EP0354332B1 - Coupling device for containers - Google Patents

Coupling device for containers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0354332B1
EP0354332B1 EP89111654A EP89111654A EP0354332B1 EP 0354332 B1 EP0354332 B1 EP 0354332B1 EP 89111654 A EP89111654 A EP 89111654A EP 89111654 A EP89111654 A EP 89111654A EP 0354332 B1 EP0354332 B1 EP 0354332B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coupling piece
housing
locking bolt
tongue
piece according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP89111654A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0354332A1 (en
Inventor
Johannes Wielenberg
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CONVER-OSR Ozean-Service- Reparatur-Ingenieurtechnik GmbH
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CONVER-OSR Ozean-Service- Reparatur-Ingenieurtechnik GmbH
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Publication of EP0354332A1 publication Critical patent/EP0354332A1/en
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Publication of EP0354332B1 publication Critical patent/EP0354332B1/en
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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/0006Coupling devices between containers, e.g. ISO-containers
    • B65D90/0013Twist lock
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T24/00Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
    • Y10T24/28Freight container to freight container fastener

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a coupling piece for releasably connecting containers according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the coupling pieces (twistlocks) mentioned here are mainly used during the transport of containers on ships.
  • the coupling pieces should on the one hand reliably prevent relative displacements of the containers from one another and, on the other hand, relative displacements of the containers relative to the ship. It is important that all containers are reliably connected to each other and to the ship. Missing or inadequate connections can cause the containers to slip at sea, with the result that damage to the containers and of the cargo contained therein and in particularly unfavorable cases, for example in heavy seas, the ship can capsize.
  • a coupling piece is known from FR-A-2 084 265 which has an indicator tongue which, when the coupling piece is locked, partially protrudes from an opening in the housing of the coupling piece to indicate whether the coupling piece is locked is.
  • the display tongue is brought into its display position by a positive connection with a locking bolt of the known coupling piece.
  • the coupling piece cannot be locked automatically when the end of the display tongue jams in the opening.
  • Such a jamming is to be feared, for example, when seawater that has accumulated in the housing freezes. It is also conceivable that the opening is blocked from the outside, so that the end of the display tongue cannot come out of the housing.
  • the object of the invention is to create a coupling piece which ensures a reliable display of at least the locked state.
  • the coupling piece according to the invention has the features of claim 1.
  • the flexible movement means that the locking bolt of the coupling piece can be moved even when the display tongue is clamped, and thus the coupling piece can in particular be brought automatically into its locking position. The function of the coupling piece is thus retained - apart from the display tongue.
  • the flexible movement member in the housing, namely in a transverse plane to the longitudinal direction of the locking bolt between part of the outer circumference thereof and a correspondingly formed inner wall of the housing.
  • a movement of the display tongue with respect to the housing arises from the fact that when the locking bolt is turned, the actuating member partially loops around the outer surface of the latter.
  • a Bowden cable or a rope fastened between the locking bolt on the one hand and the indicator tongue on the other hand can be considered as the actuating element.
  • this is in an elastically deformable covering made of a spiral spring, a rubber hose or the like for precise transmission of the rotational path of the locking bolt on the display tongue, in opposite directions.
  • Such movement organs have the advantage that they are not only inexpensive and compact; rather, they also have reliability that meets the requirements set here.
  • the coupling piece shown here is used to connect superimposed containers, of which the corner fittings 10 and 11 to be connected are only indicated (dashed lines) in FIG. 1.
  • the coupling piece has a housing 12 in which a locking bolt 14 is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis of rotation 13. The opposite ends of the locking bolt 14 are integrally connected to a respective cross bar 15 or 16 located outside the housing 12.
  • the coupling piece shown here is designed as a semi-automatic three-function coupling piece, in which the crossbars 15 and 16 can be brought together into a locking position relative to the corner fittings 10 and 11 by turning the locking bolt 14 and, in addition, one of the crossbars 15 and 16 can be brought into an unlocking position to a corresponding corner fitting 10 or 11.
  • the coupling piece is first with its (upper) Cross bar 15 locked under the lower corner fitting 10 of the upper container.
  • the (lower) crossbar 16 is then automatically locked the locking bolt 14 with the transverse bolts 15, 16 arranged thereon is referred to.
  • the housing 12 of the coupling piece shown here is formed in two parts, namely consists of two housing halves 19 and 20 connected by screws indicated by dashed lines.
  • the housing 12 thus has a vertical, approximately central division plane 21.
  • the housing 12 is divided into three sections, namely a central abutment 22, which is located as a spacer between adjacent corner fittings 10 and 11 of the stacked containers, and two middle pieces 23 and 24 located on opposite sides of the abutment 22.
  • the middle pieces 23 and 24 enter elongated holes 25 and 26 in the corner fittings 10 or 11 and are designed accordingly to the same.
  • housing 12 there is a vertical, continuous housing bore 27, the longitudinal center axis of which coincides approximately with the axis of rotation 13 of the locking bolt 14.
  • the locking bolt 14 can thus be rotated in the housing bore 27, which runs centrally through the parting plane 21 of the two housing halves 19, 20.
  • an (elongated) display tongue 28 with an approximately rectangular cross section (FIG. 1) is mounted in the housing such that it can be moved back and forth.
  • the footprint of the Indicator tongue 28 is dimensioned such that it can be moved completely into the housing 12.
  • the display tongue 28 is located in the abutment 22 of the housing 12, in such a way that the display tongue 28 can be freely moved back and forth between the stacked corner fittings 10 and 11 of containers placed one on top of the other.
  • a flexible movement member is used to move the display tongue 28 back and forth in the housing 12.
  • it is designed as a wire cable 29 that transmits both tensile and compressive forces with respect to the longitudinal axis.
  • This wire rope 29 is fastened at one end 30 by suitable means to the end region of the display tongue 28 projecting towards the interior of the housing 12, while the opposite end 31 of the wire rope 29 is connected to the locking bolt 14. specifically with a fastening tab 32 pointing radially outward to the axis of rotation 12 thereof.
  • the wire cable 29 for actuating the display tongue 28 is surrounded by an elastically deformable covering, namely a compression spring 33.
  • the compression spring 33 guides the wire cable 29 in a partial annular space 34 formed in the interior of the housing 12 between the outer circumference of the locking bolt 14 and an inner wall 35 of the housing 12 running approximately parallel thereto.
  • the end of the compression spring 33 which is toward the display tongue 28, is not supported on the display tongue 28 but on a stop surface in the interior of the housing 12.
  • the end of the compression spring facing away from the display tongue 28, like the wire cable 29, bears against the fastening tab 32 of the locking bolt 14.
  • the compression spring 33 serving as a covering for the wire cable 29 can - as in the present exemplary embodiment - Be provided with a further function in which it serves in the semi-automatic operation of the coupling piece for moving back the locking bolt 14 by abutment against a switching lug 36 on the operating lever 17 on the one hand and a switching cam 37 on the locking bolt 14 on the other.
  • FIG. 3 shows an unlocking or pre-locking position of the coupling piece, in which at least one of the two cross bolts 15 or 16 is in an unlocked position relative to the corner fittings 10 or 11 of the container.
  • the display tongue 28 is partially moved out of the housing 12 by the wire cable 29 actuated by the locking bolt 14, so that part of the display tongue 28 projects laterally from the abutment 22 of the housing 12.
  • the length of the area of the display tongue 28 protruding from the abutment 22 of the housing 12 is dimensioned such that at least a part of this area of the display tongue 28 which has become free protrudes from a vertical plane which is formed by corresponding side walls of containers lying one above the other.
  • the display tongue 28 is readily visible in the fully or partially unlocked state of the coupling piece if one looks from above into a gap between the side walls of adjacent container stacks facing each other.
  • the display tongue 28 is at least partially contrasted in color with respect to the coupling piece, in particular the housing 12 thereof.
  • the entire display tongue 28 is provided with a striking color coating.
  • this color coating can have a signal red color.
  • bright, fluorescent colors are particularly suitable for the color coating.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
  • Connection Of Plates (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Kuppelstück zum lösbaren Verbinden von Containern gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to a coupling piece for releasably connecting containers according to the preamble of claim 1.

Die hier angesprochenen Kuppelstücke (Twistlocks) werden vorwiegend während des Transports von Containern auf Schiffen eingesetzt. Die Kuppelstücke sollen einerseits Relativverschiebungen der Container untereinander und andererseits Relativverschiebungen der Container gegenüber dem Schiff zuverlässig verhindern. Wichtig ist, daß sämtliche Container untereinander und mit dem Schiff zuverlässig verbunden sind. Fehlende oder unzureichende Verbindungen können auf See zu einem Verrutschen der Container führen mit der Folge, daß Beschädigungen der Container und der darin enthaltenen Ladung erfolgen und in besonders ungünstigen Fällen, beispielsweise bei schwerer See, das Schiff kentern kann.The coupling pieces (twistlocks) mentioned here are mainly used during the transport of containers on ships. The coupling pieces should on the one hand reliably prevent relative displacements of the containers from one another and, on the other hand, relative displacements of the containers relative to the ship. It is important that all containers are reliably connected to each other and to the ship. Missing or inadequate connections can cause the containers to slip at sea, with the result that damage to the containers and of the cargo contained therein and in particularly unfavorable cases, for example in heavy seas, the ship can capsize.

Im Zuge zunehmender Rationalisierungsmaßnahmen zur Verkürzung der Ladezeiten werden vermehrt automatische Kuppelstücke (DE-A-36 42 399.8) oder halbautomatische Kuppelstücke eingesetzt. Diese werden mit den entsprechenden Eckbeschlägen der zu verladenden Container verbunden, bevor diese auf bereits an Bord eines Schiffes befindliche Container abgesetzt werden. Das endgültige Verriegeln dieser Kuppelstücke erfolgt dann selbsttätig während oder nach dem Aufsetzen der Container auf bereits verladene Container. Es ist somit kein Verriegeln der Kuppelstücke an Bord des zu beladenen Schiffes mehr erforderlich. Jedoch hat sich gezeigt, daß mit den bekannten Kuppelstücken nicht immer ein selbsttätiges Zusammenkuppeln der Container gewährleistet ist, zumal unzureichende Verriegelungen durch die Kuppelstücke praktisch nicht erkennbar sind. Es entstehen dadurch bei den automatischen oder halbautomatischen Kuppelstücken fehlende oder unzulängliche Verbindungen zwischen einzelnen Containern.In the course of increasing rationalization measures to reduce loading times, automatic coupling pieces (DE-A-36 42 399.8) or semi-automatic coupling pieces are increasingly being used. These are connected to the corresponding corner fittings of the containers to be loaded before they are placed on containers already on board a ship. The final locking of these coupling pieces is then carried out automatically during or after placing the container on already loaded containers. It is therefore no longer necessary to lock the coupling pieces on board the ship to be loaded. However, it has been shown that with the known coupling pieces an automatic coupling of the containers is not always guaranteed, especially since inadequate interlocking through the coupling pieces is practically not recognizable. This results in missing or inadequate connections between individual containers in the automatic or semi-automatic coupling pieces.

Um die Gefahr fehlender oder unzulänglicher Verbindungen zu vermeiden, ist aus der FR-A-2 084 265 ein Kuppelstück bekannt, das eine Anzeigezunge aufweist, die bei verriegeltem Kuppelstück teilweise aus einer Öffnung im Gehäuse des Kuppelstücks herausragt, um anzuzeigen, ob das Kuppelstück verriegelt ist. Die Anzeigezunge wird durch einen Formschluß mit einem Verriegelungsbolzen des bekannten Kuppelstücks in ihre Anzeigestellung gebracht. Infolge des Formschlusses zwischen dem Verriegelungsbolzen und der Anzeigezunge kann es dazu kommen, daß sich das Kuppelstück nicht automatisch verriegeln läßt, wenn das Ende der Anzeigezunge in der Öffnung klemmt. Zu befürchten ist ein solches Klemmen zum Beispiel dann, wenn im Gehäuse sich angesammeltes Seewasser gefriert. Außerdem ist es denkbar, daß die Öffnung von außen her versperrt ist, so daß das Ende der Anzeigezunge nicht aus dem Gehäuse heraustreten kann.In order to avoid the risk of missing or inadequate connections, a coupling piece is known from FR-A-2 084 265 which has an indicator tongue which, when the coupling piece is locked, partially protrudes from an opening in the housing of the coupling piece to indicate whether the coupling piece is locked is. The display tongue is brought into its display position by a positive connection with a locking bolt of the known coupling piece. As a result of the positive connection between the locking bolt and the display tongue, it may happen that the coupling piece cannot be locked automatically when the end of the display tongue jams in the opening. Such a jamming is to be feared, for example, when seawater that has accumulated in the housing freezes. It is also conceivable that the opening is blocked from the outside, so that the end of the display tongue cannot come out of the housing.

Hiervon ausgehend liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Kuppelstück zu schaffen, das eine zuverlässige Anzeige mindestens des Verriegelungszustandes gewährleistet.Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to create a coupling piece which ensures a reliable display of at least the locked state.

Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe weist das erfindungsgemäße Kuppelstück die Merkmale des Anspruchs 1 auf. Durch das flexible Bewegungsorgan wird erreicht, daß der Verriegelungsbolzen des Kuppelstücks sich auch noch bei festgeklemmter Anzeigezunge bewegen läßt und somit das Kuppelstück insbesondere automatisch in seine Verriegelungsstellung bringbar ist. Die Funktion des Kuppelstücks bleibt somit - abgesehen von der Anzeigezunge - erhalten.To achieve this object, the coupling piece according to the invention has the features of claim 1. The flexible movement means that the locking bolt of the coupling piece can be moved even when the display tongue is clamped, and thus the coupling piece can in particular be brought automatically into its locking position. The function of the coupling piece is thus retained - apart from the display tongue.

Weiter wird vorgeschlagen, die Anzeigezunge durch das flexible Bewegungsorgan direkt mit dem Verriegelungsbolzen zu verbinden. Es erfolgt so durch ein einziges Bewegungsorgan die Betätigung der Anzeigezunge in Abhängigkeit von der Stellung der dem Verriegelungsbolzen zugeordneten Querriegel.It is also proposed to connect the display tongue directly to the locking bolt through the flexible movement element. The display tongue is thus actuated by a single movement element depending on the position of the cross bolt assigned to the locking bolt.

Weiter wird vorgeschlagen, das flexible Bewegungsorgan im Gehäuse anzuordnen, und zwar in einer quergerichteten Ebene zur Längsrichtung des Verriegelungsbolzens zwischen einem Teil des Außenumfangs desselben und einer korrespondierend ausgebildeten Innenwandung des Gehäuses. Eine Bewegung der Anzeigezunge gegenüber dem Gehäuse kommt dadurch zustande, daß das Betätigungsorgan sich beim Verdrehen des Verriegelungsbolzens teilweise um die Mantelfläche desselben herumschlingt.It is further proposed to arrange the flexible movement member in the housing, namely in a transverse plane to the longitudinal direction of the locking bolt between part of the outer circumference thereof and a correspondingly formed inner wall of the housing. A movement of the display tongue with respect to the housing arises from the fact that when the locking bolt is turned, the actuating member partially loops around the outer surface of the latter.

Als Betätigungsorgan können in Betracht kommen ein Bowdenzug bzw. ein zwischen dem Verriegelungsbolzen einerseits und der Anzeigezunge andererseits befestigtes Seil. Dieses ist bei einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform der Erfindung in einer elastisch verformbaren Umhüllung aus einer Spiralfeder, einem Gummischlauch oder dergleichen geführt zur präzisen Übertragung des Verdrehweges des Verriegelungsbolzens auf die Anzeigezunge, und zwar in entgegengesetzten Richtungen. Derartige Bewegungsorgane haben den Vorteil, daß sie nicht nur preiswert und kompakt sind; vielmehr auch über eine den hier gestellten Anforderungen gerecht werdende Zuverlässigkeit verfügen.A Bowden cable or a rope fastened between the locking bolt on the one hand and the indicator tongue on the other hand can be considered as the actuating element. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, this is in an elastically deformable covering made of a spiral spring, a rubber hose or the like for precise transmission of the rotational path of the locking bolt on the display tongue, in opposite directions. Such movement organs have the advantage that they are not only inexpensive and compact; rather, they also have reliability that meets the requirements set here.

Schließlich wird vorgeschlagen, das Anzeigeorgan farblich auszubilden, wobei zweckmäßigerweise eine solche Farbe gewählt wird, die das Anzeigeorgan deutlich gegenüber dem Gehäuse hervorhebt. Die bei nicht erfolgter Verriegelung des Kuppelstücks aus dem Gehäuse desselben hervorragende Anzeigezunge kann dann auch auf größeren Entfernungen und ungünstigen Lichteinflüssen zuverlässig erkannt werden.Finally, it is proposed to design the display element in terms of color, expediently selecting a color which clearly emphasizes the display element with respect to the housing. If the coupling piece is not locked out of the housing of the same, the excellent display tongue can then be reliably recognized even at greater distances and unfavorable light influences.

Ein bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Kuppelstücks wird nachfolgend anhand der Zeichnung näher erläutert. In dieser zeigen:

Fig. 1
eine Seitenansicht eines zwischen zwei Eckbeschlägen zweier Container angeordneten Kuppelstücks in verriegeltem Zustand,
Fig. 2
einen horizontalen Schnitt II-II durch das Kuppelstück der Fig. 1 in verriegeltem Zustand, und
Fig. 3
das Kuppelstück in einem Schnitt gemäß der Fig. 2 im entriegelten Zustand.
A preferred embodiment of the coupling piece according to the invention is described below with reference to the drawing explained in more detail. In this show:
Fig. 1
2 shows a side view of a coupling piece arranged between two corner fittings of two containers in the locked state,
Fig. 2
a horizontal section II-II through the coupling piece of FIG. 1 in the locked state, and
Fig. 3
the coupling piece in a section according to FIG. 2 in the unlocked state.

Das hier dargestellte Kuppelstück dient zum Verbinden übereinanderliegender Container, von denen in der Fig. 1 lediglich andeutungsweise (strichliniert) die zu verbindenden Eckbeschläge 10 und 11 angedeutet sind. Das Kuppelstück verfügt über ein Gehäuse 12, in dem um eine vertikale Drehachse 13 ein Verriegelungsbolzen 14 drehbar gelagert ist. Die gegenüberliegenden Enden des Verriegelungsbolzens 14 sind einstückig verbunden mit jeweils einem außerhalb des Gehäuses 12 sich befindenden Querriegel 15 bzw. 16. Im verdrehenden Sinne betätigbar ist der Verriegelungsbolzen 14 mit den Querriegeln 15 bzw. 16 über einen in einer vertikalen Ebene verschwenkbaren Betätigungshebel 17.The coupling piece shown here is used to connect superimposed containers, of which the corner fittings 10 and 11 to be connected are only indicated (dashed lines) in FIG. 1. The coupling piece has a housing 12 in which a locking bolt 14 is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis of rotation 13. The opposite ends of the locking bolt 14 are integrally connected to a respective cross bar 15 or 16 located outside the housing 12.

Das hier gezeigte Kuppelstück ist als halbautomatisches Drei-Funktions-Kuppelstück ausgebildet, in dem die Querriegel 15 bzw. 16 durch Verdrehen des Verriegelungsbolzens 14 gemeinsam in eine Verriegelungsposition gegenüber den Eckbeschlägen 10 und 11 bringbar sind und darüber hinaus alternativ jeweils einer der Querriegel 15 bzw. 16 in eine Entriegelungsposition zu einem entsprechenden Eckbeschlag 10 bzw. 11 bringbar ist. Durch entsprechendes Verschwenken des Betätigungshebels 17 wird das Kuppelstück zunächst mit seinem (oberen) Querriegel 15 unter den unteren Eckbeschlag 10 des oberen Containers verriegelt. Beim Aufsetzen des so vorvorriegelten Kuppelstücks auf den oberen Eckbeschlag 11 des unteren Containers erfolgt dann selbsttätig ein Verriegeln des (unteren) Querriegels 16. Ein derartiges Kuppelstück geht beispielsweise hervor aus der deutschen Patentanmeldung P 37 10 419.5, auf die hinsichtlich der halbautomatischen Ausbildung der Betätigungsmechanik für den Verriegelungsbolzen 14 mit den daran angeordneten Querriegeln 15, 16 Bezug genommen wird. Das Gehäuse 12 des hier gezeigten Kuppelstücks ist zweiteilig ausgebildet, besteht nämlich aus zwei durch gestrichelt angedeutete Schrauben miteinander verbundene Gehäusehälften 19 und 20. Das Gehäuse 12 verfügt so über eine vertikale, etwa mittige Teilungsebene 21. Unterteilt ist das Gehäuse 12 in drei Abschnitte, nämlich einem mittigen Widerlager 22, das als Abstandhalter zwischen benachbarten Eckbeschlägen 10 und 11 der übereinandergestapelten Containern sich befindet, und zwei auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Widerlagers 22 sich befindenden Mittelstücken 23 und 24. Die Mittelstücke 23 und 24 treten in Langlöcher 25 und 26 in den Eckbeschlägen 10 bzw. 11 ein und sind dementsprechend korrespondierend zu denselben ausgebildet.The coupling piece shown here is designed as a semi-automatic three-function coupling piece, in which the crossbars 15 and 16 can be brought together into a locking position relative to the corner fittings 10 and 11 by turning the locking bolt 14 and, in addition, one of the crossbars 15 and 16 can be brought into an unlocking position to a corresponding corner fitting 10 or 11. By appropriately pivoting the actuating lever 17, the coupling piece is first with its (upper) Cross bar 15 locked under the lower corner fitting 10 of the upper container. When the pre-locked coupling piece is placed on the upper corner fitting 11 of the lower container, the (lower) crossbar 16 is then automatically locked the locking bolt 14 with the transverse bolts 15, 16 arranged thereon is referred to. The housing 12 of the coupling piece shown here is formed in two parts, namely consists of two housing halves 19 and 20 connected by screws indicated by dashed lines. The housing 12 thus has a vertical, approximately central division plane 21. The housing 12 is divided into three sections, namely a central abutment 22, which is located as a spacer between adjacent corner fittings 10 and 11 of the stacked containers, and two middle pieces 23 and 24 located on opposite sides of the abutment 22. The middle pieces 23 and 24 enter elongated holes 25 and 26 in the corner fittings 10 or 11 and are designed accordingly to the same.

Innerhalb des Gehäuses 12 befindet sich eine vertikale, durchgehende Gehäusebohrung 27, deren Längsmittelachse etwa mit der Drehachse 13 des Verriegelungsbolzens 14 zusammenfällt. Der Verriegelungsbolzen 14 ist somit in der Gehäusebohrung 27, die mittig durch die Teilungsebene 21 der beiden Gehäusehälften 19, 20 verläuft, verdrehbar.Within the housing 12 there is a vertical, continuous housing bore 27, the longitudinal center axis of which coincides approximately with the axis of rotation 13 of the locking bolt 14. The locking bolt 14 can thus be rotated in the housing bore 27, which runs centrally through the parting plane 21 of the two housing halves 19, 20.

Wie besonders deutlich die Fig. 2 und 3 erkennen lassen, ist im Gehäuse eine (längliche) Anzeigezunge 28 mit einem etwa rechteckigen Querschnitt (Fig. 1) hin- und herbewegbar gelagert. Die Grundfläche der Anzeigezunge 28 ist dabei derart bemessen, daß diese vollständig in das Gehäuse 12 hineinbewegbar ist. Wie vor allem die Fig. 1 noch erkennen läßt, befindet sich die Anzeigezunge 28 im Widerlager 22 des Gehäuses 12, derart, daß die Anzeigezunge 28 frei zwischen den übereinanderliegenden Eckbeschlägen 10 bzw. 11 aufeinander aufgesetzter Container hin- und herbewegbar ist.As can be seen particularly clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, an (elongated) display tongue 28 with an approximately rectangular cross section (FIG. 1) is mounted in the housing such that it can be moved back and forth. The footprint of the Indicator tongue 28 is dimensioned such that it can be moved completely into the housing 12. As can be seen above all from FIG. 1, the display tongue 28 is located in the abutment 22 of the housing 12, in such a way that the display tongue 28 can be freely moved back and forth between the stacked corner fittings 10 and 11 of containers placed one on top of the other.

Zum Hin- und Herbewegen der ANzeigezunge 28 im Gehäuse 12 dient ein flexibles Bewegungsorgan, das im vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel als ein in bezug auf die Längsachse sowohl Zug- als auch Druckkräfte übertragendes Drahtseil 29 ausgebildet ist. Dieses Drahtseil 29 ist mit einem Ende 30 durch geeignete Mittel am zum Inneren des Gehäuses 12 ragenden Endbereich der Anzeigezunge 28 befestigt, während das gegenüberliegende Ende 31 des Drahtseils 29 mit dem Verriegelungsbolzen 14 verbunden ist. und zwar mit einer radial zur Drehachse 12 desselben nach außen weisende Befestigungslasche 32.A flexible movement member is used to move the display tongue 28 back and forth in the housing 12. In the present exemplary embodiment, it is designed as a wire cable 29 that transmits both tensile and compressive forces with respect to the longitudinal axis. This wire rope 29 is fastened at one end 30 by suitable means to the end region of the display tongue 28 projecting towards the interior of the housing 12, while the opposite end 31 of the wire rope 29 is connected to the locking bolt 14. specifically with a fastening tab 32 pointing radially outward to the axis of rotation 12 thereof.

Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist das Drahtseil 29 zur Betätigung der Anzeigezunge 28 von einer elastisch verformbaren Umhüllung, nämlich einer Druckfeder 33 umgeben. Die Druckfeder 33 führt das Drahtseil 29 in einem Inneren des Gehäuses 12 gebildeten Teilringraum 34 zwischen dem Außenumfang des Verriegelungsbolzens 14 und einer etwa parallel dazu verlaufenden Innenwandung 35 des Gehäuses 12.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the wire cable 29 for actuating the display tongue 28 is surrounded by an elastically deformable covering, namely a compression spring 33. The compression spring 33 guides the wire cable 29 in a partial annular space 34 formed in the interior of the housing 12 between the outer circumference of the locking bolt 14 and an inner wall 35 of the housing 12 running approximately parallel thereto.

Dabei stützt sich das zur Anzeigezunge 28 Ende der Druckfeder 33 nicht an der Anzeigezunge 28, sondern an einer Anschlagfläche im Innern des Gehäuses 12 ab. Hingegen liegt das der Anzeigezunge 28 weggerichtete Ende der Druckfeder - wie das Drahtseil 29 - an der Befestigungslasche 32 des Verriegelungsbolzens 14 an. Die als Umhüllung für das Drahtseil 29 dienende Druckfeder 33 kann - wie im vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel - mit einer weiteren Funktion versehen sein, in dem sie beim halb-automatischen Betrieb des Kuppelstücks zum Zurückbewegen des Verriegelungsbolzens 14 dient durch Anlage gegen eine Schaltnase 36 am Betätigungshebel 17 einerseits und einer Schaltnocke 37 am Verriegelungsbolzen 14 andererseits.The end of the compression spring 33, which is toward the display tongue 28, is not supported on the display tongue 28 but on a stop surface in the interior of the housing 12. On the other hand, the end of the compression spring facing away from the display tongue 28, like the wire cable 29, bears against the fastening tab 32 of the locking bolt 14. The compression spring 33 serving as a covering for the wire cable 29 can - as in the present exemplary embodiment - Be provided with a further function in which it serves in the semi-automatic operation of the coupling piece for moving back the locking bolt 14 by abutment against a switching lug 36 on the operating lever 17 on the one hand and a switching cam 37 on the locking bolt 14 on the other.

Bei den in der Fig. 2 gezeigten Positionen des Verriegelungsbolzens 14, der beim gezeigten Kuppelstück der Verriegelungsstellung beider Querriegel 15 sowie 16 entspricht, ist die Anzeigezunge 28 vollständig in das Gehäuse 12 hineingefahren, also von außen nicht sichtbar. Demgegenüber ist der Fig. 3 eine Entriegelungs- bzw. Vorverriegelungsposition des Kuppelstücks gezeigt, in der mindestens einer der beiden Querriegel 15 oder 16 sich in einer entriegelten Stellung gegenüber den Eckbeschlägen 10 bzw. 11 der Container befindet. In diesem Falle ist die Anzeigezunge 28 durch das vom Verriegelungsbolzen 14 betätigte Drahtseil 29 teilweise aus dem Gehäuse 12 herausgefahren, so daß ein Teil der Anzeigezunge 28 gegenüber dem Widerlager 22 des Gehäuses 12 seitlich hervorragt. Die Länge des aus dem Widerlager 22 des Gehäuses 12 herausragenden Bereichs der Anzeigezunge 28 ist dabei derart bemessen, daß wiederum mindestens ein Teil dieses freigewordenen Bereichs der Anzeigezunge 28 aus einer vertikalen Ebene, die durch entsprechende Seitenwände übereinanderliegender Container gebildet wird, herausragt. Dadurch ist im ganz oder teilweise unverriegelten Zustand des Kuppelstücks die Anzeigezunge 28 ohne weiteres sichtbar, wenn man von oben in einen Spaltraum zwischen den zueinander gerichteten Seitenwänden benachbarter Containerstapel schaut.In the positions of the locking bolt 14 shown in FIG. 2, which corresponds to the locking position of the two cross bolts 15 and 16 in the coupling piece shown, the display tongue 28 has moved completely into the housing 12, that is to say it is not visible from the outside. In contrast, FIG. 3 shows an unlocking or pre-locking position of the coupling piece, in which at least one of the two cross bolts 15 or 16 is in an unlocked position relative to the corner fittings 10 or 11 of the container. In this case, the display tongue 28 is partially moved out of the housing 12 by the wire cable 29 actuated by the locking bolt 14, so that part of the display tongue 28 projects laterally from the abutment 22 of the housing 12. The length of the area of the display tongue 28 protruding from the abutment 22 of the housing 12 is dimensioned such that at least a part of this area of the display tongue 28 which has become free protrudes from a vertical plane which is formed by corresponding side walls of containers lying one above the other. As a result, the display tongue 28 is readily visible in the fully or partially unlocked state of the coupling piece if one looks from above into a gap between the side walls of adjacent container stacks facing each other.

Um die Erkennbarkeit des aus dem Widerlager 22 des Gehäuses 12 herausragenden Bereichs der Anzeigezunge 28 zu verbessern, ist die Anzeigezunge 28 zumindest teilweise farblich gegenüber dem Kuppelstück, insbesondere dem Gehäuse 12 desselben, abgesetzt. Vorzugsweise ist dazu die gesamte Anzeigezunge 28 mit einem auffälligen Farbüberzug versehen. Im einfachsten Falle kann dieser Farbüberzug einen signalroten Farbton aufweisen. Besonders geeignet sind jedoch für den Farbüberzug helle, fluoreszierende Farben.In order to improve the visibility of the area of the display tongue 28 protruding from the abutment 22 of the housing 12, the display tongue 28 is at least partially contrasted in color with respect to the coupling piece, in particular the housing 12 thereof. Preferably the entire display tongue 28 is provided with a striking color coating. In the simplest case, this color coating can have a signal red color. However, bright, fluorescent colors are particularly suitable for the color coating.

Claims (9)

  1. Coupling piece for the releasable connection of containers, having a housing (12) and a locking bolt (14) which is rotatably mounted therein and has opposing cross latches (15, 16) which can be moved into alternative positions, in particular a locking and an unlocking position, with respect to the corner fittings (10, 11) of the containers to be connected, and having an indicating tongue (28) which can be moved to and fro by the locking bolt (14), depending on the position of the cross latches (15, 16), characterized in that the indicating tongue (28) is connected to the locking bolt (14) by a flexible motion element.
  2. Coupling piece according to Claim 1, characterized in that the indicating tongue (28) is displaceably mounted in the housing (12), preferably in a (central) abutment (22) thereof.
  3. Coupling piece according to Claim 2, characterized in that the indicating tongue (28) is mounted in the abutment (22) of the housing (12) in such a manner that, in one position of the cross latches (15, 16), in particular in the locking position of the two cross latches (15, 16), it is located completely in the abutment (22), whereas, in one alternative position or in a plurality of alternative positions to the locking position, the indicating tongue (28) projects at least partially out of the abutment (22).
  4. Coupling piece according to Claim 1, characterized in that the flexible motion element is guided in a plane extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the locking bolt (14), preferably between part of the outer circumference of the locking bolt (14), on the one hand, and a corresponding inside wall (35) of the housing (12), on the other hand.
  5. Coupling piece according to Claim 4, characterized in that the flexible motion element is connected at one end (30) to the indicating tongue (28) and at an opposite end (31) to a transversely protruding fastening tab (32) on the locking bolt (14).
  6. Coupling piece according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the flexible motion element for the indicating tongue (28) is designed as a Bowden cable.
  7. Coupling piece accordign to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the flexible motion element is designed as a cable, in particular a wire cable (29), which connects the indicating tongue (28) to the locking bolt (14) and is provided with an elastically deformable sheath which is designed preferably as a spring, in particular a compression spring (33).
  8. Coupling piece according to Claim 7, characterized in that the compression spring (33) is supported by one end, directed towards the indicating tongue (28), on a corresponding wall of the housing (12) and by an opposite end on the fastening tab (32) on the locking bolt (14).
  9. Coupling piece according to Claim 1, and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the indicating tongue (28) is of a contrasting colour to the housing (12), in particular is at least partially provided with a coloured coating.
EP89111654A 1988-07-29 1989-06-27 Coupling device for containers Expired - Lifetime EP0354332B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE8809688U DE8809688U1 (en) 1988-07-29 1988-07-29 Coupling piece for connecting containers
DE8809688U 1988-07-29

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0354332A1 EP0354332A1 (en) 1990-02-14
EP0354332B1 true EP0354332B1 (en) 1994-02-02

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89111654A Expired - Lifetime EP0354332B1 (en) 1988-07-29 1989-06-27 Coupling device for containers

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US (1) US5012560A (en)
EP (1) EP0354332B1 (en)
DE (2) DE8809688U1 (en)
ES (1) ES2049778T3 (en)

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US5193253A (en) * 1988-07-29 1993-03-16 Conver-Osr Ozean Service-Reparatur-Ingenieurtechnik Gmbh Coupling piece and method for connecting containers
DE3940881A1 (en) * 1989-07-04 1991-01-17 Conver Osr Ozean Service Repar COUPLING PIECE FOR DETACHABLE CONNECTION OF CONTAINERS
SE467459B (en) * 1990-09-25 1992-07-20 Allset Marine Lashing Ab WIRELESS BEFORE HEARING CHARGES TO CONTAINERS
DE4329355C2 (en) * 1993-09-01 1995-08-17 Ulrich Dipl Ing Malchow Containers that can be assembled into double lengths
DE19504633A1 (en) * 1994-08-19 1996-02-22 Macgregor Conver Gmbh Coupling piece for the detachable connection of containers
DE19534767A1 (en) * 1995-09-19 1997-03-20 Jun Alexander Faller Rotary latch device for connecting attachable containers, in particular to stackable containers, on vehicles, on ships or the like.
US9487351B2 (en) * 2012-07-23 2016-11-08 Jointainer, Llc Modifiable containers and interconnectors
CN105292809A (en) * 2014-07-10 2016-02-03 上海国上机电科技有限公司 Check block for connecting container vehicle head with towing box
KR101770607B1 (en) * 2015-12-03 2017-08-24 한국철도기술연구원 A locking device for containers
WO2023194664A2 (en) * 2022-04-06 2023-10-12 Aalto University Foundation Sr Twistlock

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DE370419C (en) * 1923-03-02 Aeg Automatic hot press with electrical heating of the workpieces
US3578374A (en) * 1969-05-22 1971-05-11 Pullman Inc Container coupler arrangement
IL36342A (en) * 1970-03-06 1974-05-16 Backtemans Patenter Ab A fitting for securing freight containers
SE355008B (en) * 1971-02-12 1973-04-02 Backtemans Patenter Ab
US3753272A (en) * 1972-03-13 1973-08-21 Vulcan Steel Foundary Co Releasable container interlock
ES449514A1 (en) * 1975-09-06 1977-11-01 Conver Ing Technik Gmbh Coupling device for containers
JPS59182497U (en) * 1983-05-23 1984-12-05 大洋製器工業株式会社 Locking fittings for positioning containers, etc.
US4732505A (en) * 1984-10-25 1988-03-22 Conver Ingenieur Technik Gmbh & Co. Kg Coupling piece for connecting containers
JPH0443507Y2 (en) * 1987-04-15 1992-10-14

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE58906872D1 (en) 1994-03-17
EP0354332A1 (en) 1990-02-14
DE8809688U1 (en) 1988-10-13
ES2049778T3 (en) 1994-05-01
US5012560A (en) 1991-05-07

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