Vehicle shelf systems having indicators thereon for improving loading and delivery efficiency. Items are scanned for loading, and the indicators on the vehicle shelves identify where to place the item based on the sequence of the delivery point along the delivery route. A mobile computing device alerts a delivery carrier when the delivery vehicle is in proximity to a delivery point when an item is to be delivered.

Multiple actuation devices may be coupled to a shipping crate. A first actuation device may be coupled to a first end of the shipping crate and a second actuation device may be coupled to a second end of the shipping crate. The actuation devices include various telescopic columns, by which the shipping crate may be raised and lowered. Some of the columns include a caster for rolling the shipping crate. Other columns include a drive unit for driving the shipping crate. By utilizing the actuation devices, the shipping crate may be loaded and unloaded from a trailer without the need for a forklift.

Provided in this disclosure is a hoist for raising and mounting an interchangeable vehicle body onto a vehicle chassis. The hoist includes a hoist frame having a pivot end and an elevated end for slidably supporting the interchangeable body. A subframe with a bolt-on assembly is provided for fixedly connecting to the vehicle chassis. A linkage connects the hoist frame to the subframe. The linkage also includes a hinge joint member for raising the elevated end of the hoist frame. A hinge assembly pivotally connects to the pivot end of the hoist frame. The hinge assembly has a bolt-on mounting bracket for fixedly connecting to the vehicle chassis. A winch assembly is retained in the elevated end of the hoist frame and extending beyond the pivot end for raising the interchangeable body onto the hoist frame.

A rack includes a casing and a plurality of pairs of supports that is provided inside the casing so as to extend in a depth direction and arrayed at regular intervals in an up-down direction. The rack can house all storage boxes of two or more prespecified sizes while supporting the storage boxes so as to be slidable along the respective pairs of supports. Sensors that detect objects are provided one between each two pairs of supports that are adjacent to each other in the up-down direction among the pairs of supports. When storage boxes of a smallest size are housed in the rack so as to be closest to one another in the up-down direction, the sensors are located in clearances between the storage boxes of the smallest size in the up-down direction.

The transport system has a transport vehicle. The transport vehicle includes two racks, each of the two racks being configured to accommodate a plurality of boxes, and a drive arm that is disposed at a position between the two racks and that moves each of the boxes in and out of each of the racks. The transport vehicle moves each of the boxes in and out of each of the two racks by changing an orientation of the drive arm.

A hoist for raising and mounting an interchangeable vehicle body onto a vehicle chassis. The hoist includes a hoist frame having a pivot end and an elevated end for slidably supporting the interchangeable body. A subframe with a bolt-on assembly is provided for fixedly connecting to the vehicle chassis. A linkage connects the hoist frame to the subframe. The linkage also includes a hinge joint member for raising the elevated end of the hoist frame. A hinge assembly pivotally connects to the pivot end of the hoist frame. The hinge assembly has a bolt-on mounting bracket for fixedly connecting to the vehicle chassis. A winch assembly is retained in the elevated end of the hoist frame and extending beyond the pivot end for raising the interchangeable body onto the hoist frame.

A system for parcel delivery may be provided using a package Pickup and Receiving Stations (PRS), sometimes also referred to as a Hub or Local Automated Hub. In some applications, it may be desirable to provide a number of PRSs located in areas having a high volume of local package delivery. Parcels directed to a recipient within an area serviced by the PRS may be delivered in bulk to the PRS by a parcel carrier. The PRS may then attend to final delivery to each parcel's recipient, preferably using an automated ground vehicle (AGV). Additionally or alternatively, consumers may tender packages to an AGV for, e.g., subsequent retrieval by a package carrier for further transport.

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.

A container transport system for transporting an intermodal freight container includes: a tow assembly pivotally coupled to a tow vehicle, the tow assembly including a support frame, a boom assembly mounted on the support frame, the boom assembly having a boom frame and a lifting actuator mounted on the boom frame; a lift beam shaped to attach to an end of the intermodal freight container, the lift beam mechanically associated with the lifting actuator; a dolly removably coupled to one of the tow assembly and tow vehicle, the dolly including a bogey frame including a plurality of wheels attached to the bogey frame, a pair of brackets located on sides of the bogey frame, the brackets spaced apart such that a width of the intermodal freight container fits between the paid of brackets.

Described herein are autonomous delivery devices for loading, transporting, and unloading cargo. In some embodiments, a delivery device includes: a first modular cargo defining a container interior for enclosing cargo therein; and a transportation platform having a plurality of wheels for transporting the first modular cargo container from an origin to a first destination. In some embodiments, a second modular cargo container may be positioned on an upper surface of the first modular cargo container for delivering a second cargo to a same of different destination. In some embodiments, the transportation microcomputer is configured to receive delivery instructions and activate the transportation platform to autonomously move towards a destination. Upon arriving at a destination, the transportation microcomputer transmits an open position electrical signal to position the rear door of the first or second cargo container in the open position, such that a cargo is unloaded at the destination.