The present invention relates to a transport container which provides mechanical and thermal stability for a load and which container is fabricated as the container is loaded. In particular, the present invention relates to a container which can be readily transported on aircraft, such as an aircraft container. In the field of logistics, that is the field of movement and supply of produce and materials, in particular in the transport of intermediate and finished products, containers have been developed which safely protect from physical damage a wide variety of product. Food and pharmaceutical products not only need protection from physical shock and pressures but also require temperature stability during transportation; otherwise goods can be damaged and be unusable, whether such damage is apparent or not. However, air transport poses a particular problem: Goods can be transported in tropical heat, packaged and placed upon pallets and the like containers whereby they are presented in aircraft style containers. Such goods may be left on runways at extreme temperatures (+40° C.) and then placed within a hold where low pressures and low temperatures exist during flight. At a destination airport the temperatures may well be sub-zero. To simplify transport with respect to airports, planes and handling equipment, there have been developed aircraft Unit Load Devices (ULDs) which comprise any type of pallet or container that can easily be loaded to the aircraft by a ground handler. The present invention seeks to provide a transport container which can maintain goods within a narrow temperature range, can displace a considerably reduced volume before erection, is economical to manufacture, can readily and easily be constructed. The present invention further seeks to provide a transport container which is compatible with standard Unit Load Device specifications.

The disclosure is directed to a connector assembly mechanically interconnecting first and second structural entities of an aircraft container. The connector assembly has first and second connector parts fastened to the first and second structural entities, respectively. In a connected state, relative movement of the second connector part is restricted with respect to the first connector part in a first direction along a first axis of action. The connector assembly has a force-limiting arrangement in a connected state that limits relative movement of the second connector part with respect to the first connector part in a second direction opposite to the first direction. When an external force is applied to the second connector part and the external force has a first force component acting in the second direction and exceeding a threshold force the force-limiting arrangement allows the second connector part to move relative to the first connector part.

The disclosure is directed to a connector assembly mechanically interconnecting first and second structural entities of an aircraft container. The connector assembly has first and second connector parts fastened to the first and second structural entities, respectively. In a connected state, relative movement of the second connector part is restricted with respect to the first connector part in a first direction along a first axis of action. The connector assembly has a force-limiting arrangement in a connected state that limits relative movement of the second connector part with respect to the first connector part in a second direction opposite to the first direction. When an external force is applied to the second connector part and the external force has a first force component acting in the second direction and exceeding a threshold force the force-limiting arrangement allows the second connector part to move relative to the first connector part.

Disclosed are apparatus, systems, and methods, including a ground transport drive container comprising an outer container having a cuboid shape and comprising a plurality of fittings for securing the outer container to another apparatus; and a drive wheel assembly. The drive wheel assembly comprises one or more wheels and a deployment mechanism secured to the one or more wheels. An actuating member actuates the drive wheel assembly between a stowed configuration and one or more deployed configurations. In the stowed configuration, the drive wheel assembly is housed entirely within the outer container. In the one or more deployed configurations, the drive wheel assembly extends from the outer container.

Disclosed are apparatus, systems, and methods, including a ground transport drive container comprising an outer container having a cuboid shape and comprising a plurality of fittings for securing the outer container to another apparatus; and a drive wheel assembly. The drive wheel assembly comprises one or more wheels and a deployment mechanism secured to the one or more wheels. An actuating member actuates the drive wheel assembly between a stowed configuration and one or more deployed configurations. In the stowed configuration, the drive wheel assembly is housed entirely within the outer container. In the one or more deployed configurations, the drive wheel assembly extends from the outer container.

A freight carrier for a freight region of an aircraft, having a base element with a support side and roller elements. Each of the roller elements is retained on a retention member to be rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein each of the retention members is displaceable between a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein the spacing of the roller elements from the base face is greater in the deployed position. The rotation axes of the roller elements are in a common rotation axis plane when the retention members are in the deployed position, the roller elements retained on the base element so the rotation axis of each of the roller elements is rotatable about a vertical axis, wherein the vertical axis extends parallel with and with spacing from an axis which extends through the rotation axis of the roller element and perpendicularly to the rotation axis plane.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a modular container, including: six sides, wherein: each side of the six sides of the modular container comprises at least four surface connectors, each surface connector of the at least four surface connectors comprises at least two connector elements, at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a first type, and at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a second type; and an access door in at least one side of the six sides.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a modular container, including: six sides, wherein: each side of the six sides of the modular container comprises at least four surface connectors, each surface connector of the at least four surface connectors comprises at least two connector elements, at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a first type, and at least one connector element of the at least two connector elements is of a second type; and an access door in at least one side of the six sides.

A smart pod is used for safe and convenient loading and unloading of cargo as well as fast and efficient transport thereof, and a mobility system transports the smart pod. The smart pod includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a pair of first sidewalls connecting the upper surface and the lower surface to each other. The first sidewalls have a hexagonal shape, and a fastening protrusion is installed on the upper surface and configured to retract from the upper surface.

A smart pod is used for safe and convenient loading and unloading of cargo as well as fast and efficient transport thereof, and a mobility system transports the smart pod. The smart pod includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a pair of first sidewalls connecting the upper surface and the lower surface to each other. The first sidewalls have a hexagonal shape, and a fastening protrusion is installed on the upper surface and configured to retract from the upper surface.