Abstract: A trailer and interchangeable modules for transporting objects on public and private roadways are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to vehicle technology, and more particularly, to a vehicle for carrying a container. The vehicle includes: a vehicle body, at least one locking mechanism provided on the vehicle body and a microcontroller unit communicatively connected to each of the at least one locking mechanism and configured to control each of the at least one locking mechanism to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state. Each of the at least one locking mechanism is connected fixedly to the container when the locking mechanism is in the locked state, such that the container is fixed to the vehicle body. The vehicle is advantageous in that it is capable of locking and unlocking the container in a simple way, thereby improving the efficiency of the vehicle in transportation of the container.

Abstract: An IBC storage box assembly is elevated from a railcar. A vertical beam is used to elevate the storage box off the railcar so that the storage box is more easily accessed from a rail platform. Additionally, the vertical beam may provide some clearance for the storage box so that the storage box is not impacted by the railcar coupler during transport.

Abstract: A vehicle article carrier is disclosed which has a first pair of support elements and a second pair of support elements secured to an outer body surface of a vehicle. A pair of cross bar assemblies may be secured in either stowed orientations, in which the cross bar assemblies are each secured to one of the first pair of support elements and one of the second pair of support elements, or an operative configuration in which one of the cross bar assemblies is secured to the first pair of support elements while the other is secured to the second pair of support elements. One of the cross bar assemblies may be pivotally attached at one end to one of the support elements enabling it to be swung between its stowed and operative positions. The other cross bar assembly may be fully removable from the support elements, and may be attached in two different locations on the second pair of support elements.

Abstract: A mounting and latching arrangement is provided for locking and unlocking a cart relative to a support structure. The mounting and latching arrangement includes an elongated mounting channel having opposed ends configured with mounting bracket assemblies adapted to be secured to the support surface, and one of engagement structure and latching structure located between the mounting bracket assemblies and configured for selective engagement and disengagement with the cart for enabling locking and unlocking thereof relative to the elongated mounting channel.

Abstract: A knockdown container A having a hook member 4 attached to the sleeve 2 such as to be rotatable in a plane parallel to the surface of the sleeve 2, and a receptacle portion 12 formed in the pallet 1 to retain the hook member 4. Alternatively, a knockdown container A having a hook member 4 attached to the sleeve 2 such that it is accommodated in a cut-out portion 21 formed in the sleeve 2.

Abstract: A container according the present application includes a container auto-lock system. The container auto-lock system is integrated into the outboard apertures of the lower castings of a domestic sized container. The container auto-lock system includes a locking mechanism which is configured to recess when the container is lowered onto a surface lacking an acceptable receiving aperture. The locking mechanism is also configured to automatically lock when placed on top of a domestic sized container. The container auto-lock system is configured to be compatible with international sized container by allowing the inboard apertures on each lower casting to be available for attaching the domestic container on top of an international container with a conventional locking device.

Abstract: A container according the present application includes a container auto-lock system. The container auto-lock system is integrated into the outboard apertures of the lower castings of a domestic sized container. The container auto-lock system includes a locking mechanism which is configured to recess when the container is lowered onto a surface lacking an acceptable receiving aperture. The locking mechanism is also configured to automatically lock when placed on top of a domestic sized container. The container auto-lock system is configured to be compatible with international sized container by allowing the inboard apertures on each lower casting to be available for attaching the domestic container on top of an international container with a conventional locking device.

Abstract: A container securement device enables a user to secure a cargo container to a carrier deck. The device includes a base having a projecting shear block received in the lock-actuating opening of the container. A shaft-mounted head rotates between an unlocked or loading position in which the head moves through the locking opening and a locked position in which the container is secured. Automatic entry and release are provided by a selected interchangeable spring element within the base biasing the head to the locked position but permitting movement to the unlocked position when torque is applied by engagement of the container with a cam surface on the head. The spring element may be interchanged as may be required by anticipated climactic and/or temperature conditions. Each spring element is actuable by a uniquely configured shaft member having a spring-receiving end capable of cooperating with at least two types of springs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for securing a container on a platform of a transport vehicle, in particular on a lifting platform of a floor-bound and automatically guided transport vehicle, with securing elements which are supported on the platform and bear against the container to secure same. A multiplicity of securing elements are arranged moveably on the platform in such a manner that, depending on the position and type of a container deposited on the platform, a first group of the multiplicity of securing elements is moved from the container into a passive position, and a second group of the multiplicity of securing elements is moved from the container into an operating position or remains in the operating position in which the second group of securing elements secures the container against slipping from the platform.

Abstract: An improved cargo container securement device includes a housing defined by a base which forms a planar surfacing thereabout on which cargo container corner fittings rest in applied relation on the container relative to the supporting structure or platform involved. The container securement device includes a flanged end which engages a cargo container corner casting aperture opening or an appropriate aperture and utilizes the structure for retention of the securement device so the opposite side of the hold down device is allowed to automatically engage and disengage with a cargo container corner fitting as necessary to achieve proper handling and transport of cargo containers. The hold down device includes an indicator to visually signal that the automatic hold down feature of the device is engaged or disengaged with a cargo container corner fitting of cargo containers.

Abstract: A container securement device enables a user to secure a cargo container to a carrier deck. The device includes a base having a projecting shear block received in the lock-actuating opening of the container. A shaft-mounted head rotates between an unlocked or loading position in which the head moves through the locking opening and a locked position in which the container is secured. Automatic entry and release are provided by a selected interchangeable spring element within the base biasing the head to the locked position but permitting movement to the unlocked position when torque is applied by engagement of the container with a cam surface on the head. The spring element may be interchanged as may be required by anticipated climactic and/or temperature conditions. Each spring element is actuable by a uniquely configured shaft member having a spring-receiving end capable of cooperating with at least two types of springs.

Abstract: A well car for carrying shipping containers has a pair of end structures supported by rail car trucks, a pair of first and second spaced apart side beams extending between the end structures and a well defined therebetween. A container support cross member is mounted between the side beams in a position to support an end of a shipping container load carried within the well. The container support cross member includes a monolithic beam member with a attachment fitting formed at an end thereof. The attachment fitting is connected to a side beam at a moment connection. The remaining end of the cross member is similarly configured and connected to the second side beam. Each end of the cross member has load bearing surface portions which may be used for supporting a corner of a shipping container. The moment connections permit a bending moment to be carried by the cross member between the first and second side beams. A retractable container stop is mounted to each end of the central container support cross member.

Abstract: A container securement device enables a user to secure a cargo container to a carrier deck. The device includes a base having a projecting shear block received in the lock-actuating opening of the container. A shaft-mounted head rotates between an unlocked or loading position in which the head moves through the locking opening and a locked position in which the container is secured. Automatic entry and release are provided by a selected interchangeable spring element within the base biasing the head to the locked position but permitting movement to the unlocked position when torque is applied by engagement of the container with a cam surface on the head. The spring element may be interchanged as may be required by anticipated climactic and/or temperature conditions. Each spring element is actuable by a uniquely configured shaft member having a spring-receiving end capable of cooperating with at least two types of springs.

Abstract: A cargo container hold down device that includes a housing defined by a base which forms a planar surfacing thereabout on which cargo container corner fittings results in the applied relation on the container relative to the supporting structure or platform involved. The hold down device includes a flanged end which engages a cargo container corner casting aperture opening or an appropriate aperture and utilizes the structure for retention of the hold down device so the opposite side of the hold down device is allowed to automatically engage and disengage with a cargo container corner fitting as necessary to achieve proper handling and transport of cargo containers.

Abstract: A cargo container hold down device that includes a latch and spring used in a housing defined by a base that forms a surface thereabout on which cargo container corner fittings rests in the applied relation on the container relative to the supporting structure or platform involved, further including a bottom end that interfaces with a deck or vehicle structure for retention of the hold down device so the opposite side of the hold down device is allowed to automatically engage and disengage with a cargo container corner fitting as necessary to achieve proper handling and transport of cargo containers, the device using a latch on a pin, the pin carried in a pocket such that the latch force varies as a function of container position and movement, thereby enabling the use of a single spring in a low profile lock.

Abstract: A well car for carrying shipping containers has a pair of end structures supported by rail car trucks, a pair of first and second spaced apart side beams extending between the end structures and a well defined therebetween. A container support cross member is mounted between the side beams in a position to support an end of a shipping container load carried within the well. The container support cross member includes a monolithic beam member with a attachment fitting formed at an end thereof. The attachment fitting is connected to a side beam at a moment connection. The remaining end of the cross member is similarly configured and connected to the second side beam. Each end or the cross member has load bearing surface portions which may be used for supporting a corner of a shipping container. The moment connections permit a bending moment to be carried by the cross member between the first and second side beams. A retractable container stop is mounted to each end of the central container support cross member.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an automatic container locking apparatus for trailers. This locking apparatus is automatically operable in response to the weight of a container to lock or unlock the container on the deck of a trailer. This locking apparatus has a housing (10) vertically set in the deck (1), with a spring-biased actuator (20) movably set within the housing (10). A spring-biased locking bolt (30) having a top head (31) is movably set within the actuator (20). This locking bolt (30) has a stopper (32) and a curved guide slit (41), thus being selectively moved together with the actuator (20) while being rotated. A support shaft (50) holds the vertical position of the locking bolt (30) within the housing (10). An actuation pin (51) of the shaft (50) engages with the curved guide slit (41), thus allowing the locking bolt (30) to be rotatable when the locking bolt is vertically moved together with the actuator (20).

Abstract: A stowage component (10) that enables release of containers coupled together both by manual actuation of the stowage component (10) and also by automatic uncoupling of the stowage component (10) from the relevant container, so as to allow uniform identical stowage components (10) to be used in general, and also used in the area of narrow joints between 20-foot containers, thus helping to eliminate confusion, such as is possible in the case of the previously necessary different stowage components (10).

Abstract: A method for release of containers coupled to a lower support area both by manual actuation of a stowage component (10) and by automatic uncoupling of the stowage component (10) from the support area, so as to allow the use of uniform identical stowage components (10) and to allow operation in the area of narrow joints between containers.

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: A vehicle for temporary support of intermodal cargo containers, especially a trailer for a tractor/trailer rig, has deployable locating pins placed centrally along the length of a chassis, for locating containers placed end-to-end. The locating pins center containers of different lengths relative to the chassis, which is long enough to accommodate the longest standard length of container or two short containers. The locating pins are resiliently mounted such that a long container or misplaced containers that are set down on the pins, cause the pins to be depressed into the chassis. Stop pins define an endpoint for an end of a container, and two resiliently mounted engagement pins on each side, are positioned for engaging the corner fittings of intermodal containers when abutted against the locating pins.

Abstract: A device for guiding movement of cargo items during loading and unloading from a cargo compartment of an aircraft includes a housing defining a recessed well below an upper surface of the housing, a slider which slides within the recessed well, a pawl pivotally connected to the slider and pivotal from a stowed position in the well to a deployed position projecting above the upper surface of the housing, and compression springs connected to the slider for absorbing impact loads imposed on the pawl in the longitudinal direction along which the slider and pawl slide as a unit. The cargo-engaging end of the pawl includes chamfered surfaces which cause the pawl to be depressed down into the well when the pawl is subjected to transverse impacts.

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 locking system for a container-carrying trailer vehicle (10) having a loading platform (13) on which container (14) can be mounted, in which the locking system comprises a forward pair of locking devices (16) and a rearward pair of locking devices (17) mounted at forward and rear ends of the loading platform, and which co-operate with respective corner fittings (15) of the container (14) in order to clamp the container to the loading platform, in which each locking device (17) of the forward pair comprises: a housing (18), a bolt (20) mounted in the housing (18) to move linearly between an extended locking position and a withdrawn unlocking position; an actuator (21) coupled with the bolt (20) and operable to move the bolt to the unlocking position when the container is to be unloaded; a latch (24) mounted in the housing (18) to engage the bolt (20) and latch the bolt in the unlocking position; a torsion spring (22) biasing the bolt (20) to the locking position; a cam arrangement (26) mounted in the housing

Abstract: A semi-automatic clamping device (10) for clamping a securing fitting (11) of a container to an anchor point, the fitting (11) having a hollow interior (12), and an entrance aperture (14), and the clamping device (10) having a mounting body (15) and a support surface (16); a shear block (17) projects from the support surface (16) to be received and to be surrounded by the entrance aperture (14); an assembly of a rotatable spindle (18) extending through the shear block (17) and a clamping head (13) rigidly secured to an end of the spindle projecting from the shear block is rotatably mounted to allow the clamping head to be adjusted between release and clamping positions; a mechanism (19) for biasing the clamping head (13) to the clamping position, the clamping head being shaped so that during loading and clamping of a container, the head (13) is rotatable by the securing fitting (11) to allow the fitting to move into engagement with the support surface, and thereafter the head moves under the action of the bia

Abstract: A latching mechanism for retaining a shipping container on a transport vehicle includes a fixed support and a latching member mounted on the fixed support for engagement into a latching receptacle on the container. A pivot pin slidably engages a pivot surface on the latching member, and an alignment pin slidably engages a wedging or camming surface on the latching member, thereby causing the latching member to rotate into the released position when loads are applied along the axis of the latching member. A spring yieldably urges the latching member to the latching or engaged position after the latching receptacle moves past a pawl on the end of the latching member.

Abstract: A container lock pin system for automatically connecting a container to a vehicle. During loading of a container onto the transport vehicle, a lever is actuated to cause a lock pin to engage the container. The lock pin extends into a bore in the container. A biasing mechanism causes the lock pin to disengage from the container when the container is hoisted from the vehicle.

Abstract: A cargo container hold down device that includes a shear block defining a base and housing therefore that is shaped so that the base forms a planar surfacing thereabout on which the cargo container corner fitting rests in the applied relation of the container relative to the supporting platform involved; the shear block housing pivotally mounts a latch device comprising a latch member that includes a nose portion having an upper cam surfacing for engagement by a correspondingly located container mounted corner fitting, and an under cam surfacing disposed for engagement by such correspondingly located container mounted corner fitting on removal of such container therefrom, the latch member being biased outwardly of the shear block housing to dispose the nose thereof over the container corner fitting supporting surface of the shear block housing, and including an element for withdrawing such latch member within the shear block housing about one pivot axis when the container is applied to the device, and an elem

Abstract: This invention is directed to an automatic securing system for locking and unlocking an ISO container or the like to a load carrier. The securing system comprises a pair of rails fixed on the load carrier which includes a number of twistlock devices releaseably fixed at selected positions on the rails to automatically lock the container down on the load carrier. The system also includes a release mechanism on the rails that automatically and simultaneously unlocks and releases the engaged twistlocks from the container and the rails. The release mechanism also allows unlocked and released twistlocks to be moved and fixed to different seating positions on the rails to permit automatic locking down of containers with different lengths.

Abstract: An automatic locking system for different sized containers on flat cars or trailers. The locks at the corner of the loading space are not retractable but have automatic locking mechanism that holds the container down. The locks in the center of the loading space are retractable and positioned to lock the adjacent ends of shorter containers and will be automatically retracted into the holder of the locks, when a longer container is lowered down over the locks. The retractable locks are retracted by the weight of the long container when the container presses on a release mechanism placed between the locks on top of the lock-holder. When the long container is unloaded, the retractable center locks automatically are released from the holder and will automatically become locked into a loading position.

Abstract: A corner fitting is disclosed for freight containers, particularly for small and medium size containers. The corner fitting includes three mutually perpendicular side walls connected to one another to form a section of a corner of a cube having its apex pointing outwardly from a freight container when in an in-use position. Container handling openings are provided in at least one of the sidewalls and in an oblique triangular surface extending transverse to a diagonal through the corner apex. Particularly preferred embodiments of the corner fitting are formed from sheet metal blanks which are cut and bent along fold lines to form the sidewalls.

Abstract: Latch for locking a container to a pedestal on the flat deck of a flat car and particularly containers containing flammable materials. The container is supported on a pedestal at each corner thereof and the pedestals are adjustably mounted in guideways for movement along the deck of the flat car in accordance with the length of the container, to support containers at selected intervals along the car. A spring biased latch is provided to lock the container to the pedestal and a lock is provided for the latch is provided which reacts against the pedestal and includes a biasing spring for the lock to positively hold the latch in a locked position even though the car should be derailed.

Abstract: A container pedestal for supporting and securing a cargo container having a catch opening on a vehicle such as a rail car. The pedestal includes a base defining a platform for supporting the container. A pivotal latch lever is biased by a spring into a latched position wherein a latching nose on the lever registers with a latch recess in the container. The latch nose is contacted by the container for pivoting the latch lever from the latched to a released position when the container is raised or lowered. The latch lever can be manually locked, yet self-entry automatic loading can be carried out in the locked condition. A line contact between the latch lever and the spring provides reliable and consistent latch operation due to a uniform spring lever arm length.

Abstract: A container pedestal for supporting and securing a cargo container having a catch opening on a vehicle such as a rail car. The pedestal includes a base defining a platform for supporting the container. A pivotal latch lever is biased by a spring into a latched position wherein a latching nose on the lever registers with a latch recess in the container. The latch nose is contacted by the container for pivoting the latch lever from the latched to a released position when the container is raised or lowered. The latch lever is mounted for vertical movement as well as pivotal movement, and interfacing locking surfaces are provided on the latch lever and on the pedestal base for preventing pivotal movement of the latch lever out of the latched position when the latch lever is in an upper position. The spring biases the latch lever upwardly to maintain the locking surfaces normally in engagement so that, when the latch lever is in its upper position, the container cannot pivot the latch lever.

Abstract: In a container pedestal (10) a supplemental lock (42) is movable to a weighted position tending to maintain the spring (34) biased pedestal latch (22) from pivoting into a position to allow entry or exit of containers (C) from the pedestal.