DE102022119543A1 - Device for securing swap bodies, system, support frame and retrofit or conversion set - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for securing swap bodies of different designs, in particular swap bodies or transport containers, on a support frame (10) of a vehicle trailer. The support frame (10) has at least one rear safety device and at least one front safety device (11). The front securing device (11) has at least one securing element (12) with a lower holding section (13) and at least one upper holding section (14), which can be rotated about a vertical axis (H) and fixed in at least two positions. The upper holding section (14) is adapted so that in a first position to secure the interchangeable body, a positive connection can be produced in the horizontal and vertical directions. The invention is characterized in that the upper holding section (14) is adapted so that in a second position for securing the interchangeable body, a positive connection can only be produced in the horizontal direction, the lateral outer wall (15) of the upper holding section (14) being in the second position forms a vertical extension of the lateral outer wall (15) of the lower holding section (13).

Description

The invention relates to a device for securing swap bodies of different types, in particular swap bodies or transport containers, a system for securing swap bodies, a support frame and a retrofitting and conversion set. A device for securing swap bodies of the type mentioned at the beginning is available, for example EP 3 666 591 A1 known.

Swap bodies, such as swap bodies or transport containers, are often used to transport goods. Such interchangeable bodies usually have locking receptacles or corner fittings with which the interchangeable bodies are fixed on transport vehicles, for example vehicle trailers. For this purpose, the corresponding carrier frames of the transport vehicles have safety devices with which the interchangeable bodies can be held in a form-fitting manner on the carrier frame. Such security devices, which are widely used, are referred to as twistlock locks.

From the one mentioned at the beginning EP 3 666 591 A1 Such a twistlock lock is known. It essentially comprises a pin, the mushroom-shaped tip of which can be rotated between an open position and a securing position. In the securing position, the mushroom-shaped tip engages behind a corner fitting of a removable body, so that a positive connection between the twistlock lock and the removable body is achieved in the horizontal and vertical directions.

The legal framework for securing swap bodies on vehicles stipulates that securing swap bodies on land vehicles is absolutely necessary, at least in the horizontal direction.

For the transport of vehicles or vehicle trailers with swap bodies as cargo on ships (RoRo transport), the law also requires that the swap body be secured in a vertical direction in order to take into account the rolling movements of a ship due to waves.

All of the aforementioned requirements are achieved by the twistlock locks, which hold the swap body positively in all spatial directions on the support frame of a vehicle trailer. However, twistlock locks are complex to operate, which increases the time required to secure swap bodies and thus affects the efficiency of the freight forwarding industry.

Against this background, it is the object of the invention to provide a device for securing swap bodies of different designs on a support frame of a vehicle trailer, the device being particularly quick and easy to use and yet meeting all legal requirements. A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for securing swap bodies, a support frame and a retrofit or conversion set.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a device for securing swap bodies according to claim 1. With regard to the system, the task is solved by the subject matter of claim 10, with regard to the support frame by the subject matter of claim 11 and with regard to the retrofitting or conversion set by the subject matter of claim 12.

Specifically, the object is achieved according to the invention by a device for securing swap bodies of different designs, in particular swap bodies or transport containers, on a support frame of a vehicle trailer. The support frame has at least one rear safety device and at least one front safety device. The front securing device has at least one securing element with a lower holding section and at least one upper holding section, which can be rotated about a vertical axis and fixed in at least two positions. The upper holding section is adapted so that in a first position to secure the interchangeable body, a positive connection can be produced in the horizontal and vertical directions. The invention is characterized in that the upper holding section is adapted so that in a second position for securing the interchangeable body, a positive connection can only be produced in the horizontal direction. In the second position, the lateral outer wall of the upper holding section forms a vertical extension of the lateral outer wall of the lower holding section.

The invention is therefore based on the idea of adapting the upper holding section of the securing element in such a way that, in addition to the first position in which an interchangeable body is secured by a positive fit in all spatial directions, a second position can be set for securing the interchangeable body in which a positive fit can only be produced in the horizontal direction.

It has been shown that it is necessary to meet the legal requirements for the transport of swap bodies on vehicle trailers both in road transport and in combined vessels traffic is sufficient if the swap body is positively secured to the support frame in a horizontal direction, i.e. in the direction of travel and transversely to the direction of travel. The vertical safety measures relevant to shipping traffic, however, can be achieved using frictional locking, whereby the weight of the swap body is sufficient to meet the legal limit values.

The present invention therefore departs from the prior art in that the second position provides an additional option for securing a swap body, in which the swap body is only secured in the horizontal direction and yet all legal requirements are met. In order to ensure sufficient support in the horizontal direction in the second position, an increase in the vertical form-fitting surface between the securing element and the interchangeable structure is required compared to the prior art. This is achieved by the lateral outer wall of the upper holding section in the second position forming a vertical extension, and not, as in the mushroom-shaped tip known from the prior art, a bevel, of the lateral outer wall of the lower holding section.

In the second position of the upper holding section, the securing element therefore forms a pin onto which the removable body can be attached for securing purposes. The vertical form-fitting surface between the pin and the swap body is sufficient to secure the swap body exclusively in the horizontal direction, so that all legal requirements are met.

In order to secure the interchangeable body according to the second securing option, i.e. through a positive connection exclusively in the horizontal direction, no manual operation is no longer necessary, since the interchangeable body is simply plugged onto the securing element. The swap body is secured when the carrier frame is loaded with the swap body. A positive locking in the vertical direction is not carried out. This significantly reduces the effort required to secure swap bodies. This represents a significant relief for transport service providers.

If, on the other hand, a positive locking is to take place in the vertical direction beyond the legal requirements, for example for special transport goods or in particularly rough driving conditions or sea conditions, this is possible simply by turning the upper holding section from the second position to the first position. Such additional positive securing of the swap body in the vertical direction also enables the use of the invention in countries that place higher demands on the load securing of swap bodies. This advantageously expands the scope of the present invention.

A device according to the invention is designed to secure swap bodies on a support frame of a vehicle trailer. Specifically, the device is used to secure swap bodies or transport containers on a support frame of a commercial vehicle trailer or commercial vehicle semi-trailer. The device can also be used to secure other swap bodies and generally in connection with securing objects.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the height of the upper holding section corresponds at least to the height of the lower holding section. This results in an increase in the securing element in the vertical direction, i.e. parallel to the vertical axis, which increases the hold in the horizontal direction. In order to further increase the hold in the horizontal direction, the vertical extension of the lateral outer wall of the lower holding section through the lateral outer wall of the upper holding section can have at least the height of the lower holding section. In this way, the vertical form-fitting surface between the securing element and the interchangeable structure can be increased, thus further strengthening the form-fitting in the horizontal direction.

To produce the vertical extension, it is advantageous if the shape of the upper holding section corresponds to the shape of the lower holding section. Because this enables an aligned arrangement of the lateral outer walls of the two holding sections in the second position. Holding sections of uniform design have the further advantage that production is thereby simplified. For an aligned arrangement of the lateral outer walls, only the geometry of the lateral outer wall of the lower holding section can correspond to the geometry of the lateral outer wall of the upper holding section.

In a further, preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper holding section is block-shaped. This achieves a particularly robust shape of the upper holding section and thus reduces the risk of the fuse failing. In order to additionally strengthen the security according to the second security option, the block shape of the holding section can be designed such that the height of the vertical extension corresponds to the height of the upper holding section. On In this way, the size of the vertical form-fitting surface between the securing element and the interchangeable structure can be maximized.

For a simple structure of the device, it is advantageous if the upper holding section can be fixed in the two positions by a screw connection. Complex mechanisms for fixing the upper holding section can therefore be omitted.

Preferably, a bolt-shaped extension with a thread is arranged on an underside of the upper holding section. The bolt-shaped extension allows the upper holding section to be easily rotated about the vertical axis, with the thread being able to fix the upper holding section in both positions. This functional coupling further simplifies the structure of the device. The extension and the upper holding section can be designed in one piece or in two parts, which advantageously expands the area of application of the device.

In particular, the extension can comprise a screw which passes through a through opening in the upper holding section. By using a simple screw, the manufacturing effort of the device is reduced. Such a two-part design also reduces maintenance costs, since if the holding section or the screw is damaged, only the damaged component, and not both together, needs to be replaced.

In a further, preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, a spacer sleeve is arranged on the upper holding section. This is useful in order to compensate for a larger diameter of a through opening in the lower holding section.

To fix the upper holding section in the two positions, the lower and upper holding sections can be positively connected in the two positions. This makes both the positioning and the fixing of the upper holding section in the two positions easier, and thus the operating effort of the device is reduced.

A secondary aspect of the invention relates to a system for securing swap bodies, in particular swap bodies and/or transport containers, in particular ISO containers, of different sizes on a support frame of a vehicle trailer with at least one rear safety device and at least one front safety device, each of which has a positive connection between the the respective interchangeable body and the support frame. The front securing device has at least one securing element with a lower holding section and at least one upper holding section, which can be rotated about a vertical axis and fixed in at least two positions. The upper holding section is adapted so that in a first position to secure the interchangeable body, a positive connection can be produced in the horizontal and vertical directions. The system is characterized in that the upper holding section is adapted so that in a second position to secure the interchangeable body, a positive connection can only be produced in the horizontal direction. In the second position, the lateral outer wall of the upper holding section forms a vertical extension of the lateral outer wall of the lower holding section.

A further, secondary aspect of the invention relates to a support frame of a vehicle trailer with a previously described device or a previously described system.

In addition, within the scope of the invention, a retrofitting or conversion set for a device or a system for securing swap bodies of different designs, in particular swap bodies or transport containers, is provided on a support frame of a vehicle trailer with a front security device. The front securing device has at least one securing element with a lower holding section and at least one upper holding section. To replace the upper holding section, the retrofit set includes a holding section with a bolt-shaped extension on an underside of the holding section, the lateral outer wall of the holding section extending parallel to the bolt-shaped extension.

The retrofitting or conversion set therefore provides a particularly simple and cost-effective way of applying the present invention to existing twistlock locks. For this purpose, only the upper holding section known from the prior art, i.e. the mushroom-shaped tip of the twistlock lock, is replaced by the holding section according to the invention. The bolt-shaped extension of the holding section extends instead of the mushroom-shaped tip through a vertical through opening in the lower holding section of the existing twistlock lock.

In this way, the holding section can be rotated about the bolt-shaped extension and fixed in at least two positions. Since the lateral outer wall of the holding section extends parallel to the bolt-shaped extension, it can be in one second position form a vertical extension of the lateral outer wall of the lower holding section of the existing twistlock lock. Thus, with the holding section of the retrofitting or conversion set in the second position, a pin is created onto which the removable body can be attached to secure it. The vertical form-fitting surface between the pin and the interchangeable body is sufficient to secure the interchangeable body exclusively in the horizontal direction, so that all legal requirements are met.

Regarding the effects and advantages of the system, the support frame and the retrofit or conversion set, reference is also made to the above statements in connection with the device for securing swap bodies of different designs on a support frame of a vehicle trailer.

The system, the support frame and the retrofit or conversion set are therefore both per se, i.e. H. disclosed and claimed independently of the device, as well as depending on the device.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Trägerrahmens mit zwei frontseitigen Sicherungseinrichtungen einer Vorrichtung nach einem erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2 eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer der beiden frontseitigen Sicherungseinrichtungen aus 1, wobei ein oberer Halteabschnitt in einer zweiten Position fixiert ist;
• 3 eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer der beiden frontseitigen Sicherungseinrichtungen aus 1, wobei der obere Halteabschnitt in einer ersten Position fixiert ist; und
• 4 eine Explosionsdarstellung des oberen Halteabschnitts, eines bolzenförmigen Fortsatzes, einer Scheibe und einer Mutter der frontseitigen Sicherungseinrichtung aus 1.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached schematic drawings. Show in it:

• 1 a perspective view of a support frame with two front safety devices of a device according to an exemplary embodiment according to the invention;
• 2 a perspective detailed view of one of the two front safety devices 1 , wherein an upper holding portion is fixed in a second position;
• 3 a perspective detailed view of one of the two front safety devices 1 , wherein the upper holding portion is fixed in a first position; and
• 4 an exploded view of the upper holding section, a bolt-shaped extension, a washer and a nut of the front safety device 1 .

The attached figures relate to a device for securing swap bodies of different designs, in particular swap bodies or transport containers, on a support frame 10 of a vehicle trailer according to an exemplary embodiment according to the invention. The support frame 10 has at least one rear safety device and two front safety devices 11.

In 1 a perspective view of the front part of the support frame 10 is shown, with the two front safety devices 11 being visible.

The support frame 10 has a frame neck and a cross beam, which is designed as a front beam. A front safety device 11 is arranged at the longitudinal ends of the front beam. The front securing device 11 has at least one securing element 12 with a lower holding section 13 and an upper holding section 14, which can be rotated about a vertical axis H and fixed in at least two positions.

The device provides two separate security options for a removable body. According to a first securing option, the upper holding section 14 can be fixed in a first position in which a positive connection can be produced in the horizontal and vertical directions to secure the interchangeable body. According to a second securing option, the upper holding section 14 can also be fixed in a second position in which a positive connection can only be produced in the horizontal direction to secure the interchangeable body.

In the second position, the lateral outer wall 15 of the upper holding section 14 forms a vertical extension of the lateral outer wall 15 of the lower holding section 13.

In 2 is a perspective detailed view of the left front safety device 11 in the direction of travel 1 shown, with the upper holding section 14 being fixed in the second position.

It is particularly clear here that the lateral outer wall 15 of the upper holding section 14 in the second position forms a vertical extension, and not, as in the mushroom-shaped tip known from the prior art, a bevel, of the lateral outer wall 15 of the lower holding section 14. As a result, the upper holding section 14 in the second position, together with the lower holding section 13, forms a pin, the lateral outer wall of which has a significantly enlarged area in the vertical direction.

By attaching it to the pin, a removable body can be sufficiently secured. Due to the enlarged area in the vertical direction compared to the prior art, when securing a removable body according to the second securing option, the vertical form-fitting surface between the pin and the removable body is increased. This ensures that the pin changes structure offers enough support in the horizontal direction, so that a vertical locking can be dispensed with and all legal requirements are still met.

The height of the upper holding section 14 essentially corresponds to the height of the lower holding section 13. In other words, both holding sections 13, 14 have a substantially equal dimension in the height direction H.

In fact, the shape of the upper holding section 14 corresponds to the shape of the lower holding section 13. In particular, the lateral outer wall 15 of the upper holding section 14 has a geometry which essentially corresponds to the geometry of the lateral outer wall of the lower holding section 13. The upper holding section 14 is arranged in the second position on the lower holding section 13 in such a way that the lateral outer walls 15 of the holding sections 13, 14 are aligned.

The upper holding section 14 is block-shaped. Specifically, the upper holding section 14 has a geometry that describes a cylinder with a base area and a top area. The base area and top area each essentially form a rectangle with different side lengths and rounded corners and edges. The larger side length essentially defines a length and the smaller side length a width of the upper holding section 14. Due to the rounded corners and edges, the lateral outer wall 15 is designed to be circumferential, being aligned essentially vertically, i.e. in the height direction H, in both positions . A hexagonal recess is formed in the top surface. The lower holding section 13 has an equivalent geometry.

The upper holding section 14 can be fixed in the two positions by a screw connection. For this purpose, a bolt-shaped extension 16 with a thread is arranged on an underside, i.e. on the base surface, of the upper holding section 14 ( 4 ). The bolt-shaped extension 16 protrudes essentially vertically from the underside of the upper holding section 14.

A through opening is formed in the lower holding section 13, which extends from the base area to the top area and is arranged centrally in relation to the base area or top area. The bolt-shaped extension 16 extends from the underside of the upper holding section through the through opening of the lower holding section 13 and protrudes with its thread from the through opening on an underside of the lower holding section 13.

A spacer sleeve 17 is arranged on the upper holding section 14. The spacer sleeve 17 is attached to the bolt-shaped extension 16, so it encloses it in sections. In particular, the spacer sleeve 17 encloses the section of the bolt-shaped extension 16, which extends through the through opening in the lower holding section 13. In this way, the spacer sleeve compensates for a larger diameter of the through opening in the lower holding section 13.

A nut is arranged on the thread of the bolt-shaped extension 16, which protrudes from the through opening on the underside of the lower holding section 13 ( 4 ). A washer is provided between the nut and the underside of the lower holding portion 13.

In order to fix the upper holding section 14 in one of the two positions, it is rotated from a starting position into the desired position. The bolt-shaped extension 16 extending through the through opening in the lower holding section 13 supports the rotation of the upper holding section 14 relative to the lower holding section 13 about the vertical axis H. Once the desired position is reached, the nut, which is on the opposite side of the lower Holding section 13 is arranged, tightened. As a result, the upper holding section 14 is pressed against the lower holding section 14 and thus fixed in the corresponding position.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bolt-shaped extension 16 and the upper holding section 14 are formed in one piece. It is also possible to design the bolt-shaped extension 16 and the upper holding section 14 in two parts.

The extension 16 can thus comprise a screw which passes through a through opening in the upper holding section 14. In other words, the bolt-shaped extension 17 can also be formed by inserting a screw through the upper holding section 14 so that it protrudes from the through opening on the underside of the upper holding section 14. The screw rests with its screw head on an upper side, i.e. the top surface, of the upper holding section 14.

The lower and upper holding sections 13, 14 can be connected in a form-fitting manner in the two positions. For this purpose, for example, a cross groove can be provided on the underside of the upper holding section 14 or the top of the lower holding section 13, which has a correspondingly adapted counter rib on the top of the lower holding section 13 or the underside of the upper holding section Section 14 interacts in a form-fitting manner. The positive connection can also be designed differently.

It is also possible for the lower holding section 13 to be positively connected to the cross member of the support frame 10.

In 2 The retrofitting or conversion set according to the invention can be clearly seen. The upper holding section 14 forms the holding section of the retrofit or conversion set, with the lateral outer wall 15 of the holding section extending parallel to the bolt-shaped extension 16, which is arranged on an underside of the holding section.

The longitudinal end of the front bar, on which the front safety device 11 is arranged, corresponds to a longitudinal end of a twistlock lock in which the upper holding section 14 has been replaced. In fact, remnants of the twistlock mechanism can still be seen, which are firmly installed and therefore cannot be removed when the upper holding section 13 is replaced.

In 3 is a perspective detailed view of the front safety device 11 2 shown, with the upper holding section 14 in the first position, and not as in 2 in the second position, is fixed.

Compared to the second position, the upper holding section 14 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees in the first position. Due to the rotation, the lateral outer wall 15 of the upper holding section 14 no longer forms a vertical extension of the lateral outer wall of the lower holding section 13 in the first position. Rather, the upper holding section 14 protrudes laterally with its longitudinal ends.

This lateral projection of the upper holding section in the first position creates a positive connection in the vertical direction to secure a swap body. The upper holding section thus secures the interchangeable body in both the horizontal and vertical directions in the first position.

In 4 an exploded view of the upper holding section 14 of the front safety device 11 1 shown. In particular, the bolt-shaped extension 16, the spacer sleeve 17, the washer and the nut come to light.

Reference symbol list

10

Support frame

11

front safety device

12

Security element

13

lower holding section

14

upper holding section

15

lateral outer wall

16

bolt-shaped extension

17

Spacer sleeve

H

vertical axis

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 3666591 A1 [0001, 0003]

Claims (12)

Device for securing swap bodies of different types, in particular swap bodies or transport containers, on a support frame (10) of a vehicle trailer, the support frame (10) having at least one rear-side securing device and at least one front-side securing device (11), the front-side securing device (11) having at least a securing element (12) with a lower holding section (13) and at least one upper holding section (14), which can be rotated about a vertical axis (H) and can be fixed in at least two positions, the upper holding section (14) being adapted so that in a first position for securing the interchangeable body, a positive connection can be produced in the horizontal and vertical directions, characterized in that the upper holding section (14) is adapted so that in a second position for securing the interchangeable body, a positive fit can be produced exclusively in the horizontal direction, wherein the lateral outer wall (15) of the upper holding section (14) forms a vertical extension of the lateral outer wall (15) of the lower holding section (13) in the second position. Device according to Claim 1 characterized in that the height of the upper holding section (14) corresponds at least to the height of the lower holding section (1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape of the upper holding section (14) corresponds to the shape of the lower holding section (13). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper holding section (14) is block-shaped. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper holding section (14) can be fixed in the two positions by a screw connection. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bolt-shaped extension (16) with a thread is arranged on an underside of the upper holding section (14). Device according to Claim 6 characterized in that the extension (16) comprises a screw which passes through a through opening in the upper holding section (14). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spacer sleeve (17) is arranged on the upper holding section (14). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower and upper holding sections (13, 14) can be connected in a form-fitting manner in the two positions. System for securing swap bodies, in particular swap bodies and/or transport containers, in particular ISO containers, of different sizes on a support frame (10) of a vehicle trailer with at least one rear safety device and at least one front safety device (11), each of which has a positive connection between the respective Interchangeable structure and the support frame cause the front-side securing device (11) to have at least one securing element (12) with a lower holding section (13) and at least one upper holding section (14), which can be rotated about a vertical axis and fixed in at least two positions, whereby the upper holding section (14) is adapted so that a positive connection in the horizontal and vertical directions can be produced in a first position for securing the interchangeable body, characterized in that the upper holding section (14) is adapted so that in a second position for securing of the interchangeable structure, a positive connection can only be produced in the horizontal direction, the lateral outer wall (15) of the upper holding section (14) in the second position forming a vertical extension of the lateral outer wall (15) of the lower holding section (13). Support frame of a vehicle trailer with a device according to one of Claims 1 until 9 or according to a system Claim 10 . Retrofit or conversion set for a device or a system for securing swap bodies of different types, in particular swap bodies or transport containers, on a support frame (10) of a vehicle trailer with a front-side security device (11), which has at least one security element (12) with a lower holding section ( 13) and at least one upper holding section (14), the retrofit set for replacing the upper holding section (14) comprising a holding section with a bolt-shaped extension (16) on an underside of the holding section, the lateral outer wall (15) of the holding section being parallel extends to the bolt-shaped extension (16).

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