Patent ID: 11919706
Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A method of securing containers, comprising:
attaching a tool to a first corner fitting of a first container and a second corner fitting of a second container, wherein:
the tool comprises:
a first slideable portion comprising a first plurality of pins and a rack; and
a second slideable portion slideably connected to the first slideable portion and comprising a second plurality of pins and a rotatable pinion in contact with the rack, and

attaching the tool comprises:
inserting the first plurality of pins on the first slidable portion into a first plurality of engagement recesses in the first corner fitting; and
inserting the second plurality of pins on the second slideable portion into a second plurality of engagement recesses in the second corner fitting;

applying a torque to the rotatable pinion in order to cause:
the first slideable portion to apply a first force to the first corner fitting in a first direction and move the first container in the first direction; and
the second slideable portion to apply a second force to the second container in a second direction, opposite the first direction, and move the second container in the second direction; and

removing the tool from the first corner fitting and the second corner fitting after the first corner fitting is moved into engagement with the second corner fitting.