Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for manipulating and securing containers. In one example, a method includes attaching a tool to a first corner fitting of a first container and a second corner fitting of a second container; applying a torque to the rotatable pinion in order to cause the first corner fitting to engage the second corner fitting; and removing the tool from the first corner fitting and the second corner fitting.

Features for a solar generation system. The system includes a solar generator that may be installed on a shipping container. The solar generator includes one or more deployable rotating solar arrays. The rotating solar arrays may be deployed and stowed using actuators. The rotating solar arrays may be stowed for transport of the system on ships or to remote locations. The solar panels of the array are unexposed when stowed. A base frame with corner castings may attach to standard connections on cargo containers. The solar generators may be stacked on top of each other when stowed for transport. An actuation system may include linear actuators with two arms connecting at a moving pivot point that attach to a base frame and to the panels for deployment. Another actuation system may include end-mounted linear actuation arms with panel backside-mounted deployment arms.

Disclosed are apparatus, systems, and methods, including a cargo transport system comprising a spine assembly, a container assembly, and an outer fairing. The spine assembly comprises a rigid spine and a plurality of mounts arranged on the rigid spine in a plurality of mount rows. The container assembly comprises a plurality of containers secured to the spine assembly using at least a subset of the plurality of mounts. The outer fairing at least partially encloses the container assembly. Each container of the plurality of containers comprises a plurality of fittings for securing the container to the spine assembly and/or another container of the container assembly. The container assembly is enclosed within a pressurization space for pressurizing the container assembly.

An apparatus, a vehicle and a method for securing intermodal cargo containers is provided. Couplers include pins and bottom supports to engage apertures and bottom surfaces of corner fittings for intermodal cargo containers. The couplers may also include sidewall supports to engage forward facing side surfaces of the corner fittings. The pins, bottom supports, and sidewall supports hold an intermodal cargo container in place through a relatively large range of acceleration forces without damaging the corner fittings of the intermodal cargo containers. The couplers are selectively movable from a retracted position to an extended position to engage the corner fittings of the intermodal cargo containers.

A container transport system and method of operation can include: providing a vehicle having a subframe assembly coupled thereto, the subframe assembly including a lifting arm and a clamping arm; clamping the clamping arm onto a corner fitting of a cargo container; raising the lifting arm for raising a portion of the cargo container; inserting a jack stand below the cargo container; lowering the lifting arm for tilting the cargo container on the jack stand, the jack stand configured as a fulcrum; positioning a container trailer below the cargo container; and raising the lifting arm for pivoting the cargo container on the jack stand and lowering the cargo container onto the container trailer.

Improved corner piece to form a corner of a container, that contains a movable coupling element, which is at least movable between a maximally protruding position, whereby a coupling part of the coupling element protrudes maximally from the improved corner piece on the level of a grip opening, such that it can serve as coupling element for coupling to a corner piece of another container, and a fully retracted position, in which the movable coupling element is completely inside the improved corner piece and the grip opening is left free.

An apparatus, a vehicle and a method for securing intermodal cargo containers is provided. Couplers include pins and bottom supports to engage apertures and bottom surfaces of corner fittings for intermodal cargo containers. The couplers may also include sidewall supports to engage forward facing side surfaces of the corner fittings. The pins, bottom supports, and sidewall supports hold an intermodal cargo container in place through a relatively large range of acceleration forces without damaging the corner fittings of the intermodal cargo containers. The couplers are selectively movable from a retracted position to an extended position to engage the corner fittings of the intermodal cargo containers.

An automatic lock for installation in a bottom corner fitting of a cargo container to secure stacked containers to one another. The automatic lock may be installed in the bottom corner fitting at the time of manufacture of the container or may be retrofit into existing containers.

A two-piece intermodal shipping container has a deck and a lid. The deck has vertical lock corner casings bottom corner castings, a frame and a floor. Tie down clips or rings are provided on side and end beams around a floor that is recessed in one embodiment. The lid has side beams and corner posts with upper and lower corner castings. Twist locks are held in the vertical lock corner casings. After loading and securing cargo on the deck, the lid is lowered over the cargo to the deck. The twist locks are turned to secure the lower corner castings on the lid with the vertical lock corner casings on the deck, completing the shipping container for placing or stacking the container on a truck, train, ship or airplane. The deck has fork lift openings in the frame. The lid has fork lift tubes or lifting rings at the top.

A cargo transport system comprising a spine assembly and a container assembly. The spine assembly comprises a rigid spine and a plurality of mounts arranged on the rigid spine in a plurality of mount rows. The container assembly comprises a plurality of containers and is secured to the spine assembly using at least a subset of the plurality of mounts. Each container of the plurality of containers comprises a plurality of fittings for securing the container to the spine assembly and/or another container of the container assembly. Each mount row extends along a width of the spine assembly, and the plurality of mount rows are spaced apart at regular distance intervals along a length of the spine.