AU2020201860A1

AU2020201860A1 - A locking assembly for a container

Info

Publication number: AU2020201860A1
Application number: AU2020201860A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Marc BINDNER; Eddie KOSSEN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-03-13
Filing date: 2020-03-13
Publication date: 2020-10-01

Abstract

A locking assembly for a container is described including: a first locking member including a first claw region and an elongate region, a first aperture is provided through the elongate region; a second locking member including a second claw region and a receiving region for receiving the elongate region of the first locking member, a second aperture is provided through the receiving region; a locking element including an enlarged head proximate to one end of the locking pin and a latch engaging formation proximate to the other end; and an electronically operable rotatable latch member which is associated with either of the first or second locking members; wherein, in use, the respective claw regions are fittable about at least a portion of respective container locking rods so that the elongate region of the first locking member is received in the receiving region of the second locking member, the first and second apertures can be aligned and the locking pin can be inserted through the first and second apertures to retain the first and second members in association with each other; the latch member is rotatable between an unlocked condition and a locked condition, when in the locked condition the latch engaging formation is retained by the latch to resist removal of the locking pin from the aligned apertures. 2/10 b4 20 10 30 Fig2

Description

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A LOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTAINER

Technical Field The present invention relates to locking assemblies for transport containers such as intermodal shipping and truck containers.

Background to the Invention Intermodal containers are well known in the art. These containers generally include standardized shipping or truck containers, cargo or freight containers, ISO containers, so-called shipping, sea or ocean containers, a container van or box, a Conex box, a semi-trailer or truck container, or the like. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that reference herein to a 'container' generally refers to any manner of such intermodal container.

As shown in Figure 1, these intermodal containers 4 generally include doors 6 at one end with vertical locking bars or rods 8 for locking and securing the doors 6. These bars or rods 8 typically rotate to engage or disengage cams and keepers for securing the doors, as well as a clasp and staple-type arrangement whereby a padlock can be passed through the staple to lock the doors.

Theft from containers is a major problem in the field of transport and logistics. Containers are often stored in container yards, where they may be accessible to thieves, even when locked with padlocks. A shortcoming of a padlock as a sole form of container security is that they can be defeated by tools such as bolt cutters, grinders, etc.

One known solution to this problem is the use of container lock boxes. A container lock box is typically a steel box that prevents a padlock from being tampered with, as these boxes are large enough to fit a padlock and key into, but small enough to prevent access to a bolt-cutter or similar tool with which a shackle or shank of the lock can be cut. However, shipping containers do not typically come with a container lock box installed and require such lock boxes to be added as a container modification, usually either bolted or welded on.

A further solution known in the art is the use of locking apparatus that fit over the locking bars of the container to prevent the doors from opening. Such known locking apparatus generally include keyed locks and a housing configured to fit over the locking bars.

However, such known locking apparatus with keyed locks introduce manufacturing and administrative burdens, as each lock must be customised for each apparatus during manufacture, generally adding manufacturing cost and complexity, and an end-user now has additional keys to keep track of for each locking apparatus. Should hundreds of containers be involved requiring hundreds of individual keys, this may become a large administrative burden.

There remains a need for improved locking assemblies for intermodal containers.

Summary of the Invention In a first aspect the present invention provides a locking assembly for a container including: a first locking member including a first claw region and an elongate region, a first aperture is provided through the elongate region; a second locking member including a second claw region and a receiving region for receiving the elongate region of the first locking member, a second aperture is provided through the receiving region; a locking element including an enlarged head and a latch engaging formation; and an electronically operable rotatable latch member which is associated with either of the first or second locking members; wherein, in use, the respective claw regions are fittable about at least a portion of respective container locking rods so that the elongate region of the first locking member is received in the receiving region of the second locking member, the first and second apertures can be aligned and the locking pin can be inserted through the first and second apertures to retain the first and second members in association with each other; the latch member is rotatable between an unlocked condition and a locked condition, when the latch member is in the locked condition the latch engaging formation is retained by the latch member to resist removal of the locking pin from the aligned apertures. The latch may include at least one latch wall and at least one latch opening and the latch engaging formation includes at least one swivel-mounted roller, whereby in the unlocked condition the roller can be pulled out from the latch through the latch opening and in the locked condition is retained in the latch by the at least one latch wall. The locking pin may be shaped to be insertable through the apertures in a predetermined orientation about the axis of the length of the pin. The latch member may be driven by an electric motor by way of a lost motion arrangement. The locking assembly may further include tracking means for enabling the location of the locking assembly to be determined from a remote location.

Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view of the door end of a conventional intermodal container, showing doors with vertical locking bars or rods for locking and securing the doors; Figure 2 shows the container of figure 1 with a locking assembly according to an embodiment of the invention applied to the doors; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the arm of the locking assembly of figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the body of the locking assembly of figure 2; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the locking pin of the locking assembly of figure 2; Figures 6 to 9 illustrate the locking mechanism of the locking assembly of figure 1; and Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of a locking pin.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to figure 2, an intermodal container 4 is shown fitted with a locking assembly 10 according to the invention. The locking assembly 10 (which will be described in more detail with reference to subsequent figures) includes two interfitting locking members in the form of arm 20 and body 30 which are both provided with claws. These claws fit around the locking rods 8 of the container and resist separation of the rods, thereby maintaining the doors 6 of the container in a closed condition. Authorised persons are able to unlock the assembly 10 to separate the interfitting members to enable the doors 6 to be opened.

Referring to figure 3, arm 20 includes a claw region in the form of claw 22 and an elongate region 24, a first aperture 26 is provided through the elongate region.

Referring to figure 4, body 30 includes a claw region in the form of claw 32 and a receiving region in the form of sleeve 34 for receiving the elongate region of arm 20. A second aperture 36 is provided through the sleeve 34. An upstanding collar 37 is provided in association with aperture 36. The collar is non circular in shape, and includes a flattened region 37 for aligning a locking pin as will be described. Body 30 also includes a well 38 in which will be mounted a lock mechanism (not shown in figure 4). A circular aperture 39 is provided in well 38 to allow access to a control panel of the lock mechanism as will be later described.

Referring to figure 5, a locking element is shown in the form of locking pin 40 which includes an enlarged head 42 proximate to one end of the pin and a latch engaging formation in the form of a swivel mounted roller 37 proximate to the other end. Head 42 includes a flattened region 43. This flattened region keys the pin 40 to the body 30 to ensure correct angular orientation of the pin 40 in body 30. In use, the locking pin is secured to the body 30 by way of a short length of chain to prevent loss of the locking pin.

Referring to figures 6 to 9, an electronically operable lock mechanism 50 is shown which includes a control panel 52. Lock mechanism 50 is mounted in use in well 38 of body 30 (see Fig 3) so that control panel 52 is accessible through aperture 39 of body 30. Control panel may include control buttons for operating the locking mechanism and may include a keypad for entering an access code or card reader. Lock mechanism 50 includes an on board power supply in the form of a battery (not shown).

As best seen in figure 8, lock mechanism 50 includes a rotatable latch member in the form of latch wheel 54 which includes an upstanding latch wall 56 and an opening 57 in the latch wall. The latch wheel 54 is rotatable under the control of electric motor 60 which drives pinion gear 62 through a worm drive arrangement.

Pinion gear 62 in turn drives toothed segment 64 which is mounted to latch wheel 54 by way of a lost motion arrangement.

Latch wheel is rotatable between an unlocked condition (as shown in figure 8) and a locked condition (as shown in figure 9). When in the unlocked condition the swivel mounted roller 47 of locking pin 40 can be freely inserted or removed from the latch wheel. 54. When in the locked condition the swivel mounted roller 47 is retained by the latch wall 56.

As best seen in figure 9, the lost motion arrangement involves a coiled spring 65 which urges roller 66 against a cam formation provided on segment 64. The lost motion arrangement protects the pinion gear 62 from experiencing excessive forces as may be applied at the time the roller is passing through the latch opening 57 during a locking or unlocking operation. At these times, any axial force on the locking pin 40 can be translated in to high lateral forces on the latch wall. If this occurs, then the toothed segment 64 will rotate independently of the latch wheel 54 as roller 66 is displaced along the cam formation and coil spring 65 becomes compressed. Once the roller has passed by the latch wall, then the coil sprint returns roller 66 to its rest position as seen in figure 9.

To lock a container using locking assembly 10, the respective claws of the body 20 and the arm 30 are fitted about at least a portion of respective container locking rods so that the elongate region of the arm 30 is received in the receiving region of the body 20, the apertures 26, 36 are aligned. With the lock mechanism 50 in the unlocked condition the locking pin 40 is inserted through the first and second apertures to retain the arm 30 and the body 20 in engagement with each other. The lock mechanism is then put into the locked condition in which the latch wheel 54 resists removal of the pin 40 to thereby prevent removal of the assembly by unauthorised persons.

Lock mechanism 50 further includes on board communications systems in the form of a GPS receiver and a GPRS transceiver. The lock mechanism can be interrogated or controlled via the GPRS transceiver over a mobile communications network. The lock can transmit location information derived from the GPS receiver so that the location of the lock can be determined from a remote location.

Referring to figure 10, an alternative form of a locking pin 140 is shown. This version differs to locking pin 40 in that a key-way 143 is used in place of a flat area to ensure correct orientation of the locking pin.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated. Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

A locking assembly for a container including: a first locking member including a first claw region and an elongate region, a first aperture is provided through the elongate region; a second locking member including a second claw region and a receiving region for receiving the elongate region of the first locking member, a second aperture is provided through the receiving region; a locking element including an enlarged head proximate to one end of the locking pin and a latch engaging formation proximate to the other end; and an electronically operable rotatable latch member which is associated with either of the first or second locking members; wherein, in use, the respective claw regions are fittable about at least a portion of respective container locking rods so that the elongate region of the first locking member is received in the receiving region of the second locking member, the first and second apertures can be aligned and the locking pin can be inserted through the first and second apertures to retain the first and second members in association with each other; the latch member is rotatable between an unlocked condition and a locked condition, when in the locked condition the latch engaging formation is retained by the latch to resist removal of the locking pin from the aligned apertures.
2. A locking assembly according to claim 1 wherein the latch includes at least one latch wall and at least one latch opening and the latch engaging formation includes at least one swivel-mounted roller, whereby in the unlocked condition the roller can be pulled out from the latch through the latch opening and in the locked condition is retained in the latch by the at least one latch wall.
3. A locking assembly according to either of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locking pin is shaped to be insertable through the apertures in a predetermined orientation about the axis of the length of the pin.
4. A locking assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the latch member is driven by an electric motor by way of a lost motion arrangement.
5. A locking assembly according to any preceding claim further including tracking means for enabling the location of the locking assembly to be determined from a remote location.