Abstract: A fan plenum assembly for a merchandiser. The fan plenum assembly includes a plenum housing that defines an opening configured to receive a fan, and that has a side wall with a slot and a slot extension continuous with the slot. The slot has a major axis extending through a center of the slot. A bearing is configured to rotationally support a hinge pin and is coupled to the side wall. The bearing includes a positioning element that is disposed in the slot and in the slot extension. The positioning element is movable within the slot and the slot extension such that the bearing is movable along the major axis to permit axial adjustment of a position of the bearing relative to the plenum housing and the bearing is immovable rotationally relative to the plenum housing.

Abstract: A sandwich element (10) including a first restriction layer (21) and a second restriction layer (22) and a distance core (23) of a light weight material, preferably of a foam material, between said restriction layers, whereby the second restriction layer (22) includes stiffening elements (11) arranged in parallel with each other and individually or together with a corresponding abutting stiffening element (11) form a closed hollow profile (24). Furthermore the invention refers to a load floor shaped as such a sandwich element and also that such a load floor is a part of a cargo vehicle.

Abstract: Herein described are at least an elongated flooring unit and a floor. In one embodiment, an elongated flooring unit includes a left web, a right web, a top flange, and a bottom flange, in which the top flange is positioned parallel to the bottom flange. The left and right webs, and the top and bottom flanges, enclose an air space configured for use as an air duct. In one embodiment, a floor includes a plurality of alternating enclosed air ducts and open air ducts formed by interconnecting a plurality of flooring units, in which each enclosed air duct of the enclosed air ducts is formed by two webs and two flanges of each flooring unit of the plurality of flooring units, and in which the two flanges include a bottom flange and a top flange.

Abstract: A brace tool comprises a rigid frame, a platform mounted on the frame for adjustable positioning of the platform relative to the frame, and a plurality of suction cups. The plurality of suction cups can be removably attached to a flat surface that is adjacent to an inclined surface 12 above which work is to be performed. The platform can be adjustably positioned relative to the frame 22, and then secured in its adjusted position. The platform can then be used as a brace that can be engaged by the person on the inclined surface that is performing the overhead work and prevent the person from sliding down the inclined surface.

Abstract: An attachment device is provided for two elements of a watch band to allow the two elements to be hooked into place or unhooked. The first element includes at least one bar on one of its ends. The second element includes two grooves, each including a longitudinal opening respectively opposite one another, and one of the two elements can move from an unhooked position. One of the elements is oriented in a predetermined angular position in relation to the other element, to a hooked position, in which the two elements are coplanar after a rotation of a predetermined angle of one of the two elements in relation to the other so that each groove is articulated on the bar to hold the two elements hooked to one another.

Abstract: A baggage conveyance tray suitable for a sorting conveyor system for conveying baggage at airports has raised wall plate portions protruding on the front and rear both end portions of the tray in the length (conveyance) direction thereof extending in the right-left width direction of the tray. A baggage placement surface located between the front and rear both raised wall plate portions is concave along the length direction such that the central portion in the right-left width direction is lowered while the right and left both sides are raised. Elongated protrusion portions extending along the right-left width direction of the tray are disposed on the baggage placement surface at intervals in the length direction of the tray.

Abstract: A cross member including a base including a first side wall inclined at a first angle with the base and a second side wall inclined at a second angle with the base creating a hollow portion between the first side wall and a second side wall, a first outer flange and a second outer flange projecting from the first side wall and the second side wall, respectively, in a direction away from the hollow portion, and a first inner flange projecting from a top side of the first side wall into the hollow portion, wherein the base, the first side wall and the second side wall, the first outer flange and the second outer flange, and the first inner flange form an open cross-section.

Abstract: A shifting device for a vehicle includes a rotary operating member and a base member. The rotary operating member includes a rotary shaft. The base member has a bearing surface around a bearing hole. The rotary shaft is fitted in the bearing hole, and the bearing surface receives an outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft. A pair of flat surfaces are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rotary shaft. The pair of flat surfaces are configured such that one flat surface of the pair of flat surfaces is located between a pair of circumferential end edges of the bearing surface, within a predetermined rotating angle range of the rotary operating member.

Abstract: An aluminum pickup bed is assembled from a stamped headboard, a stamped floorpan, and a roll formed front sill. The headboard, a floorpan flange extending downwardly from the floorpan, and a front wall of the front sill form a three piece sandwich structure. Flow drilled screws are installed into the sandwich structure from the headboard side. The front sill includes a closed front flange and an open rear flange, each of which is welded to the floorpan.

Abstract: A metal pallet (10) has a deck (12), a base (14) and a plurality of beams (16) therebetween. The deck (12), the base (14) and the beams (16) may be formed from lightweight sheet metal. The metal sheets are folded into the desired shape to respectively form the beams (16), and panels (18, 22) and slats (20, 32) for the deck (12) and the base (14). The panels (18, 22) and the slats (20, 32) are corrugated and the opposed side edges thereof may be folded upon themselves to provide for robust multi-ply edge constructions. Different types of corrugations may be provided over the panels (18, 22) and the slats (20, 32) to locally reinforce the pallet (10). The bottom portion of the beams (16) may be plastically deformed to create arched opening (58) to permit side entry of pallet handling equipment. The plastically deformed regions (60) of the beams (16) may be configured to improve the mechanical properties of the beam while providing maximal clearance for pallet handling equipment.

Abstract: A rail vehicle contains a floor plate, which is supported on a shell floor plate with height adjustment elements therebetween. The height adjustment elements have two components arranged one over the other, of which the one rests against the floor plate from below and the other rests against the shell floor plate from above, wherein the two components can be fixed in various positions relative to each other in order to set a total height of the height adjustment elements.

Abstract: An Intermodal container, also known as an ISO Ocean Freight Container is suitable for the dual purposes of bio-containment and also Intermodal shipping. Provision is made for the introduction of water, oxygen or other liquids or gasses to be treated into the container, for exit of liquids or gasses generated or converted in the container, and for the monitoring of biological processes occurring within the container, all in a liquid impervious container. Improved air ducts and flow paths are provided, while the effects of shrinkage and channeling are reduced, through a strategically placed and relative percentage of openings through the floor. Further improvements in air distribution are achieved by an elimination or substantial reduction in percentage of opening through the floor in areas immediately adjacent to the container side walls. The flooring incorporates a self-cleaning hole design which increases in diameter with increasing distance from the container contents.

Abstract: A railway vehicle including an access platform which extends between two lateral faces, at least one of the faces having a lateral access door. The access platform is adjacent a passenger area and includes a plate which is movable vertically so as to allow passengers with reduced mobility to access/leave the access platform from/to a railway platform of a given height when the movable plate is placed in a given embarkation/disembarkation position. Also included is a moving floor allowing persons with reduced mobility to move between said passenger area and said movable plate whatever the embarkation/disembarkation position thereof. The moving floor is located and always remains in an interior of the vehicle along with the passenger area and the movable plate between which the moving floor is located.

Abstract: A temperature controlled railroad freight car (20) including an air flow conduit (98) and a related plenum (52) for distributing conditioned air from a refrigeration and heating unit (64) on an end wall (44) of the freight car (20), and a floor structure (40) that contributes to temperature control in a cargo space within the car (20). A diverter directs a flow of air upward into an inlet end of the plenum (52) and allows the flow to expand gradually within the plenum (52), smoothing the flow of air as it enters the plenum (52) so that it continues effectively at sufficient rates over the length of the car (20). The car (20) may include a subfloor (38) of composite construction, supporting a floor (40) that includes several tubular metal segments through which air can flow longitudinally of the car (20).

Abstract: A beam for supporting a removable second deck for carrying cargo in a vehicle such as a truck trailer is supported between a pair of opposing tracks on opposite sides of the vehicle. The track has slots formed therein to which the beam is attached. The beam has an end foot on each end. Each foot has a keeper pivotally mounted thereon, the keeper being used to removably attach the foot to the slot. The foot has a notch formed in its bottom surface which engages the bottom edge of the slot. The keeper is spring urged against the foot portion to bring the top portions of the keeper and foot into abutment against each other so that the top of the keeper is in abutment against the top edge of the slot, thereby retaining the foot and keeper in the slot. The foot portion and keeper can be withdrawn from the slot by manually moving the keeper away from the foot against the spring tension.

Abstract: A hinge and support system for supporting cargo in a freight compartment is provided. The system includes a hinge member, associated with a deck panel, which has at least one flexible projection. The hinge member mates with a support member having a pocket for which the hinge member's flexible projections can be snapped into and retained within so as to allow pivotal movement of the hinge member with respect to the support member. The hinge member is also movably supported by the deck panel so that the hinge member can move relative to the deck panel when the deck panel is deployed. The support member includes one ledge which engages the deck panel when deployed and a second ledge which engages the panel when stowed upright so as to substantially isolate the hinge member from the weight of the deck panel and items placed on it. The hinge structure can be utilized in other contexts.

Abstract: An integral intermodal train is provided for carrying standard over-the-highway semi-trailers. The intermodal train can include a standard locomotive pulling one or more train segments. Each segment can have a plurality of platforms and may be loaded or unloaded independently of any other segment using a self contained, roll-on/roll-off system. At least one platform should be equipped with a standard knuckle coupler at standard height to permit the segments to be pulled by any existing locomotive. Each segment can consist of three platform types, articulated together, an adapter platform coupled behind the locomotive, an intermediate platform having a truck at only one end and the other end supported by the end of the adapter platform and a loading ramp platform also having a truck at only one with the other end supported by the truck end of the intermediate platform. The truck end of the ramp platform can have a hinged ramp assembly which can be raised or lowered to load the platforms.

Abstract: In a device for transfering especially a person sitting in a wheel-chair between a platform and a passenger department of a vehicle having a floor on a higher level than the platform a first floor surface (5) is arranged inside the vehicle closest to an entrance (2) into the vehicle from a platform side and arranged on substantially the same level as the platform. Power means are adapted to move a support surface (6) arranged inside the vehicle and reachable through the first floor surface (5) between platform level and the level of the floor of the passenger department so as to join a first floor surface and a second floor surface (10) leading to the passenger department or belonging thereto, respectively. A staircase (8) is arranged between the two levels beside the support surface (6) and directly reachable through the first floor surface (5) as well as the second floor surface (10) independently of the position of the support surface (6).

Abstract: A floor for a means of transport which includes a floor plate (1) adapted to the bottom (12) of a given means of transport, and on which one or more chairs or other aids in passenger transport may be secured, the floor plate (1) including a plurality of recesses (3, 7) distributed in a suitable pattern (3a, 3b) for receiving securing means (6) for securing chairs or the like to the floor plate (1) and receiving attachment means (13) for attaching the floor plate (1) to the bottom (12). This provides a floor having a much greater flexibility with respect to layout, e.g., as found in minibuses, just as the chairs may be secured more securely to the floor, so that also the floor can absorb impact energy in case of a collision where a passenger fastened by a seat belt is thrown forwards.

Abstract: A rectangular sheet of extruded, twin-walled, fluted plastic fabricated from a polyethylene copolymer is scored with N parallel lines, wherein N is any odd number three (3) or greater. The sheet of plastic is then bent or otherwise configured along the N parallel lines to form N+1 panels. The first and last panels are snapped into place along the opposing sidewalls, respectively, of a shipping container. The intermediate panels are bent into N + 1 2 V-shaped configurations which together will hold the bottom portion of a load of dry particle materials which will be shipped or stored therein. The materials may be loaded and unloaded through parts.

Abstract: The invention is a drive-in pallet racking system for a large transportation vehicle like a railcar or truck trailer. The racking system includes a plurality of center posts which define two drive-through passageways along the length of the vehicle. Pallet-supporting rails are mounted on each side of the posts. One rail is mounted to the posts and the other is mounted on the sidewall opposite the posts. The rails are spaced apart so that a forklift can drive in between them. However, the spacing is sufficiently narrow so that the rails can support the edges of the pallet without any intermediate support.

Abstract: In the railway basket car (1) according to the invention at least a part of the surface between the longitudinal side beams (2,3) of the basket car (1) is missing, and a basket (4) is arranged between the longitudanal side beams (2,3) in the missing part of the surface of the basket car (1), said basket (4) comprising a bottom part (4c) for carrying the semitrailer (17) and two side walls (4a) wherein the side walls (4a) are provided with means for supporting the basket (4) on the longitudinal side beams (2,3) of the basket car (1) and with lifting lugs (5) and there stop and locating elements on the supporting means and/or the longitudinal side beams (2,3) of the basket car (1).

Abstract: An improved automobile transport railway car that is constructed from noncorroding materials adjacent to load carrying areas and that is enclosed by doors on both ends of the car. In the case of the articulated cars, a bellows assembly encloses and spans the ends of adjacent units. The car may be provided with two or more decks and has walls and a roof preferably constructed from nested, pultruded sections that are light in weight and are non-corrodible.

Abstract: A deck structure for use in supporting cargo at an intermediate level above the floor or bed of a trailer van, or the like. A first embodiment includes a first deck section pivotally mounted on a side wall of a trailer van and movable to a horizontal load position, and back up to a vertical stored position against the side wall where it is releasably held by a spring slam bolt engaged with a height saving angle locking rail. In the first embodiment a second section of the deck is pivotally connected to the first section and it is also movable between a horizontal load position and a vertical stored position against the side wall, and when it is in the vertical stored position it is hanging from the first section and is configured such that it nests closely in the first deck section to provide a slender storing intermediate deck structure.

Abstract: A quickly installable and removable integral lightweight floor structure trailer adaptor for railroad well cars for converting the well car from one for use with containers to one for carrying trailers, including a plurality of substantially equal height parallel disposed lightweight beams having substantially coplaner upper surfaces fixedly interconnected to form a rigid platform for the wheels of a trailer, the height of the beams being such as to raise the underside of a trailer to an elevation above the well car sidewalls a sufficient distance to provide withdrawal clearance for the loading arms of a trailer loading crane when the trailer with the adaptor carried thereby is loaded into the well car, and quick detachable coupling means securing the adaptor to the wheels of a trailer bogie with the tires seated on the adaptor to effectively restrain movement of the adaptor relative to the trailer wheels.

Abstract: An insulating floor is composed of a deck, supporting plastic beams which are mounted on an underpan, the underpan being supported on metal crossing beams, the regions between the deck, plastic beams and underpan being filled with foamed plastic providing insulation and adhesively and mechanically bonding the components together.

Abstract: Apparatus for adapting well cars for trailer carrying use without degrading its double stacked container capability, including a trailer hitch head and mounting pedestal attached to the end deck of the well car for securing the trailer kingpin onto the car mounted hitch head, and a plurality of lightweight aluminum floor beams or panels which support the trailer bogies. The beams can be dropped into place on the car floor with locating pins providing the fore and aft positioning, and are sufficiently light that two men can lift and position them. In two forms the beams bridge between the lower side sills of the car and transfer the vertical load by bearing on the inward turned flange portion of the side sill, and in another form are partly supported by the car lower end plate. The floor beams structures add only approximately 500 to 600 pounds in weight, rather than the 5,000 pounds of a permanent type floor, and do not raise the trailer height above the normal double stacked container height.

Abstract: A vehicular floor structure includes individual T-panels and duct panels, each including only its own respective type of structural members, interconnected to define distinct primary load bearing areas and primary air circulating areas.

Abstract: A closed multi-purpose product container suitable for heavy duty transportation of commodity products by railroad flat cars, freight ships and land motor truck power trailer has a full top opening hinged flat rigid lid, as well as the conventional opening rear flat rigid door. The closed hinged flat rigid lid transportation container (CLC) has structural welded seams securing the two long flat rigid side walls, a flat rigid bottom wall, and a front flat rigid end wall, so as to safely carry high density lump loads such as lump coal, powdered and granular chemicals, grains and other solid loads, with secure transportation and freedom from external and internal contamination, when the flat rigid rear door is closed and sealed. Welded triangular strength reinforcement trusses, multiple V-shaped strength stiffening pleats and half round truss means may be equivalently, typically formed in and on the side walls, top lid, rear door and bottom wall of the CLC. Typically, a CLC can have 20 to 40 ft.

Abstract: A cargo supporting floor particularly suited for refrigerated trucks or other carriers is formed of a plurality of interlinked panels, each panel being integrally formed with at least one longitudinally extending T-shaped member and at least one parallel, longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped channel. The panels are extruded from a suitable material such as aluminum and are formed with interlocking edges so that the individual panels may be firmly joined to one another. Various combinations of T-shaped members and U-shaped channels are available, to combine the air circulation effectiveness of the T-shaped member with the load carrying capacity of the channel member as needed for particular conditions of use.

Abstract: An improved container for bulk cargo is provided with a peripheral wall, a top, and a bottom. The top defines a longitudinally extending central ridge and the bottom defines two spaced, parallel, longitudinally extending skirts separated by a central recess. The contour of the top generally corresponds to the contour of the bottom such that multiple containers can be stacked one over the other. The container is provided with a perforated floor which simultaneously braces the peripheral wall against spreading and provides a support surface for palletized cargo and the like. The floor perforations allow bulk cargo to fall from the upper portions of the container to the lower portions of the container. A bulk cargo loading door is provided in the top along the uppermost portion of the central ridge, and two bulk unloading doors are provided along the lowermost portions of the skirts. In addition, end doors are provided for moving palletized cargo into and out of the container.

Abstract: My invention makes it possible to convert a flat bed vehicle into one having panel sides, and vice-versa. In flat bed arrangement, the panels are laid flatwise on the vehicle bed, each panel having a lug or cleat adapted to seat within a trough which is formed in the flat bed and which extends longitudinally thereof. This is an advancement of the structure disclosed and claimed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,481,627.

Abstract: A system and apparatus is described for loading and carrying automobiles as cargo in a standardized, enclosed, dry-freight intermodal shipping container. The apparatus is provided in the form of a kit of assemblable components for manual installation in such container and for complete removal therefrom without use of tools, by which a track deck is erected using crossbeams supported between opposed mounting tracks provided by conventional slotted sideposts along the interior sidewalls of the container, and track sections mounted, and retained by removable pins on such crossbeams. Automobiles are driven on to such track deck via a ramp extending from the loading dock to the track deck, which ramp may also be included in the kit. The cars are tied down against vertical or longitudinal movement on the tracks by nylon take-up straps extending from the cars to the sidepost mounting tracks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vehicle transporters. Apparatus for totally or partially lowering or raising the upper platform of a vehicle transport trailer comprising a lower platform disposed on a chassis and an upper platform supported at a distance from the lower platform by at least four vertical support posts, characterized in that it comprises at least one motor driving in rotation at least two vertical screws each lodged in one of the support posts of a given pair; the rotation of the screws producing the vertical displacement of means rigidly connected to the upper platform.

Abstract: A deck assembly for a vehicle freight container, e.g., a highway trailer, comprising a series of panels which extend across the container and rest on side rails to provide a second floor for lading spaced above the main floor of the container, the panels being hinged to opposed side walls of the container in a manner to permit storage against the side walls above the side rails. The panels are pivoted at two corners, one pivot being a universal joint and the other being detachable from the side wall to permit the panels to be rotated about both a vertical and a horizontal axis for moving them from stored to operative position and vice versa.

Abstract: A vehicle carrying railway car including a plurality of vertically spaced decks having at least one hinged deck section adapted to be raised for facilitating the loading of vehicles onto the car. The hinged deck has shrouds that are supported and aligned by inter-reactive foot elements which are constantly shielded by the shrouds preventing injury to workmen moving the deck between its respective raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for a hinged deck portion of a vehicle-carrying auto-rack railway car utilizing a first-class lever to counterbalance the deck end portion. A spring load is provided by a Belleville spring pack of novel, compact construction which has a substantially constant spring-force versus deflection curve such that manual manipulation of the hinged deck by operating personnel is facilitated during loading and unloading of the auto-rack car.

Abstract: A rollaway decking system for use in transport vehicles, e.g., truck trailers or shipping containers, includes a pair of tracks mounted on opposite side walls of the vehicle and a rollaway deck extending between the tracks. The deck has a plurality of articulated panels arranged in and edge to edge relationship with each adjacent pair of panels including an integral, hinge-like linking arrangement extending across the adjacent edges of the panels for pivotally connecting the panels together. Each track includes a support extending underneath the deck for engaging the underside of the deck under heavy load conditions. The deck includes a plurality of deck sections which can be used together or individually to accomodate various loads.

Abstract: A plurality of modular units formed of ducts and horizontal load-supporting webs each form part of a ventilating floor structure with the ducts and webs being interconnected to adjacent modular units for forming a total floor. The ducts have upwardly diverging sidewalls for strength and a duct of one modular unit is provided with a bead that forms half of a joint to be slid within a downwardly opening recess forming the other half of the joint on an adjacent web. The recess is provided with a downwardly and laterally curving guide flange so that the bead can be rolled into the recess as the modular unit having the bead is rotated into position. The interconnected ducts and webs are underlayed with foam insulation which is carried up into each web for additional insulating thickness the joint is essentially waterproof from water passing into or through the ducts.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for a railway car hinge-deck section includes a locking lever pivotally attached to a railway car and having an upper and lower wedge bar alternately engageable with a wedge plate carried by the hinge-deck section when the section is displaced to a raised or lowered position, respectively. Seat means affixed to the car restrict vertical displacement of the deck section and cooperates with mating inclined surfaces on the wedge bars and wedge plate to provide positive, tight retention of the hinge-deck section in either of its locked positions.

Abstract: Baffles are provided in transportation hoppers to solve the problem of upper bulk lading exerting pressure and causing damage to lower bulk lading in the hopper by reducing load density of the lading. The baffles are preferably inclined with respect to the horizontal. More than one layer of baffles may be provided. Supports for the baffles are preferably fixed to the sides and/or roof of the transportation hopper. The baffles may be provided with openings to facilitate circulation of conditioned air through the hopper. The baffles may be provided with larger openings which facilitate loading the hopper. The baffles also may be provided with doors which facilitate loading the hopper by means of a loading chute. The baffles may be used in a wide variety of transportation hoppers. In a preferred embodiment the transportation hopper is a railway hopper car.

Abstract: Baffles are provided in insulated convertible hopper-box cars to allow bulk shipment of perishable lading, which is not capable of supporting more than several feet without the upper lading portion damaging the lower lading portion due to the weight of the upper portion. For example, citrus fruits may thus be transported in such baffled convertible railway cars.