Abstract: A retainer having an elongated body secures one end of a cargo-engaging strapping to a wall anchor of a cargo transport unit wall. In operation, a loop is formed in the strapping and passed from a first side of the anchor to a second side, where the retainer is inserted within the loop, such that the loop engages a portion of a strapping-engaging surface of the retainer body. Then the loop is pulled toward the anchor until the retainer seats against the anchor. Finally, the portion of the strapping extending from the first side is pulled toward the second side, whereby a loose end of the loop is secured against the anchor. The retainer prevents strapping slippage along the anchor, which preserves the tension in the strapping and prevents the cargo from shifting and becoming damaged. The retainer also allows for improved application and removal of the strapping.

Abstract: A removable adapter system allows a freight car sidewall with lading tie anchors to accommodate rub rails for cargo transportation and to remove the rub rails when desired. Bolts specially configured to fit between a lading tie anchor and the associated indentation in the sidewall are spaced apart for aligning vertical strips. The vertical strips include a plurality of attachment members which hold rub rails that run from at or spaced from the front or back wall of the freight car to at or spaced from the door opening. The adapter system can be applied and removed with standard hand tools, so the sidewall is easily changed from a lading tie anchor system to a rub rail system and back to a lading tie anchor system.

Abstract: An anchor assembly has a retainer and an interlocking link, with the link secured to the floor of a flatcar by the retainer. An adapter welded to the load bearing surface provides an enhanced banding radius which reduces the risk of band breakage, without requiring replacement of the existing anchor assembly. The adapter includes a saddle portion and preferably tabs to prevent misalignment during installation of the adapter onto the link. A metal band is connected at one end to a load bearing surface of the combined link and adapter of a first anchor assembly and at another end to a load bearing surface of the combined link and adapter of a second anchor assembly. A tensile force is applied to the steel banding and crimped with a clip to secure cargo.

Abstract: A two-piece anchor assembly has a retainer and an interlocking link. The link is a unitary component that is formed by a single forging step. The link is secured to the floor of a railway flatcar by the retainer. A steel band is connected at one end to a load bearing surface of the link of a first anchor assembly and at another end to a load bearing surface of the link of a second anchor assembly. A tensile force is then applied to the steel banding and crimped with a clip in order to secure cargo. The load bearing surface has an enhanced banding radius, which reduces the risk of band breakage when the steel band is subjected to a high tensile force by preventing “creasing” at contact locations.

Abstract: A system for tying down cargo on the deck of a transport vehicle such as a cargo of stacked steel plates on a railway flat car. Link chains are used for tying the cargo down. The system utilizes chain retainers secured to the deck or to the bottoms of C-channels recessed in the deck. The retainers are positioned on opposite sides of the cargo and close in to the bottom. A selected link of a length of each of two tie-down chains is inserted into one of two retainers. The free ends of the two chains are fastened together on top of the cargo and then ratcheted to place the chains under tension. The chain retainers are in the form of one-piece castings with a pair of right and left hand uprights with a slot therebetween in which a chain link will fit and pivot in its narrow orientation but not in its wide orientation. A selected link in its wide orientation serves to anchor the lower end of the chain to a chain retainer.