A beam, systems, and methods for increasing the use of cargo volume in a shipping container. An example beam is configured to be removably coupled to a track having a plurality of openings and coupled to a sidewall of a shipping container and thereby cantilevered to support cargo therein. The beam includes a housing extending between a first and second end. A bracket is coupled to the second end of the beam. And a connector coupled is to the beam's second end and arranged above the bracket. The connector has an engagement notch to engage with a first edge of a first opening in the track and has a latching tab configured to extend through the first opening adjacent to a second edge of the first opening. The connector is coupled to a latch having a spring-biased blocking plate configured to move from a first position to a second position.

The present invention generally relates to a convertible, collapsible and reusable shipping crate. The crate is convertible in that the same base can used with extendable gates or fixed gates to ship equipment of differing heights, lengths, and wheel bases. At least one end of the crate may operate as a gate on a hinge for the loading and unloading of motorized vehicles. The hinge is comprised of a slotted plate on each side to lock the gates into place for loading and to raise the gates upright once loading is completed. The slotted plate positions the gates in an upright, locked position to carry all the weight on the upright beams of the gate, rather than the hinges, thereby allowing multiple crates to be stacked. The slotted plates also allow each of the two gates to collapse inward and flat on the base for stacking during return. The gates, optional cross braces, and slotted plates all contain removable pins as connectors so that no hand tools are required for setup, operation, and breakdown of the crate. The crate is reusable many times.

The present invention generally relates to a convertible, collapsible and reusable shipping crate. The crate is convertible in that the same base can used with extendable gates or fixed gates to ship equipment of differing heights, lengths, and wheel bases. At least one end of the crate may operate as a gate on a hinge for the loading and unloading of motorized vehicles. The hinge is comprised of a slotted plate on each side to lock the gates into place for loading and to raise the gates upright once loading is completed. The slotted plate positions the gates in an upright, locked position to carry all the weight on the upright beams of the gate, rather than the hinges, thereby allowing multiple crates to be stacked. The slotted plates also allow each of the two gates to collapse inward and flat on the base for stacking during return. The gates, optional cross braces, and slotted plates all contain removable pins as connectors so that no hand tools are required for setup, operation, and breakdown of the crate. The crate is reusable many times.

A wear guide for cargo track systems comprises a body configured to be positioned between a foot's engagement portion and a track's guide recess, creating a protective interface that prevents metal-to-metal contact. The body includes at least one interface member positioned at one end to inhibit edge contact and binding during translation along the track. The interface member may extend beyond the foot edge. Retention features include end caps and through-holes for fasteners. The foot may define recessed sections dimensioned to receive the wear guide such that it projects beyond the foot's original engagement surface, providing the primary contact interface with the track. The system reduces wear, prevents galling and binding at critical edge locations, extends component life, and enables smooth translation while being field-replaceable without requiring replacement of expensive structural components.