotable about a vertical axis with respect to the car, and the rear axle is fixed. A substantially transversely rigid connection connects the front of each car to the rear of the preceding car, to form a land train. Each car and associated transversely rigid connection is substantially the same length, and all of the axles of all of the cars are spaced from each other substantially the same effective longitudinal distance, so that the train is self tracking. At least some of the axles of some of the cars may be driven by an electric motor, and a lead drive car is provided having a front with at least one steerable axle, a power plant in the front car producing electricity to drive all of the electric motors.

Abstract: Fingers having air bearings along the bottom thereof are used to quickly load and unload overseas transport containers. Sheet material, such as ribbed plastic (nylon) sheeting, is automatically dispensed between the fingers and loading deck so that it provides a smooth surface as the finger traverses the dock. A frame is mounted to the front of the finger, with a shaft on which the sheet material is coiled mounted to the frame, and an air motor for applying a generally constant tension (e.g. about 10 lbs. per square inch) to the plastic sheet. A hook or magnet is mounted in a recess in the deck and engages the free, leading end of the sheet material to hold it stationary on the deck as the finger traverses the deck, and thereby provide for automatic dispensing and take up of the sheet material.