A castable pedestal-type support apparatus for supporting a cargo shipping container in a transportation position on a generally flat bottom-type transportation vehicle in position to be secured thereto by a predetermined locking mechanism, said castable pedestal-type support apparatus comprising:
- (a) an elongated body member having a predetermined configuration, said body member further having each of a predetermined length and a predetermined width;
- (b) a pivot pin receiving portion at a first predetermined end of said body portion;
- (c) a generally cylindrical pivot pin receiving aperture formed through said pivot pin receiving portion along a longitudinal axis thereof;
- (c) a partial box-like member formed at a second predetermined end of said body portion for receiving at least a portion of a cargo shipping container locking mechanism therein, said partial box-like member including;
- (i) a pair of spaced side wall portions generally perpendicular to said predetermined axis of said pivot pin receiving aperture,
- (ii) a half-circular cut-out portion formed in an axially opposed relationship through each of said pair of side wall portions and having a common axis, said half-circular cut-out portions having each of a generally circular portion of a predetermined diameter and a notch portion having a width generally equal to the predetermined diameter of the circular portion disposed between said circular portion and an outer edge of a respective one end of said side wall portions,
- (iii) an aperture extending transversely through each of said pair of side wall portions having a common axis lying in a plane through said common axis of said circular portions of said half-circular cut-out portions perpendicular to said respective one end of said side wall portions,
- (iv) a floor wall portion extending transversely between said side wall portions and parallel to, and spaced from, said respective one end said side wall portions,
- (v) a third side wall portion disposed intermediate a portion of an inner surface said side wall portions adjacent an outer edge, said third wall portion being a top wall when said pedestal-type support apparatus is in an inoperative cargo shipping container supporting position, and a side wall portion when said pedestal-type support apparatus is in an operative cargo shipping container supporting position, such that said outer portions of said parallel side walls and said third wall portion form a three-sided, generally rectangular cavity against said floor wall portion,
- (vi) a support bar member disposed between said generally parallel side wall portion and transversely thereto at an outer corner of each of said side wall portions opposite an outer edge of said third wall portion, sufficient to form a four-sided generally rectangular opening in to said three-sided, generally rectangular cavity,
- (vii) a pair of parallel and spaced rib members one end of each secured to said support bar member, and the other end of each secured to an outer edge of said third wall member, such that said parallel and spaced ribs members are disposed across said four-sided rectangular opening in to said three-sided, generally rectangular cavity,
- (viii) an aperture extending through each of said rib members, said apertures aligned on a common axis, and aligned on a common axis with said half-circle cut-out portions on said side wall portions,
- (ix) a pair of generally parallel, partial flange members, one each adjacent to each of said side wall portions and adjacent to said third wall portion, each of said pair of partial flange members having a cylindrical, lock engaging nipple extending into said three-sided cavity from a position generally between a side wall portion and a next adjacent rib member, at an angle which is about 30 degrees towards said floor wall portion from a position extending perpendicularly across said rectangular opening, and
- (d) a counterweight means disposed at an axially opposed second end of said body portion for providing a predetermined force that is required to pivot said pedestal-type support apparatus from such inoperative cargo shipping container supporting position into such operative cargo shipping container supporting position on such flat bottom-transportation vehicle.