Abstract: A controllably movable machine for moving a shipping container is disclosed. A shipping container can be connected to the machine such that, when the container is connected to the machine and the machine moves, the container moves with the machine. The machine has long-side structural members that extend generally along or adjacent the long sides of the container when the container is connected to the machine, and at least one short-side structural member that extends between the long-side structural members. When the container is connected to the machine, one of the short sides of the container is secured against or relative to the short-side structural member, and the container is secured between the long-side structural members, in such a way that the structure and/or rigidity of the container contributes to or supports the structure and/or rigidity of the machine.

Abstract: A straddle carrier is operable to lift and convey a shipping container. The straddle carrier has a plurality of wheeled structures between weight-bearing portions and the ground. Each wheeled structure has two or more wheels. Each of the wheels is turnable (i.e. steerable) relative to the wheeled structure to which it is connected. Each wheeled structure is also pivotable (by at least by at least 90° in a horizontal plane) relative to the weight-bearing portion which it supports. Consequently, the wheeled structures can be oriented so as to enable the straddle carrier to move forward, to steer by turning (steering) one or more wheels, or to move perpendicular to the straddle carrier's forward direction.

Abstract: The straddle carrier comprising separate front and rear towers, each tower being of a generally inverted U shaped configuration and having a pair of ground wheel assemblies which can be spaced apart sufficiently to allow a container to locate between the assemblies, each tower including attachment means to attach the tower to the container, each tower having lifting means to lift the container. By having separate front and rear towers, as opposed to a chassis arrangement of existing straddle carriers, the straddle carrier according to the invention can be simply attached to each corner of a container of any length. Thus, the straddle carrier can be used on containers having lengths of 20 ft, 40 ft, and 50 ft, and can also handle containers without side walls or front or back walls which are also called flat beds or flat racks.

Abstract: The straddle carrier comprising separate front and rear towers, each tower being of a generally inverted U shaped configuration and having a pair of ground wheel assemblies which can be spaced apart sufficiently to allow a container to locate between the assemblies, each tower including attachment means to attach the tower to the container, each tower having lifting means to lift the container. By having separate front and rear towers, as opposed to a chassis arrangement of existing straddle carriers, the straddle carrier according to the invention can be simply attached to each corner of a container of any length. Thus, the straddle carrier can be used on containers having lengths of 20 ft, 40 ft, and 50 ft, and can also handle containers without side walls or front or back walls which are also called flat beds or flat racks.