DE202004005847U1 - Corner casting assemblies for freight containers have projections with twist-locks at bottom ends and matching sockets at top ends - Google Patents

Abstract

The corner casting assemblies (2) are for use with standard size freight containers (1). They have projections with twist- locks (16) at the bottom ends and matching sockets (11) at top ends. Safety locking devices (7) are fitted on either side of the twist lock bolt (8). A nut (14) screws on a spindle (13) and supports a rod (12) holding the top socket. The nut rests on a bottom rotatable rod (15) connected to the twist lock bolt.

Description

Summary

The Invention described below "Container to be locked by spreader" in connection with "Spreader for locking containers " primarily the loading and secure locking of the deck simplify a container's loaded container and thus reduce the laydown times and costs of cargo ships. The Locking can also be simplified on a truck or railroad car Envelope care.

The Containers need Moreover absolutely compatible with those currently in circulation Freight containers with ISO corner fittings and their different ones Locking systems (twistlocks) to be used in container traffic at all to be involved. If this system changes over time has enforced the dangerous Lashing work to unlock the so-called twistlocks that are now required is completely eliminated.

The System is formed by the combination of container and spreader. The spreader according to the invention compatible with all conventional containers and loading gear and can handle this as before, while he the container of the invention when locking their support (ship deck, other according to the invention or conventional containers, truck bridges or railway wagons) unlocks or when unlocking the container according to the invention of the spreader can be locked with their overlay.

Problem Description

In front especially in transportation of cargo containers by sea on the deck of container ships (the containers are secured in the hold anyway), but also with the Transport by truck or rail, it is necessary to use the container secure against slipping and / or falling.

So far So-called twistlocks are used, which are either stationary on the floor of the respective means of transport, or if there are containers in several layers one above the other are - like when transported on deck of container ships - loose twistlocks. All twistlocks have to manually either inserted, locked, unlocked or removed again become. Depending on the type, only one or more of the aforementioned activities are carried out.

That it’s a problem that’s been around for a while The beginning of container shipping calls for a solution, the manifold show Developments to simplify and automate container handling, which always tackle this problem and often the many Variants of the systems in use are stuck or even fail. Mentioned be here from the university Delft-developed robot for removing the twistlocks and various tests for machines for twistlock removal at various container terminals. Also the efforts being made to unlock the Making twistlocks easier and more secure shows how urgent this problem after a solution required. Even a youngest Developed twistlock that automatically locks in when the ship is at rest unlocked state, must still be in an extra operation removed or inserted.

Around on the one hand the dangerous ones Eliminate lashing and, on the other hand, the loading drastically To simplify, a container system is required, which is automatically to the type of document (conventional container, above twistlock, flat floor etc.) adjusts simultaneously tolerant of everyone - im Container traffic usual - kind of Ballast (conventional container, twistlock protruding downwards, unmodified spreader etc.).

On Another problem, which occurs only occasionally but then only with greater difficulty solved can be solved by the spreader according to the invention. It deals the hooking of the spreader twistlocks in too low corner fittings, the so-called Comer auditions. Due to the wide tolerances in both corner castings as well as spreader twist locks can the twistlocks occur even with slight deformations the spreader does not turn in the Comer-Castings and with it also cannot lock or unlock.

State of the art

US 3,980,185 describes a container which has its own locking mechanism and is locked by the twistlocks of the spreader, in contrast to the container according to the invention, this container is not compatible with the containers in circulation. Specifically, conventional containers, i.e. those that are not equipped with this locking system, cannot be placed on a container with this locking system on the deck of a container ship because the twistlocks then required - with their geometry that is partially identical to that of the spreader twistlocks - the containers when locking again would unlock. Loading these containers only in the upper layers of the container ships is not possible due to the specified loading sequences possible. In this invention, only the twistlock that can be pushed out from the bottom of the container is shorter in length than the usual spreader twistlocks, because a twistlock of the same length would unlock the containers underneath.

After this but also the twistlocks that lock the containers together a similar one is used Geometry like the spreader twistlocks would have Twistlocks of the container, which is thus on one of the above Invention corresponding Containers would be put, as well like the spreader, actuate the locking mechanism of the container and unlock the lower container when locking the upper container. In order to lacks compatibility to the usual containers up.

The mentioned invention is designed as a complete solution, ie a useful and thus sensible use of this technology is only possible if at least all containers of a shipping line or within a shipping pool were to be replaced in one train. So that would be as US 3,980,185 published invention - because of the lack of compatibility with the containers in circulation as the most important prerequisite - to interfere too much in existing equipment structures. Despite the undeniable advantages, the investments required for this are too high, even for the large shipowners. The mentioned invention is based exclusively on the compatibility with the spreaders in use, but the number worldwide and for all means of transport is considerably less than the number of containers in circulation. This is probably the main reason why this container locking system was never used.

task

The The invention is based on the object of creating containers or manufacture, which by spreader, which also changed according to the invention or can be built, locked together.

Further is the object of the invention, the container according to the invention are compatible with all other containers that are currently in the Circulating, shape.

Of of particular importance is the fact that the use of all different twistlocks in use for stacking them Containers still possible have to be. That the upper corner fittings of a container according to the invention have to can record any twistlock, without thereby locking the container according to the invention actuated or otherwise impaired becomes.

Further the invention is also based on the object that the system allow the use of not yet retrofitted spreaders and thereby to operate with reasonable effort is.

The The invention is also based on the object of the receiving members (Twistlocks) the spreader so that both the container according to the invention how to operate the existing conventional containers can and getting caught in comer castings that are too small is no longer possible.

Further important objects of the invention are visualization the locked state of the containers with each other and with the other creating an opportunity manual operation from above or from the side.

There first the solution introducing all of these tasks enables this system - which from the mentioned establish can only be done successively and gradually unfold its advantages - point out the apparently slight differences of the invention described here compared to US 3,980,185 an enormous amount of invention, that will help this system break through. This is not all the economic importance for the container industry enormous, also the advantages for shipowners, container terminals and last but not least, the Lascher are important.

description

The container according to the invention ( 1 ) has in the 4 corners ( 2 ) and corner profiles ( 21 ) each a multi-part, torque-transmitting linkage ( 3 ) from the upper corner fittings ( 22 ) to the lower corner fittings ( 23 ) is continuous. This linkage consists of the parts described below:

The recording (bag) ( 11 ) for spreader twistlock ( 6 ) which is designed so that all so-called ISO twistlocks ( 10 ) free in the upper corner casting (corner fitting) ( 22 ) can turn. This is achieved by the height (H) of these corner castings ( 22 ) compared to previous corner castings ( 22a ) is enlarged accordingly.

At the bottom of this shot ( 11 ) is the upper part of the torsion bar ( 12 ), which at its lower end by means of a twist-proof, vertically displaceable guide ( 13 ) (this is preferably designed as a regular polygon or spline shaft) with its inclusion ( 14 ) connected is. (It may be appropriate to use the sliding guide to be arranged so that the receptacle is at the top, while the splined shaft protrudes into this receptacle from the bottom up. The lower torsion bar is on this guide ( 15 ) with the lower twistlock ( 16 ) attached. The sliding guide ( 13 ) u. ( 14 ) enables the lower twistlock ( 16 ) vertical mobility over the 3 necessary positions (path 16d ). The lower twistlock ( 16 ) is rotated by 90 ° about the vertical axis in relation to the upper twistlock receptacle, as a result the lower twistlock is always unlocked when the spreader twistlock according to the invention is locked or vice versa.

Down ( 16a ): The twistlock assumes this position when the container according to the invention is placed on another container,

Middle ( 16b ): The twistlock is in position when the container according to the invention is placed on a flat surface, and

Above ( 16c ): The twistlock is in this position when the container according to the invention is placed on a base from which, for example, another twistlock ( 10 ) protrudes, for example in trucks, railway wagons or directly on the hatch cover of container ships.

Furthermore, the container lock according to the invention requires a downward force element ( 17 ) (preferably a compression spring) through which the lower twistlock ( 16 ) is pressed into the lowest possible height position and a support ( 18 ) for the compression spring.

The lower corner castings ( 23 ) on top with a reinforcement ( 24 ) be equipped so that they can absorb the tensile forces that are introduced via the lock. A separately installed reinforcement is also conceivable.

In order to prevent the containers according to the invention from slipping in the longitudinal direction, there is a guide sleeve around the lower torsion bar ( 19 ) that are at a fixed altitude relative to the lower twistlock ( 16 ) the lower torsion bar ( 15 ) rotatably encloses and opposite the Comer-Castings ( 23 ) is positively secured against twisting.

The entire boom is supported by a pick-up tube ( 21 ), which is preferably designed as a square tube, received and protected. This square tube also forms the corner profile of the container and is dimensioned so that it can bear the loads from the defined load. There is a cutout in each corner profile ( 25 ) attached by means of - the position (locked or unlocked) and position (altitude ( 16a - c )) of the twistlock ( 6 ) corresponding color marking ( 26 ) - the locking status is visible.

This color marker ( 26 ) is preferably applied to a ring that is in a fixed position relative to the twistlock ( 6 ) is located.

In order to be able to manually unlock and lock the twistlocks from the front sides (F) of the container, or to raise and lower them, there are on one with the twistlock ( 6 ) related element e.g. a linear toothing ( 28 ) with splined shaft ( 29 ) and bevel gear teeth ( 29 ), which can be accessed using an appropriate key ( 30 ) can be operated. The spline ( 29 ) can also on the key ( 30 ) to be appropriate.

The spreader according to the invention ( 4 ) is instead of the previously common twistlocks with displacement lock, which is relative to the contact surface ( 5 ) the spreader can only be moved or sprung vertically by a few millimeters, with twistlocks ( 6 ) and displacement locks ( 7 ) which, compared to their contact surface ( 5 ) vertically movable (path ( 20 )) are that on the one hand they go far enough into the upper corner castings ( 22 ) of the container according to the invention ( 1 ) engage the locking linkage over the pocket ( 11 ) to operate, on the other hand, relative to the contact surface ( 5 ) of the spreader can be pushed upwards so that the twistlocks can be locked and unlocked perfectly even with the lower Comer castings of conventional containers. The locking devices are equipped with a guide ( 9 ) equipped to absorb the horizontal acceleration forces from starting and braking movements as well as from cornering and the twistlock bolt ( 8th ) to support accordingly. The twistlocks could also be retracted by force to ensure that the corner castings fit tightly on the spreader pads.

directory of the pictures

The The following figures show preferred exemplary embodiments schematically The following views from the front (F) and from the long side (L) viewed from

1 shows a container according to the invention viewed from the long side (L)

1a shows a container according to the invention viewed from the end face (F)

2 shows only the linkage of a container according to the invention without comer casting

3 shows the recording device of a spreader according to the invention

3a shows the pick-up device of a spreader according to the invention when picking up a conventional container

4 shows a container according to the invention, which is picked up by a spreader according to the invention.

5 shows a possible embodiment of the teeth

6 shows a conventional container that is picked up by a spreader according to the invention.

7 shows a container according to the invention, which is occupied in its upper and lower Comer castings with normal twistlocks (only to show the compatibility).

F

view from the front of the container

L

view from the long side of the container

H1

Height of the corner castings the conventional container

H2

Height of the corner castings the container according to the invention

1

Container

2

corners

3

linkage

4

spreader

5

bearing surface

6

Spreader-twist lock

7

ground anchors

8th

twistlock bolt

9

guide

10

ISO twistlocks

11

admission for spreader twistlock

12

upper Part of the torsion bar

13

Sliding guide shaft

14

Sliding guide socket

15

lower torsion bar

16

twistlock of the container

16a

lowest Position of the twistlock

16b

middle Position of the twistlock

16c

top Position of the twistlock

16d

Path, that the twistlock can describe vertically

17

to bottom-acting force element (spring)

18

Support for ( 17 )

19

guide sleeve

20

path the spreader twistlock

21

Corner profile / collecting tube

22

upper corner fittings of the container according to the invention

22a

upper corner fittings of a conventional container

23

lower corner fittings of the container according to the invention

24

Reinforcement for Absorption of forces

25

neckline

26

color coding

27

splined shaft

28

gearing

29

bevel gear

30

rotation key

Claims (13)

Freight containers with so-called corner castings at each of the four upper corners, characterized in that inside these corner castings there are rotatable pockets into which spreader twistlocks or special tools specially built for this purpose can engage and turn them. Further characterized in that the height of these Comer-Castings is designed so that an actuation of the lock by other than the specially designed for this purpose -Spreader-Twistlocks or special tools is not possible. Further characterized in that all the twistlocks in circulation or similar devices engaging in the upper corner castings can be picked up without impairing the locking function. Freight container according to claim 1, characterized in that a vertical rotating rod can be actuated by means of each of the rotating pockets, which about a sliding seat with one rotated 90 ° to the direction of the pocket Twistlock is connected. Furthermore characterized in that this Twistlock is located in the lower Comer auditions and is vertically displaceable. Freight container according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the twistlock can extend so far out of the corner casting, that he goes into the elongated opening of the Comer castings of another container protrude and join can lock this Freight container according to claims 1 and 2 with so-called comer castings at each of the four lower corners characterized in that the Amount of this Comer-Castings is designed so that the on the edition (e.g. Hatch covers, trucks or railroad cars) possibly existing twistlocks or similar, in the lower Comer auditions engaging devices can be included without impairment and thus compatibility reached to all means of transport customary in freight container traffic becomes. Freight container according to claim 1; 2; 3 and 4, characterized in that the twist lock can be pressed into the lower corner casting to such an extent that a locking means in the form of a twist lock standing upwards from a base can protrude enough into the opening of the lower corner casting that it can lock or perform its intended function. Freight containers with so-called comer castings on everyone of the four lower corners characterized by the lower Corner castings on their top are reinforced so that they are made out resulting locking forces can absorb. Freight container with a locking mechanism in each corner is characterized by compatibility with all usual in freight container traffic Lifting devices, locks (twistlocks) and above all to yourself previously used freight containers is reached. Freight containers according to one or more of the preceding Expectations characterized in that the twistlocks preferably by means of a Toothed shaft in connection with a toothing with the twistlock is connected, raised with the help of a key that can be attached from the outside or can be lowered. Freight containers according to one or more of the preceding Expectations characterized in that the twistlocks preferably by means of a from the outside attachable key with bevel gear teeth in connection with a suitable one Gearing that is connected to the twistlock can be turned can. Spreader for lifting and / or transporting freight containers characterized in that the spreader's twistlocks are opposite the project the respective edition of the spreader vertically or are movable in the deep pockets of the container according to the invention intervene and this to lock or unlock the container according to the invention can twist with its pad. Spreader for lifting and / or transporting freight containers characterized in that the spreader's twistlocks are opposite the respective edition of the spreader as far as vertically movable, that they also intervene in the corner castings of conventional containers can and can lock or unlock without jamming. Spreader for lifting and / or transporting freight containers characterized in that the spreader's twistlocks with fuses against moving a picked container in the longitudinal direction are equipped and these together with the shafts of the twistlocks of transportation the container can absorb horizontal forces. Spreader for lifting and / or transporting freight containers according to claim 11 u. 12 characterized in that the vertical moveable twistlocks of the spreader together with those with fuses against moving a picked container after locking of the container taken up mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically etc. can be pulled up that the top of the Corner castings of the container picked up firmly on the contact surfaces of the Spreaders are concerned.