Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adjustable shoring beam having a hook assembly configured to mate with E-track mating features. The adjustable shoring beam can be adjusted over a predetermined length range by adjusting the tube assembly and the rod assembly. In some embodiments, the extension length is fixed using a fixing clamp coupled to the tube assembly and the rod assembly. A connecting clamp and bracket may be used to couple a first adjustable shoring beam to a second adjustable shoring beam.

Abstract: A stake assembly is disclosed with reference to a vehicle that includes a bed with a deck and a wall, and a rail secured to the wall. The stake assembly includes a stake axis, a stake base, a rail adaptor supported from the stake base, and a deck adaptor supported from the stake base. The stake base extends along the stake axis. The rail adaptor extends laterally to the stake axis beside the stake base and is configured to secure to the rail. The deck adaptor extends along the stake axis beneath the stake base and is configured to secure to the deck.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing objects to a transportation trailer wall. The apparatus comprises an elongate rigid member extending between first and second ends and a first E-Track connector at the first end of the elongate rigid member. The apparatus further comprises a second E-Track connector at the second end of the elongate rigid member and a collar slidably moveable along the elongate rigid member having a lock adapted to selectably lock the collar at a desired location therealong. The method comprises securing the apparatus to the trailer wall, locating at least one object to be secured between the elongate rigid member and the trailer wall, slideably positioning a collar along the elongate rigid member to secure the at least one object and engaging a lock on the collar to fix the location of the collar.

Abstract: Rods for use in a filing system are disclosed. An example file folder rod includes a first end, a second end and an elongated body extending between the first end and the second end, the elongated body having a longitudinal axis. The example rod also includes a hook coupled to the first end of the rod. The example hook includes a longitudinal portion extending along the longitudinal axis, an elongated hook portion coupled to an end of the longitudinal portion with the elongated hook portion extending from the longitudinal portion a first distance, and a first extension extending from the longitudinal portion with the first extension extending from the longitudinal portion a second distance, the second distance less than the first distance.

Abstract: A gull wing door-type hazardous material container system allowing for easy loading and unloading of intermediate bulk containers is provided. The container system minimizes a loss of cold air fully filling the inside for safe work when only some of a plurality of intermediate bulk containers is selectively loaded. The container system includes a body that has a loading space to load airtight containers containing hazardous material and is opened at both sides and a pair of gull wing doors independently operated to open/close both sides of the body. Additionally, the system includes a partition plate longitudinally disposed in the body and divides the loading space into independent spaces of first and second loading spaces respectively. Cooling units are disposed in the first and second loading spaces, respectively, to independently supply cold air, in which the first and second loading spaces can be independently sealed by the gull wing doors.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a container to a transport surface is disclosed. The system includes a capture member and a locking member. The locking member is configured to be attached to the surface and to securely engage one end of the capture member. The capture member includes one end configured to securely engage the locking member and a second end configured to securely engage the container. The locking member is optionally configured to require a key to disengage the capture member from the locking member. The method includes attaching the locking member to the surface, disposing a container on the surface next to the locking member, and positioning the capture member such that it securely engages the locking member at one end and securely engages the container at the other end, and thereby secures the container to the surface.

Abstract: A load retaining gate assembly is provided to restrain the movement of items stored in the bed of a vehicle. The load retaining gate assembly is made of two gate members arranged in sliding relationship and has at least one compression spring-loaded assembly. One gate member slides into another gate member. A compression spring is held in place within the gate members for biasing the length of the gate assembly against side walls of a vehicle bed. The gate assembly is held in place by the pressure put by the spring against the side walls of the vehicle bed. The gate assembly can be positioned anywhere across the width of the vehicle bed and can be easily removed from its position when not needed and locked in a compressed state.

Abstract: A cargo management system for a vehicle includes a beam assembly that has a first end and a second end. At least one of the ends is biased axially outward and compressible axially inward. Each of the ends has a common interface configured to be supportable by the opposing side walls of the vehicle so that the beam assembly is supported at both of the first and second ends by the walls and extends over a floor of a vehicle, with said at least one of the ends compressed axially inward. The beam assembly can be used as a bed divider, to provide two-tier loading, and as a ladder rack.

Abstract: An assembly of a number of perforated sheets with fasteners and braces to temporarily and adjustably provide variable partitions and means for securing items within the cargo bed of a truck or trailer, uses a set of flat rectangular sheets that are perforated by an array of regularly spaced holes to accept connectors and bolts to secure braces or fixtures to the sheets in a variety of configurations including at least a base sheet sized to fit horizontally on the cargo bed and/or vertical partition sheets with sockets along the long edges, spaced the same as the sheet holes and secured to the base sheet by pegs and braces and fixtures such as rings, adjustable length bars or hooks are usefully attachable to the sheets by bolts or by pegs inserted into the holes.

Abstract: A beam assembly is formed from a hollow beam member which has a pair of slidable channel units installed therein and extend from the opposite ends thereof. The ends of the channel units have guide shoes forming latching assemblies pivotally supported thereon, each guide shoe having a spring loaded lock key mounted pivotally mounted thereon. A pair of tracks are spaced from each other in opposing relationship by a distance equal to the longitudinal extent of the beam member. The tracks have a plurality of aligned apertures and C-shaped runners running along their longitudinal extent. The lock keys of the beam member each has a pair of latching fingers extending therefrom which fit into a pair of adjacent track apertures. The latching fingers may be locked in place in the opposing track apertures by the spring action of their associated springs and may be withdrawn from the apertures by way of a hook shaped tab attached thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved decking beam end assembly for supporting a removable second deck in a cargo container, such as a truck trailer or a rail car. In one aspect, the improved end assembly is less likely to be damaged during use since the spring is well protected by being surrounded by other parts. In one aspect, the improved end assembly has no latch protrusions and can be more easily removed a slotted track due to the axial, non-pivoting spring loaded latch mechanism.

Abstract: A stanchion assembly is provided for retaining cargo in a hold from lateral motion, the hold having a deck grid fitting assembly and a ceiling grid fitting assembly. The stanchion assembly includes an elongated beam with a box cross section of two parallel webs and two parallel flanges. The beam is an extrusion of an aluminum or aluminum alloy. The assembly includes upper and lower end caps on the ends of the beam. A spring assembly within the elongated box beam retains the beam in a vertical position within the corresponding fitting on the grid assembly on the deck and the ceiling. The stanchion assembly has a weight no greater than 67 pounds. The stanchion assembly has a length L in the longitudinal direction from a lower end cap to an upper end cap when the spring assembly is uncompressed. The beam has a stiffness capable of resisting a design load applied to one of the webs normal to the longitudinal direction with a deflection no greater than L/90.

Abstract: A collapsible backrest assembly includes a panel that has a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a front side and a back side. A tube extends into the first lateral edge and outwardly of the second lateral edge. A first rod and a second rod each have a first end extending into opposite ends of the tube. A biasing member is positioned in the tube and biases the first and second rods away from each other. A pair of plates is provided. Each of the plates has a first side and a second side. The second ends of the rods are each attached to one of the first sides of the plates. Each of the plates may be abutted against one of a pair of spaced walls so that the panel is supported between the spaced walls.

Abstract: A cargo securing system for securing and organizing cargo being carried by a vehicle. The cargo securing system includes at least one divider chain assembly and at least one anchor chain assembly. The anchor chain assembly is mountable on one of the spaced walls. The divider chain assembly is removably couplable to the anchor chain assembly. In an embodiment each of the chain assemblies includes a chain comprising a plurality of panels and a plurality of intermediate members alternately linked together.

Abstract: A cargo bracing assembly for securing cargo in a truck bed. The cargo bracing assembly includes an housing with an open end and a closed end, a tension arm slidably insertable into the open end of the housing to form a brace, and a biasing assembly.

Abstract: A cargo bar equipped with an adjustable mechanism for limiting the force that can be exerted by a ratchet that serves to secure the cargo bar in place extending between opposing surfaces of a truck body. The ratchet mechanism extends one of the two in-line bars of the cargo bar. The other bar is carried on a plunger. A compression spring is located between the plunger and ratchet housing to compress when the ratchet handle is reciprocated to wedge the cargo bar in place. A stop moves with the plunger to a position where the stop interferes with actuation of the ratchet handle when the spring has been compressed to an extent coincident with the desired maximum force. The stop is adjustable to vary the force limitation.

Abstract: An optionally telescoping rafter that comprises a lockable spring-biased rafter extension piece that is slidably mounted at the end of the rafter is provided. The rafter extension piece is slidable from a retracted position to an extended position in response to movement of a pivotally mounted handle on the rafter.

Abstract: An improved device for attaching tailgate enclosures to a pickup truck. The device comprises attachment posts installed adjacent to the opposing interior sidewalls of a pickup truck. Each post has an upper cylinder, received telescopically into a lower cylinder and biased upward by a helical spring. Semi-rigid, textured plates are disposed at either end of the posts. Looped members are disposed on the cylinders, providing an attachment means for a net-type or other alternative tailgate enclosure. The posts are installed between the upper sidewall lip and the floor of the pickup bed at either side of the bed, being held in place by the force exerted on the upper plate by the helical spring.

Abstract: A bar system for attachment to the box of a pickup truck for securing various items in the box in a stabilized manner. The bar system includes (a) an elongated bar which includes an elongated slot, (b) mounting brackets secured to opposite ends of the bar, with at least one of the brackets being adjustably mounted, and including a bolt for securing each bracket to the box; and (c) at least one tie-down bracket carried by the bar and being movable along the bar. The bar system strengthens the box and also provides convenient and safe tie-down locations to secure and stabilize items carried in the box.

Abstract: A tube of a cargo positioning frame is made of a plate. The plate has a plurality of positioning holes and a plurality of upper chamfer angled holes. Each of the upper chamfer angled holes communicates with the respective positioning hole. The plate is bent to form the tube.

Abstract: The load restraining system for refrigerated vehicles having insulated ceiling/roof structures. The ceiling/roof is provided with a downwardly facing ceiling surface having a multiplicity of sockets spaced substantially throughout the ceiling. Vertically extendible poles have a projection on the upper end for engaging a socket and thereby locating the upper end of the pole against horizontal movement in any direction. The lower end of each pole has a foot for engaging the floor in a manner to inhibit horizontal movement in any direction. Numerous poles can be positioned throughout the refrigerated vehicle at virtually infinitely variable locations to restrain loads of different sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A cargo retainer for separating cargo and preventing shifting of cargo within a vehicle during transportation is disclosed. The cargo retainer includes an elongate outer tubular member and two tubes telescopically received within the outer tubular member. The outer tubular member and telescoping tubes are preferably formed of polymeric material. Short metal reinforcement tubes are inserted in the outer ends of the telescoping tubes to strengthen the connection point between the cargo retainer and the support structure in the vehicle's cargo compartment. Latch members are attached at the outer ends of the telescoping tubes for attaching the cargo retainer across the width of a vehicle's cargo compartment. The latch members preferably pivot about an axis normal to the axis of the cargo retainer. A retraction mechanism is provided in the form of a tension spring connecting the inner ends of the telescoping tubes together. The telescoping tubes and latch members fully retract into the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A pick-up bed rail assembly for a truck box includes a pair of elongate rails which are mounted to the sides of a truck box. A telescoping cross member is received in each elongate rail and moves along the rails by means of a plurality of rollers positioned between the cross member and the rails. A locking mechanism is provided for securing the cross bar to the rails in order to prevent cargo theft. The locking mechanism includes a knob which is freely rotatable when the mechanism is locked.

Abstract: A cargo securing system is provided wherein the system comprises a crossbar member attached to a beam member with ends adapted to concurrently cooperate in a slidable manner with opposing channels defined by a pair of U-shaped channel tracks. The channel tracks are mounted to the bed walls of a pick-up truck. The system is constructed of heavy duty metal to secure cargo in the bed of the truck between the crossbar member and the bed walls of the truck. The system is easily adjustable by one person with retractable locking pins, and provides padded support to protect against damage to secured cargo.

Abstract: A device for the retention of cargo within a container includes a pair of opposing receptacles, and a support member disposed therebetween. Each receptacle is mounted to an opposing sidewall of the container and includes two channels therein for receiving an end of the support member. The two channels are disposed substantially orthogonally to one another, to accommodate support members disposed in different orientations. The dimensions of the two channels are different, so as to accommodate support members of differing sizes and lengths. At least one channel includes a compressive force member therein to exert a compressive force onto the support member once it is received within the channel. The support member is typically a rigid member, and may include standard cuts of number of varying cross-sectional dimensions. The device is positioned such that the support member abuts or is placed adjacent to cargo within the container, and physically prevents the cargo from shifting during transportation.

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: The present invention provides a plurality of posts and tracks for placement within a freight carrying vehicle in different locations to accommodate the mounting of an unique support frame therein. The support frame in combination with the posts and tracks can be utilized horizontally or vertically to deck or brace articles of freight placed in the vehicle.

Abstract: A pair of extenders are slidably carried in opposite ends of an elongated hollow-form cargo-engaging member. A latching clip is pivotally mounted on each of the extenders adjacent to its outer end and is adapted to releasably engage an E-Track secured to opposing interior walls of a semi-trailer, railroad car or ship's cargo hold. Diametrically opposing latch clip-receiving slots extend inwardly from each end of the cargo-engaging member a distance sufficient to permit the latch to be received within and protected by the cargo-engaging member when not in use. Diametrically opposing latch clip-receiving notches project inwardly from the outer end of each extender a distance sufficient to permit the extender to partially reinforce the latch clip during use without eliminating pivotal movement of the latch clip relative to the extender.

Abstract: Space adjusting, lading separating, decking and bracing members for use in freight carrying vehicles. The members comprise the combination of apertured tracks which are placed on the walls, ceiling and floor, at least two apertured crossbars and at least one load bearing member that can be placed horizontally or vertically.

Abstract: A cargo beam is comprised of an elongated center section and opposed end sections telescopically received within the center section. Each end section is adapted for receiving a mounting plug, whereby the beam can be anchored to opposed walls of a load receptacle, such as a truck body. Each end section includes a pair of tubular members connected by a compression spring. The center section has two sets of apertures in each of the opposed side walls thereof. The innermost tubular member of each end section has an aligned pair of holes in the opposed side walls thereof for being aligned with corresponding apertures in the center section, whereby the corresponding end section can be removably attached to the center section by a pair of spring-loaded detents. The length of the beam is adjustable by varying the depth of penetration of one or both of the end sections into the center section. The spring-loaded detents are easily disengaged when it is desired to change the length of the beam.

Abstract: A cargo stabilizer is provided for utility vehicles, such as vans, pickup trucks, and the like, which have a cargo carrying bed. The stabilizer prevents the cargo from shifting either fore-to-aft or laterally in the vehicle bed. The stabilizer comprises two guide rails attached lengthwise along the opposite sidewalls of the vehicle bed in a generally mutually parallel relationship. A crossbar is slidingly supported on the guide rails, and includes latches at the opposite ends of the crossbar to adjustably and positively connect the crossbar to the guide rails at a selected location. The crossbar is longitudinally adjustable between locked and unlocked positions, and includes abutment surfaces at its opposite ends which directly abut the sidewalls of the vehicle bed when the crossbar is in the locked position.

Abstract: An extendible brace or dunnage bar for stabilizing cargo items within the interior of a cargo transport vehicle, the invention provides a simple, reliable and inexpensive device capable of rapid positioning relative to an object which is to be braced against movement. In a first embodiment, an elongate bar is received within a rectangular casing and is provided with spur-like elements on the free end of the bar for engaging an interior wall of a freight car. The rectangular casing is provided with a threaded collar which receives a threaded rod displaceable longitudinally of the elongate bar to cause extension or contraction of the brace on rotation of the rod. The rod terminates at its free end with a freely mounted foot plate adapted to engage a freight car wall opposite the first-mentioned wall or a surface of a cargo item itself, the rod being rotated to mount the brace therebetween through use of a tool such as a wrench in engagement with a nut permanently joined to the rod adjacent to the foot plate.

Abstract: A self adjustable spring-loaded brace for use in securing large objects such as cargo within a ship's hold is described consisting of a section of metal tubing with a specialized fitting at one end and at the other end a unitary spring-loaded plunger-cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A latch assembly for connecting a tubular dunnage bar to a support comprises a tubular housing received within an end of the bar, a connector member and a latch plate slidably mounted in the housing, and a single bellows-type spring which is confined in the housing and acts against the inner ends of both the connector member and the latch plate, extending their outer ends from the housing. Extending movement of the connector member is limited by a slot in the housing engaged by a pin on the connector member; movement of the latch plate is limited by a recess in the connector member engaged by a pin formed by part of an operating handle on the latch plate. The outer end of the connector is formed with a laterally projecting locking lug and, with the latch plate retracted, is adapted to be inserted through an opening in a surface of the support and moved laterally, placing the locking lug in overlapping engagement with the inner face of the surface.

Abstract: An end fitting in the form of a head for a cargo-retaining bar of the type used with a belt rail to restrain or support cargo against shifting or movement in a truck, railroad car or the like. The end fitting includes a coupling apparatus adapted to be received in a retaining slot formed in a belt rail attached to the inner walls of the cargo vehicle.

Abstract: A horizontally positioned restraining bar which has at each end a spring biased guiding member. The bar is located in the access opening of a magazine compartment, bookcase, storage bin or the like which is provided with vertically mounted rails at the vertical sides of the access opening. The bar is slidingly arranged by the guiding members in the rails and positioned at a predetermined horizontal level within the access opening for restraining objects from falling out of the compartment. By manually raising the bar, an object can be retrieved from the compartment after which the bar automatically will return to its previous restraining level by gravity. The apparatus is particularly designed for use on airplanes, moving vehicles, etc. and is provided with features to assure a rattle free and noiseless operation as well as quick installation and removal features.