DE29617029U1 - Self-locking connector for containers - Google Patents

Description

8128/VIII

Willi Wader GmbH, Justus-von-Liebig-Str. 3 D-42477 Radevormwald

Self-locking connector for containers

The invention relates to a self-locking connecting element for connecting two adjacent containers, in particular containers arranged one above the other, via engaging locking openings located thereon, in particular in the area of the corners.

In container shipping: it is well known that so-called semi-automatic twistlocks are increasingly being used to connect containers to one another. These semi-automatic twistlocks are inserted from below into the four corners of a container hanging in a container crane on land. If the container is then placed on top of another container on board the ship, the two containers automatically lock together via the twistlocks. If the containers are to be taken off the ship again later, the twistlocks must be unlocked using a specially designed lever in the lower container, which is done using specially designed operating rods. The upper container can then be lifted off and brought onto land.

Semi-automatic twistlocks of the type described above are, for example, covered by the German utility models DE-

—&Ogr; _

U- 94 09 664 and DE-U- 93 17 501. The subject of these two utility models are devices for connecting containers to one another via locking openings that can be gripped behind, particularly in the area of the container corners. The devices have two locking heads pointing in opposite directions and connected via a common shaft, which are designed and mounted in a housing so that they can rotate about the shaft axis that each locking head can be inserted into or removed from the respective locking opening in a release position. The locking heads are arranged in a locking position rotated relative to the release position for gripping behind the locking opening in terms of their axial projection in some areas outside the opening cross-section of the locking opening. The devices mentioned are characterized by a special design of the unlocking elements and have proven themselves in practice.

Many of the modern container ships are now built in such a way that container spaces for 40-foot containers are provided on the deck or hatch covers, but in the middle there are additional container foundations so that two 20-foot containers can be placed on the space for one 40-foot container. There is then usually only a narrow gap of around 3 inches between the two 20-foot containers in the middle. Semi-automatic twistlocks cannot then be used on the inside of the two 20-foot containers because the gap between the containers is too narrow to be able to open the twistlock there later.

The European patent application EP 0 477 8 87 Al describes a

A connecting element is described which can be used to connect 2 0-foot containers on 40-foot spaces in the area of an adjacent container using semi-automatic twistlocks. The connecting element has an abutment located essentially between the containers to be connected and coupling projections arranged on opposite sides of the abutment for engaging in a corner fitting of the containers to be connected. At least one coupling projection is designed in such a way that it can be moved into at least one locking position relative to the corner fitting of the container assigned to it by a relative displacement. This creates a connection that only holds the containers securely in a vertical direction, i.e. only against lifting off. Moving the containers in a horizontal direction and thus loosening the connection must be prevented by additional conventional twistlocks. The described connecting element requires a very precise geometrical adjustment of the coupling projections to the opening in the container, is difficult to insert into the lower openings of the containers and is difficult to handle.

The invention is based on the object of creating a self-locking, easy-to-use connecting element for connecting two adjacent containers via locking openings located on them, in particular in the area of the corners, which can be gripped behind, which can be used in corner areas of containers in which other containers are located at a short distance, and which secures the containers connected to it against both vertical and lateral relative movement against each other.

According to the invention, this is achieved by a self-locking connecting element for connecting two adjacent containers, in particular containers arranged one above the other, via locking openings located on them, in particular in the area of the corners, which can be gripped behind, with a housing and with two locking heads, whereby an upper locking head can be pivotally held in a locking opening of one container in such a way that the other, lower locking head can be inserted into or removed from this locking opening in a pivoted position in which an axis running through both locking heads is at an angle to an axis running vertically through the locking opening of the other container, but in a locking position it grips behind the locking opening with a nose projecting laterally beyond a lower part of the housing, whereby the lower part of the housing fills the locking opening in such a way that a lateral movement of the locking head in relation to the locking opening is only possible by an amount that is smaller than the Length of the area covered by the nose.

The connecting element according to the invention is considerably easier to handle and safer to use than conventional connecting elements, while requiring less manufacturing effort.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are contained in the subclaims and the following description. The invention is explained in more detail using an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing figures. They show:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an inventive

self-locking connecting element,

Fig. 2 is a side view of the self-locking connector according to the invention shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows a section through the housing of the connecting element according to the invention along the line &Igr;&Idigr;&Idigr;-&Igr;&Igr;&Igr; in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the connecting element according to the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3,

Fig. 5 to Fig. 7

in Fig. 2 corresponding representations of different phases of the connection of two containers by means of the self-locking connecting element according to the invention,

Fig. 8 shows a container stack1 with containers connected to one another by connecting elements according to the invention

Fig. 9 in a representation corresponding to Fig. 8, a container stack during the release of a connection made by a connecting element according to the invention.

In the various figures of the drawing, identical parts are always provided with the same reference symbols, so that they are usually only described once.

-S-

A connecting element according to the invention, which serves to connect two adjacent containers 1, 2 (Fig. 6) arranged one above the other, in particular via locking openings 3, 4 located on them, in particular in the area of the corners, which can be gripped behind, consists, as shown in particular in the various views of the connecting element according to the invention in Figs. 1 to 4, of a one- or multi-part housing 5 made of steel or cast iron. A shaft 6 made of steel is rotatably mounted in the housing 1. The shaft 6 has two locking heads 7, 8 at both ends, which are conical on their opposite sides and of which one, upper locking head 7 is flat and the other, lower locking head θ is high and pointed. Viewed axially, the flat cone 7 has a profile which, like an upper housing section 9, is so much smaller than the locking opening 3 (Fig. 5 to 7) that the locking head 7 and the upper housing section 9 can be inserted into the locking opening 3 of an ISO container corner. In addition, the upper flat locking head 7 is provided with a nose 10 which projects laterally beyond the housing 5.

The lower pointed locking head 8 and a lower housing section 11 have a slightly smaller profile than the profile of the locking opening 4 of a container corner (Fig. 5 to 7). The lower pointed locking head 8 also has a projecting nose 12. The tip 13 of the lower locking head 8 is off-center with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing 5, which in the present case is identical to the axis X-X through the locking heads 7, 8, and the opening 4 of the container corner is displaced towards the projecting nose 12.

This results in a steeply sloping slope 14 and a gently sloping slope 15.

The two locking heads 7, θ have an elongated shape transverse to the direction of the shaft 6 connecting them (Fig. 2, 4); and the respective axes SS, TT of these longitudinal extensions are offset from one another by a twist angle α of preferably approximately 30° (Fig. 4).

As Fig. 3 shows, a spring system 16 between the shaft of the shaft 6 and the housing 5 fixes the shaft 6 in the housing 5 such that the lower locking head θ is aligned in the longitudinal direction with the lower housing section II and the locking opening 4 in the container corner. By turning the lower locking head 8 in the housing 5 by the angle of rotation α by hand against the force of the spring 16, the upper locking head 7 can be brought into alignment with the housing 5 and the locking opening 3 in the container corner (release position 7a). In this release position 7a, the longitudinal axis SS of the upper locking head 7 lies in the original direction of the longitudinal axis TT of the lower locking head 8, while the longitudinal axis TT of the lower locking head 8 is rotated by the angle α from its original position. After being released, the upper locking head 7 automatically returns to its original position (locking position 7b).

As shown in particular in Fig. 1, 2, 4 and 7, the housing 5 is also designed in such a way that it has two wing-like projections 17 on both sides, on which contact surfaces 18, 19 of the corners of the upper container 1 and the lower container 2 rest. The projections 17 thus act as spacers between the containers 1, 2 (Fig. 7).

The lower surface 20 of both lugs 17 is completely flat. A section 21 of the upper surface 21, 22 of both lugs 17, which extends over approximately 1/3 of the entire length of the lugs 17, is directed parallel to the lower surface 20. In a second section 22, which extends over approximately 2/3 of the length of the lugs 17, the upper surface 21, 22 runs inclined in the direction of the end opposite the nose 12 of the lower locking head θ. The different sections 21, 22 are arranged one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis T-T of the lower locking head θ and are separated from one another by an edge (tilting edge 23) running transversely to the longitudinal axis T-T of the lower locking head 8. It is also conceivable to have wing-shaped parallel spacing surfaces 20, 21 that are shortened overall in the longitudinal direction and are only as long as the parallel area shown in the sketch between the surfaces 20, 21 and that end at the edge 23.

The self-locking connecting element according to the invention has the following functionality, shown in Fig. 5 and 7:

The connecting element is picked up by hand and the lower locking head 8 is rotated by approx. 30° so that the upper locking head 7 is aligned with the housing B (release position 7a). The connecting element is then inserted from below into a hanging container 1 through a lower ISO locking opening 3. The lower locking head 8 is released and the upper locking head 7 jumps by approx. 30° into the starting position (locking position 7b). The upper locking head 7 then grips behind the sides of the locking opening 3 and secures the

Connecting element in the locking opening 3, whereby the upper housing section 9 almost completely fills the locking opening 3 with play.

The nose 10 of the upper locking head 7 prevents the connecting element from being inserted the wrong way round, because the interior of the container is designed in such a way that the front inner wall 24 is at a greater distance from the locking opening 3 than the rear wall 25. Due to this arrangement, the interior of the container corner offers sufficient space 26 towards the front for the nose 10 to engage behind. Since this space 26 is missing towards the rear wall 25 of the container corner, the connecting element cannot be inserted incorrectly, rotated by 180°.

If the container 1 hanging on land in the crane is equipped with two of the connecting elements according to the invention on one side, which is located on the ship next to another container 2 7, as described, it can be lifted on board to be placed on a container stack and locked to the container 2 that was previously on top. This locking takes place automatically.

For this purpose, the upper container l is lowered with the connecting elements hanging in the container corners. This lowering movement is illustrated by the directional arrows S in Fig. 5 and 6. The upper container l is aligned longitudinally and transversely with the container 2 below it. During the lowering movement of the upper container l, there is contact between the steeply sloping from the nose 10 to the tip 13 and the container 2 below it before the connection between the containers 1, 2 is established.

- 10 -

Slope 14 of the lower locking head 8 and an upper edge 28 of the ISO locking opening 4 of the upper corner of the lower container 2 facing the container 1. If the upper container 1 continues to sink, the connecting element is pushed to the side by the edge 28 over the steeply sloping slope 14, which has a corresponding rise, and is thereby lifted a little into the lower corner of the upper container 1 by a tilting movement (in the direction of arrow K in Fig. 6). The nose 12 of the lower locking head 8 is pushed to the side so far that it can pass the upper edge 28 of the locking opening 4. The lower locking head β thus reaches a pivoted position 8a. As the container 1 continues to sink, the nose 12 slides down on the inner surface of the ISO opening in the corner of the container.

The upper locking head 7 is pivotally mounted in the locking opening 3 of the container 1 in such a way that the lower locking head 8 can reach the pivoted position 8a in which an axis XX running through both locking heads 7, 8 is at an angle to an axis YY running perpendicularly through the locking opening 4 of the lower container 2, the axes XX, YY enclosing a tilt angle β . In this pivoted position 8a, the locking head 8 can be inserted into the locking opening 4 or removed from it, since its longitudinal extension along the axis TT is aligned with the locking opening 4 in this position 8a.

The inclined upper surfaces 22 of the lateral projections 17 allow the tilting movement into the insertion position 8a, since the respective second sections 22 in which the upper

*ψψ· ·#

Surface 21, 22 runs inclined to the underside surface 20, in the direction of the end opposite the nose 12 of the lower locking head 8 towards the lower surface 20 of the lugs 17 at an angle γ which is at least as large as the tilt angle β between the axis XX running through both locking heads 7, 8 and the axis YY running perpendicularly through the locking opening 4 in the pivoted insertion position Sa of the lower locking head 8.

After further lowering, after reaching the lower edge 29 of the locking opening 4, the connecting element will tilt back into the starting position (locking position 8b) under the effect of gravity due to its own weight. In this position 8b, the contact surfaces 18, 19 of the corners of the upper container 1 and the lower container 2 each rest on the surfaces 21, 20 of the lugs 17 of the connecting element. The nose 12 of the lower locking head 8 engages behind the lower edge 29 of the upper corner of the lower container 2, the lower housing section 11 filling the locking opening 4 in such a way that a lateral movement of the locking head 8 with respect to the locking opening 4, in particular in the direction of the longitudinal axis TT of the lower locking head 8, is only possible by an amount which is smaller than the length of the area 30 engaged behind by the nose 12. In this way, a secure connection is created between the containers 1 ₇ 2, because the twisted, engaging, flat upper locking head 7 and the engaging nose 12 of the lower locking head 8 prevent both the upper container 1 from lifting off and a horizontal displacement.

ψ · f ·

# 9«

- 12 -

As the figures θ and 9 illustrate, container stacks connected in this way are held together on the outside by semi-automatic twistlocks 31 and on the inside at a 3-inch joint 32 by the connecting elements according to the invention, which are designated with the reference number 33 in Figs. 8 and 9. In order to lift a container 1 on board, the semi-automatic twistlocks 31 located on the outside of the container stack must be unlocked with an actuating rod on their opening lever 34. The upper container 1 can be lifted in this way, but will only release from the unlocked semi-automatic twistlocks 31 and initially remain hanging in the lower container 2 with the connecting element 33 according to the invention. This causes the upper container 1 to become inclined and can move in the longitudinal direction (arrow L), since it is not fixed in this direction by the semi-automatic twistlocks 31. As a result of this movement and the mutual position of the containers 1, 2, the lower locking head 8 reaches the pivoted position 8a shown in Fig. 6 , in which it can be removed from the locking opening 4. The lower locking head 8 slides with its nose 12 over the lower edge 2 9 of the locking opening 4 out of the upper corner of the lower container 2. The containers 1, 2 are thus separated from one another without any manual effort. The connecting elements are now brought ashore hanging in the upper container 1 and can be removed there. To remove them, the lower locking head 8 is rotated by the angle of rotation α so that the upper locking head 7 is aligned with the locking opening 3 and the connecting element can be pulled out of the container 1 through the opening 3 in the corner of the container.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiment

- 13 -

example, but also includes all embodiments having the same effect within the meaning of the invention. In addition, it is also possible for the person skilled in the art to provide further advantageous technical measures on the connecting element described, if necessary, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper locking head 7 of the connecting element according to the invention can, starting from its side facing the housing 5, have a bevel 35 running in the direction of its longitudinal axis SS towards its nose 10, the inclination of which corresponds approximately to the tilt angle β . In this way, the connecting element reaches the insertion position 8a of the lower locking head 8 more easily. The lower locking head 8 can also have a bevel 3 6 running in the direction of its longitudinal axis TT towards its nose 12 from its side facing the housing 5. This bevel 3S does not impair its function when engaging the lower edge 30 of the locking opening 4, but ensures a play of the connecting element within the locking opening 4, which is advantageously provided.

- 14 -

Reference symbols

1 upper container

2 lower container

3 Locking opening in

4 Locking opening in

5 Housing

6 Wave

7 upper locking head 7a release position of 7

7b Locking position of

8 lower locking head

8a Insertion position, swivel position of

8b Locking position of

9 upper section of

10 Nose to 7

11 lower section of.

12 Nose to 8

13 top of 8

14 steep slope at 8

15 flat slope at 8

16 Spring

17 approach to 5

18 Contact area of 1

19 Contact area of 2

2 0 underside surface of

21 upper surface section of 1, parallel to 20

22 upper surface section of 1, inclined to

23 Tilting edge

24 front inner wall of

25 rear inner wall of

26 out of 10 undermined area in

27 containers

2B upper edge at 4

29 lower edge at 4

3 0 of 12 undermined area in

31 Semi-Automatic Twistlock

32 joint between 1 and

3 3 Connecting element according to the invention (Fig. 8 and 9)

34 opening lever for 31

35 Bevel at 7 3 6 Bevel at 8

- 15 -

K Tilting movement (direction arrow)

L Longitudinal movement of 1 (direction arrow)

S Lowering movement (direction arrow)

S-S Longitudinal axis of 7

T-T Longitudinal axis of 8

X-X axis through 7 and 8, longitudinal axis of

Y-Y perpendicular through 4 axis

α twist angle of 7 and β tilt angle, angle between XX and YY γ angle between 20 and

Claims (14)

8128/VIII Willi Wader GmbH Justus-von-Liebig-Straße 3, D-42477 Radevormwald Claims 1. Self-locking connecting element for connecting two adjacent containers (1, 2), in particular containers arranged one above the other, via locking openings (3, 4) located on them, in particular in the area of the corners, which can be gripped behind, with a housing (5) and with two locking heads (7, 8), wherein an upper locking head (7) can be pivotally held in a locking opening (3) of one container (1) in such a way that the other, lower locking head (8) in a pivoted position (8a), in which an axis (XX) running through both locking heads (7, 8) is at an angle to an axis (Y"Y) running vertically through the locking opening (4) of the other container (2) (tilt angle ß), can be inserted into this locking opening (4) or removed from it, but in a locking position (8b) with a nose (12) laterally projecting beyond a lower housing section (11), the Locking opening (4), wherein the lower housing section (11) preferably fills the locking opening (4) in such a way that a lateral movement of the locking head with respect to the locking opening (4) fes (&thetas;) is only possible by an amount that is smaller than the length of the area (30) behind which the nose {12) engages. 2. Connecting element according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking heads (7, 8) are connected via a common shaft (6) rotatably mounted in the housing (5) and the upper locking head (7) is designed in such a way that in a release position (7a) in which it is aligned with an upper housing section (9), it can be inserted into a locking opening (3) or removed from this, and in a locking position (7b) rotated relative to the release position (7a) it engages behind the locking opening (3), the upper housing section (9) almost completely filling the locking opening (3) with play. . Connecting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper locking head (7) is secured by the force of a spring (16) against rotation from the locking position (7b) into the release position (7a), in which it is aligned with the upper housing section (9). 4. Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking heads (7, 8) are conical on their opposite sides. 5. Connecting element according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the locking heads (7, B) have an elongated shape transversely to the direction of the shaft (6) connecting them and the respective axes (SS, TT) of these longitudinal extensions are offset from one another by an angle (ϳ;), preferably of 30°. 6. Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the upper locking head (7) has a nose (10) projecting laterally beyond the upper housing section (9) in such a way that the upper locking head (7) can only be inserted into a locking opening (3) in a certain position. 7. Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lower locking head (8) has a tip (13) arranged eccentrically to the longitudinal axis (X-X) of the housing (5) in the direction of its nose (12) with a slope (14) tapering steeply from the nose (12) to the tip (13) and with a slope (15) tapering flatly to the tip (13). &thgr;. Connecting element according to claim 7, characterized in that the slope (14) which runs steeply towards the tip (13) has such a rise that the lower locking head (3) when the slope (14) interacts with an edge (2 8) of the locking opening (4) reaches the pivoted position (8a) in which it can be inserted into the locking opening (4). 9. Connecting element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the housing (5) has wing-like projections (17) on both sides with flat surfaces (20, 21, 22) on which contact surfaces (18, 19) of the container (1, 2) rest and which act as spacers between the containers (1, 2). 10. Connecting element according to claim 9, characterized in that the upper surfaces (21, 22) of the lugs (17) run parallel to the underside surfaces (20) of the lugs (17) in one section (21) and inclined to the lower surface (20) of the lugs (17) in another section (22), wherein these different sections (21, 22) are arranged one behind the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis (TT) of the lower locking head (8) and are separated from one another by a tilting edge (23) running transversely to the longitudinal axis (TT) of the lower locking head (Θ), wherein the tilting edge (23) in the pivoted position (8a) comes to rest laterally on the locking opening (3) on the container (1) and wherein the lugs (17) in the respective second section (22) run in the direction of the end opposite the nose (12) of the lower locking head (8) towards the lower surface (20) of the lugs (17) at an angle (γ) which is at least as large as the tilting angle (ß) between the axis (XX) running through both locking heads (7, 8) and the axis (YY) running vertically through the locking opening (4) in the pivoted insertion position (8a) of the lower locking head {8). 11. Connecting element according to claim 10, characterized in that the length of the section (21) with the upper surface parallel to the lower surface (20) of the lugs (17) is equal to the length of the section (22) with the lower surface (20) inclined to the lower surface (20) of the lugs (17) running on the upper surface is approximately in the ratio l : 2. 12. Connecting element according to claim 9, characterized in that the projections (17) each have a section (21) with an upper surface parallel to the lower surface (20) of the projections (17), which is delimited by a tilting edge (23) running transversely to the longitudinal axis (T-T) of the lower locking head (8), the tilting edge (23) forming the edge of the projections (17) and in the pivoted position (8a) coming to rest on the container (1) to the side of the locking opening (3). 13. Connecting element according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the upper locking head (7) has, starting from its side facing the housing (S), a bevel (35) running in the direction of its longitudinal axis (S-S) towards its nose (10), the inclination of which corresponds approximately to the tilt angle (ß) . 14. Connecting element according to one of claims 5 to -S- characterized in that the lower locking head (8) has, starting from its side facing the housing (5), a bevel (3 6) tapering in the direction of its longitudinal axis (T-T) towards its nose (12).