A grip assembly includes a first grip arm, a base member integrally formed with the first grip arm, a second grip arm movably coupled to and independently positionable relative to the first grip arm and a fastener securing the second grip arm relative to the first grip arm.

Disclosed is a tie down assembly. The tie down assembly having a ring, a bracket assembly, a support insert, and a position-locking mechanism. The support insert is configured to secure the ring relative to the bracket assembly. The ring being configured to rotate relative to the bracket assembly about an axis. The position-locking mechanism is configured to secure the ring at one or more rotational positions about said axis via one or more engagement features. In one example, the position-locking mechanism is a detent mechanism.

A tie down locking mechanism includes a first plate including a first cavity and a first aperture, a second plate including a second cavity and a second aperture, and a spring mechanism that biases the first and second plates into a first position and that moves the first and second plates into a second position when the bias is overcome with an application of force. Each cavity includes an interior portion connected to an opening on a perimeter of the respective plate. When the first and second plates are in the first position, the openings of the first and second cavities are aligned and the apertures are not aligned. When the first and second plates are in the second position, the openings of the first and second cavities are not aligned and the apertures are aligned.

Securing systems and methods of securing a transport container to an attachment point. In one embodiment, the securing system includes an actuator, an attachment structure, and an electronic controller. The attachment structure is dimensioned to complement the actuator. The electronic controller is operably coupled to the actuator for attaching and releasing the actuator to the attachment structure.

Method for securing packing units 20 on a transport vehicle 21, the packing units comprising a base 22 and at least two upright joined round containers 2a, 2b, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first fixing holder 1′ on the upright circumferential edges 5 of two upright joined containers 2a, 2b of a first packing unit 20′, providing a second fixing holder 1′ on two upright circumferential edges of two upright joined containers 2a, 2b of the first packaging unit 20′ or of a second packaging unit 20″, arranging a tying strap or tensioning cable 8 over the fixing holders 1′, 1″, securing the first packing unit 20′ with the tying strap or tensioning cable 8 on the transport vehicle 21.

A load binding apparatus includes an elongated first part slidingly engageable to an elongated second part, the first and second parts including internal races or journal bearings to receive and provide guidance and support for a tie bolt, a tie bolt extending between the elongated first and second parts through the races/journal bearings to engage a threaded aperture in order to selectively shorten or elongate the load binding apparatus to control tension, and chain couplers at opposed ends to couple to a binding chain.

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.

A system includes several load cells, each coupled to a lashing that secures shipping containers, accelerometer cells, each coupled to a shipping container at the top of a stack, and an inclinometer cell coupled to a cargo ship. The cells are configured to transmit data to a computer. All the cells comprise a processor programmed to acquire a time series of measurements and, preferably, decompose the time series into a sum of sinusoidal signals, each having a frequency and an amplitude. Alternatively, the computer can be programmed to decompose the time series. The computer is programmed to identify the signal components caused by the roll of the cargo ship or by resonances in shipping container stacks. The computer estimates cumulated damages caused by fatigue in the lashings and/or twist locks. The system is used to trigger alarms and/or schedule maintenance.

A selective retention system may have at least one side retention rail with an attachment portion and a retention portion. The retention portion may have a plurality of teeth. The system may also have an end retention rail with an attachment portion and a retention portion, where the retention portion at least one aperture.

A retractor may include various features that reduce the amount of space necessary to secure an object, for example, a wheelchair in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the webbing is designed to come off of the top of the retractor spool, which shifts the webbing take-off point from the spool rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In another embodiment, the retractor is provided with a webbing guide that rotates around at least a portion of the circumference of the retractor spool. The rotatable guide also shifts the take-off point from the webbing guide rearward, as compared to prior art retractors. In yet another embodiment, the retractor is provided with both a rotatable webbing guide and webbing that comes off of the top of the spool.