An interbox connector used in intermodal transportation systems is provided. The interbox connector is adapted to secure a top container to a bottom container in which the top container and bottom container each have corner castings. A plate is configured to be positioned between a corner casting of the bottom container and a corner casting of the top container prior to the top container being stacked on the bottom container. A first latch extends upwardly from the plate in which the first latch is configured to be disposed in the corner casting of the top container. A second latch extends downwardly from the plate in which the second latch is configured to be disposed in the corner castings of the bottom container. Placement of the top container on top of the bottom container causes the second latch and the first latch to automatically rotate and secure the top container to the bottom container.

A rig for connecting or disconnecting container couplers to or from the four lower corner fittings of a shipping container, the rig has two pairs of corner units held in the required transverse special relationship by a structure extending between the two corner units of each pair to form two operating end modules. A base member has sockets and/or other connectors to secure the operating end modules in a plurality of longitudinal special relationships to enable the corner units of the modules to simultaneously engage all the four lower corner fittings of a range of containers of different lengths or using different types of couplers. Each corner unit includes an Indexing means for engaging and manipulating an associated coupling to connect or disconnect the coupling to or from its associated container corner fitting.

A system for coupling and decoupling of a twistlock to and from a container, the system comprising: an actuated linkage having a master effector at an end of said linkage; an array of end effectors, each end effector corresponding to a different type of twistlock; said actuated linkage arranged to move the master effector between a pre-determined end effector within said array, a twistlock storage area and a casting of said container, said casting arranged to receive the twistlock; wherein the master effector is arranged to engage the predetermined end effector and either de-couple a twistlock from the casting before moving the twistlock to the twistlock storage area or engaging a twistlock within the twistlock storage area and moving said twistlock to the casting for coupling to the container.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and a method for operating a pair of twistlocks and an associated robot. The apparatus comprises a first component adapted to clamp a first twistlock to allow the clamped first twistlock to be removed from a container; and a second component arranged adjacent to the first component and adapted to clamp a second twistlock to allow the clamped second twistlock to be removed from a container; or receive the first twistlock released from the first component to allow the first component to clamp the second twistlock. With the first and second components, the pair of twistlocks, especially mid-type twistlocks, can be operated more quickly with less operation steps. In this way, the operation efficiency for operating the mid-type twistlocks can be significantly improved with lower costs.

A method of testing a shipping container (10) for use as an upper container in a vertical tandem lift configuration the method comprising supporting the container other than by the lower corner fittings (15), connecting couplers (18) in the lower corner fittings of the container to be tested and then applying a proof load on the couplers to confirm that the container and/or the couplers can sustain the forces at least through the lower corner fittings which will be experienced during use in a vertical tandem lift. The invention also provides a rig (70, 143) for carrying out the proof test and/or for connecting or disconnecting couplers to or from the lower corner fittings of a shipping container. Various corner units for use in such a rig are also disclosed.

A lock for securing upper and lower superimposed shipping containers in place, said lock comprising:a housing (1) having a top portion (13) and a bottom portion (14), fitting in an opening (21) in a corner casting (2, 2) of the upper and lower container (3, 3), respectively; said housing (1) comprising a first (11) and a second (12) housing part; andsaid first housing part (11) having a side opening (111) at a lower end of the bottom portion (14);a pivotal first hook (31) in the housing (1) having a hook end (311) movable out and back through the side opening (111) to couple the lock to and uncouple the lock from the corner casting (2);a shaft (41) having a fixed locking bar (42) to either lock the hook (31) in the moved-out position of said hook end (311) or permit the hook (31) to move between the moved-out position and the moved-back position of said hook end (311); andsaid top portion (13) having a head (132), a neck (131), and around the neck a retaining flange (133) for providing a retaining function when the top portion (13) is fitted in the corner casting opening (21) of the upper container (3).

A railcar locking system includes an elongated tower having an outer rail configured to engage with a lower railcar via a restrain cone; a locking arm extending from the elongated tower; a first locking cone secured to the locking arm and configured to engage with the lower railcar; and a second locking cone secure to the locking arm and configured to engage with an upper railcar.

An automatic container interlock apparatus having a central shaft, a drive wheel positioned on the drive wheel, a locking lever positioned upper end of central shaft configured to rotate between a locked and an unlocked position, a first vertical slide extension and second vertical slide extension, said first vertical slide extension configured to vertically extend and collapse, the first vertical slide extension and the second vertical slide extension having a second collar slider, a shaft pin, a pair of flex arms having a first flex arm assembly and a second flex arm assembly, the first flex arm assembly pivotably connected to the shaft pin and a first collar slider, the second flex arm assembly having pivotably connected to said shaft pin and the second collar slider, an expansion device between first flex arm assembly and second flex arm assembly, a first rotational drive arm and a second rotational drive arm.

An automatic container interlock apparatus having a central shaft, a drive wheel positioned on the drive wheel, a locking lever positioned upper end of central shaft configured to rotate between a locked and an unlocked position, a first vertical slide extension and second vertical slide extension, said first vertical slide extension configured to vertically extend and collapse, the first vertical slide extension and the second vertical slide extension having a second collar slider, a shaft pin, a pair of flex arms having a first flex arm assembly and a second flex arm assembly, the first flex arm assembly pivotably connected to the shaft pin and a first collar slider, the second flex arm assembly having pivotably connected to said shaft pin and the second collar slider, an expansion device between first flex arm assembly and second flex arm assembly, a first rotational drive arm and a second rotational drive arm.

Improved corner piece to form a corner of a container, that contains a movable coupling element, which is at least movable between a maximally protruding position, whereby a coupling part of the coupling element protrudes maximally from the improved corner piece on the level of a grip opening, such that it can serve as coupling element for coupling to a corner piece of another container, and a fully retracted position, in which the movable coupling element is completely inside the improved corner piece and the grip opening is left free.