Patent Publication Number: US-6220468-B1

Title: Top and bottom corner lift fittings for a cargo container

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to lift fittings for cargo containers. More particularly, the invention relates to top and bottom corner fittings. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cargo containers are commonly used to transport goods on ships, trains, and trucks. These cargo containers must be lifted and moved as they are transported. Lifting devices, such as mechanical cranes, are used to grapple and position the cargo containers. To ease coupling the lifting device to the cargo container, the cargo container may be provided with lift fittings. These fittings may be positioned in, for example, the upper or lower corners of the cargo container. Further, as the cargo container and its load may be extremely heavy, the fittings may be positioned in a reinforced area. The fittings each have at least one aperture that receives a mating portion of the lifting device. Once secured into the apertures of the fittings, the lifting device can lift and move the cargo container. 
     When the cargo container is in transport or storage, it may be desirable to secure the cargo container into a stable position. Therefore, locking mechanisms may be used to engage the apertures to secure the container during transport or storage. The apertures are adapted to accept lifting or locking mechanisms and to withstand the forces imposed during movement and transport. 
     Because cargo containers are used to transport goods throughout the United States and worldwide, national and international standards have been established for such lift fittings. For example, ISO specification 1161 provides that the fittings will be generally box-shaped without any sharp corners. Furthermore, there must be at least four fittings on the top and at least four fittings on the bottom, generally positioned at the end corners of the cargo container. Each fitting on the top should have at least one aperture on each of the exposed top, side, and end surfaces. Similarly, the fittings along the bottom edges of the cargo container should have at least one aperture on each of the exposed bottom and side surfaces. 
     Another typically standardized characteristic is the distance between the fittings. Containers of standard size have fittings located in the end corners, thus benefiting from the strength of the three intersecting walls at an end corner for support. Another typical standardized characteristic is the width distance between apertures of the fittings. For example a typical North American type domestic cargo container is 102⅜ inches wide, with fittings positioned in the top end corners. The aperture for each fitting is centered approximately 6{fraction (11/16)} inches from each sidewall. In such a manner the center of a pair of apertures are spaced apart by approximately 89 inches. 
     However, some cargo containers are longer than the standardized lengths allowing higher-volume payloads that reduce transportation costs. These longer cargo containers generally still have four top and four bottom fittings positioned in the end corners and are approximately 102⅜ inches wide. However, the longer cargo containers also should have fittings inboard from the ends. For example, the Association of American Railroads Specification M930 specifies that cargo containers over 40 feet in length must also have four top and four bottom intermediate corner fittings positioned 40 feet apart. These fittings are attached into frames that support the loads imposed during transportation. 
     Many known lift fittings are difficult to manufacture, requiring the joining of parts by welding. This suffers a deficiency of substantial time and costs for production. Many known lift fittings require numerous welds to create the frame of the cargo container. This welding is also undesirable because it increases the time and costs of manufacture. 
     Furthermore, many known lift fittings need bulky vertical supports, creating cargo containers with non-smooth sidewalls. Smoother sidewalls are desirable because they can allow higher volume cargo payloads. Furthermore, smoother sidewalls increase the durability of the cargo container by reducing the damage caused by objects catching the edges of a non-smooth sidewall. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a lift fitting that is economical to manufacture, but strong enough to survive the rigors of transportation, including lifting, stacking, and racking. There is also a need for an a lift fitting that allows the construction of cargo containers with sufficient strength but with fewer welds to reduce production costs. Furthermore, there is a need for an a lift fitting that allows the construction of a cargo container with substantially smooth sidewalls. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention alleviates to a great extent the above noted and other disadvantages of the known lift fittings by providing a lift fitting that allows the securing and lifting of cargo containers preferably using a single casting for each lift fitting. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a lift fitting includes a body element defining a chamber. The body has at least one aperture on each of the exposed vertical and horizontal surfaces communicating with the chamber to permit the engagement of locking elements within the chamber. 
     The body of a preferred embodiment has a vertical extension depending from the inner horizontal surface for attachment to a vertical support post of the cargo container. The vertical extension has integrated steps on its outside face, designed to attach to a vertical support post. These steps on the outside face of the vertical extension position and secure the vertical support. The junction between vertical support post and the stepped vertical extension of the intermediate fitting preferably is sufficiently strong and stable to allow connection with a single weld, or a small number of welds. Furthermore, the present invention allows the use of plug welds that strengthen the connection but are easy to apply. 
     In a disclosed example of the lift fitting, the body of the lift fitting has both a vertical extension and a horizontal extension. The extensions may be in the form of weld flanges to be welded to a cargo container. Accordingly, the lift fitting may be conveniently and securely attached to a cargo container. 
     In another aspect of a preferred embodiment, top corner fittings are constructed such that the center of the top aperture of each fitting is positioned approximately 3 inches from the sidewall of the cargo container. Thereby, the centers of the apertures for a pair of top corner lift fittings are spaced apart by approximately 96⅜ inches. By spacing the apertures closer to the cargo container sidewalls, stress and deformation is minimized during lifting. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated from review of the detailed description of the invention, along with the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an illustration of a cargo container in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an illustration of a cargo container in accordance with the present invention FIG. 1 being positioned secured to a transport vehicle; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of an intermediate fitting in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate fitting of FIG. 3 taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an intermediate fitting in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate fitting in accordance with the present invention taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate fitting in accordance with the present invention taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an intermediate fitting in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is an illustration of a vertical support used with an intermediate fitting in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is an illustration of a vertical support positioned on an intermediate fitting in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a vertical support positioned on an intermediate fitting in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of a vertical support positioned on an intermediate fitting in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a vertical support and an intermediate fitting in accordance with the present invention taken along line  13 — 13  of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cargo container made in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cargo container made in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of a known cargo container; 
     FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of a known cargo container; 
     FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cargo container made in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cargo container made in accordance with the present invention; 
     The FIG. 20 is a cross sectional perspective view of a lift support made in accordance with the present invention, 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a lift support made in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a top view of the lift support shown in FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the lift support shown in FIG. 21 taken along line X—X of FIG. 22; and 
     FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the lift support shown in FIG.  21 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As illustrated in the figures, a lift fitting  10  is provided. Although an intermediate corner lift fitting is a preferred embodiment and is discussed in this description for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that other forms of cargo container fittings such as end corner fittings or other top or bottom fittings may also be made in accordance with the invention. The illustrated intermediate corner fitting  10  is generally positioned inboard from the corners of a cargo container  5 . 
     FIG. 1 schematically illustrates cargo container  5 . The cargo container  5  is a generally rectangular box-like structure with a support frame formed by upper-horizontal corners, or edges  30 , lower-horizontal corners, or edges  40  and vertical supports  80 . It will be understood that other shapes of cargo containers may be used. FIG. 1 illustrates the cargo container  5  with a plurality of sides  90 , a top  75  and a bottom  65  with at least one end of the container serving as an access door  85 . Alternatively, cargo container  5  may have a storage structure positioned within the support frame. A top end corner fitting  60  is positioned at each upper end corner of the cargo container  5 , secured at the corner intersections of upper-horizontal edge  30  and vertical edge  80 . Similarly, a bottom corner fitting  50  is positioned at each lower corner of cargo container  5 , secured to the intersection of lower-horizontal edge  40  and vertical edge  80 . 
     The cargo container illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes plural intermediate corner fittings  10  positioned on edges of the cargo container  5 , but inboard from the ends of the container, i.e., between the end corners. In a preferred embodiment, two intermediate corner fittings  10  are positioned on each upper horizontal corner or edge  30  and each lower horizontal corner, or edge  40 , although it should be understood that any number of intermediate corner fittings  10  (or none) may be used. Thus, in the preferred embodiment there are four intermediate corner fittings  10  on the top of the cargo container and four on the bottom. In one embodiment, multiple pairs of the intermediate fitting  10  are positioned on each horizontal edge. Alternatively, intermediate fittings  10  may be positioned along the bottom of cargo container  5 , but not on top. 
     In a preferred embodiment, intermediate fittings  10  are positioned 40 feet apart (or at any other standardized distances). With this construction, a double end frame cargo container  5  of a standard or a non-standard length may be positioned and secured with generally available equipment adapted to handle standard length cargo containers. However, it should be appreciated that the pairs of intermediate fittings  10  can be other distances apart. 
     In fabrication, an intermediate corner fitting  10  can be positioned and affixed to upper-horizontal edge  30  and preferably to a vertical support  70  which extends from an intermediate fitting  10  to an opposing intermediate fitting  10 ; i.e., from a top-side intermediate fitting to a bottom-side intermediate fitting. In turn, this second intermediate fitting  10  is positioned and affixed to lower-horizontal edge. Welds are generally used to create strong, permanent connections. Alternatively, the intermediate fitting  10  may be attached using adhesives, fastening mechanisms such as nails or bolts, or any other means to create strong connections. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the intermediate fitting  10  preferably has at least one aperture on each exposed vertical and horizontal surface. FIG. 2 illustrates the importance of intermediate fitting  10  and its apertures. In use, a cargo container  5  is typically handled using a lifting device  100  such as can be found in ports, railroad yards and other transport facilities. Lifting device  100  is typically a crane assembly having four depending lifting arms that can be positioned over the cargo container  5 . Lifting device  100  generally includes a grappling assembly, including some type of hook or extension that mates with an aperture of the fitting. 
     To lift the cargo container  5 , the lifting device  100  is positioned over the cargo container  5 . The lifting device  100  then can engage intermediate corner fittings  10  to position and move cargo container  5 . The lifting device  100  commonly optionally may have grappling positions such as grasp jibs, projecting arms, which engage apertures of the intermediate fittings  10 . Generally but not necessarily, the lifting device  100  will engage the apertures on the top surface of the cargo container  5 . Thus, these apertures on the top surfaces of the cargo container are generally tapered to help guide the grappling portions of the lifting device  100 . 
     Once the lifting device  100  grapples a fitting  10 , the lifting device can be operated to position the cargo container  5  in any desired fashion. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the cargo container  5  being loaded onto a transport vehicle  110 . While FIG. 2 illustrates transport vehicle  110  as a truck, transport vehicle  110  could be any means of transporting the cargo container  5 , such as a plane, train, ship or any other desired transport. 
     FIG. 2 also illustrates the use of intermediate fitting  10  in attaching cargo container  5  to a transport vehicle  110  once the cargo container  5  is properly positioned in the procedure described above. The transport vehicle  110  generally contains at least one coupling device  120  that is mated in an aperture of the intermediate fitting  10 . The coupling device  120  enters and engages an aperture in the intermediate fitting  10 . In this way, the coupling device  120  secures the cargo container  5  to the transport vehicle  110  via the intermediate fitting  10  during transport and storage. 
     Alternatively, the coupling device  120  is used to connect two or more cargo containers  5 . For example, two or more cargo containers  5  may be connected end-to-end, side-to-side, or top-to-bottom. In this way, multiple cargo containers  5  may be transported on the same transport vehicle  110 . This method of connecting cargo containers  5  is used during transport of the cargo containers, such as on ships. Furthermore, connecting together multiple cargo containers  5  helps prevent damage to the cargo containers  5  and their cargo caused by shifting during transportation. 
     The coupling device  120  is commonly a twist-lock, but other coupling devices also may be used. A twist lock has a lever arm connected to a generally oval-shaped appendage designed to enter an aperture of the intermediate fitting  10 . After the twist lock is inserted into an aperture of intermediate fitting  10 , force is applied to the lever arm. This force can either be applied manually by workers or applied mechanically by a machine designed to torque the lever arm. Upon application of force to the lever arm, the twist lock turns so that the long axis of the oval appendage engages the interior chamber of the intermediate fitting  10 . 
     Clamps are also commonly used as coupling devices  120 . Often, the coupling device  120  attaches to an intermediate fitting  10  along the bottom surface of cargo container  5 , but the coupling device  120  may be used on any intermediate fitting  10 , or on any corner fitting. For example, a first cargo container  5  may be placed over a second cargo container  5  by connecting the bottom of the first cargo container  5  to the top of the second cargo container  5  via the intermediate fittings  10 . 
     An intermediate corner fitting  10  in accordance with the present invention should be described in greater detail. The intermediate fitting  10  preferably is formed of a metallic material and preferably steel. However, the intermediate fitting  10  may be composed of any material of sufficient strength. For example, the intermediate fitting  10  may be constructed from metal alloys, wood, carbon fiber, or ceramics. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3 the intermediate fitting  10  is shown having a body  15  that includes an outer vertical wall  210 , an inner vertical wall  240 , sidewalls  280  and  300 , an inner horizontal wall  250 , and an outer horizontal wall  200 . The body  15  of the intermediate fitting  10  defines a hollow interior chamber  290 . A horizontal aperture  220  communicates with the hollow interior chamber  290  through the outer horizontal wall  200 , allowing access to the interior chamber  290 . A side aperture  230  communicates with chamber  290  through outer vertical wall  210  also allowing access to interior chamber  290 . The intermediate fitting  10  also preferably has a vertical extension  255  that depends from inner horizontal wall  250 . Vertical extension  255  has an inner surface  260  and an outer surface  270 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the intermediate fitting  10  is formed by casting, thereby constructing a one-piece cast construction. Forming the intermediate corner fitting  10  as a one-piece casting is desirable because casting is relatively inexpensive compared to other processes that combine separate parts, such as welding, gluing or riveting. Furthermore, producing the fittings  10 ,  60  by casting can result in enhanced strength and wear resistance, compared with producing the fittings by combining separate parts. It should be appreciated, however, that the fittings  10 ,  60  can also be formed by attaching component parts using various attachment means such as welds, adhesives, screws, nails, bolts, etc., as well. 
     Horizontal aperture  220  is illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 6. The horizontal aperture  220  may have any shape but is preferably semi-round or oval-shaped to allow easy application of the lifting device  100  and coupling device  120 . ISO 1161 requires that horizontal aperture  220  taper so that the radius of the horizontal aperture at the outside surface of outer horizontal wall  200  is greater than the radius at the inside surface. This tapering  221  allows the lifting device  100  and coupling device  120  to easily access interior cavity  290  while preserving the strength of intermediate fitting  10 . 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the characteristics of the vertical aperture  230 . The vertical aperture  230  may have any shape but is preferably round or oval shaped to allow easy application of the lifting device  100  and coupling device  120 . Unlike horizontal aperture  220 , vertical aperture  230  generally is not tapered. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical aperture  230  has a diameter that corresponds to the height of the interior cavity  290 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 8 illustrate the vertical extension  255 . The vertical extension  255  has an inner extension surface  260  and outer extension surface  270 . Vertical extension  255  depends from inner-horizontal wall  250 . The inner extension surface  260  and the outer extension surface  270  are generally planer. Furthermore, the outer extension surface  270  is generally flush and planer to the exterior surface of the outer vertical wall  210 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 8, the outer extension surface  270  is shorter than inner extension surface  260 , creating a vertical step. Furthermore, the outer extension surface  270  is generally narrower then inner extension surface  260 , thereby creating a horizontal step on each side of outside extension surface  270  of the vertical extension  255 . In a preferred embodiment, the outer extension surface  270  also tapers to become narrower away from the body  15 . Thus, the vertical steps become increasingly larger away from the body  15 . 
     The importance of the vertical and horizontal steps of the outside extension surface  270  can be seen in FIG. 10, which illustrates the connection of intermediate corner fitting  10  to the vertical support  70 . A preferred embodiment of the vertical support  70  has a cutout  74  adapted to accept the shape of outer extension surface  270  created by the steps of the vertical extension  255 . Furthermore, vertical support  70  may contain two cutouts  77 , as illustrated in FIG. 9, to allow connections to intermediate corner fittings  10  located on the top and bottom,  65  and  75 , of cargo container  5 . 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a preferred embodiment of vertical support  70 . In particular, the vertical support  70  contains an outer support wall  71 , an inner support wall  73 , and a reinforcement  72 . Outer support wall  71  and reinforcement  72  are adapted to engage the outer extension surface  270 . This engagement positions and secures vertical support  70  to the intermediate fitting  10 . In contrast, the inner support wall  73  fits on inner extension surface  260 . 
     In a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, vertical support  70  is attached to intermediate fitting  10  by welding inner support wall  73  to the inner horizontal surface  200 . Additionally, one or more plug welds  76  can connect inner support wall  73  to inner extension surface  260 . As illustrated in FIG. 13, the plug weld  76  generally enters below the horizontal step of the vertical extension  255  to allow the plug weld  76  to engage the thickest section of the vertical extension  255 . For maximum strength, the vertical support  70  sandwiches the vertical extension  255 , as illustrated in FIG.  13 . Thus, the vertical extension  255  allows the connection of intermediate fitting  10  to support  70  with comparatively less welding than required for adequate support using known conventional fittings. This structure also allows a single intermediate corner fitting  10  and a single support  70  to combine, forming a strong structure without employing multiple support posts. 
     Generally, vertical support  70  is metal, and preferably steel. Alternatively, the vertical support  70  can be wood, plastic, ceramic or any other material with sufficient strength and the desired characteristics for use in cargo container  5 . In a preferred embodiment, vertical support  70  is a one-piece casting. This form of production maximizes the strength of the vertical support  70  while simultaneously minimizing production costs. Alternatively, vertical support  70  is formed by combining its component parts,  71 ,  72  and  73 , through welding, adhering, bolting or other processes. 
     Outer and inner support walls,  71  and  73  are generally planer. In particular, it is preferable that inner support wall  73  is substantially planer to allow the construction of a cargo container  5  with a substantially smooth side  90 . Furthermore, inner support wall  73  preferably contains substantially planer flanges that extend outwards to allow connection of the inner support wall  73  to the side  90  of the cargo container. The inner support wall  73  is generally bolted to the side  90 , but alternatively could be welded or adhered. 
     Intermediate fitting  10 , having vertical extension  255 , when secured to vertical support  70  in the manner described, ensures the integrity of a cargo container of non-standardized length. The stress and load factors are disbursed throughout vertical support post  70 . 
     FIG. 14 shows another corner lift fitting made in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 14 shows a cargo container  310  being lifted by lifting device  314 . Lifting device  314  couples to cargo container  310  at corner lift fittings  312 . Corner lift fittings  312  are positioned on cargo container  310  so that the apertures  316  of the fittings  312  align with the lifting device  314 . As described above, corner lift fittings  312  may be configured as end corner fittings or intermediate corner fittings. Further, lift fittings  312  may be constructed for use on either the top or the bottom corner of the cargo container. 
     The cargo container  310  has a standard width of approximately 102⅜ inches. The fittings  312  are constructed and spaced apart such that the center of the apertures  316  are spaced approximately 96⅜ inches apart  315 . In such a manner the center of each aperture  316  is positioned approximately 3 inches  313  from the edge of the cargo container  310 . It will be understood that the specific spacing dimension may be adjusted to meet application requirements. 
     Referring to FIG. 15 the cargo container  310  is shown under the stress of stacking load  319 . As the weight of the stacking load  319  acts on the sidewall  318  and fittings  312 , the stacking load  319  causes the side wall  318  to be stressed and to deform. However, the fitting  312  is positioned closely to the outside of the side wall  318 . Therefore, the fitting  312  acts to reinforce the sidewall and to reduce any angular force from the fitting  312  acting on the sidewall. Accordingly, the load  319  causes minimized stress and deformation to the sidewall. Further, when the lifting device  314  is fully engaged in the fitting  312  and the cargo container  310  is being lifted, an angular force  313  also acts to stress and deform the side wall  318 . However, as the lifting device  314  is centered only approximately three inches from the outside of the sidewall  318 , the stress and deformation caused by the force  313  is reduced, as compound to container having known fittings. 
     In contrast to corner fittings  10 , FIG. 16 shows a known cargo container  330  having known fittings  331 . Cargo container  330  has a lifting device  333  connecting to fittings  331  through apertures  335 . Cargo container  330  is also approximately 102⅜ inches wide. However the center of the apertures  335  are positioned approximately 89 inches apart. In such a manner the center of the apertures  335  are positioned approximately 6{fraction (11/16)} inches from each sidewall  337 . Thereby when lifting device  333  lifts fitting  331 , substantial stress and deformation occurs on the sidewall  337  due to angular force  338  as shown in FIG.  16 . In a similar manner, when a stacking load  339  is positioned on the cargo container  330 , an angular force  338  acts in an opposite direction on sidewall  337  as shown in FIG.  17 . The stress and deformation acting on sidewall  337  may be substantial as the fitting extends further away from the sidewall  337 . 
     Thus, by positioning the aperture  316  of fitting  10  more closely to the sidewall  318 , stress and deformation on the side wall  318  is substantially reduced. Such stress and deformation are not only reduced when the cargo container  310  is being lifted, but is also reduced when stacking load is placed on top of the cargo container  310 . 
     FIG. 18 shows another corner lift fitting  352  coupled to cargo container  350 . The fittings  352  are positioned at the corners of the cargo container  350  such that a horizontal aperture  355  is centered approximately three inches from the cargo container&#39;s sidewall. It will be appreciated that the fitting may also be positioned at the end of the container or inboard from the end corners. Also, the fitting  352  has a vertical aperture  356 . As shown in FIG. 18, lifting device  353  can be received through vertical aperture  356  for engaging and lifting the cargo container  350 . In use, a portion of the lifting device  353  is received through the vertical aperture  356  and partially received into a chamber  357  in the fitting  352 . 
     The fitting  352  has a horizontal welding flange  361  that is welded to the top of the cargo container  350 . The fitting  352  also has a vertical welding flange  362  which is welded to the side wall of the cargo container  350 . In such a manner the fitting  352  is securely coupled to the cargo container  350 . It will be appreciated that other methods of securing the flanges to the cargo container may be used, for example, bolting or screwing. 
     Fitting  352  enables lifting device  353  to engaged the cargo container  350  through vertical apertures  356 . However, as shown in FIG. 19, lifting device  354  can also engage the fitting  352  through the horizontal aperture  355 . As the horizontal aperture  355  is positioned only about three inches from the sidewall of the cargo container  350 , forces acting to stress and deform the cargo container side walls are reduced. 
     FIGS. 20-24 show another corner lift fitting  400  made in accordance with the present invention. Although a described embodiment of the lift fitting  400  is constructed as an intermediate top corner lift fitting, it will be appreciated that lift fitting  400  may be constructed in a manner for use as any cargo container corner fitting. Lift fitting  400  is preferably cast in a single piece from a metallic material such as steel. It will be appreciated, however, that lift fitting  400  could also be assembled from component parts and from different materials. The lift fitting  400  attaches to a support  424  attached to the sidewall of the container and to the top wall  427 ,  428  of a cargo container. The support  424  has an outer wall  425  and an inner wall  426 , In such a manner a horizontal aperture  402  is positioned centered approximately three inches from the outer wall  425 . Also, the fitting  400  has a side aperture  403 . 
     The fitting  400  is generally a block  404  with a horizontal aperture  402  and a vertical aperture  403  providing openings into a chamber  401  within the fitting  400 . A portion of the lifting device can be received through the side aperture  403  for lifting the cargo container. Alternatively a lifting device may be received through the horizontal aperture  402  for lifting the cargo container. To assist in the insertion of the lifting device, an outer horizontal wall  411  has a tapered portion  418  leading to the horizontal aperture  402 . 
     The fitting  400  has a horizontal extension  417  to be received between a top outer wall  427  of the cargo container and the top inner wall  428  of the cargo container. In a preferred embodiment the horizontal extension  417  is offset from the outer horizontal wall  411 . This offset area is sized to receive a portion of the top outer wall  427  of the cargo container. In such a manner the outer horizontal wall  411  of the fitting  400  is positioned substantially planar with the outer wall  427  of the cargo container. Such positioning is not only structurally advantageous, but is also aesthetically pleasing. 
     The horizontal extension  417  is securely coupled to the cargo container. Preferably the horizontal extension  417  has a weld flange  421  that is welded to the inner container wall  428  or the outer container wall  427 . It will be appreciated that the horizontal extension  417  can be secured to the cargo container using other securing methods such as bolting, screwing or riveting. In a preferred embodiment the welding flange is integrally formed with the fitting. However, it will be appreciated that the welding flange can be constructed from component parts and secured to the main body of the fitting using other securing methods. 
     The fitting  400  also has a vertical extension  415  that is received between the outer support wall  425  and the inner support wall  426 . In a preferred embodiment the vertical extension  415  is offset from the vertical wall  406 . This offset area is sized to receive a portion of the outer support wall  425  of the cargo container. Installed, the outer vertical wall  406  of the fitting is positioned substantially planar to the outer surface of the outer support wall  425 . Such positioning is not only structurally advantageous, but is also aesthetically pleasing. 
     The vertical extension  415  is secured to the cargo container wall. Preferably the vertical extension  415  has a weld flange  422  that can be welded to one or both of the support walls  425 , 426 . In a preferred embodiment the welding flanges are cast in a single piece with the fitting. It will be appreciated that the welding flanges could be constructed as separate component pieces and coupled to the fitting using standard attachment techniques such as welding, bolting, or screwing. 
     Although lift fitting  400  has been described as an intermediate top fitting, it will be appreciated that the inventive qualities of the fitting  400  can be used for other fittings, such as corner fittings. 
     Thus, it is seen that an apparatus to provide connection points on a cargo container for securing and lifting mechanisms is provided. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the preferred embodiment which is presented in the this description for the purposes of illustration and not limitation, and the present invention limited only by the claims that follow. It is noted that the equivalents for the particular embodiments discussed in this description may practice the invention as well.