A modular inflatable protection system for protecting an item is provided. The system includes a plurality of inflatable modules, each of the modules having an inflatable body; a gas valve configured to receive a gas to inflate the inflatable body; a first connection portion; and a second connection portion. The first connection portion is configured to removably connect a first one of the modules to the second connection portion of a second one of the modules, the first connection portion can be reused to connect the first one of the modules to the second connection portion of a third one of the modules, and the system is configured to provide a barrier to protect the item from damaging contact by a potentially damaging element.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a reusable valve in which a seal portion is co-molded with and overmolded to the valve stem to provide a secure mechanical bond therebetween. In one embodiment, the valve includes a snap fit between the valve stem and a retaining cap to provide easy assembly of the valve as well as an efficient and compact retention mechanism for a biasing spring and the valve stem in relation to the valve housing. In one embodiment, the valve includes an easy-to-use opening and closing mechanism that provides tactile feedback to the user when moving the valve stem to an open position and to a closed position to inflate, deflate, or maintain air or gas pressure in the inflatable article. The present disclosure also provides a dunnage bag with such valve.

A dunnage bag hanger apparatus includes a dunnage bag hanger and a handle mounted applicator block operative to support and affix the dunnage bag hanger. The dunnage bag hanger is fabricated from three distinct and separate parts: a generally planar support substrate and two release papers covering adhesive patches or regions on the support substrate. The support substrate in one embodiment is a sheet that is further divided into two contact members separated by a resilient coupler. Each contact member preferably has a contact body, a hanging loop distal to the resilient coupler, and an adhesive coating. The two adhesive couplings are preferably on opposite sides of the support substrate sheet.

A dunnage bag may have stripes on its sides that extend from a top edge to a bottom edge of the bag. When the bag is inflated, one or more of the stripes may be visible to a user viewing an end of the bag. A number and width of stripes visible to a user may indicate a width of the dunnage bag, a corresponding width of the gap within which the bag is positioned, and an amount the bag that is in contact with surfaces of adjacent cargo. The user may note an outermost visible and determine that the bag has a width within a range of widths associated with such outermost visible stripe, and whether such width allows for the bag to be used safely. If a stop stripe is visible, the gap is too wide for the bag.

A novel securing device includes a frame having an anchor, a tether coupled to the anchor, and an attachment device coupled to the frame. The attachment device is configured to facilitate selective attachment to a planar surface. In a particular embodiment, the attachment device is a magnetic attachment device. Optionally, the magnetic attachment device is encased between the frame and a cover that prevents scratching of the planar surface to which the device is secured. In another particular embodiment, the attachment device is a suction cup. The magnetic attachment device and the suction cup may be interchangeable.

Apparatuses described herein relate to improving the prevention of cargo movement during vehicle travel. In one embodiment, an apparatus for securing cargo within a vehicle includes a bladder coupled to an underside of a cover that extends over a cargo area, where the bladder faces the cargo area. The apparatus includes a supply device coupled with the bladder via a connecting member to expand the bladder into contact with the cargo within the cargo area.

A storage compartment assembly including a storage compartment having at least one inside surface and defining an opening for receiving an object, one or more artificial muscles disposed within the storage compartment along the inside surface. Each artificial muscle includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode pair is configured to actuate between a non-actuated position and an actuated position such that actuation from the non-actuated position to the actuated position directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region to expand the expandable fluid region into the storage compartment.

An autonomous transport vehicle configured to transport a package includes a housing, a cushion, and a compressor. The housing has an inner wall that defines a compartment in which the package is housed. The cushion has at least two fixed portions in a reference direction and fixed to the inner wall in the compartment at the at least two fixed portions. The cushion includes multiple bags between the two fixed portions in the reference direction. Each of the multiple bags is configured to inflate from the inner wall with gas. The compressor is configured to inject the gas into the multiple bags and draw the gas from the bags.

The invention relates to load securing in cargo holds (for example of transport vehicles such as lorries/trucks, transporters, in semi-trailers or of loading containers) and a flexible system provided for this purpose. Described is an air cushion system for load securing in cargo holds, which includes: at least one rail (1) for fastening horizontally at the top or vertically at the side in the cargo hold, at least one inflatable air cushion (2) connected to the rail, each with a volume of 0.01 to 10 metres.sup.3, wherein the air cushion has at least 2 eyelets and/or hooks (4) on each of those outer edges which are not connected to the rail or rails (3).

A dunnage bag may have stripes on its sides that extend from a top edge to a bottom edge of the bag. When the bag is inflated, one or more of the stripes may be visible to a user viewing an end of the bag. A number and width of stripes visible to a user may indicate a width of the dunnage bag, a corresponding width of the gap within which the bag is positioned, and an amount the bag that is in contact with surfaces of adjacent cargo. The user may note an outermost visible and determine that the bag has a width within a range of widths associated with such outermost visible stripe, and whether such width allows for the bag to be used safely. If a stop stripe is visible, the gap is too wide for the bag.