Abstract: A container pedestal for supporting and securing a cargo container having a catch opening on a vehicle such as a rail car. The pedestal includes a base defining a platform for supporting the container. A pivotal latch lever is biased by a spring into a latched position wherein a latching nose on the lever registers with a latch recess in the container. The latch nose is contacted by the container for pivoting the latch lever from the latched to a released position when the container is raised or lowered. The latch lever is mounted for vertical movement as well as pivotal movement, and interfacing locking surfaces are provided on the latch lever and on the pedestal base for preventing pivotal movement of the latch lever out of the latched position when the latch lever is in an upper position. The spring biases the latch lever upwardly to maintain the locking surfaces normally in engagement so that, when the latch lever is in its upper position, the container cannot pivot the latch lever.

Abstract: A container pedestal for supporting and securing a cargo container having a catch opening on a vehicle such as a rail car. The pedestal includes a base defining a platform for supporting the container. A pivotal latch lever is biased by a spring into a latched position wherein a latching nose on the lever registers with a latch recess in the container. The latch nose is contacted by the container for pivoting the latch lever from the latched to a released position when the container is raised or lowered. The latch lever can be manually locked, yet self-entry automatic loading can be carried out in the locked condition. A line contact between the latch lever and the spring provides reliable and consistent latch operation due to a uniform spring lever arm length.