Abstract: A flatbed railcar is provided which may be utilized for the transport of relatively lightweight bulky articles, as well as relatively heavy articles such as steel beams. The railcar includes a number of components which cooperate to allow such diversity of uses. A rectangular base structure is provided. A substantially planar deck is secured to the upper surface of the rectangular base structure. A plurality of rail wheel assemblies are coupled to the lower surface of the base structure. The rail wheel assemblies are adapted for engaging a railroad. A first bulkhead member is coupled to a first end of the base structure. A second bulkhead member is coupled to the second end of the base structure. A vertical center partition member is also provided. The vertical center partition member is substantially perpendicular to the base structure. It is located along a longitudinal centerline relative to the base structure.

Abstract: A device and method of loading nursery items on a truck is disclosed wherein a portion of a first panel of high tensile strength sheet material is adhered to a first wall of a truck's storage compartment and a portion of a second panel of high tensile strength sheet material is adhered to a second wall of the truck in mirror relationship to the first panel. Various nursery items are packed in the storage compartment between the first panel and the second panel. A gate is positioned in front of the packed nursery items between the first and second panels. The second ends of the first and second panels are secured together in a tensile state such that the gate and the nursery items are securely held in place.

Abstract: A tool for removing tie down cables from a center beam rail car loaded with cargo, the apparatus comprising a support beam having a width selected to be greater than the span between a number of tie down cables on the center beam rail car. A plurality of hook-shaped cable claws are rigidly attached in a spaced apart, downwardly extending manner to the support beam. At least one lift sleeve rigidly attached to the support beam and having a receiving end for attaching to an external lift mechanism.

Abstract: A load restraint method for securing cargo within transport containers such as intermodal containers including first and second load restraining strips with an adhesive coating on one surface of the strips for adherence to sidewalls of an intermodal container and a locking load restraining strip for bonding the free ends of the first and second load restraining strips together into a load restraining system.

Abstract: A freight transport vehicle convertible for carrying piece goods as well as bulk liquid cargo, includes a collapsible liquid cargo bag and at least one adjustable cinching strap for being tightened down over the bag. Tightening of the strap over the bag causes the pressure of the liquid mass within the bag to increase, serving to make the liquid mass act as a solid mass within the bag. This prevents kinetic energy that is built up in the mass through motion of the vehicle from causing sloshing motion of the liquid during transportation, thus eliminating possible hazards in operation of the vehicle and preventing possible damage to the cargo bag.

Abstract: A system for tying a load down on a load deck. A plurality of tie-down assemblies are spaced at a plurality of locations along the side sills. Each assembly includes a first aperture in a vertical wall of one of the side sills; a belt router recessed at a first point beneath the deck and between the side sills, immediately adjacent and inward of the one side sill; a second aperture in the deck, above the belt router; a first belt winder mounted at a second point on the one side sill, below the first aperture; a second belt winder mounted at a third point on the other side sill in alignment with the first belt winder; and, a belt having one end secured to the first belt winder. To tie down a narrow load which does not project beyond the side sills, the belt's opposite end is extended through the first aperture and beneath the deck, around the belt router, through the second aperture and above the deck, over the load, and into engagement with the second belt winder.

Abstract: A corner protector for protecting the top corners of stacks of lumber from being indented or frayed by tie-down cables in a railroad freight car, comprises a sidewall connected at its top to a top wall at right angles to the sidewall along a fold line so that the sidewall is adapted to contact the side of a stack of lumber and the top wall is adapted to contact the top of the stack of lumber, cable alignment tabs on top of the top wall for aligning the tie down cable, cable retention fingers mounted on the sidewall for capturing and detaining the tie down cable, whereby when the protector is mounted on the corner of a stack of lumber it is protected against being contacted and indented by the tie down cable, the cable is protected against wearing and fraying caused by contacting the corner of the stack of lumber, and the corner protector may be installed without disconnecting the cable by loosening the cable and inserting the protector under the cable and mounting the protector on the top corner of the stack

Abstract: A cargo tie down assembly and method of use thereof for a vehicle platform. The tie down assembly includes a tie down member for securing cargo on such a vehicle platform. The tie down member has an opening therethrough. An anchor is adapted to extend in a first opening in a rail of such a vehicle platform. The anchor extends across the opening in the tie down member for restricting movement of the tie down member between an operative and a retracted position.

Abstract: A method for using a tie down device (10) for securing an automotive vehicle (100) by its wheels (104) and tires (102) into a transport vehicle (200), is described. The tie down device includes a first strap (12) and a second strap (16) with the second strap connected at its first end (16A) to the first strap near the first end (12A) of the first strap. The first end of the first strap has a first loop (14) which forms the first end (10A) of the device. The second end (16B) of the second strap has a second loop (18) which forms the intermediate end (10C) of the device. To configure the device, the second end (10B) of the device is passed first through the second loop and then through the first loop. The device is then positioned on the tire such that the second strap extends over the top of the tire on the wheel and the first strap extends around the tire.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for restraining cargo securely in or on a vehicle seat. In particular, the invention relates to a method for anchoring a strap, cord, or cable to the vehicle seat which secures and restrains cargo in or on the vehicle seat. The method secures cargo to a vehicle seat having a rear by anchoring a strap to the vehicle seat. The method includes channeling or threading the strap through a wedge-shaped slotted portion communicably attached to an anchor plate, the strap being tightened around the cargo, whereby the anchor plate bears against the rear of the vehicle seat, thereby securing the cargo to the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A device for securing an object to a surface includes a pair of brackets, with each of the brackets having an elongated member with a pair of pivotally mounted cleats attached to the elongated member at opposing ends. Each of the cleats has a first U-shaped passage. To secure an object, the brackets are seated on substantially opposing sides of the object with each of the cleats pivoting to adjust to the contour of the object. A first restraining element passes through the first passage in one cleat for each bracket and a second restraining element passes through the first passage in the other cleat for each bracket. The ends of said first and second restraining elements are secured to the surface, thus securing the object to the surface. A method for securing an object to a surface using the apparatus of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A tie-down system for securing articles to a load bearing structure for storage or transportation is shown. Also shown is a method for using this system. The disclosed tie-down system includes a securing member having first and second ends and a fastener for fastening the securing member to the load bearing structure. The fastener includes two clip members connected to the securing member to accomplish this purpose. A tensioner is connected to the securing member and is placed between the two clip members. One of the clip members fixedly connects the securing member to the load bearing structure and the other clip member works in cooperation with the tensioner to apply the desired tension to the securing device and maintain that tension for securing articles to the load bearing structure.

Abstract: An improved system for quickly securing a load to a flat bed vehicle. Rotatable main shafts are secured on opposite sides of the load with each of the main shafts having a gear box. An access shaft couples the two main shafts together through worm gearing so that actuating the access shaft from either side of the truck actuates both main shafts. This causes the main shafts to rotate in opposite directions and pulls the binding tight across the load. A ratchet may be provided on the main shafts to also secure a position of the main shafts and allow effective motion in one direction only. The binding may be removed from the load by releasing the ratchet and rotating the main shafts in an opposite fashion.

Abstract: A device (10) to assist manual tightening of a rope passed over a load on a vehicle. In use, the device (10) is first attached to the rope by passing the rope from the upper side of the device (10) through guide (12) to the lower side, then passing the rope up into the lower notch (15) and over the upper side of the device (10) and into the upper notch (14) so that pulling the rope downwardly will secure the device (10) to the rope. Tensioning may then be achieved by forming a loop in a portion of the free end of the rope, passing the loop around a fixed anchorage site on the vehicle and locating a portion of the loop over the pair of arms (16) and (17). The free end of rope is then passed behind and over the portion of rope extending between the pair of arms (16) and (17) and pulled downwardly, thereby urging the rope that extends between the pair of tensioning arms downwardly and causing tension to be applied to the rope. The taut rope is then secured by tying the free end thereof to a fixed anchorage site.

Abstract: A device to assist manual tightening of a rope passed over a load on a vehicle. In use the device is first attached to the rope by passing the rope over ridge (14), through hole (13) and around neck (18); tensioning may then be achieved by pulling on the rope, after it has been looped (by 180 degrees) around a fixed anchorage on the vehicle and then around hook-like tensioner (15). The taut rope is secured by again passing it around a fixed anchorage point and then winding it around neck (19) and under the rope lying between ridge (14) and a hole (13). An alternative device has two tensioners (15) and is used similarly to the above.

Abstract: A quick tie load binding system for securing loads to trucks or vehicles having a flat bed surface by uniformly pulling the binding which holds the load to the flat-bed surface. The load is secured to the vehicle by a binding which is connected to main shafts that run along opposite sides of the load and which are driven in a counter-rotational fashion from a gear box. The main shafts have binding pegs projecting outward to which the binding is attached. The gear box rotates the main shafts in opposite directions to bind or release the entire load from a single location.

Abstract: A center beam/center partition flat car, cable/strap retention assembly and method for retaining a load to a center beam/center partition flat car. Cables or straps are respectively retained to a plurality of winches positioned along the opposite side sills of the flat cars. The cables or straps extend around the load from bottom to top and downward with their free ends being secured to the floor deck of the flat car at a position adjacent the respective winches.

Abstract: A sheet supporting rack has (1) a base including a pair of spaced elongated runners detachably secured on flatbed of a trailer; (2) a back support including a strut mounted on each of the runners; and (3) a front restraint including an upright slidably mounted on each of the runners. The sheets are mounted in a generally vertical position with an edge of the sheet supported on the base, and a major surface of the sheets supported by the back support. The uprights of the front restraint are slid and angled with respect to the runners to urge the sheets against the back support and to secure the uprights in position on the runners to prevent movement of the sheets during shipment thereof.