Abstract: A cargo tie-down assembly including a tie-down loop and a non-metallic, protective housing are provided. The housing includes an integrally molded, non-metallic base and side walls which define a pocket which is sized and shaped to receive and nominally retain the loop. A hinge hingedly connects the loop to the side walls within the pocket to allow the loop to rotate about a rotational axis between a retraced, protected position within the pocket and an extended, use position outside the pocket.

Abstract: A retractable caster assembly includes a frame and a caster wheel assembly. The caster wheel assembly has a wheel and two guide members. The assembly is configured with the guide members movable along slots within the frame so that when the caster wheel assembly is at a first end of the slots the wheel is in a retracted position substantially within the cavity, and so that when the caster wheel assembly is at a second end of the slots the wheel is in an extended position extending from the cavity. A package may have at least one cavity, each cavity for receiving a retractable caster wheel assembly to make a wheeled package.

Abstract: Trailers are described that include a chassis, a set of wheels for rollably supporting the chassis on the ground, and a rigid container carried by the chassis. The rigid container comprises a floor, a sidewall, an access door for loading/unloading materials into the container, and a convertible rigid roof. The convertible roof is movable between a closed position which permits waste or other materials to be compressed into the trailer, and an open position which permits the trailer to be loaded with bulk goods from the top. The convertible roof includes movable rigid panels, and a locking bar for holding the panels closed and connecting the opposite sidewalls of the trailer to each other against the expansion pressure exerted by loosely compressed materials transported in the trailer. The panels may be rotating panels hinged to a wall, or may be provided as sliding panels running in tracks.

Abstract: Trailers are described that include a chassis, a set of wheels for rollably supporting the chassis on the ground, and a rigid container carried by the chassis. The rigid container comprises a floor, a sidewall, an access door for loading/unloading materials into the container, and a convertible rigid roof. The convertible roof is movable between a closed position which permits waste or other materials to be compressed into the trailer, and an open position which permits the trailer to be loaded with bulk goods from the top. The convertible roof includes movable rigid panels, and a locking bar for holding the panels closed and connecting the opposite sidewalls of the trailer to each other against the expansion pressure exerted by loosely compressed materials transported in the trailer. The panels may be rotating panels hinged to a wall, or may be provided as sliding panels running in tracks.

Abstract: Trailers are described that include a chassis, a set of wheels for rollably supporting the chassis on the ground, and a rigid container carried by the chassis. The rigid container comprises a floor, a sidewall, an access door for loading/unloading materials into the container, and a convertible rigid roof. The convertible roof is movable between a closed position which permits waste or other materials to be compressed into the trailer, and an open position which permits the trailer to be loaded with bulk goods from the top. The convertible roof includes movable rigid panels, and a locking bar for holding the panels closed and connecting the opposite sidewalls of the trailer to each other against the expansion pressure exerted by loosely compressed materials transported in the trailer. The panels may be rotating panels hinged to a wall, or may be provided as sliding panels running in tracks.

Abstract: A trailer includes a floor engageable with a load, the trailer floor comprising a plurality of floor panels. Each floor panel comprises a plurality of tubular portions that are hollow inside to reduce weight. The tubular portions have an upper wall comprising pairs of parallel channels which slideably receive at least one sliding bracket for securing the load to the trailer.

Abstract: A trailer having a chassis, a set of wheels for rollably supporting the chassis on the ground, and a rigid container carried by the chassis. The rigid container includes a floor, a sidewall, an access door for loading/unloading materials into the container, and a convertible rigid roof. The convertible roof is movable between a closed position which permits waste or other materials to be compressed into the trailer, and an open position which permits the trailer to be loaded with bulk goods from the top. The convertible roof includes movable rigid panels, and a locking bar for holding the panels closed and connecting the opposite sidewalls of the trailer to each other against the expansion pressure exerted by loosely compressed materials transported in the trailer. The panels may be rotating panels hinged to a wall, or may be provided as sliding panels running in tracks.

Abstract: A tailgate seatback and accessory holding system includes an elongated member that has a first end and a second end. Each of the first and second ends has a slot extending therein. The slots are each configured to releasably receive one of a pair of locking members attached to opposite side walls of a pickup bed. The locking members are positioned in the slots so that the elongated member extends between the side walls of a pickup bed.

Abstract: An improved spreader assembly adapted to be mounted on a vehicle having a tailgate and a bumper. The improved spreader assembly includes a hopper and a retaining arrangement. The hopper has an upper section and a bottom section. The bottom section has a base surface adapted to at least partially rest on a top surface of the bumper. The retaining arrangement includes a band that fits at least about a portion of a front face of the upper section of the hopper. One end of the band is adapted to connect to the vehicle to maintain at least a portion of a back face of the upper section at least closely adjacent to the tailgate of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cover assembly is secured to a panel and operable to selectively cover or reveal an opening in the panel. The cover assembly includes a sliding cover and a housing. The housing is secured to the panel and includes lateral and vertical guide members. The lateral guide members engage the cover and maintain the cover in alignment with the opening as the cover is moved between an open position and a closed position. The vertical guide members engage a lower surface of the cover and serve to bias the cover upwardly as the cover is moved into the closed position so that the cover upper surface is substantially flush with the panel upper surface when the cover is closed.

Abstract: A truck box cover/extension assembly for protecting the contents in the truck box and extending the vertical size of the truck box when needed to carry larger items. The truck box cover/extension assembly includes panel members being adapted to be hingedly attached to side walls of a truck box and to be closable and sealable upon the truck box; and also includes panel support members being removably attached to the panel members to support the panel members in upright vertical positions; and further includes stopper members for supporting the panel members in upright vertical positions.

Abstract: A deployable cargo supporting apparatus for pickup trucks that is deployable from a stowed configuration wherein load support beams are secured along each of the cargo box side walls by specially configured brackets, to a deployed configuration wherein the load support beams are transversely disposed across the width of the cargo box, in an elevated position above the floor, and secured on opposing ends by said brackets. In the stowed configuration, each load support beam, and a pair of tie-down devices slidably disposed thereon, is secured parallel to the cargo box sidewall proximate the top portion thereof by retaining pins projecting from each of the brackets.

Abstract: A support bracket for domestic containers for the transportation of cargo on railcars is provided for giving support, to the attachment blocks which are used by cranes and loaders to pick and manipulate such containers, as well as to the framework members of the container which are adjacent to the attachment block.

Abstract: A bulk material container, such as a trailer, includes an improved cross brace and top rail system including roller-type cross brace assemblies. The rear and center cross brace assemblies advantageously include a support tube, an outer loosely mounted roller, and two mounting brackets. The tube serves as the lateral support for the trailer; the ends being held in brackets attached to the top rails. The roller is mounted loosely over the tube and is free to rotate and/or to be lifted vertically, thereby preventing tightly packed bulk cargo material from becoming lodged against the braces during the unloading process. The top rails are extrusions with different portion thicknesses designed to minimize the weight while still providing sufficient strength to withstand the forces exerted during loading.

Abstract: A universal covered trailer comprising a frame with a tongue having retractable extension sections and comprises a housing having a top wall, two side walls, a bottom with a removable floor mountable therein, and a door attached to the top wall and adapted to close over the back of the housing member to enclose the trailer. The trailer also includes a first remote radio control unit comprising a first radio transmitter, first radio receiver, power supply, first switch, first motor, and reel with a first cable wound thereabout to take up the boat in the trailer and to launch the boat from the trailer easily and conveniently without the user having to do so manually. Further, the trailer has another second radio control unit to retract the extension sections of the tongue when they are in an extended position without the user having to do so manually.

Abstract: A load support system for carrying a load in a support plane at or above the wheel wells in the cargo box of a pickup truck. Clamping structures releasably clamp to flanges at the top of the cargo box. Depending bodies from the clamping structures carry load support beams that span substantially the width of the cargo box between the flanges. The load support beams define the load support plane that allows items to be carried in the load support plane that would not fit between the wheel wells on the floor of the cargo box.

Abstract: In a flat bed cargo vehicle having a series of upwardly-opening pockets spaced therealong, and cargo tie-down anchor members swingably disposed therein: the improvement wherein each pocket has a porous bottom wall permitting water to drain out of the pocket; each said bottom wall comprising a series of baffles preventing flames in the zone beneath the pocket from travelling directly upwardly through the pores defined by the baffles, to detonate ammunition located on the bed.

Abstract: A side sectional panel assembly for use on a trailer having side beams along the sides of the trailer bed. Each side panel section is hinged to the trailer by a hinge assembly pivotally connected to the side panel and removably connected to the side beam of the trailer to limit the swinging movement of the panel section away from the trailer bed to an upright position and permits swinging movement of the panel section onto the trailer bed. End panel connectors are provided on the adjacent panel section to bridge the gap therebetween.

Abstract: The tie down is constructed of a flexible metal cable with a loop at one end and a bore at the opposite end to receive a screw for anchoring the tie down to the frame of an automobile. The entire surface of the tie down is coated with a plastic coating to prevent marring of the adjacent surfaces of the automobile. A plurality of tie downs are used to anchor luggage, boats, and the like on the roof of an automobile. The tie down can be anchored in a rain gutter of the automobile frame so as to pivot from a concealed location to an exposed location ready for use.

Abstract: A gondola type railway car including a pair of laterally crossed elongated braces at each end of the car which couple the car corner caps to the car floor. Each brace extends downwardly and longitudinally inward and substantially across the car. The braces restrain lateral and longitudinal deflection of the car walls and thereby substantially reduce fatigue and fracture of the corner caps and walls. These braces not only effectively oppose the loads imposed upon the walls, but also do not obstruct the functionality of the car and do not materially encroach upon the usable space.

Abstract: A cargo tie-down anchoring apparatus for a refrigerated van and the like comprising series of resiliently biased eye bolts disposed in grooves along opposite sides of the floor of the van, which eye bolts extend through the floor and transverse floor supporting flanged beams, said eye bolts, when not in use, being in retracted position in the respective floor grooves so as not to interfere with loading and unloading of the van with the usual perishable cargo and when in use, being elevated above the floor level and engaged by hooks at the ends of flexible strap assemblies having buckle means for tightening the strap assemblies over heavy cargo such as steel coils.