A retractable container cover system includes a container, a track, a cover, and an actuation mechanism. The container includes a plurality of sides, a bottom, and a cavity defined by the plurality of sides and the bottom. The track is coupled to one of the plurality of sides of the container. The cover includes a first end. The cover is further configured to be slidably received by the track and move between a deployed position and a retracted position. The actuation mechanism is coupled to a first side of the plurality of sides of the container. The actuation mechanism is configured to cause the cover to move between the deployed position and the retracted position. The cover encloses the cavity of the container when in the deployed position.

Methods and apparatuses for shipping of fabricated rectangular wooden modules used for construction of a wood frame structure and for shipping of other bulky items are described. In particular, the disclosure features a modified shipping container for shipping the fabricated rectangular wooden modules and methods of loading, transporting, and unloading the fabricated rectangular wooden modules. The modified shipping container features a removable header system and a removable cover. The fabricated rectangular wooden modules include a module length axis, a module width axis, a bounded wood perimeter, and joists or rafters oriented perpendicularly to the module length axis, and are stacked as cargo in the interior of the container such that joists or rafters of the fabricated rectangular wooden modules are substantially vertical and the length axes of the modules are substantially parallel to a length axis of the container.

Embodiments of a large container may include a container base and a circumferential container wall. An upper end of the wall is closed by a container cover in the form of a metal disc. An annular, circumferential support element is secured at an upper end region of the wall. The disc spans the upper open end of the container wall. A lower side of the disc is welded to the support element and/or to the upper end region of the container wall by a continuous first welding seam. An upper side and/or an edge of the disc is welded to the support element by a continuous second welding seam. The first and second weld seams have respective first and second roots which merge into one another or at least come together.

Methods and apparatuses for shipping of fabricated rectangular wooden modules used for construction of a wood frame structure and for shipping of other bulky items are described. In particular, the disclosure features a modified shipping container for shipping the fabricated rectangular wooden modules and methods of loading, transporting, and unloading the fabricated rectangular wooden modules. The modified shipping container features a removable header system and a removable cover. The fabricated rectangular wooden modules include a module length axis, a module width axis, a bounded wood perimeter, and joists or rafters oriented perpendicularly to the module length axis, and are stacked as cargo in the interior of the container such that joists or rafters of the fabricated rectangular wooden modules are substantially vertical and the length axes of the modules are substantially parallel to a length axis of the container.

A container for storing and transporting material includes a container body having a bottom wall and a pair of parallel spaced side walls connected with opposite edges of the bottom wall to define a chamber having first and second open ends. A pair of ramp walls are connected with the container body adjacent the first and second open ends, respectively. Each ramp wall includes at least one pivot assembly, which provides pivotal movement of the ramp wall between closed and open positions, respectively. Preferably, the pivot assembly includes at least one pivot shaft extending through one end of the ramp wall and at least one counterbalancing helical torsion spring cooperating with the pivot shaft to bias the ramp wall during movement between closed and open positions.

Methods and apparatuses for shipping of fabricated rectangular wooden modules used for construction of a wood frame structure and for shipping of other bulky items are described. In particular, the disclosure features a modified shipping container for shipping the fabricated rectangular wooden modules and methods of loading, transporting, and unloading the fabricated rectangular wooden modules. The modified shipping container features a removable header system and a removable cover. The fabricated rectangular wooden modules include a module length axis, a module width axis, a bounded wood perimeter, and joists or rafters oriented perpendicularly to the module length axis, and are stacked as cargo in the interior of the container such that joists or rafters of the fabricated rectangular wooden modules are substantially vertical and the length axes of the modules are substantially parallel to a length axis of the container.

Methods and apparatuses for shipping of fabricated rectangular wooden modules used for construction of a wood frame structure and for shipping of other bulky items are described. In particular, the disclosure features a modified shipping container for shipping the fabricated rectangular wooden modules and methods of loading, transporting, and unloading the fabricated rectangular wooden modules. The modified shipping container features a removable header system and a removable cover. The fabricated rectangular wooden modules include a module length axis, a module width axis, a bounded wood perimeter, and joists or rafters oriented perpendicularly to the module length axis, and are stacked as cargo in the interior of the container such that joists or rafters of the fabricated rectangular wooden modules are substantially vertical and the length axes of the modules are substantially parallel to a length axis of the container.

A crank assembly for operating a tarpaulin manipulator used for extending and retracting a tarpaulin respectively across and from a top aperture of a vehicle container. The crank assembly includes a crank and a crank assembly shaft for transmitting rotations of the crank to the tarpaulin manipulator through a transmission assembly. The crank can be moved between a mounted configuration in which the crank protrudes axially from the crank assembly shaft and a stowed configuration in which the crank is folded over the crank assembly shaft.

An intermodal container includes first and second ends, joined by first and second sides in a generally rectangular configuration. A generally continuous floor cooperates with the first and second ends and the first and second sides to form an open top container. A plurality of roof overhangs extend adjacent a top of the open top container, generally parallel to the floor. The intermodal container includes a roll cover having a first position in which the open top container is substantially open to the ambient environment to allow for loading from above the first and second sides and first and second ends of the open top container. The roll cover has a second position in which the open top container is substantially closed to the ambient environment to prevent any contents of the open top container to be ejected from the open top container during transport. A plurality of top reinforcement rails are disposed adjacent upper portions of the first and second sides, and extends from the first side to the second side.

An arm assembly for a cover system includes a force mechanism associated within a hollow arm of the assembly that includes a resiliently compressible element, such as a compression spring or gas spring, connected to one end of a cable. The opposite end of the cable is fastened to a non-circular pulley mounted to the container body, so that the cable is wound around the pulley as the arm pivots relative to the container body. As the arm pivots in a stowed direction, energy is stored by the compressible element, and releasing the stored energy causes the arm to pivot toward an extended or deployed position.