Abstract: Methods and apparatus for handling cargo, e.g. palletized cargo, with an overhead lifting appliance. The preferred embodiments are characterized by a tray member, on which palletized cargo is loaded, and a cage member, which attaches to the tray member, partially or fully surrounds the cargo, and provides lifting points for attachment to a crane, or other overhead lifting appliance. The cage member attaches to attachment members located on the tray and forms a cargo area. A preferable system provides a tray member sized to receive palletized cargo and a cage member of sufficient height to enclose multiple pallets of cargo stacked vertically.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cargo transfer. A loaded container sled is stuffed into/stripped from a container. The method encompasses a marine terminal that stores loaded sleds prior to stuffing into a container. Method and apparatus reduce the required number of cargo containers by up to a factor of eight.

Abstract: A method for loading and unloading of a solid substance having a high degree of water content from a cargo hold of a bulk carrier is disclosed. The degree of water content of the solid substance is such that a layer of liquid is formed above the solid substance. In accordance with the method, a predetermined volumetric ratio of solid substance and water is pumped out of the cargo hold by a pump that is seated on a float freely movable on the layer of liquid, at the same time as water is fed into the cargo hold at a volumetric rate substantially the same as the volumetric rate of water being pumped out.

Abstract: Apparatuses for handling cargo in a body of water incorporate a high floating slender pylon floating upright in the water. The pylon is maintained afloat by a submerged variable buoyancy chamber carried by the pylon between its ends. Ballast carried by the pylon below the buoyancy chamber creates a righting couple about the buoyancy chamber that maintains the upright orientation of the pylon in the water. In a method of handling cargo, the top of the upright pylon is drawn toward a surface vessel carrying cargo to be transferred using the pylon. Cargo placed on the upper end of the tilted pylon can be supported stably above the water surface when the pylon is allowed to return to an upright orientation. The cargo can then be transferred to another surface vessel by reversing the steps used to place the cargo on the pylon. Among other uses, the pylon can be deployed for rescue at sea.

Abstract: A terminal and system for the automatic computerized unloading of containerized cargo from container ships to trucks, railroad cars, other ships or storage. The terminal system is equipped to store or transfer unloaded cargo automatically by using independent container transfer vehicles. The cargo ships are moored between quays of a terminal building constructed in or adjacent to a waterway. Independent container transfer vehicles on an overhead transverse beam system lift a container up and away from a ship and transfer it to the elevated ground rail system without changing the container orientation, and then shuttle on elevated ground conveyance rails to other areas of the terminal to distribute the container to the pertinent transportation system or to storage.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval system is provided that automates the process of handling a mixed inventory of palletized and containerized items. The invention is particularly useful in handling cargo and weapons within a ship's hold or magazine. When used on a ship, the invention provides for the stowing and unstowing of loads quickly and efficiently, to automatically secure such payloads for sea and to achieve high stowage density, while retaining the capability to select and retrieve any ordered payload, move it to and load it on elevator trays under computer control.

Abstract: A fixed structure is shaped like a pier and equipped on an upper part with a slide guide. A length of the pier extends from land to a point at sea where the depth is such as to allow boats to be transported to float. A trolley slides along the pier. At least two arms extend from the trolley transverse to the pier. The arms are equipped with independent hoisting devices for harnessing the boats. The arms also have a sliding counterweight and are equipped with devices which indicate the horizontal position of the arms and control the movement of the sliding counterweight. The arms are also equipped with commands with which the hoisting devices and other motorized parts of the machine are controlled.

Abstract: A rigid structural pallet is provided to support and carry cargo suspended by a crane or helicopter for delivery into or recovery from the water. The pallet consists of a rigid panel extending the full longitudinal and lateral (horizontal) extent of the pallet, one or more longitudinal rails, and a single suspension ring attached to the longitudinal rail or rails carrying the full weight of the cargo and pallet.