Abstract: An end cap attached to an end of skid for rolling a vehicle through the end cap and on to or off of the skid, the end cap having at least one channel extending through the end cap wherein each channel of the end cap is aligned with one channel in the top of the platform of the skid for holding the wheels of the vehicle. The end cap is attached to the top of a platform of a skid. In addition, the end cap can be designed and manufactured in either multiple segments or as a single component. The end cap may optionally have a vertical extension extending down from one side of the end cap and attaching to the bottom of the platform, thereby covering an end of the skid.

Abstract: A cushioning and stabilizing support in the form of a cradle for supporting heavy paper coils or rolls has a load bearing surface which flexes under loading to embrace and protect the roll. The cradle is preferably configured so that the center of gravity of the roll is aligned with the midpoint of the cradle, providing optimum load-bearing capacity and protection.

Abstract: A pallet and an associated method are provided for supporting an item mounted upon casters. The pallet includes a pallet deck having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The movable portion moves between a first position in which the movable portion is displaced, such as by being rotated downwardly, from the fixed portion and a second position in which the movable and fixed portions cooperate to define a support surface. The movable portion is in the second position while the item is loaded, but is moved to the first position during shipment. The pallet also includes a support for supporting the item once the movable portion is in the first position. Prior thereto, however, the item is typically spaced from the support. Each support can include a stationary portion and a movable portion that moves between a retracted position to facilitate loading and an extended position during shipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interface between stacked arrays of containers having container tops. The interface includes a pallet loaded with a stacked array of containers and a layer of exposed container tops adjacent the pallet. A plastic coupling member is positioned between the layer of exposed container tops and the pallet. The plastic coupling member includes a contoured surface configured with an array of indentations formed therein and properly spaced to mate with each of the layer of exposed container tops. The array of indentations is sufficiently deep to prevent relative lateral displacement of the coupling member with respect to the layer of exposed container tops. A method of vertically stacking crates using such an interface is also provided.

Abstract: A pallet has a bottom frame with saddles conforming to two generally cylindrical objects, such as bombs, and has a plurality of A-frames disposed at each side and transversely oppositely of the bombs. The wider portion of each A-frame is mounted on the bottom frame for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of the bombs. The narrower portion of each A-frame has a captive cap screw disposed to extend vertically when the A-frame is pivoted into an upright position beside an adjacent bomb. The pallet has a top frame having inverted saddles conforming to the bombs; has a member which extends across the bombs at the positions of lifting lugs protruding radially from the bombs and which has slots to receive and engage the lifting lugs; and has pockets disposed to receive the cap screws. The bottom frame and the A-frames are configured so that the A-frames may pivot into the bottom frame when the pallet is empty.

Abstract: A pallet (2) has a substantially planar deck (6), a supporting structure (10) that supports the deck (6) above the ground, and a plurality of retractable locating means (20). Each locating means (20) is adjustable between a first position in which the locating means extends above the deck (6) to engage and limit movement of articles placed on that surface, and a second position in which the locating means is located at or below the deck (6), such that the surface is substantially unobstructed.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system is provided that automates the process of handling a mixed inventory of palletized and containerized items. The invention is particularly useful in handling cargo and weapons within a ship's hold or magazine. When used on a ship, the invention provides for the stowing and unstowing of loads quickly and efficiently, to automatically secure such payloads for sea and to achieve high stowage density, while retaining the capability to select and retrieve any ordered payload, move it to and load it on elevator trays under computer control.

Abstract: A packaging assembly for efficiently packaging wheels includes multiple sheets of supporting and fixing members. A first set of wheels, each wheel having a and engaging a hub hole of one of the sheets, is located between two of the sheets. A first sheet supports a first set of wheels, and a second sheet is supported by the first set of wheels. A second set of wheels is located between the second sheet and a third sheet, each wheel of the second set including a hub engaged with a hub hole of the third sheet or of one of the first two sheets. The hub engagement of each wheel is laterally offset from the perimeter of all of the wheels of adjacent sets of wheels. The packaging includes means for preventing lateral movement of the wheels in each set.

Abstract: A pallet and an associated method are provided for supporting an item mounted upon casters. The pallet includes a pallet deck having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The movable portion moves between a first position in which the movable portion is displaced, such as by being rotated downwardly, from the fixed portion and a second position in which the movable and fixed portions cooperate to define a support surface. The movable portion is in the second position while the item is loaded, but is moved to the first position during shipment. The pallet also includes a support for supporting the item once the movable portion is in the first position. Prior thereto, however, the item is typically spaced from the support. Each support can include a stationary portion and a movable portion that moves between a retracted position to facilitate loading and an extended position during shipment.

Abstract: A method of introducing/discharging a heavy article is provided that allows for introducing and/or discharging a coil-shape heavy article to and from a transporting receptacle. The method includes utilizing a pallet, a stage, and a carrying vehicle to introduce/discharge the coil-shape heavy article. A coil-shape heavy article is secured to the pallet using a securing member and is transported, while secured to the pallet, between the stage, which is secured to the transporting receptacle, and the transporting receptacle. The stage includes a table having a height that is adjustable relative the floor surface of the transporting receptacle. Movement of the pallet between the stage and the transporting receptacle is performed by levitating a support frame of the carrying vehicle on which the pallet has been positioned using a controllable discharge of gas exiting from exhaust nozzles of the carrying vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transporting device (1) comprising a number of carriers (3), a number of pallets (2) therefor and displacing means (16, 17) for displacing the pallets and carriers, wherein each carrier comprises a carrying base (14) and a number of feet arranged thereon and wherein each pallet comprises upward protruding supports (4) which define a support surface for supporting the carrying base of a number of carriers.

Abstract: A mechanical apparatus for loading and securing a load in transit. The mechanical apparatus includes (a) a platform formed by a first horizontal member, a first vertical member, a second horizontal member and a second vertical member, and (b) at least one arch shaped structure positioned above the horizontal and vertical members of the platform for receiving the load. Multiple apparatuses may be stacked upon each other for ease of storage and transportation in an unloaded condition.

Abstract: A load supporting assembly structured to support and retain cargo intended to be loaded on and transported by a common commercial carrier, such as an aircraft, wherein the supporting assembly may be in the form of a pallet or alternatively a container having a base panel, side panel and one or more additional panels. Each of the panels include a peripheral flange or like portion extending at least along a majority of the length thereof, which is disposed and configured for fixed attachment to one or more track segments or one or more attachment members. The attachment members are disposed and structured to interconnect the various panels into a predetermined shape, without the use of conventional fasteners or connectors, dependent on the type of common carrier in which the load supporting container assembly is to be loaded.

Abstract: A pallet for a wheeled item comprises a base frame having openings for receiving forklift arms, a plurality of tracks mounted on the base frame for receiving the wheels of the item, and a plurality of ramps mounted on the base frame and sloping from the tracks toward the base frame so that when the wheeled item is shifted on the wheels from the tracks along the ramps, the undercarriage of the wheeled item comes to rest on the pallet. Wheeled items can be quickly loaded and secured on the pallet and can be manipulated with a forklift for storing wheeled items in stacked relation. The pallet can be designed to store wheeled items with aligned or offset casters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the transport of cargo in containers, especially cargo which would usually be transported as bulk cargo, for example coils of sheet steel. The problem of securely loading cargo within a container is overcome by the present invention by utilizing a plurality of pallets which in combination occupy the floor space of a container and using the required number of pallets, whether loaded or not, to provide pallet load location and restraint. For the anticipated bulk cargo comprising loads of up to 10,000 kg, and between 10,000 and 25,000 kg, two pallet sizes are envisaged a longer size being twice as long as a shorter size. The preferred pallets have a width equal of the width of the container.

Abstract: A deadplate assembly for a section of an I.S. machine. The assembly includes a deadplate table onto which bottles made in the section will be periodically placed for cooling. A plenum having an annular top portion is located beneath the deadplate table and this annular top portion has an inner annular sealing surface. An annular seal is secured to the bottom surface of the deadplate table to establish a seal with the plenum. The deadplate table is supported on compressed springs supported by the plenum so that the vertical location of the deadplate table can be adjusted with the screws.