DE10044141A1 - Connection for stacked adjacent goods-containers comprises support plate, and locking elements fixed into holes - Google Patents

Abstract

The detachable container-connection consists of a plate-shaped support element the two opposite sides of which have first locking elements (15,16) fitting into matching holes (13) in the stacked containers. The support element is located between the containers and has a second locking element for attaching two adjacent stacked containers (11,110).

Description

The invention relates to a device for detachable connecting stacked containers (Con tainers) for the transport of goods, for example by means of Vehicles, essentially comprising a plate Miges support element and two on essentially opposite sides of the support element arranged nete first locking elements, which in corresponding Fastening holes of the stacked one on top of the other Container with the interposition of the support element to grab.

In addition, the invention relates to a device for detachable connection of stacked Containers (containers) for transporting goods with Vehicles, for example in holds and on the deck of  Ships, essentially comprising a plate-shaped one Pad element and two on essentially opposite lying sides of the support element arranged first Locking elements in appropriate fasteners holes of containers stacked on top of each other intervene with the interposition of the support element.

The previous ones with their essential constructive Elements shown generic devices have been increasing since the introduction of container transport Water, on land and partly rail-bound trans port processes (railways) modified many times and have been developed to meet the special needs Adapt conditions and requirements that are in the Over time, using the individual modes of transport surrendered to the containers.

Although containers are also very strong on land, for example, transported on truck semitrailers become and also to a considerable extent also with the Railways have become particularly popular in transportation by ship because of the incomparably very much larger transport capacity of ships compared to land and rail-based vehicles there special pro problems and requirements arise, d. H. the special Solutions of the devices for detachable with each other connect stacked containers on vehicles result in a very large number of containers are able to transport once. So can for example the modern container ships of the so-called youngest generation (6th or 7th generation) up to 8,000 Pick up 40 'container. These special, exclusive designed for the transport of containers Ships are regularly equipped in such a way that they are in their holds and often also theirs  Have vertical guides protruding from the hold, which are matched to the size of the containers for example 40 'container, 20' container, but also if necessary tailored to special sizes. The containers are at Loading the ship into the guides and Containers for containers stacked on top of each other in the drawer space until the cargo space corresponds to the coping cargo is filled. Based on these Tours are in any case as long as the containers are on board are included or held in these tours, no measures required, for example and longitudinal forces (related to the transverse direction of the ship or the ship's longitudinal direction). The when rolling, rolling and pounding the ship Forces occurring are absorbed by the guides taken and introduced into the hull.

But there are also specially for container transport designed ships, for example the older Contai generations of ships as well as so-called cargo "general Ships "that these special vertical guides do not have. In many cases become container transport but also bulk carriers and general cargo ships who also does not have any in their holds have approximately, such as the above. special The latest generation of container transport ships. If in those ships that have no guides for the Contai ner in their holds, for the transport of The problem of security occurs when containers are used of the considerable quantities of Containers, which are combined in blocks, in front slipping in rough seas. Because the commercial Chen corner fittings of containers, each container points at least eight corner fittings, in which standardized Fastening holes are only for a maximum  Pressure load of 65 t are so-called Push / pull systems used, with which it is achieved that approx. 50% of the horizontal forces from a container composite block as pressure forces and about 50% as Tractive forces are absorbed when the ship is off Port to starboard rolls and vice versa.

In addition to the so-called double chunks, which the Corners of two neighboring containers connect with the Result that, except for the respective outer location of the Containers, ultimately all four container corners with the neighboring corners of the neighboring containers are also stowage pieces or devices known, which are designed as pure pressure recording systems are, d. H. once on the port side or on the starboard side in rough seas on the ship support structure. The structure of the ship must be corresponding be designed to handle these reaction forces, for example to be able to pick up from the roll of the ship. In the The rule, however, is the hold of ships that are for example, as bulk and heavy cargo ships are not on a width of a stack of Containers matched, the maximum taken up there can be, so that such in the hold Ships below deck separate measures to initiate of tensile and compressive forces in the hull separate lashing devices, if possible at all, must be provided.

Larger ships that are not specially designed for the container transport are also designed for safety and for reasons of stability, additional longitudinal bulkheads, so-called middle longitudinal bulkheads, which due to the construction neither are able to withstand tensile forces from the plus port and starboard containers  stack, for example when rolling in rough seas will record.

Finally, due to increased security moods, for example due to the US OSHA regulations, meanwhile regulations been enacted that traffic jams no longer operate may move the roofs of containers that the above-mentioned. Double damming sets in before the next layer of Containers on the one below it Container is placed. Because of the above United States security regulations that differ Experience has shown that it is also very fast in other shipping companies the pushing nations will prevail vorgen. Double docks i. d. Usually no longer usable and the baffles designed as pure printing systems because of the inability to absorb tensile forces if not applicable for many purposes.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to create directions of the type mentioned, the are able to extract horizontal forces from a container block as both compressive and tensile forces record and create devices with which the Horizontal forces from a container or from one Container block both as pressure forces and as To absorb traction when the ship is ported to Starboard rolls in such a way that the forces in the Ship structure can be initiated, the Devices should be designed such that they when stowing in the one suspended by the loading system Containers inserted into the mounting openings from below sets and can be held so that such equipped container on one already at the storage location container can be placed and if necessary  be connected to the ship structure at the same time can, without stowage personnel on the container roof must rise, the device largely below Maintaining known design principles is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and cost mass is inexpensive to provide.

The task is solved according to the one according to the invention Device in that the support element a second Has locking element, via which two containers stacked together releasably together are connectable.

The solution acc. the other Vorrich invention tion is that the support element is a second Has locking element through which the at the storage location positioned container with one arranged on the vehicle Neten fastener is releasably connectable.

The main advantage of the first solution is in that a stack is arranged one above the other and next to each other Neter container so forcefully with each other can be connected to both horizontal tensile forces as well as horizontal compressive forces acting on the container Work in the stack, stay in it and into it Foundations of the cargo space on which the container blocks stand in the ship structure, whereas in the second solution the pull and push forces laterally into the structure of the ship via the Fastening elements provided in the ship structure be directed.

Of course, preference is also given to a combination of the two advantageous solutions according to the invention horizontal tensile and compressive forces of the container blocks in  the ship structure can be initiated directly, namely via the fastening elements arranged on the vehicle or ship mente. Since otherwise in the Vorrich invention the basic constructive principles of such Systems have not been abandoned, rather in the sense the above Task have only been further developed, is also a desired ease of manufacture and Availability guaranteed.

The second locking elements, each with Adjacent containers via the invention together men acting devices are interconnected can, or with which a connection between the Device of a container and the vehicle side arranged fastener are made can, in various suitable ways be educated. Preferably, however, the second one Locking element at least one essentially T-shaped projection, whereas preferably that second locking element on the opposite Side at least one essentially T-shaped behind has cut opening. T-shaped projection and T-shaped undercut opening is here too understand that this means all tongue and groove connections are on the nut side opposite the entrance opening the undercut widespread in any groove have a suitable shape, whereas with spring all Solutions are meant in which the spring one against over the front, widened end of the spring one in contrast, has a narrower neck or web, so that the tongue in the groove with tensile or compressive force the level of the support element holds.

So it is preferably possible that the T-shaped Projection and the T-shaped undercut opening  have a dovetail cross-section, where cross section also in connection with the general my term T-undercut opening or T-för moderate projection always the opening or the projection structure in plan view of the plate-shaped Support element is meant in which the opening or the Are formed. Because of this shape lines of the second locking elements can preferably the T-shaped projection of the with a container engaged second locking element with the T-shaped undercut opening of the one adjacent container engaged second locking element are engaged, wherein preferably also the T-shaped projection and / or the T-shaped undercut opening of the second lock tion element with the cross section essentially with a T-shaped undercut opening or with a T-shaped projection provided on the transport side arranged fastener are engaged. So when loading and unloading the one on top of and next to it stacked containers no difficulty occur such that the container with the one below devices not on protruding edges gets stuck and can slide, is preferably in essentially the part of the plate-shaped edition element, which is the second locking element or forms second locking elements, in cross section the free ends of which are conically tapered. Preferably, the device has a side of plate-shaped support element at least at an angle this above guide element with which si is established that the device is not around 180 ° the vertical axis rotated into the mounting opening  of a container can be used. With certain Formations of the first locking elements, if this for example with the cones known per se are provided, the upper one can be turned 180 ° Don't cone in the container’s mounting hole, if this is a so-called ISO fastening opening, not to the extent that a 60 ° division of the cone is reached and the device in the attachment opening of the container hangs.

As already explained at the beginning, the first locking elements in adaptation to the ver different known in the prior art locking elements can be formed. However, it is extremely advantageous, the first locking elements in Form of two over one substantially orthogonal to the Form support element arranged to rotate, wherein preferably the first locking elements are spring-loaded tele-charged in a opposite or for fastening hole of an upper container relaxed, locked apply end position from which they are introduced to that and for removal from the mounting hole of the Container rotates against the force of the spring means are. The locking elements themselves have a conical shape structures and are known to experts as so-called "Cones" known because of their cone-shaped Structure the insertion of the first locking elements into the mounting holes of the containers.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following schematic drawings using an off management example described in detail. In this demonstrate:

Fig. 1 shows the apparatus in side view,

Fig. 2 shows the device. Fig. 1, the front view

Fig. 3 is a view of the device of FIG. 1 from above,

Fig. 4 four corner areas of four containers of a container stack, according to two interlocking devices. Fig. 1 are connected,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the arrangement according to Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a side view of the device in ver größerter representation, inserted into a lower mounting hole of a container (fitting state),

Fig. 7 is a view as in Fig. 6, but treatment condition in INTERLOCKS,

Fig. 8 is a plan view of four containers one Contai nerstapels, each two juxtaposed containers are connected to the device,

Be loaded Fig. 9 in a partial section in the cutout a hold of a ship, in which a plurality of containers,

Fig. 10 is a view as in Fig. 8, but the containers are unloaded when,

Fig. 11 is a view of a ship structure (side side wall) on which the fastening elements for fastening and guiding the second locking elements of the device are arranged, and

Fig. 12 in an enlarged view in detail the corner area of two containers that are connected to each other with the device, the device via a second locking element with the ship-side fastening element, which also serves as a guide, is in one grip.

Reference is first made to the representations of the device 10 in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6. In this figure, a device 10 for releasably stacking containers stacked with one another, hereinafter referred to as container 10 , is shown, with reference to these figures initially the structure of the device 10 is described. Is preceded by that of the basic structure of the device 10 which corresponds substantially to, as it is also realized in many of the world masse in use located devices 10 generally been referred to as so-called "twistlocks". In this respect, the structure, unless it deviates from the standard structure of such devices 10 , is only briefly discussed. The device 10 essentially comprises a plate-shaped support element 14 which has two substantially plane-parallel opposite sides 140 , 141 , on each of which an upper container 11 rests, page 140 , cf. Fig. 6, and with, page 141 , the device 10 rests on the underlying container 110 . The containers 11 , 110 basically have the same structure, that is to say that these are standard containers by way of example. However, the different reference numbers have been chosen so that, for example, a better distinction can be made between the upper container 11 and a lower container 110 on which the upper container 11 comes to rest with the device 10 interposed.

The device 10 also has two of the first locking elements 15 , 16 , each of which engage in the lower fastening holes 13 of an upper container 11 and in the upper fastening holes 13 of a lower container 110 . Containers 11 , 110 of the type described here regularly have standard Eckbe fittings 12 , which have fastening openings 13 in which the first locking elements 15 , 16 can engage and be secured in the manner described above. This is done in the mounting holes 13 of the corner fittings 12 of the container 11 , 110 in a standard manner, so that it will only be discussed briefly here.

In the present embodiment according to In the figures, the first locking elements 15 , 16 are designed in the form of two cones connected via a rotating shaft 30 arranged essentially orthogonally to the support element. The formed in the form of cones locking elements 15 , 16 are held by means of a spring element 31 in a opposite or to the mounting hole 13 of the Eckbe stroke 12 of an upper container 11 relaxed, locked end position. From which they are introduced into and removed from the fastening hole 13 of the corner hole 13 of the corner fitting 12 , they can be rotated manually against the force of the spring means 31 .

From Fig. 3 it can be seen that the upper first locking gel element 16 relative to the lower first locking element 15 is offset by about 60 °, which will be discussed further below.

The plate-shaped support element 14 has two second locking elements 17 , 18 , via which in each case two containers 11 , 110 stacked next to one another can be detachably connected to one another, or via which the container 11 positioned at the storage location 12 can be connected to a vehicle 19 , specifically Via a fastening element 23 arranged on the vehicle 19 , which is arranged there essentially running vertically on the outer ship wall (port and / or starboard). The second connec tion element 17 has at least one substantially T-shaped projection 24 and / or at least one substantially T-shaped undercut opening 25 . The two second connecting elements 18 , 19 are formed on substantially opposite sides of the plattenför shaped support element 14 , in such a way that the second locking element 18 (T-shaped behind cut opening 25 ) from the second locking element 17 in the horizontal to this from the on the adjacent container 11 arranged device 10 angeordne th second locking element 17 (T-shaped before jump 24 ) is taken, see. in particular Figs. 4 and 5. The T-shaped projection 24 and T-shaped undercut opening 25, for example, but may be dovetailed not necessarily, are open at vertical viewing the flat-shaped support element 14 upwards so that two devices 10 can be brought into engagement with one another in that the respective second, corresponding sponding locking elements 17 , 18 can be brought into engagement from above or from below. The respective second corresponding locking elements 17 , 18 of two adjacent devices 10 are spaced apart from one another in the locked state such that a predetermined, possibly standardized distance between two adjacent containers 11 is spanned.

On the plate-shaped support element 14 , guide elements 29 are provided on the side, with which it can be prevented that the devices cannot be inserted into the fastening holes 13 of the containers 10 when they are rotated through 180 ° about the vertical axis.

To facilitate insertion and to avoid canting when loading the storage location with containers 10 and when unloading the containers 10 from the storage location, the cross section to the free ends 26 , 27 of the second locking elements 17 , 18 is conically tapered, cf. in particular FIGS. 2, 4 and 6.

Corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the second locking elements 17 , 18 , the fastening element 23 fastened to the storage location, for example the loading space of vehicles or ships 19 , are designed in cross section, cf. Figs. 8 to 11.

For loading a hold of a ship 19 , based on the exemplary loading scheme according to. Fig. 8, initially placed four containers on locking elements firmly anchored to the load floor (not shown in detail). At the next location, acc. Fig. 8 in the second position, 13 devices 10 are hung in the lower mounting holes 13 of the corner fittings 12 of the container 11 on all four lower mounting holes. In the example of trained devices 10 acc. In the embodiment described here, the lower locking element 15 is rotated by approximately 60 ° in the container 11 to be stowed and then inserted into the correspondingly designed fastening hole 13 . Comes the side 141 of the plate-shaped support element 14 in contact with the corresponding corner fitting 12 and Eckbeschlagsfläche, the locking element can again rotate, since it is then the extent projects into the fastening hole 13 of the corner fitting 12, that it to be blow to the inside of the Eckbe 12 comes and the device 10 is thus locked against the mounting hole 13 and thus against the container 11 . The lower locking element 15 is then aligned such that it from above, see. Fig. 8, can be inserted into the corresponding upper mounting hole 13 of the corner fitting 12 of the container 110 .

The container 11 to be stowed is then positioned above the container 110 underneath and lowered onto it. Simultaneously with the introduction of the locking element 15 in the corresponding fastening hole 13 , the respective second locking elements 18 , 19 of the one container 11 engage in the corresponding second locking elements 17 , 18 of the horizontally adjacent container 11 or in the side fastening elements 23 , which are positioned on the vehicle body 19 , one, ie in the corresponding to the second locking elements 17 , 18 formed in cross section guideway of the fastening supply element 23 , which is formed on the ship or vehicle 19 . In this respect, a mutual locking of all correspondingly provided in the same way with devices 10 container 11 takes place, namely with each other, and also a locking with the BEFE stigungselement 23 of the vehicle or ship 19th

Either layer by layer (horizontally) or a vertically stacked quantity of containers 10 can be removed without the intervention of traffic jams. This applies both to the center of a block of containers 11 to be removed amount of containers 11 and the container 11 which are formed immediately adjacent the fasteners 23rd

As can be seen clearly from FIGS. 8, 9 and 11, all forces acting on a container stack or exerted by himself are absorbed by the body of the vehicle 19 (counterforce) or introduced into the body of the vehicle 19 .

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

11

Container

110

Container

12

Patch fitting

13

Mounting hole (corner fitting)

14

plate-shaped support element

140

page

141

page

15

first locking element

16

first locking element

17

second locking element

18

second locking element

19

Vehicle / vessel / ship's hold

20

Longitudinal bulkhead (ship)

21

Drop side (ship)

22

Stauort

23

fastener

24

Projection (second locking element)

25

Opening (second locking element)

26

free end (second locking element)

27

free end (second locking element)

28

Side (support element)

29

guide element

30

rotary shaft

Claims (11)

1. Device for releasably connecting stacked containers (containers) for the transport of goods, for example by means of vehicles, essentially comprising a plate-shaped support element, and two elements arranged on substantially opposite sides of the support element, the first locking elements which fit into corresponding mounting holes in each case stacked containers intervene with the intermediate position of the support element, characterized in that the support element ( 14 ) has a second locking element ( 17 ; 18 ) via which two containers ( 11 , 110 ) stacked next to one another can be detachably fastened. 2. Device for releasably connecting stacked containers (containers) for transporting goods with vehicles, for example in the hold of ships, essentially comprising a plate-shaped support element and two first locking elements arranged on substantially opposite sides of the support element, which in corresponding fasteners holes, stacked one on top of the other, engage with the intermediate element of the support element, characterized in that the support element ( 14 ) has a second locking element ( 17 ; 18 ) via which the container ( 11 ) positioned at the storage location ( 22 ) with a on the vehicle ( 19 ) arranged fastening element ( 23 ) is releasably attachable. 3. Device according to one or both of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the second locking element ( 17 ) has at least one substantially T-shaped projection ( 24 ). 4. The device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second locking element ( 18 ) has at least one substantially T-shaped undercut opening ( 25 ). 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the T-shaped projection ( 24 ) of the with a container ( 11 ) engaged second locking element ( 17 ) with the T-shaped undercut opening ( 25 ) of the adjacent container ( 110 ) engaged second locking element ( 18 ). 6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the T-shaped projection ( 24 ) and / or the T-shaped undercut opening ( 25 ) of the second locking element ( 18 ) with the cross section in wesent union with a T-shaped undercut opening ( 25 ) or with a T-shaped projection ( 24 ) provided on the means of transport-side fastening element ( 23 ). 7. The device according to one or both of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the T-shaped projection ( 24 ) and the T-shaped undercut opening ( 25 ) have a dovetail cross-section. 8. The device according to one or more of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that substantially the part of the plate-shaped support element ( 14 ) which forms the second locking element ( 17 ; 18 ) or the second locking elements ( 17 , 18 ) in Cross section to the free ends ( 26 , 27 ) is tapered out forms. 9. The device according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one angled to this protruding guide element ( 29 ) is arranged laterally ( 28 ) of the plate-shaped support element ( 14 ). 10. The device according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first locking elements ( 15 , 16 ) in the form of two over a substantially orthogonal to the support element ( 14 ) arranged rotary shaft ( 30 ) projections are formed. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the first locking elements ( 15 , 16 ) spring-loaded in a relative to or to the mounting hole ( 13 ) of an upper container ( 11 ) relaxed, locked end position from which they are inserted into which and for removal from the mounting hole ( 13 ) against the force of the spring means are rotatable.