Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Freight container to freight container fastener
Patent
1997-04-09
1998-06-02
Brittain, James R.
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Freight container to freight container fastener
B65D 9000
Patent
active
057583919
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a coupling piece for the detachable connection of corner fittings of adjacent containers, especially of containers stacked one above the other on board ships, according to the preamble of claim 1 and 9 respectively.
Coupling pieces of the type stated at the beginning are usually referred to in the jargon of the trade as "twistlocks". These coupling pieces are predominantly used to join together containers which are to be transported on board ships. Relative displacements of the containers during marine transport are thereby intended to be prevented.
In order to minimize the manual activities involved in locking and unlocking the coupling pieces and hence to reduce costly lay times of ships in ports, semi-automatic coupling pieces are used. These are pre-locked manually to one of the containers to be connected. A definitive locking is automatically carried out once the containers to be connected have been placed one on top of the other. When unloading, in order to detach the connected containers, the coupling piece has to be actuated manually. From WO 8807006 A1, a coupling piece is known which has an actuating device displaying a single pull rope. This pull rope has the drawback however that the coupling piece can only be used in a certain relative arrangement to the containers to be connected. An incorrect arrangement of the coupling piece results in a definitive locking not being automatically realized. A further drawback consists in the fact that the known coupling piece, should it be inadvertently unlocked, can no longer be locked. Finally, nor is it possible for this coupling piece to be uncoupled, according to choice, from the upper or lower container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a universally employable, coupling piece which ensures simple, error-free operation.
A coupling piece for achieving this object displays the features defined in claim 1. As a result of the actuating device provided according to the invention with two pull cords, it is possible to twist the locking bolt in opposite directions. Operating errors and, in particular, incorrectly realized lockings can be avoided or wiped out with the coupling piece according to the invention by the pull cords which are present in duplicate. In addition, the coupling piece according to the invention is universally employable.
Preferably, the two pull cords are formed from (half-length) portions of a single flexurally slack or flexurally elastic actuating means, for example a rope or a rope-like cord. Opposite ends of the actuating means are provided with a respective actuating end. It is also possible to use two separate, shorter actuating means for the creation of each pull cord. In this case, one free end of each actuating means has its own actuating end.
A further coupling piece for achieving the object forming the basis of the invention displays the features defined in claim 9. Accordingly, the crossbolts of the locking bolt are of essentially identical configuration. Because of this, there is no need to take care to ensure that the coupling piece is pre-locked with a certain crossbolt to one of the containers to be connected. Rather, the coupling piece can be optionally revolved, namely can be pre-locked both with the upper and with the lower crossbolt to one of the containers. The requirements placed upon the operation of semi-automatic coupling pieces using optional actuating means are thereby able to be simplified in a surprisingly simple manner. Particularly in connection with a coupling piece of the above-described claims, which coupling piece displays an actuating device having two pull cords, such a simple-to-operate coupling piece is obtained, in which operating errors are virtually precluded and unlocking by selective detachment of the coupling piece from the upper or lower container is ensured. Insofar as operating errors are made, these can be wiped out again without difficulty using the coupling piece according to the invention
Donner Julius
Niemann Thomas
Wilk Wilhelm
Brittain James R.
MacGregor-Conver GmbH
LandOfFree
Coupling piece for the detachable connection of containers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Coupling piece for the detachable connection of containers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Coupling piece for the detachable connection of containers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1447657