Intermodal container with integrated interbox connectors

Apparatus for engaging interlocking apertures provided on the bottom of intermodal cargo containers to permit vertical stacking of the containers, the cargo containers also having a floor, a roof, a pair of parallel side walls, and first and second end walls respectively connected between the side walls, with at least one of the side walls and end walls defining an opening therethrough to permit entry and exit of cargo, the apparatus comprising

• a plate movably connected to the container, a positioning opening in the roof of the container and a positioning lug fixed to said plate to be received in the positioning opening to define a connecting position for the plate when situated on top of the roof of the container, a projecting lug fixed to the plate and adapted to project upward into one of said interlocking apertures of said vertically adjacent container when the plate is in the connecting position, at least one opening in said projecting lug and a pin insertable through an opening in said vertically adjacent container into the at least one opening in the projecting lug for securing the projecting lug to the interlocking apertures provided on the bottom of said vertically adjacent container, a chamber in the wall of the container, the positioning lug being movable to a position within the chamber defining a stored position situated within the walls of the container, said pin being movable to a position to lock the lug in said stored position.

An intermodal cargo container assembly comprising a floor, a roof arranged in spaced apart parallel relationship above the floor, a pair of parallel side walls connecting the roof and the floor, first and second end walls respectively connected between the sidewalls, interlocking apertures provided on the bottom of the floor to permit vertical stacking of the container, and at least four integrated interbox connectors movably connected to the container adjacent the roof, each interbox connector comprising a plate movably connected to the container, a positioning opening in the roof of the container and a positioning lug fixed to said plate to be received in the positioning opening to define a connecting position for the plate when situated on top of the roof of the container, a projecting lug fixed to the plate and adapted to project upward into one of said interlocking apertures of said vertically adjacent container when the plate is in the connecting position, at least one opening in said projecting lug and a pin insertable through an opening in said vertically adjacent container into the at least one opening in the projecting lug for securing the projecting lug to the interlocking apertures provided on the bottom of said vertically adjacent container, a chamber in the wall of the container, the positioning lug being movable to a position within the chamber defining a stored position situated within the walls of the container, said pin being movable to a position to lock the lug in said stored position, a first hinge element fixed to said plate, a second hinge element fixed to said container to permit pivotal displacement of the connector between said stored position and said connecting position, and a hinge pin coupling the first hinge element and the second hinge element.