Abstract: A freight carrier (10) in the form of a flatbed road trailer of the side loading type, has a load deck (16) and includes two bulk container tanks (20.1) and (20.2) for carrying liquid freight. The carrier includes lifting arrangements at opposite ends of the tanks for lifting the tanks into the raised positions illustrated, so as to define stowage compartments under the tanks within which general dry freight can be supported on the load deck. The trailer transports liquid freight when the tanks are in their lowered positions adjacent the load deck. When the tanks are empty, they are raised for the transport of dry freight.

Abstract: Embodiments comprise a stackable vehicle which may be supported from, or serve as support to, another like vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame and a body supported from the frame. The body includes a weight bearing roof. Wheel assemblies are mounted for rotation on the frame. The body includes recesses from the roof of the body to accommodate location of wheel assemblies of a like vehicle supported on the roof. Support and mounting points are located on the roof and on the frame respectively to fix location of a vehicle to be carried on top of a supporting vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments comprise a stackable vehicle which may be supported from, or serve as support to, another like vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame and a body supported from the frame. The body includes a weight bearing roof Wheel assemblies are mounted for rotation on the frame. The body includes recesses from the roof of the body to accommodate location of wheel assemblies of a like vehicle supported on the roof Support and mounting points are located on the roof and on the frame respectively to fix location of a vehicle to be carried on top of a supporting vehicle.

Abstract: A hard disk cache includes entries to be written to a disk, and also includes ordering information describing the order that they should be written to the disk. Data may be written from the cache to the disk in the order specified by the ordering information. In some situations, data may be written out of order. Further, in some situations, clean data from the cache may be combined with dirty data from the cache when performing a cache flush.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for gripping a unit load during handling of same, said device comprising an attachment portion for attaching the device to the unit load, a gripping portion (for engaging with a handling means) which is embodied in the form of a container corner, and a set of at least two said gripping devices adapted in a certain way to the unit load or at least to elements of the unit load. The invention also relates to a transport vehicle for the unit load, comprising a towing vehicle and a trailer that are connected to each other via the unit load during transportation thereof, and which have holding devices for the unit load on their facing ends, comprising a set of said gripping devices.

Abstract: A cargo loading system capable of retaining a pallet along a centerline of a cargo aircraft and outside the wingbox area of the aircraft includes a number of devices. Included among these are first and second centerline end restraints mounted on the centerline, at least one caster panel mounted on one side of the cargo hold and across the centerline from a side door of the aircraft, and a plurality of mechanical restraints mounted on a floor of the cargo hold on either side of the centerline and outside the wingbox area. The first and second centerline end restraints each have at least one retractable lockhead configured and dimensioned to engage an end of a pallet. The at least one caster panel includes at least one retractable guide formed at a first end thereof, and at least one retractable guide formed along a first side thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for gripping a unit load during handling of same, said device comprising an attachment portion for attaching the device to the unit load, a gripping portion (for engaging with a handling means) which is embodied in the form of a container corner, and a set of at least two said gripping devices adapted in a certain way to the unit load or at least to elements of the unit load. The invention also relates to a transport vehicle for the unit load, comprising a towing vehicle and a trailer that are connected to each other via the unit load during transportation thereof, and which have holding devices for the unit load on their facing ends, comprising a set of said gripping devices.

Abstract: A van semi-trailer and a method for shipping the same are provided. The van semi-trailer comprises: a van body; wheels and a leg at the bottom surface of the van body; bottom corner fittings at the bottom surface of the van body; top corner fittings provided on top surface of the van body and respectively aligned with access holes penetrating through the top surface of the van body; and auxiliary supporters inside the van body, wherein each auxiliary supporter has a lower end connected to a base frame of the van body and an upper end aligned with the respective access hole and connected to the respective top corner fitting. Therefore, it is possible to ship the van semi-trailer, while the original structure of the van semi-trailer is maintained substantially and the manufacture difficulty is not increased; the auxiliary supporters may be manufactured at low cost, easily implemented and recycled.

Abstract: A combination shipping container and vehicle is disclosed that may be handled and lifted in a similar fashion to a standard shipping container, and also may provide its own motive force for driving as a vehicle. The combination includes a vehicle frame that is generally the length and width of the standard shipping container. The frame provides a strong support framework for the combination. An engine is supported by the frame, and a suspension supports at least four wheels by the frame. A transmission mounted to the frame transfers rotational energy from the engine to at least two of the wheels through a transfer case and an axle. A driver's cab is fixed to and above the frame at a forward end thereof and includes driver controls for controlling the engine, steering and braking of at least two of the wheels, and other related motor vehicle functions. A container portion is fixed to and above the frame at a rear end thereof.

Abstract: A rail road car has a deck for carrying wheeled vehicles. The car has deck access fittings mounted between the trucks near a collapsible hitch to provide access to the highway trailer landing gear crank, and flush mounted internal bridge plates. The rail road car has side sills having flared ends to act as a guide for the highway trailers as they are backed up. The hitch is trimmed to a relatively narrow width to lessen the likelihood of fouling the tyres of the highway trailer bogies. The car has intermediate bridge plates having a flush mounted portion to facilitate hostler truck operation. The car includes dual use cross-beams suitable for supporting the deck, acting as jacking beams to permit the car to be lifted, and as container pedestal support beams, if required.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing logs from a forestry site. The apparatus and method includes a primary mobile machine having means attached to a rearward portion thereof for holding a first end of a first log cluster. The apparatus and method also includes a first secondary mobile machine with a first end having means for holding a second end of the first log cluster, and a second end having means for holding a first end of a second log cluster. The primary mobile machine and the first secondary mobile machine are interconnected by the first log cluster.

Abstract: There is provided an improvement for a railroad freight car for transporting containers. The car is of the type having spaced apart side structures, opposed end structures and a floor structure, all of which together define a well for receiving a plurality of containers. The well has a longitudinal direction substantially aligned with the direction of travel of the car and a transverse direction substantially normal thereto. The floor structure of the car has a container support within the well which provides a container support surface. The improvement comprises a container stop provided with the container support, the container stop having an extended position and a retracted position. The container stop is biased to the extended position by a biasing component. The extended position is defined by the container stop extending upwardly from the container support surface to present two stop surfaces within the well.

Abstract: The prior art teaches rudimentary "gooseneck-type roadway-chassis" advocated for overlyingly attachably removably accommodating, and directionally longitudinally between its rear-end and an elevated goosenecked front-end, a single only cargo-container of encountered-length. Herein disclosed is a novel concept for improved "gooseneck-type roadway-chassis" that is alternatively adaptable for removable attachment thereatop either: a single extended-overall-length cargo-container underlyingly centrally longitudinally provided with a partial-tunnel channel for the chassis forward gooseneck; or two longitudinally consecutive short-length cargo-containers devoid of underlying channel.

Abstract: A transportable cargo container for transporting bulk volumes of cargo, some of which may be hazardous material, including: a rectangular floor member and roof member having the same dimensions; an opening in the roof member for the introduction of the cargo; a support channel attached to the roof member for increasing the structural strength of the roof member; and wall members extending therebetween having lengths the same as the floor member; where the floor, roof, and wall members are attached by continuous-seal welds; a hatch member for each of the openings in the roof member for sealing the openings; a flexible gasket positioned around the perimeter of the side of the hatch most proximate to the roof member for preventing leakage of the cargo out of the hatch when closed; a door located in an end wall for the removal of the cargo; a latch attached to a central portion of the door for sealing the door; where the latch comprises an extendible wedge member for engagement with a portion of the wall member i

Abstract: This invention relates to a container support pedestal for use in an all purpose intermodal flat rail car. More particularly, the invention relates to a container support pedestal which, between operative and stored positions, rotates approximately 45.degree. outwardly about a longitudinal axis of the rail car. The invention also relates to a support housing for the pedestal. In both the operative and stored positions, the pedestal substantially covers the slot in the platform of the rail car. In both positions, the pedestal is secured against longitudinal and transverse rotation. The invention also relates to a rail car with such a pedestal and housing.

Abstract: A railroad freight car including a cargo well for carrying optionally either intermodal cargo containers or highway semitrailers has a side sill structure including a deep rectangular top chord and a depending web, supporting a well floor structure. The well floor structure includes reinforcing longitudinal and transverse channel members and horizontal top and bottom plates attached to the channels. Large circular openings, aligned with one another, are defined in both the top and bottom plates, and a peripheral ring of vertical material interconnects the margins of the top and bottom plates around the openings. A reinforcing walkway structure is located atop each side sill at each end of the cargo well. In a multi-unit car adjacent car units are supported on a single shared wheeled truck.

Abstract: Pilot-channel apparatus is provided for guiding movements of runnered vehicles, equipment fitted with skid runners and containers with runners for three-dimensional displacements such as loading and transport on/off wheeled trailers and for two-dimensional displacements such as movements within a planar storage area. Unitary and multiple pilot channels incorporate characteristic forms with specified features for safe, reliable engagement with known runner profiles to control lateral and transverse powered movements, especially loading of snowmobiles onto a trailer. Pilot- channel apparatus is supplied in the form of formed shapes and bands of length up to approx. 10 meters which allows customized placement, mounting and spacing of specific pairs of fixed or moveable channels. Specific two- and three- dimensional pilot-channel arrays and kits with specific shapes of pilot channels are indicated for owner- installation on existing snowmobile trailers.

Abstract: Pilot-channel arrays for guiding movements of runnered vehicles, equipment fitted with skid runners and containers with runners are provided for three-dimensional displacements such as loading and transport on trailers and for two-dimensional displacements such as movements within a storage area. Individual pilot channels incorporate specific form for safe, reliable engagement with known runner profiles to control lateral and transverse powered movements, especially loading of snowmobiles onto a trailer. Pilot-channel arrays incorporate specific placement, mounting and spacing of specific pairs of fixed or moveable channels.

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 articulated railroad car for carrying container or trailer loads providing for improved weight distribution among all the trucks, comprising a forward end car unit, a rearward end car unit, a plurality of interior car units substantially linearly and adjacently disposed between the forward and rearward car units. Between each adjacent pair of car units, the car has a shared truck having axles for supporting one end of one car unit and one end of the other car unit. A central shared truck is centrally located along the length of the railroad car. Articulated connectors on the shared trucks join the interior car units to one another and to the end car units, and a hitch for a kingpin on each of the car units is placed over the truck associated with the car unit which is farther from the central truck, to facilitate relatively even load distribution among all the trucks.

Abstract: The invention provides a railroad car adapted to transport bulk commodities such as coal, mineral ores, or the like yet efficiently and safely haul bladders filled with flowable commodities. The railcar includes a rugged bracing configuration which enables the railcar to readily transport bulk commodities in standard industry volumes, and within existing industry standards for material handling procedures such as flood loading of coal and rotary dumping of coal cars. The bracing configuration, floor layout, and car dimensions also permit the use of a maximum volume of bladders for effective hauling of materials in such bladders while avoiding undue wear and tear on the bladders. The bracing generally consists of at least one brace including a lower horizontal strut, an upper horizontal strut, and a generally vertical strut member. The bracing allows the railcar to handle bulk commodities such as coal while eliminating surges in bladders filed with flowable products.

Abstract: A railroad freight car including a cargo well for carrying optionally either intermodal cargo containers or highway semitrailers has a side sill structure including a deep rectangular top chord and a depending web, supporting a well floor structure. The well floor structure includes reinforcing longitudinal and transverse channel members and horizontal top and bottom plates attached to the channels. Large circular openings, aligned with one another, are defined in both the top and bottom plates, and a peripheral ring of vertical material interconnects the margins of the top and bottom plates around the openings, providing a light but stiff floor structure with a small vertical height. A side sill reinforcing walkway structure is located atop each side sill at each end of the cargo well, but is low enough to avoid interference with handling trailers.

Abstract: An improved articulated railway spine car unit for carrying highway truck trailers and/or containers has a center sill which extends substantially the entire length of the car unit. The center sill has end portions with upper surfaces depressed with respect to the upper surface of a longitudinally extended center portion. A retractable fifth wheel or trailer hitch is located on the upper surface of at least one end portion of the center sill. The upper surface of the trailer hitch, when retracted onto the center sill, is at substantially the same level as the center portion of the center sill. The raised center sill center portion both provides backup support for the floors of containers carried on the car unit, and also increases the center sill's structural rigidity and resistance to bending deflection.

Abstract: A railroad car conversion apparatus for hauling a flowable material in an open-topped railroad car having a frame for holding a plurality of bladders, which may depend downwardly from the frame into the railroad car. The frame is adapted to fit on top of the sidewalls of a hopper car, and be readily attached or detached from the railcar. A plurality of bladders, which may be attached directly to this frame for removal therewith, are also attached in such a manner that they may be readily filled with or emptied of a fluid of a particulate, flowable material without requiring the removal of the frame. The conversion apparatus includes an elongate central beam having first and second ends, and a plurality of bladder-connecting devices for releasably attaching a plurality of material-receiving bladders to the central beam.

Abstract: A transport for transporting combine headers and a support bracket therefor, wherein the support bracket includes a first support member to receive thereon and support the lower edge of the header when the lower edge defines a first geometric configuration, and a second support member having a different configuration than the first support member to receive thereon and support the lower edge of the header when the lower edge defines a second different geometric configuration. The second support member is pivotally mounted relative to the first support member to rotate between a first position away from the first support member to permit the first support member to receive and support the lower edge of the object having the first geometric configuration, and a second position in overlying relationship to the first support member to permit the second support member to receive and support the lower edge of the object having the second geometric configuration.

Abstract: An improved articulated railway spine car unit for carrying highway truck trailers and/or containers has a center sill which extends substantially the entire length of the car unit. The center sill has end portions with upper surfaces depressed with respect to the upper surface of a longitudinally extended center portion. A retractable fifth wheel or trailer hitch is located on the upper surface of at least one end portion of the center sill. The upper surface of the trailer hitch, when retracted onto the center sill, is at substantially the same level as the center portion of the center sill. The raised center sill center portion both provides backup support for the floors of containers carried on the car unit, and also increases the center sill's structural rigidity and resistance to bending deflection.

Abstract: A system embodied within an over-the-road trailer or other carrier for use when transporting frangible sheet material, such as sheets of glass, utilizes a frame, a side section hingedly connected to the frame and a frame structure attached to the side section. The frame includes a bed surface having two opposite side edges and a cutout opening out of at least one side edge of the bed surface. The side section includes a bed surface section and is hingedly connected to the frame for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first position at which the bed surface section is positioned within the cutout so that the bed surface and bed surface section collectively provide a bed for the system and a second position at which the bed surface section overlies and faces downwardly upon the bed surface of the frame.

Abstract: A conversion structure for converting a gondola railcar or similar apparatus for transporting materials to transport cargo in the form of discrete plates or in the form of discrete cylindrical units, such as coils of steel. The apparatus disclosed comprises two longitudinally extending rails connected by a series of cross members. At either longitudinal end of the rails, the cross members are replaced by bulkheads which prevent the discrete cargo from sliding beyond the end of the rails. Preferably, the conversion structure is removable in order to permit the gondola car to be reconverted for hauling bulk cargo. In a preferred embodiment, stacking projections are provided on the conversion structure so that when they are removed, they may be stacked atop one another for storage. Improved methods of alternately transporting bulk, plate and cylindrical cargo are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container floor restraint for a freight rail car is provided. The car has a longitudinally extending center sill and a plurality of cross beams extending transversely thereof. The car further has a load supporting assembly at one end and a load supporting deck at the other. The container floor restraint includes a first pair of arms extending generally outwardly and perpendicularly from the center sill at a predetermined distance from the load supporting assembly, each arm being substantially opposed to one another. A second pair of arms extend generally outwardly and perpendicularly from the center sill spaced apart from the first pair of arms. The arms have outer ends extending substantially equidistantly from the center sill and are attached to first and second brace members. The brace members extend longitudinally alongside and generally parallel to the center sill.

Abstract: A railway car comprising a longitudinal center sill and floor members carried at opposite sides of the sill, and first locking devices mounted on a cross-bearer connected to the center sill and a second set of locking devices mounted on a second cross-bearer and a third set of locking devices movable through the deck and foldable thereunder, the second set of devices pivotal longitudinally of the car between retracted and operative positions, and the third set of the locking devices pivotal transversely of the car.

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: A modular cargo container having a width greater than the conventional 96 inches, but which can still be used with conventional container handling and locking equipment and apparatus. The container includes a box-shaped body, including a plurality of vertical support posts. A respective one bottom support member is connected to the bottom end of each support post, and a respective one post top member is connected to the top end of each support post. Each bottom support member defines an opening to facilitate handling the cargo container, and the container handling openings defined by laterally opposite bottom support members are spaced apart a distance less than the width of the container, allowing those openings to engage standard container locking and handling equipment.

Abstract: A railway car comprising a longitudinal center sill and floor members carried at opposite sides of the sill, and first locking devices mounted on a cross-bearer connected to the center sill and a second set of locking devices mounted on a second cross-bearer and a third set of locking devices movable through the deck and foldable thereunder, the second set of devices pivotal longitudinally of the car between retracted and operative positions, and the third set of the locking devices pivotal transversally of the car.

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 collapsible container has a top frame and bottom frame with folding walls having predetermined fold lines therein. The container has a closed position which is a flat platform configuration. In this configuration the walls are folded within the platform which may be used as a pallet for piece goods. The container has an open position where the top frame is raised and the container can be integral with a wheeled vehicle and used as a bulk carrier. Thus the container can be used for one shipment as a pallet for piece goods and for a next shipment as a bulk carrier.

Abstract: A railway flatcar (10) is provided for hauling a variety of lading. The car (10) includes a frame (11) having a first section (12), middle section (14) and second section (13). The car (10) has a lower middle section (14) and wrap around bulkheads (22) and (24). The bulkheads (22) and (24) and the floor members (18), (19) and (20) are constructed of an open mesh configuration so as to prevent debris build-up and for reduced wind resistance. The car is adapted to carry a variety of lading including containers and forest products.

Abstract: An adjustably positioned container guide and spacer device to be mounted on a side wall defining a container well of a railroad car for receiving intermodal cargo containers of different widths, the device acting as a guide during loading of a container into the container well, and acting to restrain a container, particularly one narrower than the width of the container well, to prevent such a container from moving laterally too far once it has been placed within the container well. A sloping guide surface and a blunt, convexly curved spacer nose surface of the guide body are presented so as to guide a container to the proper location within a container well, and the nose surface thereafter prevents the container from moving an excessive distance laterally within the container well when the guide body is latched in the correct one of the available inner and outer positions, as determined by the width of the container.

Abstract: An articulated railroad flat car for transporting four short or three long semi-trailers comprises two units connected by a drawbar. A plurality of semi-trailer hitches are mounted on the units. The hitches are suitably spaced for securing either three long trailers or four standard trailers, using overhead loading or circus loading. When three long trailers are loaded, the middle trailer is attached to a hitch on one of the units and has its tandem resting on the other unit. The unit on which the tandem rests has a widened floor section at its end adjacent the drawbar to accommodate turning or skewing of the tandem when the car negotiates a curve.

Abstract: An adapter (50) is provided for adapting a wide-body container (10) including coupling members (20) to be supported upon a set of container supports (40) spaced at a pre-established standard width narrower than the width of the container. The adapter (50) includes a generally rectangular casting (52) having a plurality of apertures (54,56). A plurality of brackets (58,59,60) moveably mount the adapter (50) to a wide-body container coupling member (20) so as to permit deployment of the adapter below the container. When the adapter is not in use, the adapter is retained below the container adjacent to coupling member by a finger (88) engaging detent (86) on bracket (59). The finger (88) on the end of arm (90) can be released by removing retainer (98) and pulling on handle (102). A shaft (68) mounted to pivot within the adapter enclosure and a hook (80) fixed to the shaft for movement therewith is moved to a position engaging a container coupling member.

Abstract: A tri-level refrigerated trailer is provided and consists of three support units for supporting three different loads in which the second support unit extends longitudinally outside from the first support unit and includes a refrigerator compartment for receiving the second load while the third support units extends over the first and second support unit to support the third load. The first load can be any type of cargo, the second load can be perishable goods such as food and the third load can be a plurality of motor vehicles or the like.

Abstract: A tank mounting apparatus includes a mounting rack having a full-size tank base location defined thereon, and including a plurality of mounting brackets for mounting either one full-size tank base, two half-size tank bases, four quarter-size tank bases, or one half-size and two quarter-size tank bases within the full-size tank base location. Releasable connecting pins are provided for connecting the tank bases to the mounting brackets.

Abstract: A cargo container restraining device for preventing lateral movement of cargo containers being transported on freight vehicles the restraining device being adaptable to containers of different widths and comprising fixed and pivotal restraining assemblies where the pivotal restraining assemblies are interconnected by linkage to provide means for raising or lowering the pivotal restraining assemblies from either side of the freight vehicle.

Abstract: A container door barricade system for use on railroad container cars having one or more freight decks adapted to carry cargo containers of different lengths. The door barricade system comprises a plurality of both fixed and pivotal barricade assemblies longitudinally arranged along the length of the freight deck where the pivotal assemblies are operable from ground level at either side of the container car.

Abstract: A wide-body shipping container is adapted for engagement with standard width container supports mounted on various types of carriers by providing a plurality of adapters movably mounted with respect to supporting points on the bottom of the wide-body containers. Each adapter is movable to a position below the container supporting point and engageable therewith in such a manner as to define a new supporting structure spaced laterally inward from the outer most surface of the wide body shipping container so as to permit coupling of the container to a standard width container support.

Abstract: A rail car is adjustable in length to accommodate the mounting thereon of cargo containers of various lengths and widths, such as the presently employed 20 foot, 40 foot, 45 foot and 48 foot lengths and 96 and 102 inch widths. Length adjustment is effected either by forming the rail car frame in two telescopic end sections, or by providing an extensible coupling tongue on one or both ends of the rail car frame. The rail car also may incorporate a collapsible fifth wheel connector for the king pin of a cargo container trailer chassis to accommodate transport of a trailer-mounted cargo container. The rail car also includes structure by which it may be manipulated by external lifting equipment to stack a plurality of the rail cars one atop another, either for stationary storage in a rail yard or for transport in a train to another location.

Abstract: A container support apparatus for supporting cargo containers being transported on railroad container cars the apparatus comprising a pair of pivotal support pedestals spaced opposite from each other along the side sills of the railroad container car and connected to transverse linkage to permit raising or lowering the pedestals from either side of the railroad car.

Abstract: Container securing device that permits containers of any length to be carried by an integral or intermodal train including the feature of a container spanning the connection of two adjacent cores. The device is implemented in a two-part structure of an upper and a lower member. The lower member is adapted for fastening at any point along the car deck. The upper member has a pair of spaced corner members for receiving two corners of a container. An interconnecting means is arranged to connect the upper and lower members so that the upper member swivels with respect to the lower member and the car deck when the train rounds a curb and further provides for a longitudinal force dampening effect.

Abstract: A freight car according to the present invention has a longitudinally extending main load bearing frame and a floor structure supported thereby, the floor structure being adapted to receive and support a lower freight container of a first standard length. End support structures at opposite ends of the floor structure are connected to the main load bearing frame and extend upwardly therefrom to a level above the height of the lower container. Each end structure further provides a plurality of pairs of laterally spaced corner supports each adapted to receive a respective corner portion of an upper container to be transported, the corner supports of each pair being longitudinally aligned with the corresponding corner supports of the other end support structure and cooperative therewith to support an upper container of a respective standard length above and independently of the lower container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a barrier for use in a vehicle to restrain equipment and cargo in the event of a sudden deceleration of the vehicle. The barrier includes a honeycomb panel provided with thin face sheets on its forward and aft surfaces. A channeled frame surrounds the perimeter of the panel and is provided with attachment fittings for securing the assembly to the vehicle. A pair of vertically disposed, spaced-apart straps are located on the forward surface of the panel in line with, and attached to, the attachment fittings. In the event of sudden vehicle deceleration, equipment or cargo may be thrown forward into the barrier, applying a load thereto. The honeycomb panel withstands the load developed normal to the barrier. The components of the load that are developed "in-plane" with the barrier are transferred to the straps by the particular configuration of straps and attachment fittings.

Abstract: A railroad car for transporting double stacked shipping containers capable of supporting top containers of at least two different lengths against longitudinal and lateral movement comprising a car which supports a lower container, each end of the car body having a bulkhead structure which includes a lateral end wall and a pair of side walls extending longitudinally inwardly from the end wall, each side wall of a pair of such walls having a container restraining member mounted for rotation about a vertical axis from a stored position where it does not reduce the clearance between opposing side walls to an operating position where it at least projects laterally inwardly of the side wall to be positioned adjacent a vertical end corner of a top container, a rotatable shaft extending laterally across the car body and having a handle at each end for manual rotation of the shaft from about track grade, and drive means interconnecting the shaft and a container restraining member on each side wall whereby rotation of