Cargo container handling cart and system using same

A handling cart for handling one or more cargo containers, each cargo container having two container ends, each container end having two lower corner fittings, each corner fitting having one or more corner casting holes, the handling cart comprising:

• a frame supported on wheels, said frame having at least two support surfaces, each of said two support surfaces for supporting one of the container ends of a cargo container, each of said support surfaces having a width at least substantially equivalent to the width of a cargo container,
• at least one container guide mounted on said frame, said at least one container guide disposed between said two support surfaces for horizontally abutting a container end supported on one or both of said two support surfaces, such that container ends resting on said two support surfaces are spaced apart by said container guide, and
• one or more cart pins extending upwardly from each of said two support surfaces, each cart pin for engaging one of the one or more corner casting holes of one of the lower corner fittings of a container end for holding the container end on said at least one support surface, said cart pins spaced from said at least one container guide such that, when said cart pins are engaged with the corner casting holes of the corner fittings of a container end resting on one of said two support surfaces, the corner fittings are held in abutting relation with said at least one container guide.

A handling cart for handling one or more cargo containers, each cargo container having two container ends, each container end having two lower corner fittings, each corner fitting having one or more corner casting holes, the handling cart comprising:

• a frame supported on wheels, said frame having at least one support surface for supporting one of the container ends of a cargo container,
• one or more cart pins mounted on said frame, each cart pin for engaging one of the one or more corner casting holes of one of the lower corner fittings of a container end for holding the container end on said at least one support surface, said cart pins spaced from said at least one container guide such that, when said cart pins are engaged with the corner casting holes of the corner fittings of a container end resting on said at least one support surface, the corner fittings are held in abutting relation with said at least one container guide, and
• at least one container guide mounted on said frame, said at least one container guide for horizontally abutting a container end supported on said at least one support surface,
• said at least one container guide having a top surface and one or more internal cavities, said top surface having one or more top openings each in communication with one of said cavities, said top opening having an elongated configuration suitable for receiving a twistlock of a crane spreader, each said cavity sized to permit rotation of a twistlock received in said cavity.

A handling cart for handling one or more cargo containers, each cargo container having two container ends, each container end having two container sides and two lower corner fittings, each corner fitting having one or more corner casting holes, the handling cart comprising:

• a frame supported on wheels, said frame having two opposite sides and at least one support surface, said at least one support surface for supporting one of the container ends of a cargo container,
• one or more cart pins mounted on said frame, each cart pin for engaging one of the one or more corner casting holes of one of the lower corner fittings of a container end for holding the container end on said at least one support surface, wherein said cart pins are spaced from said at least one container guide such that, when said cart pins are engaged with the corner casting holes of the corner fittings of a container end resting on said at least one support surface, the corner fittings are held in abutting relation with said at least one container guide,
• at least one container guide mounted on said frame, said at least one container guide for horizontally abutting a container end supported on said at least one support surface, and
• one or more lateral container guides, each said lateral guide extending upwardly from one of said sides of said frame for horizontally abutting one of the container sides of a container end resting on said at least one support surface.

A handling cart system for handling a plurality of cargo containers, the cargo containers of the type having two container ends, each container end having two container sides and two corner fittings, each corner fitting having a downwardly facing corner casting hole, the handling cart system comprising:

• a plurality of cargo container carts, each cart comprised of
• a frame supported on wheels, said platform having at least two support surfaces and at least one container guide mounted on said frame between said at least two support surfaces each for supporting one of the container ends, each of said at least two support surfaces having two cart pins, said cart pins extending upwardly from said support surface for mating engagement with the corner casting holes of the corner fittings of a container end supported on said support surface for holding the container end on said support surface against said container guide,
• a motor mounted on each said frame for driving said wheels,
• a power source for activating said motor, and
• a braking system for restricting movement of said wheels.