METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENHANCE INTERMODAL CONTAINERS FOR CARGO TRANSPORT

摘要

METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENHANCE INTERMODAL CONTAINERS FOR CARGO TRANSPORT Method and apparatus to enhance intermodal containers for transport of vehicles wherein multiple longitudinal rails on container walls support movable and removable transverse cargo pallets having foot members which are articulatably connected to the pallets. Cargo, preferably an automobile fixed to front and rear pallets is loaded by inserting each pallet's feet onto appropriate rail(s) at door opening, then sliding to stowage spot, rail selection determining height and tilt. Stowage of any mix of automobiles in intermodal containers is optimized by double-decking, half-decking, double half-decking, mirror imaging, and envelope intervention. On backhaul, pallets serve other cargo as restraints, hangers, pallets, or dunnage deck supports, or they are stowed out of the way. Method and apparatus permit automated load planning and container stuffing, and make containerized shipment of large volumes of automobiles cost competitive with current methods.