A system and method are used for transporting a plurality of tower sections of a wind turbine on beds of transport devices, such as flat railcars. Supports affix at support locations on beds to accommodate at least one of the tower sections on each of the transport devices. The supports can include bed supports, such as tabs, extending from the beds, and can include cradle supports with slots that engage on the tabs. A circumferential dimension of a cradle is adjusted on each of the supports against which the tower section rests. Each of the tower sections is then supported with at least two of the supports by loading the tower sections on the transport devices. An end of each of the tower sections is then affixed to a flange on at least one of the supports on each of the transport devices.

A system and method are used for transporting a plurality of tower sections of a wind turbine on beds of transport devices, such as flat railcars. Supports affix at support locations on beds to accommodate at least one of the tower sections on each of the transport devices. The supports can include bed supports, such as tabs, extending from the beds, and can include cradle supports with slots that engage on the tabs. A circumferential dimension of a cradle is adjusted on each of the supports against which the tower section rests. Each of the tower sections is then supported with at least two of the supports by loading the tower sections on the transport devices. An end of each of the tower sections is then affixed to a flange on at least one of the supports on each of the transport devices.

The blade support apparatus relates to capturing and stabilizing airfoils such as helicopter blades to enable ground transport without requiring removal of airfoils or blades with the blade support apparatus and blades in a protective container. The blade support apparatus captures and stabilizes helicopter blades utilizing a support frame with vertical and radial adjustable supports. These supports have contoured padded cradles and means of adjusting the height and angle of the cradles to match the profile being captured. The blade support apparatus enables loading, transport, and unloading of the airfoils for transport in a separate blade container which may either be stand alone or attaches to a helicopter transport apparatus. An alternate embodiment utilizes a support frame which is vertically and radially adjustable. Within the support frame are the same contoured padded swivel cradles which also adjust to the height and angle of the profile being captured.

The blade support apparatus relates to capturing and stabilizing airfoils such as helicopter blades to enable ground transport without requiring removal of airfoils or blades with the blade support apparatus and blades in a protective container. The blade support apparatus captures and stabilizes helicopter blades utilizing a support frame with vertical and radial adjustable supports. These supports have contoured padded cradles and means of adjusting the height and angle of the cradles to match the profile being captured. The blade support apparatus enables loading, transport, and unloading of the airfoils for transport in a separate blade container which may either be stand alone or attaches to a helicopter transport apparatus. An alternate embodiment utilizes a support frame which is vertically and radially adjustable. Within the support frame are the same contoured padded swivel cradles which also adjust to the height and angle of the profile being captured.

A tailgate extension system is provided. The system includes a tailgate housing having a pair of channels therein. A pair of openings are disposed on an upper edge of the tailgate housing, wherein the pair of openings provide access to the pair of channels. A pair of rods are slidably disposed within the pair of channels. In some embodiments, the pair of rods each include a plurality of telescopic sections. An end bar is affixed to a distal end of each of the pair of rods, wherein the end bar is parallel to the upper edge of the tailgate housing. A slot disposed within each of the pair of rods engages a pin extending into each channel. The pair of rods selectively move between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the retracted position, the end bar rests flush against the upper edge of the tailgate housing.

A tailgate extension system is provided. The system includes a tailgate housing having a pair of channels therein. A pair of openings are disposed on an upper edge of the tailgate housing, wherein the pair of openings provide access to the pair of channels. A pair of rods are slidably disposed within the pair of channels. In some embodiments, the pair of rods each include a plurality of telescopic sections. An end bar is affixed to a distal end of each of the pair of rods, wherein the end bar is parallel to the upper edge of the tailgate housing. A slot disposed within each of the pair of rods engages a pin extending into each channel. The pair of rods selectively move between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the retracted position, the end bar rests flush against the upper edge of the tailgate housing.

A rail fixture system for wind turbine blades on a consist three flatcars, includes a root-support fixture that enables lateral movement, a mid-support fixture with a pair of lateral guides on opposing sides of the to limit the blade's lateral movement, and blade-pusher posts adjacent a curved portion of the blade, coupled to gravity weights, that intermittently engage sides of the blade and apply gravity forces in response to relative lateral movement thereof around rail curves, and which bends the blade, applies a fulcrum force against the lateral guides, and translates the root end of the blade in an opposing lateral direction.

An expandable cargo bed system for a vehicle includes a front shell having a front shell first sidewall. The front shell first sidewall includes at least one cargo bed access passage extending between a first side of the front shell first sidewall and a second side of the front shell first sidewall opposite the first side. A rear shell is operably coupled to the front shell so as to be movable with respect to the front shell between a retracted position and an extended position so as to vary a length of the cargo bed. The rear shell has a rear shell first sidewall. The rear shell first sidewall is structured to cover the at least one cargo bed access passage when the rear shell is in the retracted position. The rear shell first sidewall is also structured so that the at least one cargo bed access passage is exposed when the rear shell is in the extended position.

An expandable cargo bed system for a vehicle includes a front shell having a front shell first sidewall. The front shell first sidewall includes at least one cargo bed access passage extending between a first side of the front shell first sidewall and a second side of the front shell first sidewall opposite the first side. A rear shell is operably coupled to the front shell so as to be movable with respect to the front shell between a retracted position and an extended position so as to vary a length of the cargo bed. The rear shell has a rear shell first sidewall. The rear shell first sidewall is structured to cover the at least one cargo bed access passage when the rear shell is in the retracted position. The rear shell first sidewall is also structured so that the at least one cargo bed access passage is exposed when the rear shell is in the extended position.

A wind turbine blade apparatus comprising a root device including: a base having an upper surface with a radius of curvature and configured to receive a root portion of a blade, with housings disposed on lateral sides of the base. The housings including a groove configured to receive a bearing and a shaft extending at least partially through the base and housing. A tip device is also provided which includes a base, a rotatable support frame having: a first support configured to receive a pressure side of a wind turbine blade, a second support configured to receive a suction side of a wind turbine blade, and an opening, the opening configured to receive a portion of a wind turbine blade.