Systems and methods for launching and retrieving payloads in aquatic environments employ a platform that is both floatable and submersible at the discretion of and/or under the control of a user, on which submersible objects to be launched, delivered to a subsea location and/or retrieved (the payload) may be located. The submergible platform has a plurality of sealed and/or sealable buoyancy chambers and at least one low pressure gas storage tank having associated fixtures and valves providing introduction of gas to the buoyancy chambers. A payload docking system providing secure docking of a payload on the platform deck is also disclosed.

Method, container corner lock and system for fastening a first container corner casting of a first container and a corresponding second container corner casting of a second container. The first container is stacked on the second container. The container corner lock includes: a first protruding part; including a first locking for fixing the first protruding part into the first recess; a second protruding part, including a second locking for fixing the second protruding part into the second recess; an electric motor configured to block or unblock the movement of at least one of the locking means; a first wireless transceiver; a processing circuit configured to receive the signal from the wireless transceiver and generate a command for operating the electric motor and a second wireless transceiver or transponder with a shorter range than said first wireless transceiver.

An amphibious air cushion vehicle includes an air cushion supported hull configured for travel on water and smooth land; a deck supported by the hull; and a dual-rail cargo system having tracks arranged longitudinally on along the hull cargo deck from an aft end. The tracks include (1) guide rails and rollers providing for guided sliding movement of palletized cargo along the tracks, and (2) locks for locking pallets in position during transport, The track is configured at the aft end for an unloading operation in which the locks are disengaged and the palletized cargo slides off the aft end onto underlying land as the vehicle is moving forward thereon. The track may be the one track of a single-track variant, or one of a pair of tracks in a two-track variant.

Specially designed to carry out unlocking shipping containers, eliminating the physical risks for port personnel, includes a telescopic load-bearing structure (1) that can be moved up with a port crane (3), and at its ends, pairs of lateral frames emerge (5-5) that have a robotic mechanism (6) on their inner faces, with at least three degrees of movement for a claw for catch onto the handles (11) for opening different types of securing mechanisms (12) of the container (13). The claw has at least one degree of freedom of movement, while the robotic mechanism (6) is assisted by artificial vision (14) and motion systems (16) that are remotely operated, assisted, or fully automatic.

A system and method for monitoring one or more objects that have been restrainedly secured to a vehicle by one or more restraint members. The system includes a plurality of sensors each configured for monitoring one or more of a compressive or tensile stress or strain in one of the one or more restraint members, and a controller for periodically interrogating each of the plurality of sensors to ascertain a value of stress or strain detected by the respective sensor. When a change in the value of stress or strain is indicative of loosened or overtightened restraint members, a mitigation event is triggered.

Disclosed is a lashing bar of a composite material formed through filament winding to provide light weight and capacity to withstand high tensile loads, and a method of manufacturing the same. The lashing bar includes continuous fibers with high tensile strength wound around the core in the center and the exteriors of thimbles with holes and encased by a composite material, and metal parts provided in certain areas where loads are concentrated.

An improved shock isolating mounting comprising at least three substantially U-shaped leaf spring members, each leaf spring member comprising at least two leafs arranged to define a space therebetween. In one arrangement, the respective at least three substantially U-shaped leaf spring members are arranged in an array having a substantially equal angular spacing between adjacent spring members.

A securing assembly is adapted to secure objects to a structure. The assembly includes an attachment mechanism adapted to attach the assembly to an object in use. An elongate rod has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connectable to the attachment mechanism and the second end is connectable to an adjustment device. A base is adapted to connect the adjustment device to the structure in use. The adjustment device is operable to adjust a tension between the object and the structure by way of the assembly to secure the object to the structure in use.

A surface-mountable locking system is designed to secure an item to a surface via one or more mechanical engagements that are protected from tampering by encompassing the engagements point(s) within cavity-defining surfaces. In one example the mechanical engagement is effected by placing a pin in a box and securing the pin in the box using a bolt and the tampering protection is effected by the surfaces that define the box. In another example, the mechanical engagement is effected by placing a surface-attached anchor within a cavity and securing the anchor relative to the cavity using a bolt and the tampering protection is effected by the surfaces that define the cavity. The securing bolt may be, for example, the bolt of locking mechanism, a threaded bolt to engage a receptacle having complementary threads, or a smooth bolt to engage a receptacle having a shape complementary to that of the bolt.

An improved shock isolating mounting comprising at least three substantially U-shaped leaf spring members, each leaf spring member comprising at least two leafs arranged to define a space therebetween. In one arrangement, the respective at least three substantially U-shaped leaf spring members are arranged in an array having a substantially equal angular spacing between adjacent spring members.