A top cap for securing items during shipping is disclosed. The top cap consists of a body having one or more features configured to engage the top of the item being shipped. In certain embodiments, the engagements features are adjustable and may accommodate different sizes of items to be shipped. The body also comprises one or more constraint securement features configured to receive constraints such that the top cap may be secured to structural elements of a container in which the item is being shipped. Although not limited to particular applications, the top cap is particularly suited for securing computer racks for shipment.

Methods and apparatus are provided for an energy attenuating mounting system configured for attaching a container to a vehicle bed at a plurality of discrete mounting points around the container. The mounting system may include a bracket attached to the container at each mounting point, and a plastically deformable energy attenuating member extending from an upper end attached to the bracket, to a lower end attached to the vehicle bed substantially below a bottom of the container, thereby supporting the container in an elevated position. The energy attenuating member is configured to remain rigid and un-deformed if a load carried by the energy attenuating member is below a threshold value, and to attenuate energy by plastically deforming in a predictable manner if the load exceeds the threshold value.

Methods and apparatus are provided for an energy attenuating mounting system configured for attaching a container to a vehicle bed at a plurality of discrete mounting points around the container. The mounting system may include a bracket attached to the container at each mounting point, and a plastically deformable energy attenuating member extending from an upper end attached to the bracket, to a lower end attached to the vehicle bed substantially below a bottom of the container, thereby supporting the container in an elevated position. The energy attenuating member is configured to remain rigid and un-deformed if a load carried by the energy attenuating member is below a threshold value, and to attenuate energy by plastically deforming in a predictable manner if the load exceeds the threshold value.

A shock isolation system includes at least one isolator configured to be removably secured to an exterior of a container and at least one foot in communication with the at least one isolator and configured to contact a support surface. The isolator has a first end proximate the support surface and an opposing second end distal from the support surface, and is configured to transition between a first, contracted position and a second, expanded position. In a stowed configuration of the system, the isolator is in the contracted position and a bottom end of the container is spaced apart from the foot at a first distance. In a deployed configuration of the system, the isolator is in the expanded position and a bottom end of the container is spaced apart from the foot at a second distance which is greater than the first distance.

A shock isolation system includes at least one isolator configured to be removably secured to an exterior of a container and at least one foot in communication with the at least one isolator and configured to contact a support surface. The isolator has a first end proximate the support surface and an opposing second end distal from the support surface, and is configured to transition between a first, contracted position and a second, expanded position. In a stowed configuration of the system, the isolator is in the contracted position and a bottom end of the container is spaced apart from the foot at a first distance. In a deployed configuration of the system, the isolator is in the expanded position and a bottom end of the container is spaced apart from the foot at a second distance which is greater than the first distance.

A pallet adapter, system and method for restraining air cargo during flight is disclosed. A pallet adapter shifts a shipping container in an inboard direction of an aircraft so that the container does not contact an interior structure of the aircraft. Rigid restraints restrain the container from moving in the vertical direction during flight. Corner fittings restrain the container from moving in the fore-and-aft direction and the side-to-side direction during flight.