Cargo transport systems and cargo transport vessels that are used in combination with removable carriers that can be loaded and unloaded into the cargo transport vessel, and methods of using these systems, vessels, and removable carriers.

An opening and closing method and mechanism is adapted for a convertible movable top cover of a railway freight wagon including first and second convertible movable top covers; a belt driving mechanism is arranged on the wagon. One end of the first convertible movable top cover is connected with one side of a driving belt in the belt driving mechanism and a first outer convex portion; one end of the second convertible movable top cover is connected with the other side of the driving belt in the belt driving mechanism and a second outer convex portion. A moving direction of one side of the driving belt is opposite to that of the other side of the driving belt. First and second stopper devices are arranged on the ground. When the wagon moves, the first stopper device contacts the first outer convex portion or the second stopper device contacts the second outer convex portion.

The invention relates to a tarpaulin structure for an understructure, such as a truck, trailer, semi-trailer, railway car, dump truck or container, comprising a folding-top frame (16) and a tarpaulin (12) made of weather-resistant material, the folding-top frame (16) includes a plurality of struts (34); at the end, each of the struts has a carriage (32) that is movable along a guide (20), at least one bracket (36) is selectively pivotally connected to a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32′) of the strut or to the strut (34); said bracket (36) forming a tarpaulin folding aid along with a bracket (26; 36) of an adjacent strut (34), of a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32′) or of a stationary part (24) of the folding-top frame (16). In order to create a light-weight tarpaulin structure that allows an understructure to be reliably covered, according to the invention, the adjacent brackets (26, 36) are coupled to each other by means of a kinematic connecting rod assembly (38) that folds when the folding-top frame (16) is collapsed.

A convertible wheel is described that is interchangeably used with at least two different car plate designs and tracks. In particular, there is provided a wheel for use with a bearing and a car plate in a tarpaulin system. The wheel comprises a cylindrical body with a groove, first face, an opposed second face, and a central cavity positioned therebetween for receiving the bearing therein. The first face has a first opening with a first diameter, and the second face has a second opening with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. Either the first face or the second face can be positioned facing the car plate.

A hatch cover assembly for a hopper railroad car includes a door configured to move from an open position to a closed position, a running track configured to support the door in the open position, a roller assembly attached to the door and configured to move along the running track, a locking clip configured to engage a leading edge of the door, and an actuator configured to move the door between the open position and the closed position.

The invention relates to an openable structure for a substrate, such as a lorry, trailer, semitrailer, railway wagon, dumper truck or container, comprising a tarpaulin framework to which, for example, a tarpaulin made of weather-resistant material or a plurality of hingedly couplable wall elements can be connected, wherein the tarpaulin framework has a plurality of slides which are shiftable along at least one guide, wherein the guide comprises a longitudinal member element along which the slides are shiftable. An openable structure permitting smooth opening and closing of the structure is provided according to the invention in that the longitudinal member element is arranged adjustably at least in sections in a direction transversely with respect to the shifting direction of the slides.

The invention relates to a tarpaulin structure for an understructure, such as a truck, trailer, semi-trailer, railway car, dump truck or container, comprising a folding-top frame (16) and a tarpaulin (12) made of weather-resistant material, the folding-top frame (16) includes a plurality of struts (34); at the end, each of the struts has a carriage (32) that is movable along a guide (20), at least one bracket (36) is selectively pivotally connected to a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32) of the strut or to the strut (34); said bracket (36) forming a tarpaulin folding aid along with a bracket (26; 36) of an adjacent strut (34), of a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32) or of a stationary part (24) of the folding-top frame (16). In order to create a light-weight tarpaulin structure that allows an understructure to be reliably covered, according to the invention, the adjacent brackets (26, 36) are coupled to each other by means of a kinematic connecting rod assembly (38) that folds when the folding-top frame (16) is collapsed.

The invention relates to a tarpaulin structure for an understructure, such as a truck, trailer, semi-trailer, railway car, dump truck or container, comprising a folding-top frame (16) and a tarpaulin (12) made of weather-resistant material, the folding-top frame (16) includes a plurality of struts (34); at the end, each of the struts has a carriage (32) that is movable along a guide (20), at least one bracket (36) is selectively pivotally connected to a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32) of the strut or to the strut (34); said bracket (36) forming a tarpaulin folding aid along with a bracket (26; 36) of an adjacent strut (34), of a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32) or of a stationary part (24) of the folding-top frame (16). In order to create a light-weight tarpaulin structure that allows an understructure to be reliably covered, according to the invention, the adjacent brackets (26, 36) are coupled to each other by means of a kinematic connecting rod assembly (38) that folds when the folding-top frame (16) is collapsed.

An opening and closing method and mechanism is adapted for a convertible movable top cover of a railway freight wagon including first and second convertible movable top covers; a belt driving mechanism is arranged on the wagon. One end of the first convertible movable top cover is connected with one side of a driving belt in the belt driving mechanism and a first outer convex portion; one end of the second convertible movable top cover is connected with the other side of the driving belt in the belt driving mechanism and a second outer convex portion. A moving direction of one side of the driving belt is opposite to that of the other side of the driving belt. First and second stopper devices are arranged on the ground. When the wagon moves, the first stopper device contacts the first outer convex portion or the second stopper device contacts the second outer convex portion.

A cover apparatus for selectively covering the open top of a container may include a pair of tracks for mounting on the sides of the container, a cover movably mounted on the pair of tracks. The cover may include a pair of cover assemblies movable toward each other to produce a closed condition and movable away from each other to produce an open condition. Each of the cover assemblies may be positionable at an end of the container and have a portion movable toward a center of the open top. A cover movement assembly may be configured to move the cover assemblies on the tracks toward each other into the closed condition and away from each other into the open condition.