NL1024260C1 - Fixing system for securing container to loading or unloading station, comprises fixing devices with telescopic arms extending between station and container corner lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The system comprises one or more fixing devices (10, 11) each comprising telescopic arms (22, 23) with a first end fixed to the loading/unloading station (1) and a second end for engaging with a corner lock (4) on the container (3).

Description

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Device for securing a container to a loading and unloading station.

The present invention relates to a device for securing a container to a loading and unloading station.

Various devices are known per se which have a similar purpose, namely fixing the position of a container relative to a fixed point, such as for instance a loading and unloading station. The underlying idea here is to prevent a container from sliding up due to the forces acting on it caused by braking and pulling up a loading fork lift truck during loading or unloading of the container. A sliding container can result in the distance between the container and the loading and unloading station becoming so large that a forklift truck falls in between the container and the loading and unloading station with possibly the most serious consequences for the driver of the forklift truck.

A known system provides for gripping the wheels of the vehicle on which the container is mounted, see for example US-A-5 375 965 for this purpose. In this case it is prevented that the vehicle can be moved in at least forward direction. . Another known system provides for gripping a chassis beam of the vehicle on which the container is mounted, see for example US-A-6 074 157. These known systems must be integrated in a loading and unloading station which means that these systems are really only an option for a new loading and unloading station to be built. Furthermore, such systems must be operated remotely, which requires an electrical or hydraulic control with the control systems 1024260 required for this

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and protections, further increasing complexity

and thus the total costs of the entire device

assessment. I

Furthermore, systems are also known for parked con- I

tainers, therefore containers mounted on a freestanding frame I

securing supports in a predetermined position, see I

for this purpose, for example, US-B1-6 520 472. This known in- l

direction has anchoring in the ground and engages with I

10 on the free end of the container. Before operating I

of the device is a man outside the loading and unloading stand

necessary. I

The object of the invention is to provide a device for I

15 securing containers that can be easily accessed from the I

loading and unloading station can be operated, against a ratio I

relatively low costs can be produced and which I

moreover also easy in pre-existing loading and unloading I

stations or comparable locations can be installed I

2 0 den. I

Accordingly, the invention provides a device

device for securing a container to a loading I

and unloading station, the device securing one or more

25 has members, each of which consists of at least two parts

comprising a standing arm with a first end of the

arm of a securing member is connected to the load and I

unloading station, a second opposite end of the I

arm of a securing member can be adapted to I

30 engage a corner locking piece of a container and engage

means is provided for the length of the arm of an I

adjuster. I

The securing members of the device according to the invention I

35 are installed directly next to the height-adjustable

loading platform that connects to the loading floor of I

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-3- a container to be loaded or unloaded, and can then be easily connected to the container by hand, for example, by the driver of the forklift truck. The securing members are designed to engage with the standardized corner locking pieces of a container, so that the securing members can actually be used for all existing containers.

Since a vehicle with container can deviate a certain margin to the left or right from the position that connects directly to the adjustable loading platform of the loading and unloading station, it is necessary that the length of the arm of the securing member can be adjusted. In addition, it is also provided that the securing members 15 can rotate through a certain angle with respect to the point where they are connected to the loading and unloading station. With these two measures, the securing members can be adjusted to any position deviating from the desired position.

20

According to a further elaboration, it is furthermore provided that a locking member is arranged at the second end of the arm, the locking member having a fixed pin, intended to be received in an opening arranged in a first side of a corner ver locking piece, and a rotatable hook, intended to be received in an opening arranged in a second side of a corner locking piece which is perpendicular to said first side. The locking member is first introduced with the fixed pin into the opening of a corner locking piece located at the rear of the container, after which the rotatable hook is then introduced into the opening of a corner locking piece located at the side of the container. Without further measures it is necessary in this embodiment to provide locking means to prevent the rotatable 1024260

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hook out of the relevant opening.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided

that the locking member is rotatable on the second end I

5 of the arm, the locking member is straight

has the side on which the fixed pin is mounted and the I

pivotable hook has a pivot point near the fixed pin I

is located and seen in a direction parallel to the I

longitudinal direction of the fixed pin at an angle

Latch piece of a container hooked latch member

between the openings on the first and I respectively

second side of a corner locking piece. At I

this embodiment becomes the hook by the choice of the I

pivot point at an exerted on the container

A directed force is tightened in the opening. With an I

the container is opposed to the opposite force

by the straight side on which the fixed pin is attached

brought. I

20 Although this is not necessary in itself, this is also possible in I

ring shape provided in locking means for the rotating hook I

or the swivel hook can be put under spring tension I

turn into. In this way the swivel hook can be adjusted during the I

certainly not load or unload from the opening in any way

25 come. I

In order to ensure a good fit of the locking member with the I

fixed pin and the swivel hook on a locking corner piece of

to obtain a container is used in confining means I

30 provided around the locking member in a desired position

be able to lift up with respect to the arm of the securing member I

Close. This ensures that the flat side of

the locking member always flat against the corner locking l

piece can be applied. By introducing it further I

35 show that the shape of the rotary hook, at one in the I

opening on the second side included hook, on I

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Closes on the straight side of the locking member and further follows the outer circumference of the angle locking piece, the fixed pin and the rotatable hook and hence the locking member, with a locking member locked in the correct position, become virtually engaged without engagement with brought into the corner locking piece. As a result, the rotatable hook is completely enclosed and therefore cannot move in any direction.

According to a preferred embodiment, the confining means consist of keys provided on either side of the arm in the locking member, for which purpose the locking member is provided with keyholes for receiving the keys. The keys have a tapered course and, after positioning of the locking element, are introduced into the keyholes, whereby these can already be fixed with a small force to a sufficient extent to keep the arm locked in the correct position under all circumstances.

The invention further provides that the first end of the arm engages with a vertical guide arranged at the fixed point and can be rotated relative to the vertical guide. In the simplest embodiment, such a guide consists of a vertical tube on which the arm of the securing member 25 engages, for example, a bushing. The correct height adjustment can be achieved with, for example, a series of holes in the vertical guide and a pin to be inserted into those holes. The bush can thereby come to rest on the pin or the pin can be inserted through a set of holes made in the bush. In this latter case, in order for the fastener to be rotatable about a predetermined angle about the vertical guide, such holes in the bushing should be elongated slots in the circumferential direction of the bushing. The vertical guide can be fixedly mounted in the bearing floor or removable and, if necessary, adjustable in a tube accommodated in the bearing floor.

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Such a height adjustment is not infinitely variable, and with sufficient play in the engagement of the sleeve I on the vertical guide and a sufficiently large length of the arm of the securing member will generally not cause any problems. I

According to a further elaboration, it is provided that the first end of the arm engages with a flexible connecting part on the fixed point or vertical guide arranged on the fixed point. With such a flexible connecting part, the securing member can engage from a fixed point over a certain range in height on a corner locking piece of a container. By combining this with an adjustable sleeve on a vertical guide, the number of adjustment positions on the vertical guide can be less than in the previous embodiment. I

In order to prevent the connection between the securing member and the fixed II point or the guide arranged therein from being lost in the event of a break in the flexible II part, II is provided in a further elaboration that II between the first end of the arm and the flexible connecting part is arranged in a cylindrical connecting part, the cylindrical connecting part engaging around the II vertical guide. I

The invention is further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of the example given in the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cross-section, side view of a part I of a loading and unloading station and a vehicle with a container, Fig. 2 shows a cross-section, top view of the loading I

I 1024260 I

Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a cross-section, side view of a part of a loading and unloading station and a vehicle with container positioned differently therefrom, Fig. 4 shows a cross-section, top view of the arrangement according to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 shows a part of a first embodiment of a securing member in the straight position, Fig. 6 shows a part of a second embodiment of a securing member in the oblique position, Fig. 7 shows a part of a fourth embodiment of a securing member. Fig. 8 shows a fastening member in the straight position, Fig. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of a fastening member with locking member with a part of a flexible connecting part with the vertical guide, Fig. 9 shows the flexible connecting part and the vertical guide in more detail, and 10 shows a further embodiment of the flexible connecting part.

In Figs. 1, 2 a part of a loading and unloading station 1 is shown with a vehicle 2 on which a container 3 is arranged. The container 3 is fixed on the vehicle 2 in the usual manner with a latch which engages the corner locking pieces 4 arranged at the corner points of the container 3. The loading and unloading station 1 is provided with a height-adjustable loading platform 5 which the end has a connecting plate 6 connected thereto with a hinge, which ultimately forms the connection between the loading platform 5 and the loading floor 7 of the container 3.

Since such a connecting plate 6 cannot be brought into the container 3 particularly far due to the charge in a container 3, it can only be used for a limited time.

I have length. That is why it is of particular importance I

I around the vehicle 2 within a certain distance with respect to I

I from the loading and unloading station. I

I 5 Without going further into the precise structure of a loading and unloading I

I station is directly next to the adjustable loading I

I plateau 5 usually has a concrete structure, in I

I the drawing the edges 8,9 where an anchor for the I

I fasteners 10, 11 can be fitted. In the I

The example according to Fig. 1,2 are fixed in the concrete container

Structure tubes 12, 13 are provided. In these tubes 12.13 l

are vertical guide tubes 14, 15 for the fastener

I placed 10,11. The fixing member 10, 11 engages with I

a bus 16 to the guide tube 14,15 and is connected to an I

Held at a height determined by the guide tube I

Pin 17. Inserted pin 14.15. The guide tube 14.15 can be connected with I

By means of an insert which can also be inserted through the guide tube 14,15

Pin 18 can be adjusted in height so that it does not continue I

then necessary above the surface of the concrete edge I

I 20 8.9 need to stick out. For being able to apply I

In the pins 17, 18, the guide tube 14, 15 is provided with I

a series of spaced holes. I

By placing the sleeve 16 on the pin 17, the sleeve 16 is free I

25 rotatable about the guide tube 14,15, which is necessary

Since a vehicle 2 with container 3 is not all

I time will come right in front of the adjustable loading platform 5 I

I to stand. This situation is shown in FIG. Here I

I has shown almost the maximum possible deviation, where I

30 the connecting plate 6 against the inside of the wall 19

I from the container 3 comes on. I

I fasteners 10, 11 through a considerable angle over I

I is rotated relative to the straight position and is also the longitudinal I

Of the locking members adapted to this position. I

35

The securing members 10, 11 are at the end that is on

Grips on the corner locking pieces 4 of a container 3 provided with locking members 20, 21 which, depending on the position of the vehicle 2, must also be adjusted with respect to the longitudinal direction of the locking members 10, 11.

Figure 5 shows a part of a securing member 10.

The securing member 10 has a connection consisting of two anti-parts 22,23 between the bushing 16 and the locking member-10. The arm part 23 slides into the arm part 22 and for being able to adjust the assembly to the correct length a series is provided spaced apart openings 24 in the arm part 23, two opposite slot-shaped openings 25 in the arm part 22, a pin 26 and locking means 28, 29, here screw sleeves, for locking pin 26. The slotted openings 25 j span two consecutive apertures 24, through which the pin 26 with the screw sleeves 28, 29 is retained! any length adjustment of the arm parts assembly 22,23 is possible.

The pin 26 protrudes completely through both arm parts 22, 23 so that the screw sleeves also touch the pin 26 on both sides. The pin 26 is furthermore provided with a bracket 27 which runs completely around the arm parts and gives the pin 26 sufficient space to be able to be brought in and out of the openings 24, 25. The bracket 27 prevents the pin 26 from getting lost.

The locking member 20 consists of a double-sided housing 30 between which a fixed pin 31 and a rotatable hook 32 are arranged, the rotatable hook being rotatable about an axis 33 arranged between the sides of the housing 30. The locking member 20 is rotatably connected to the arm part 23 by means of a further shaft 34 arranged in the housing. In the opposite sides of

102426Q

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slots 30 are provided in the housing 30 to enable it

incorporating tapered keys 35,36. With these keys I

35,36 which come to lie against the arm part 23 can I

the locking member 20 in all occurring angular positions at I

5 can be fixed relative to the arm part 23. I

The corner fixation of the locking member 20 relative to I

the arm part 23 is important since it is the straight one

side 37 of the housing 30 against the corner locking piece I

10 4 and at the same time also the sides I

38.39 of the rotatable hook 32, whereby it is locked I

gets stuck. I

When fitting the locking member 20, the key is I.

15 and 35.36 have been taken out of the relevant slots and is this

freely movable relative to the corner locking piece I

4. The fixed pin 31 is then inserted into opening 40

and the rotatable hook 32 is rotated in opening 41. I

The rotary hook is provided for this purpose with a handle 42. I

This is easy with an unfixed locking member 20

to be carried out. The angle between arm part 23 is then 1

and the locking member 20 fixed and the assembly of the I

arm parts 22.23 fixed to the correct length. With fixed I

seters 10, 11 on both sides of the container and an I

A substantially play-free confinement thereof is a container I

to a sufficient degree to secure it against the I

to withstand the heaviest taxes. I

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which the keys I

35.36 have been replaced by a retaining nut 43. With an I

container 3 comes directly opposite the securing members 10, 11 I

the retaining nut 43 be flush with the housing 30

and good confinement is obtained. In the other I

positions, the retaining nut 43 comes diagonally against the housing I

35 and the position is fixed by the frame

abut in opposite positions of the I

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-11- locking nuts of the two fixing elements 10,11.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the retaining means for fixing the angle between the locking member 20 and the arm part 23 are formed by retaining bolts 44,45. These retaining bolts 44.45 have the advantage that a large retaining force can easily be applied.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment in which the arm parts 22, 23 are fixed relative to each other with the aid of a clamping member 46. The clamping member consists of two mutually connected parts 47, 48 which, with the aid of a rotatable clamp 49 can be clamped against the two arm parts 22,23. The arm parts 22, 23 are provided with overlapping slots in order to allow the rotatable clamp 49 to pass through the two arm parts 22, 23. It is also possible not to have the arm parts 22,23 overlap each other. The parts 47.48 and the arm parts 22.23 are preferably provided with mutually engaging ribs and grooves.

The end of the arm part 22 is provided with a flexible connecting part 50 with which the arm 22 is coupled to the bush 16, see Fig. 9, or can be coupled directly to a vertical tube 14, 15.

Fig. 10 shows an embodiment in which a sleeve part 51 is arranged between the end of the arm part 2 and the flexible connecting part 50. In the event of any breakage of the flexible connecting part 50, the sleeve part 51 ensures that a connection between the arm part 22 and the vertical tube 14 is maintained.

1024260

Claims (19)

1. Device for securing a container to II a loading and unloading station, the device having one or II more securing members, each comprising an arm consisting of at least two II parts, a first end II of the arm of a securing member is connected to the II loading and unloading station, a second opposite end II of the arm of a securing member is designed to be able to engage on a corner locking piece of a container and means is provided for the length of the arm II to be able to adjust a locking member. I 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a locking element is arranged at the second end of the arm, wherein the locking element is provided with II a fixed pin intended to be received in an opening arranged in a first side of an angle locking piece, and a rotatable hook, intended to be received, are provided in an opening in a second side of II an angle locking piece perpendicular to said first side. I 3. Device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that II the locking member is rotatably mounted on the second end of the arm, the locking member has a straight side I on which the fixed pin is mounted and the rotatable II hook has a pivot point is located near the fixed pin and viewed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the fixed pin with a locking member hooked to an angle locking piece of a container between the II openings on the first and second side respectively I of a corner locking piece. I 4. Device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the rotatable hook II has a flat part near the pivot point II which, in the case of a locking member in engagement with II, is substantially in the plane of the straight side of the locking member lies. 5. Device as claimed in claims 2-4, characterized in that blocking means are provided for being able to block the rotatable hook relative to the locking member in at least one position. 6. Device as claimed in claims 3-5, characterized in that locking means are provided for locking the locking member in a desired position relative to the arm of the locking member. 7. Device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the confining means consist of a nut arranged on the arm, the arm being provided with screw thread near the locking member. 8. Device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the confining means consist of adjusting bolts arranged on either side of the arm in the locking member. 9. Device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the confining means consist of keys provided on either side of the arm in the locking member, for which purpose the locking member is provided with keyholes for receiving the keys. 10. Device as claimed in claims 1-9, characterized in that the arm of the fixing member consists of two telescopic parts, wherein holes are arranged in the parts for receiving a fixed pin. 11. Device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that in a first part holes are provided at a distance from each other and in the second part an elongated hole the length of which is such that these two consecutive holes in the first part. 12. Device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the second part is provided on both sides of the elongated hole with screw thread for receiving two locking nuts for locking the locking pin in the elongated hole. Device as claimed in claims 1-9, characterized in that the successive parts of the arm are held together by a clamping member which engages the two successive parts. I 15 Device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the clamping member consists of two parts which extend at least around a part of the circumference of both parts of the arm, the parts of the clamping member and the two parts of the arm arm with a structure with ribs and 20 grooves. 15. Device as claimed in claims 1-14, characterized in that the first end of an arm of a securing member I is designed to be able to engage at at least one fixed point with the loading and unloading station. 16. Device as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the first end of the arm engages on a vertical guide arranged on the fixed point and can be rotated relative to the vertical guide. 17. Device as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the first end of the arm is provided with a cylindrical part which grips around the vertical guide and wherein through holes are provided in at least the vertical guide for receiving a pin. I 1024260 -15- 18. Device as claimed in claims 15-17, characterized in that the first end of the arm engages by means of a flexible connecting part on the fixed point or vertical guide arranged on the fixed point. 19. Device as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that a cylindrical connecting part is arranged between the first end of the arm and the flexible connecting part, the cylindrical connecting part engaging around the vertical guide. 1024260