EP0477887B1 - Coupling means for containers - Google Patents

Coupling means for containers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0477887B1
EP0477887B1 EP91116305A EP91116305A EP0477887B1 EP 0477887 B1 EP0477887 B1 EP 0477887B1 EP 91116305 A EP91116305 A EP 91116305A EP 91116305 A EP91116305 A EP 91116305A EP 0477887 B1 EP0477887 B1 EP 0477887B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coupling
coupling piece
containers
piece
container
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
EP91116305A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0477887B2 (en
EP0477887A1 (en
Inventor
Torsten Michael Nitsche
Julius Donner
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MacGregor Germany GmbH and Co KG
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MacGregor Conver GmbH
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Application filed by MacGregor Conver GmbH filed Critical MacGregor Conver GmbH
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Publication of EP0477887B1 publication Critical patent/EP0477887B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/0006—Coupling devices between containers, e.g. ISO-containers
    • B65D90/0013—Twist lock
    • Y—GENERAL 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
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
    • Y10T24/28—Freight container to freight container fastener

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a coupling piece for connecting containers according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • coupling pieces are used to connect containers on board ships, which have to be released by hand. Since smaller 20 'containers in particular are stowed very tightly, the coupling pieces are unlocked (and possibly also locked) by people standing on the containers using rod-shaped tools which reach between the gaps between adjacent containers. New security conditions no longer allow this. As a result, it is no longer possible to unlock (and lock if necessary) the dome pieces by people standing on the containers.
  • a coupling piece is known from US-A-4,564,984 which has a central abutment and two coupling projections arranged on opposite sides of the abutment.
  • a spring-loaded pawl is mounted so that it can move. This pawl is used to lock the lower coupling projection with the corner fitting of the corresponding container.
  • the spring used to move the pawl into the locking position represents a considerable safety risk. If the spring is broken or the free displacement of the pawl is disturbed due to external influences, the containers are not locked. Since the entire malfunction of the pawl is not recognizable, such a lack of locking remains undetected.
  • the invention is based on the problem of creating a coupling piece for reliably connecting containers, which can be automatically unlocked and locked.
  • the coupling piece according to the invention has the features of claim 1. Characterized in that at least one coupling projection is formed for the relative displacement of the coupling piece to the containers to be connected, the coupling piece can be constructed in a particularly simple manner. The coupling piece can essentially be formed in one piece. In addition, the coupling projection can be provided with a pronounced anchoring lug, which in its locking position engages so far in the corner fitting of the corresponding container that it creates a sufficient positive connection to it.
  • the relative displacement of the entire coupling piece is expediently carried out transversely to the connecting direction of the containers to be coupled together, that is to say directed horizontally. This connects the containers in the relevant vertical direction, i.e. against lifting. Moving the container in the horizontal direction can be avoided by using two conventional twist locks with a horizontal and vertical one to connect two containers with four corner fittings Fuse and two coupling pieces according to the invention can be used with only vertical securing.
  • a coupling projection is provided with at least one displacement means designed in such a way that it brings about a longitudinal displacement of the entire coupling piece at least when the containers are placed one on the other.
  • the entire coupling piece can be displaced relative to the corner fittings of the container when the containers to be connected are placed on top of one another in such a way that both coupling projections reach a locking position in which they engage behind the corner fittings of the containers to be connected.
  • the displacement means is expediently molded onto a coupling projection.
  • the displacement means is formed by an inclined or concave curved sliding surface.
  • a (second) displacement means is provided, which is arranged upstream of the anchoring nose. If necessary, this shifting means serves to shift the entire coupling piece when the containers to be connected are moved together so that the anchoring nose can enter the corner fitting of the corresponding container. Subsequently, the coupling piece is displaced in the opposite direction by the (first) displacement means, so that the anchoring lug can positively engage behind the corner fitting of the container assigned to it.
  • Both displacement means are preferably each formed by a sliding surface on the lower coupling projection.
  • a security element is assigned to the coupling piece. This is located, for example, in the area of a central part of the second coupling projection which runs through the slot in the corner fitting of the corresponding container.
  • the securing element prevents the pre-locking of the coupling piece under an upper container by a possible turning back of the coupling piece after the coupling piece has been pre-locked is lifted, so the coupling piece can detach from the upper container. Furthermore, the securing element prevents the pre-locked coupling piece from being moved in the slot of the corresponding container.
  • the securing element is expediently designed as a filler piece in a corner-side recess in the middle piece.
  • the coupling piece shown here is used to connect containers 20, 21 on board ships. This connection takes place on opposite corner fittings 22, 23 of the containers 20, 21.
  • This coupling piece 71 is essentially formed in one piece. It has a central abutment 72, on the upper side 73 of which an (upper) coupling projection 74 and on the underside 75 of a (lower) coupling projection 76 protrude.
  • the (upper) coupling projection 74 has a special design (FIG. 2), namely it consists of a middle piece 77 which continues the abutment 72 and two anchoring lugs 78 and 91 arranged at the end of the same.
  • the anchoring lugs 78, 91 protrude from two adjacent ones at right angles to one another extending side surfaces 79 in front.
  • the anchoring lugs 78, 91 thereby extend in different, mutually perpendicular directions.
  • the anchoring lug 78 protrudes from the center piece 77 in the direction of the end face 82 (or door side) of the container 20.
  • the anchoring lug 91 is attached to the center piece 77 in such a way that it points to the corresponding long side of the container 20.
  • the anchoring lugs 78 and 91 each show a vertical slot 92 of the corresponding corner fitting 22 of the upper container 20. This ensures that the coupling piece can only be fastened under the corner fittings 22 of the respective upper container 20 in a certain relative position. In the case of a wrong relative arrangement of the coupling piece, at least one anchoring lug 78 or 91 of the coupling piece 71 would point to a closed side of the corner fitting 22, as a result of which, due to the lack of vertical elongated holes 92, the coupling piece could not be inserted into the corner fitting 22.
  • the anchoring lug 78 is provided with a length such that it extends completely through the vertical elongated hole 92 assigned to it and projects outwards therefrom with a short end region 93 (FIG. 6).
  • a recess in the form of a preferably concave bottom surface 94 of the Anchoring nose 78 is achieved that the coupling piece 71 inserted into the corner fitting 22 after the containers 20 and 21 have been locked can no longer move out of the locking position automatically.
  • a coating 81 with good sliding properties is preferably a plate made of polytetrafluoroethylene, which is connected to the top 73 of the abutment 72. It is also conceivable to pour the covering 81 onto the upper side 73 of the abutment 72.
  • the (lower) coupling projection 76 is provided with an anchoring lug 83 on the side facing the front side 82 (or door side) of the container 21. As a result, the anchoring lugs 83 and 78 protrude on the same side from the center piece 77 (FIG. 4).
  • the anchoring lug 83 is provided with an almost horizontal (flat) anchoring surface 84.
  • the area of the (lower) coupling projection 76 below the anchoring surface 84 is in turn approximately V-shaped. Accordingly, a first sliding surface 85 adjoins the anchoring surface 84 of the anchoring nose 83. This runs to an apex 86 located approximately centrally below the abutment 72, from which an opposite sliding surface 87 extends.
  • This sliding surface 87 is designed in a special way. It runs in an arc shape, namely concave, and is relatively steep with respect to the locking direction 28. This special design of the sliding surface 87 ensures that when the containers 20 and 21 are placed one on top of the other, the entire coupling piece 71 is displaced in the direction of the end face 82 of the container 21 and thus the anchoring nose 83 is brought into a position in which it connects to the elongated hole 25 engages behind the adjacent area of the corner fitting 23 (FIG. 6).
  • the sliding surface 87 or the sliding surface 85 can be provided with a lubricious covering, for example made of polytetrafluoroethylene.
  • the coupling piece 71 also has a securing element against independent rotation to solve the pre-locking under the upper container 20 on.
  • This consists of a filler 88 which is designed to correspond to a corner (square) recess 89 in the rectangular center piece 77 of the (upper) coupling projection 74.
  • the filler 88 can be moved up and down in the locking direction 28 such that it fills the recess 89 in the securing position, that is, it is pushed up and, in contrast, in the final securing position releases the recess 89 by being fully inserted into the abutment 72.
  • the coupling piece 71 can be inserted through a corresponding rotation through the elongated hole 25 of the corner fitting 22 of an upper container 20. This is facilitated by a bevel 95 diagonally opposite the recess 89 on the center piece 77 (FIG. 3).
  • the filler 88 is automatically pushed up into the recess 89 by a spring mechanism arranged outside the filler, which in the simplest case consists of a compression spring (not shown) which is partially accommodated in the (lower) coupling projection 76.
  • a spring mechanism arranged outside the filler, which in the simplest case consists of a compression spring (not shown) which is partially accommodated in the (lower) coupling projection 76.
  • an actuating pin 90 running transversely thereto is provided in the area of the underside of the filler 88. This lies with the filler 88 located in the recess 89 in the region of the abutment 72 (FIG. 3).
  • the procedure for pre-locking, locking and unlocking the coupling piece 71 is described below: To pre-lock the coupling piece 71 under the lower corner fitting 22 of the upper container 20, the filler 88 is first pressed down by hand against the spring force of the spring mechanism arranged below it on the actuating pin 90, so that the recess 89 in the middle piece 77 of the (upper) coupling projection 74 is released is. Then, with a corresponding relative displacement of the coupling piece 71 to the elongated hole 25 of the corner fitting 22 and with a corresponding rotation of the coupling piece 71, the anchoring lugs 78 and 91 of the (upper) coupling projection 74 can be inserted through the elongated hole 25 into the corner fitting 22.
  • the anchoring lugs 78 and 91 assigned to the center piece 77 at right angles to one another ensure that the coupling piece 71 only in one Relative position can be pre-locked under the corner fitting 22 of the (upper) container 20, because only in a (correct) relative to the relative position of the coupling piece 71, the anchoring lugs 78 and 91 engage in the corner fitting 22 through the vertical elongated holes 93 which are also arranged at right angles to one another.
  • the coupling piece 71 is turned back so far that the cross bar 78 extends essentially transversely to the elongated hole 25.
  • the coupling piece 71 has now reached the pre-locking position.
  • the coupling piece 71 is automatically secured by simply releasing the actuating pin 90, in that the filling piece 88 is then pushed into the recess 89 by the spring mechanism and the middle piece 77 is thereby given an almost complete square or rectangular cross section (FIG. 3), which an automatic unscrewing of the coupling piece 71 prevented from the pre-locking position.
  • the connection between them is established by completely moving the coupling piece 71. If the coupling piece 71 has been pre-locked under the upper container 20 in such a way that it is already in the locking position (FIG. 4), then the sliding piece 85 shown on the right pushes the coupling piece 71 away from the end face 80 of the container 20 and 21, until the anchoring lug 83 can enter the corner fitting 23 through the elongated hole 25 (FIG. 5).
  • the entire coupling piece 71 is moved in the opposite direction to the end faces 80 of the containers 20 and 21 by means of the correspondingly designed sliding surface 87 ( Fig. 6).
  • the sliding surface 87 is supported on the end region of the elongated hole 25 of the corner fitting 23 which is directed away from the anchoring nose 83.
  • the coupling piece 71 reaches the locking position.
  • the anchoring lug 83 engages behind an edge region of the corner fitting 23 which adjoins the elongated hole 25.
  • the anchoring lug 78 simultaneously comes into a region engaging behind the edge region of the elongated hole 25 of the corner fitting 22 (of the upper container 20) Position (Fig. 6). In this position, the concave depression on the underside 94 of the anchoring lug 78 encompasses a lower edge region of the vertical elongated hole 92 of the corner fitting 22 assigned to it, in order to prevent the coupling piece 71 from automatically moving out of the locking position.
  • the back and forth movement of the coupling piece 71 for locking the containers 20 and 21 is facilitated by the covering 81 with good sliding properties on the upper side 73 of the abutment 72.
  • This covering 81 is when the containers 20 and 21 are placed one on top of the other, namely by the sliding surface 85 or 87 triggered reaction force, pressed against the underside of the corner fitting 22 of the upper container 20.
  • the covering 81 receives the vertically directed force component of the sliding surface 85 or 87, while the vertically directed force component is brought to move the coupling piece 71 into the locking position or the unlocking position for the connection of the containers 20 and 21.
  • the lining 81 ensures that the friction between the upper side 73 of the abutment 72 and the underside of the corner fitting 22, the opposing horizontal force component that arises does not cancel out the horizontal force component generated by the sliding surface 85 or 87 even under difficult conditions, i.e. always a transverse displacement of the coupling piece 71 to ensure that the containers are automatically locked correctly 20 and 21 is given by the coupling pieces 71.

Description

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

Üblicherweise finden zum Verbinden von Containern an Bord von Schiffen Kuppelstücke (sogenannte Twistlocks) Verwendung, die von Hand gelöst werden müssen. Da vor allem kleinere 20'-Container sehr eng gestaut werden, erfolgt das Entriegeln (und gegebenenfalls auch Verriegeln) der Kuppelstücke von auf den Containern stehenden Personen mit stangenförmigen Werkzeugen, die zwischen die Spalträume benachbarter Container greifen. Neuerliche Sicherheitsbedingungen lassen dieses nicht mehr zu. Demzufolge ist es nicht mehr möglich, die Kuppelstücke durch auf den Containern stehende Personen zu entriegeln (und gegebenenfalls zu verriegeln).Usually, coupling pieces (so-called twistlocks) are used to connect containers on board ships, which have to be released by hand. Since smaller 20 'containers in particular are stowed very tightly, the coupling pieces are unlocked (and possibly also locked) by people standing on the containers using rod-shaped tools which reach between the gaps between adjacent containers. New security conditions no longer allow this. As a result, it is no longer possible to unlock (and lock if necessary) the dome pieces by people standing on the containers.

Aus der US A-4 564 984 ist ein Kuppelstück bekannt, das über ein mittiges Widerlager und zwei an gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Widerlagers angeordnete Kupplungsvorsprünge verfügt. In einem unteren Widerlager ist eine federbelastete Klinke querverschieblich gelagert. Diese Klinke dient zur Verriegelung des unteren Kupplungsvorsprungs mit dem Eckbeschlag des entsprechenden Containers. Die zur Verschiebung der Klinke in die Verriegelungsposition dienende Feder stellt ein erhebliches Sicherheitsrisiko dar. Ist nämlich die Feder gebrochen oder die freie Verschiebbarkeit der Klinke infolge äußerer Einflüsse gestört, kommt es zu keiner Verriegelung der Container. Da die gesamten Fehlfunktionen der Klinke nicht erkennbar sind, bleibt eine solche fehlende Verriegelung unentdeckt.A coupling piece is known from US-A-4,564,984 which has a central abutment and two coupling projections arranged on opposite sides of the abutment. In a lower abutment, a spring-loaded pawl is mounted so that it can move. This pawl is used to lock the lower coupling projection with the corner fitting of the corresponding container. The spring used to move the pawl into the locking position represents a considerable safety risk. If the spring is broken or the free displacement of the pawl is disturbed due to external influences, the containers are not locked. Since the entire malfunction of the pawl is not recognizable, such a lack of locking remains undetected.

Ausgehend von dem Vorstehenden liegt der Erfindung das Problem zugrunde, ein Kuppelstück zum zuverlässigen Verbinden von Containern zu schaffen, das sich automatisch ent- und verriegeln läßt.Starting from the above, the invention is based on the problem of creating a coupling piece for reliably connecting containers, which can be automatically unlocked and locked.

Zur Lösung dieses Problems weist das erfindungsgemäße Kuppelstück die Merkmale des Anspruchs 1 auf. Dadurch, daß wenigstens ein Kupplungsvorsprung zur Relativverschiebung des Kuppelstückes zu den zu verbindenden Containern ausgebildet ist, kann das Kuppelstück besonders einfach aufgebaut sein. Das Kuppelstück läßt sich im wesentlichen einteilig ausbilden. Außerdem kann der Kupplungsvorsprung mit einer ausgeprägten Verankerungsnase versehen sein, die in ihrer Verriegelungsposition so weit in den Eckbeschlag des entsprechenden Containers eingreift, daß dieser eine ausreichende formschlüssige Verbindung zu diesem herstellt.To solve this problem, the coupling piece according to the invention has the features of claim 1. Characterized in that at least one coupling projection is formed for the relative displacement of the coupling piece to the containers to be connected, the coupling piece can be constructed in a particularly simple manner. The coupling piece can essentially be formed in one piece. In addition, the coupling projection can be provided with a pronounced anchoring lug, which in its locking position engages so far in the corner fitting of the corresponding container that it creates a sufficient positive connection to it.

Zweckmäßigerweise erfolgt die Relativverschiebung des gesamten Kuppelstücks quer zur Verbindungsrichtung der aneinanderzukuppelnden Container, also horizontal gerichtet. Dadurch erfolgt eine Verbindung der Container in der maßgeblichen senkrechten Richtung, also gegen Abheben. Ein Verschieben der Container in horizontaler Richtung kann dadurch vermieden werden, daß zur Verbindung zweier Container mit vier Eckbeschlägen zwei herkömmliche Twistlocks mit einer horizontalen und vertikalen Sicherung und zwei erfindungsgemäße Kuppelstücke mit ausschließlich vertikaler Sicherung verwendet werden.The relative displacement of the entire coupling piece is expediently carried out transversely to the connecting direction of the containers to be coupled together, that is to say directed horizontally. This connects the containers in the relevant vertical direction, i.e. against lifting. Moving the container in the horizontal direction can be avoided by using two conventional twist locks with a horizontal and vertical one to connect two containers with four corner fittings Fuse and two coupling pieces according to the invention can be used with only vertical securing.

Ein Kupplungsvorsprung ist mit mindestens einem derart ausgebildeten Verschiebemittel versehen, daß es mindestens beim Aufeinandersetzen der Container eine Längsverschiebung des gesamten Kuppelstücks herbeiführt. Zweckmäßigerweise ist durch das Verschiebemittel das ganze Kuppelstück beim Aufeinandersetzen der zu verbindenden Container relativ zu den Eckbeschlägen derselben so verschiebbar, daß beide Kupplungsvorsprünge in eine Verriegelungsstellung gelangen in der sie die Eckbeschläge der zu verbindenden Container hintergreifen.A coupling projection is provided with at least one displacement means designed in such a way that it brings about a longitudinal displacement of the entire coupling piece at least when the containers are placed one on the other. Expediently, the entire coupling piece can be displaced relative to the corner fittings of the container when the containers to be connected are placed on top of one another in such a way that both coupling projections reach a locking position in which they engage behind the corner fittings of the containers to be connected.

Zweckmäßigerweise ist das Verschiebemittel an einen Kupplungsvorsprung angeformt. Das Verschiebemittel wird dazu gebildet durch eine schräg oder konkav bogenförmig verlaufende Gleitfläche.The displacement means is expediently molded onto a coupling projection. For this purpose, the displacement means is formed by an inclined or concave curved sliding surface.

In Weiterbildung des Kuppelstücks ist ein (zweites) Verschiebemittel vorgesehen, das der Verankerungsnase vorgeordnet ist. Dieses Verschiebemittel dient - falls notwendig - dazu, das gesamte Kuppelstück beim Zusammenfahren der zu verbindenden Container so zu verschieben, daß die Verankerungsnase in den Eckbeschlag des entsprechenden Containers eintreten kann. Im Anschluß daran wird das Kuppelstück durch das (erste) Verschiebemittel wieder entgegengesetzt verschoben, damit die Verankerungsnase formschlüssig den Eckbeschlag des ihr zugeordneten Containers hintergreifen kann. Beide Verschiebemittel sind vorzugsweise durch jeweils eine Gleitfläche am unteren Kupplungsvorsprung gebildet.In a further development of the coupling piece, a (second) displacement means is provided, which is arranged upstream of the anchoring nose. If necessary, this shifting means serves to shift the entire coupling piece when the containers to be connected are moved together so that the anchoring nose can enter the corner fitting of the corresponding container. Subsequently, the coupling piece is displaced in the opposite direction by the (first) displacement means, so that the anchoring lug can positively engage behind the corner fitting of the container assigned to it. Both displacement means are preferably each formed by a sliding surface on the lower coupling projection.

Weiterhin ist dem Kuppelstück ein Sicherungsorgan zugeordnet. Dieses befindet sich zum Beispiel im Bereich eines durch das Langloch des Eckbeschlags des entsprechenden Containers verlaufenden Mittelteils des zweiten Kupplungsvorsprungs. Durch das Sicherungsorgan wird verhindert, daß nach dem Vorverriegeln des Kuppelstücks unter einem oberen Container durch ein eventuelles Zurückdrehen des Kuppelstücks dessen Vorverriegelung aufgehoben wird, also sich das Kuppelstück vom oberen Container lösen kann. Desweiteren verhindert das Sicherungsorgan ein Verschieben des vorverriegelten Kuppelstücks im Langloch des entsprechenden Containers. Zweckmäßigerweise ist das Sicherungsorgan als Füllstück einer eckseitigen Ausnehmung des Mittelstücks ausgebildet. Befindet sich das Füllstück in der Ausnehmung des Mittelstücks, verfügt dieses über einen solchen Querschnitt, daß ein Verdrehen und/oder Verschieben des Kuppelstücks unter dem oberen Container nicht mehr möglich ist. Wird hingegen das Füllstück aus der Ausnehmung im Mittenabschnitt herausbewegt, läßt sich das Kuppelstück verdrehen zum Vorverriegeln unter dem oberen Container und zum Abnehmen von demselben.Furthermore, a security element is assigned to the coupling piece. This is located, for example, in the area of a central part of the second coupling projection which runs through the slot in the corner fitting of the corresponding container. The securing element prevents the pre-locking of the coupling piece under an upper container by a possible turning back of the coupling piece after the coupling piece has been pre-locked is lifted, so the coupling piece can detach from the upper container. Furthermore, the securing element prevents the pre-locked coupling piece from being moved in the slot of the corresponding container. The securing element is expediently designed as a filler piece in a corner-side recess in the middle piece. Is the filler in the recess of the middle piece, this has such a cross section that twisting and / or moving the coupling piece under the upper container is no longer possible. If, on the other hand, the filler is moved out of the recess in the middle section, the coupling piece can be rotated for pre-locking under the upper container and for removing the same.

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

Fig. 1
eine Seitenansicht eines Containerstapels mit einem in eine Entriegelungsposition gebrachten Container,
Fig. 2
eine Seitenansicht eines Kuppelstücks,
Fig. 3
einen Schnitt III-III durch ein Mittelstück eines zweiten Kupplungsvorsprungs des Kuppelstücks,
Fig. 4
das unter einem oberen Container vorverriegelte Kuppelstück vor dem Verbinden mit einem darunter liegenden Container,
Fig. 5
das Kuppelstück in einer sich kurz vor der Ver riegelungsstellung befindlichen Position, und
Fig. 6
das Kuppelstück im verriegelten Zustand.
A preferred embodiment of the coupling piece according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In this show:
Fig. 1
2 shows a side view of a container stack with a container brought into an unlocking position,
Fig. 2
a side view of a coupling piece,
Fig. 3
a section III-III through a center piece of a second coupling projection of the coupling piece,
Fig. 4
the coupling piece pre-locked under an upper container before being connected to an underlying container,
Fig. 5
the coupling piece in a position just before the locking position, and
Fig. 6
the coupling piece in the locked state.

Das hier gezeigte Kuppelstück dient zum Verbinden von Containern 20, 21 an Bord von Schiffen. Diese Verbindung erfolgt an gegenüberliegenden Eckbeschlägen 22, 23 der Container 20, 21. Die untereinander gleich ausgebildeten Eckbeschläge 22 und 23 weisen Hohlräume 24 auf, die von oben bzw. unten her durch Langlöcher 25 zugänglich sind (Fig. 4).The coupling piece shown here is used to connect containers 20, 21 on board ships. This connection takes place on opposite corner fittings 22, 23 of the containers 20, 21. The corner fittings 22 and 23, which are identical to one another, point out Cavities 24, which are accessible from above and below through elongated holes 25 (Fig. 4).

Die Fig. 2 bis 6 zeigen das erfindungsgemäße Kuppelstück 71. Dieses Kuppelstück 71 ist im wesentlichen einteilig ausgebildet. Es verfügt über ein mittiges Widerlager 72, an dessen Oberseite 73 ein (oberer) Kupplungsvorsprung 74 und an dessen Unterseite 75 ein (unterer) Kupplungsvorsprung 76 vorstehen.2 to 6 show the coupling piece 71 according to the invention. This coupling piece 71 is essentially formed in one piece. It has a central abutment 72, on the upper side 73 of which an (upper) coupling projection 74 and on the underside 75 of a (lower) coupling projection 76 protrude.

Der (obere) Kupplungsvorsprung 74 verfügt über eine besondere Gestaltung (Fig. 2), besteht nämlich aus einem das Widerlager 72 fortsetzenden Mittelstück 77 und zwei am Ende desselben angeordnete Verankerungsnasen 78 und 91. Die Verankerungsnasen 78, 91 ragen gegenüber zweier benachbarter, rechtwinklig zueinander verlaufender Seitenflächen 79 vor. Die Verankerungsnasen 78, 91 erstrecken sich dadurch in unterschiedlichen, rechtwinklig zueinander verlaufenden Richtungen. Die Verankerungsnase 78 ragt gegenüber dem Mittelstück 77 in Richtung zur Stirnseite 82 (bzw. Türseite) des Containers 20 vor. Demgegenüber ist die Verankerungsnase 91 am Mittelstück 77 so angebracht, daß sie zur entsprechenden Längsseite des Containers 20 weist. Dadurch zeigen die Verankerungsnasen 78 und 91 zu jeweils einem vertikalen Langloch 92 des entsprechenden Eckbeschlags 22 oberer Container 20. Hierdurch wird erreicht, daß sich das Kuppelstück nur in einer bestimmten Relativposition unter die Eckbeschläge 22 des jeweils oberen Containers 20 befestigen läßt. Bei einer demgegenüber falschen Relativanordnung des Kuppelstücks würde mindestens eine Verankerungsnase 78 oder 91 des Kuppelstücks 71 zu einer geschlossenen Seite des Eckbeschlags 22 weisen, wodurch infolge der fehlenden vertikalen Langlöcher 92 sich das Kuppelstück nicht in den Eckbeschlag 22 einsetzen ließe.The (upper) coupling projection 74 has a special design (FIG. 2), namely it consists of a middle piece 77 which continues the abutment 72 and two anchoring lugs 78 and 91 arranged at the end of the same. The anchoring lugs 78, 91 protrude from two adjacent ones at right angles to one another extending side surfaces 79 in front. The anchoring lugs 78, 91 thereby extend in different, mutually perpendicular directions. The anchoring lug 78 protrudes from the center piece 77 in the direction of the end face 82 (or door side) of the container 20. In contrast, the anchoring lug 91 is attached to the center piece 77 in such a way that it points to the corresponding long side of the container 20. As a result, the anchoring lugs 78 and 91 each show a vertical slot 92 of the corresponding corner fitting 22 of the upper container 20. This ensures that the coupling piece can only be fastened under the corner fittings 22 of the respective upper container 20 in a certain relative position. In the case of a wrong relative arrangement of the coupling piece, at least one anchoring lug 78 or 91 of the coupling piece 71 would point to a closed side of the corner fitting 22, as a result of which, due to the lack of vertical elongated holes 92, the coupling piece could not be inserted into the corner fitting 22.

Des weiteren ist nach einem wesentlichen Merkmal der Erfindung die Verankerungsnase 78 mit einer solchen Länge versehen, daß diese vollständig durch das ihr zugeordnete vertikale Langloch 92 hindurchgreift und mit einem kurzen Endbereich 93 hieraus nach außen vorragt (Fig. 6). Durch eine Vertiefung in Form einer vorzugsweise konkaven Ausbildung einer Unterseite 94 der Verankerungsnase 78 wird erreicht, daß das in den Eckbeschlag 22 eingesetzte Kuppelstück 71 nach dem Verriegeln der Container 20 und 21 sich selbsttätig nicht mehr aus der Verriegelungsstellung herausbewegen kann.Furthermore, according to an essential feature of the invention, the anchoring lug 78 is provided with a length such that it extends completely through the vertical elongated hole 92 assigned to it and projects outwards therefrom with a short end region 93 (FIG. 6). By a recess in the form of a preferably concave bottom surface 94 of the Anchoring nose 78 is achieved that the coupling piece 71 inserted into the corner fitting 22 after the containers 20 and 21 have been locked can no longer move out of the locking position automatically.

Auf der Oberseite 73 des Widerlagers 72 ist ein Belag 81 mit guten Gleiteigenschaften angeordnet. Hierbei handelt es sich vorzugsweise um eine Platte aus Polytetrafluorethylen, die mit der Oberseite 73 des Widerlagers 72 verbunden ist. Es ist auch denkbar, den Belag 81 auf die Oberseite 73 des Widerlagers 72 aufzugießen.On the upper side 73 of the abutment 72 there is a coating 81 with good sliding properties. This is preferably a plate made of polytetrafluoroethylene, which is connected to the top 73 of the abutment 72. It is also conceivable to pour the covering 81 onto the upper side 73 of the abutment 72.

Der (untere) Kupplungsvorsprung 76 ist an der zur Stirnseite 82 (bzw. Türseite) des Containers 21 gerichteten Seite mit einer Verankerungsnase 83 versehen. Demzufolge stehen die Verankerungsnasen 83 und 78 zur gleichen Seite gegenüber dem Mittelstück 77 vor (Fig. 4). Die Verankerungsnase 83 ist mit einer nahezu horizontal verlaufenden (ebenen) Verankerungsfläche 84 versehen. Der unterhalb der Verankerungsfläche 84 liegende Bereich des (unteren) Kupplungsvorsprungs 76 ist wiederum etwa V-förmig ausgebildet. Demnach schließt an die Verankerungsfläche 84 der Verankerungsnase 83 eine erste Gleitfläche 85 an. Diese verläuft zu einem etwa mittig unterhalb des Widerlagers 72 liegenden Scheitel 86, von dem eine entgegengesetzte Gleitfläche 87 ausgeht. Diese Gleitfläche 87 ist in besonderer Weise ausgebildet. Sie verläuft bogenförmig, nämlich konkav, und in bezug auf die Verriegelungsrichtung 28 relativ steil. Durch diese besondere Ausbildung der Gleitfläche 87 wird erreicht, daß beim Aufeinandersetzen der Container 20 und 21 das gesamte Kuppelstück 71 in Richtung auf die Stirnseite 82 des Containers 21 verschoben und damit die Verankerungsnase 83 in eine Position gebracht wird, in der sie den an das Langloch 25 angrenzenden Bereich des Eckbeschlags 23 hintergreift (Fig. 6). Gegebenenfalls kann die Gleitfläche 87 oder auch die Gleitfläche 85 mit einem gleitfähigen Belag, beispielsweise aus Polytetrafluorethylen, versehen sein.The (lower) coupling projection 76 is provided with an anchoring lug 83 on the side facing the front side 82 (or door side) of the container 21. As a result, the anchoring lugs 83 and 78 protrude on the same side from the center piece 77 (FIG. 4). The anchoring lug 83 is provided with an almost horizontal (flat) anchoring surface 84. The area of the (lower) coupling projection 76 below the anchoring surface 84 is in turn approximately V-shaped. Accordingly, a first sliding surface 85 adjoins the anchoring surface 84 of the anchoring nose 83. This runs to an apex 86 located approximately centrally below the abutment 72, from which an opposite sliding surface 87 extends. This sliding surface 87 is designed in a special way. It runs in an arc shape, namely concave, and is relatively steep with respect to the locking direction 28. This special design of the sliding surface 87 ensures that when the containers 20 and 21 are placed one on top of the other, the entire coupling piece 71 is displaced in the direction of the end face 82 of the container 21 and thus the anchoring nose 83 is brought into a position in which it connects to the elongated hole 25 engages behind the adjacent area of the corner fitting 23 (FIG. 6). Optionally, the sliding surface 87 or the sliding surface 85 can be provided with a lubricious covering, for example made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Das Kuppelstück 71 weist ferner ein Sicherungsorgan gegen selbständiges Verdrehen zur Lösung der Vorverriegelung unter dem oberen Container 20 auf. Dieses besteht aus einem Füllstück 88, das korrespondierend zu einer eckseitigen (quadratischen) Ausnehmung 89 im rechteckigen Mittelstück 77 des (oberen) Kupplungsvorsprungs 74 ausgebildet ist. Das Füllstück 88 ist in Verriegelungsrichtung 28 auf- und abbewegbar, derart, daß es in Sicherungsposition die Ausnehmung 89 ausfüllt, also hochgeschoben ist und demgegenüber in Endsicherungsposition die Ausnehmung 89 freigibt, indem es vollständig in das Widerlager 72 eingeschoben ist. Bei dadurch frei gegebener Ausnehmung 89 läßt sich das Kuppelstück 71 durch entsprechendes Verdrehen durch das Langloch 25 des Eckbeschlags 22 eines oberen Containers 20 einsetzen. Dieses wird erleichtert durch eine der Ausnehmung 89 diagonal gegenüberliegende Abschrägung 95 am Mittelstück 77 (Fig. 3). Nach der Herstellung der Vorverriegelung wird das Füllstück 88 selbsttätig in die Ausnehmung 89 hochgeschoben durch einen außerhalb des Füllstücks angeordneten Federmechanismus, der im einfachsten Falle aus einer teilweise im (unteren) Kupplungsvorsprung 76 untergebrachten (nicht dargestellten) Druckfeder besteht. Im Bereich der Unterseite des Füllstücks 88 ist ein quer hierzu verlaufender Betätigungszapfen 90 vorgesehen. Dieser liegt bei in der Ausnehmung 89 befindlichem Füllstück 88 im Bereich des Widerlagers 72 (Fig. 3).The coupling piece 71 also has a securing element against independent rotation to solve the pre-locking under the upper container 20 on. This consists of a filler 88 which is designed to correspond to a corner (square) recess 89 in the rectangular center piece 77 of the (upper) coupling projection 74. The filler 88 can be moved up and down in the locking direction 28 such that it fills the recess 89 in the securing position, that is, it is pushed up and, in contrast, in the final securing position releases the recess 89 by being fully inserted into the abutment 72. When the recess 89 is thereby released, the coupling piece 71 can be inserted through a corresponding rotation through the elongated hole 25 of the corner fitting 22 of an upper container 20. This is facilitated by a bevel 95 diagonally opposite the recess 89 on the center piece 77 (FIG. 3). After the pre-locking device has been produced, the filler 88 is automatically pushed up into the recess 89 by a spring mechanism arranged outside the filler, which in the simplest case consists of a compression spring (not shown) which is partially accommodated in the (lower) coupling projection 76. In the area of the underside of the filler 88, an actuating pin 90 running transversely thereto is provided. This lies with the filler 88 located in the recess 89 in the region of the abutment 72 (FIG. 3).

Die Vorgehensweise zum Vorverriegeln, Verriegeln und Entriegeln des Kuppelstücks 71 wird nachfolgend beschrieben:
Zum Vorverriegeln des Kuppelstücks 71 unter dem unteren Eckbeschlag 22 des oberen Containers 20 wird zunächst am Betätigungszapfen 90 von Hand das Füllstück 88 gegen die Federkraft des darunter angeordneten Federmechanismus nach unten gedrückt, so daß die Ausnehmung 89 im Mittelstück 77 des (oberen) Kupplungsvorsprungs 74 freigegeben ist. Es lassen sich dann bei entsprechender Relativverschiebung des Kuppelstücks 71 zum Langloch 25 des Eckbeschlags 22 und bei einer entsprechenden Verdrehung des Kuppelstücks 71 die Verankerungsnasen 78 und 91 des (oberen) Kupplungsvorsprungs 74 durch das Langloch 25 in den Eckbeschlag 22 einsetzen. Durch die im rechten Winkel zueinander dem Mittelstück 77 zugeordneten Verankerungsnasen 78 und 91 wird sichergestellt, daß das Kuppelstück 71 nur in einer Relativstellung sich unter dem Eckbeschlag 22 des (oberen) Containers 20 vorverriegeln läßt, weil nur in einer (richtigen) zur Relativposition des Kuppelstücks 71 die Verankerungsnasen 78 und 91 durch die ebenfalls rechtwinklig zueinander angeordneten vertikalen Langlöcher 93 im Eckbeschlag 22 eingreifen.The procedure for pre-locking, locking and unlocking the coupling piece 71 is described below:
To pre-lock the coupling piece 71 under the lower corner fitting 22 of the upper container 20, the filler 88 is first pressed down by hand against the spring force of the spring mechanism arranged below it on the actuating pin 90, so that the recess 89 in the middle piece 77 of the (upper) coupling projection 74 is released is. Then, with a corresponding relative displacement of the coupling piece 71 to the elongated hole 25 of the corner fitting 22 and with a corresponding rotation of the coupling piece 71, the anchoring lugs 78 and 91 of the (upper) coupling projection 74 can be inserted through the elongated hole 25 into the corner fitting 22. The anchoring lugs 78 and 91 assigned to the center piece 77 at right angles to one another ensure that the coupling piece 71 only in one Relative position can be pre-locked under the corner fitting 22 of the (upper) container 20, because only in a (correct) relative to the relative position of the coupling piece 71, the anchoring lugs 78 and 91 engage in the corner fitting 22 through the vertical elongated holes 93 which are also arranged at right angles to one another.

Anschließend wird das Kuppelstück 71 so weit zurückgedreht, daß der Querriegel 78 im wesentlichen quer zum Langloch 25 verläuft. Das Kuppelstück 71 hat nun die Vorverriegelungsposition erreicht. In dieser wird das Kuppelstück 71 automatisch durch einfaches Loslassen des Betätigungszapfens 90 gesichert, indem dann durch den Federmechanismus das Füllstück 88 in die Ausnehmung 89 geschoben wird und dadurch das Mittelstück 77 einen nahezu vollständigen quadratischen bzw. rechteckförmigen Querschnitt (Fig. 3) erhält, der ein selbsttätiges Herausdrehen des Kuppelstücks 71 aus der Vorverriegelungsstellung verhindert.Subsequently, the coupling piece 71 is turned back so far that the cross bar 78 extends essentially transversely to the elongated hole 25. The coupling piece 71 has now reached the pre-locking position. In this, the coupling piece 71 is automatically secured by simply releasing the actuating pin 90, in that the filling piece 88 is then pushed into the recess 89 by the spring mechanism and the middle piece 77 is thereby given an almost complete square or rectangular cross section (FIG. 3), which an automatic unscrewing of the coupling piece 71 prevented from the pre-locking position.

Beim nachfolgenden Aufeinandersetzen der Container 20 und 21 wird die Verbindung zwischen denselben durch komplettes Verschieben des Kuppelstücks 71 hergestellt. Ist das Kuppelstück 71 so unter dem oberen Container 20 vorverriegelt worden, daß sich dieses bereits in der Verriegelungsstellung befindet (Fig. 4), dann erfolgt durch die rechts dargestellte Gleitfläche 85 ein Wegschieben des Kuppelstücks 71 von der Stirnfläche 80 des Containers 20 und 21, bis die Verankerungsnase 83 durch das Langloch 25 in den Eckbeschlag 23 eintreten kann (Fig. 5). Sobald die Verankerungsnase 83 das Langloch 25 passiert hat, wird im Laufe des weiteren Absenkens des oberen Containers 20 auf den unteren Container 21 mittels der entsprechend ausgebildeten Gleitfläche 87 das gesamte Kuppelstück 71 in die entgegengesetzte Richtung zu den Stirnflächen 80 der Container 20 und 21 bewegt (Fig. 6). Dabei stützt sich die Gleitfläche 87 am von der Verankerungsnase 83 weggerichteten Endbereich des Langlochs 25 des Eckbeschlags 23 ab. Dadurch gelangt das Kuppelstück 71 in die Verriegelungsstellung. In dieser hintergreift die Verankerungsnase 83 einen an das Langloch 25 angrenzenden Randbereich des Eckbeschlags 23. Die Verankerungsnase 78 kommt gleichzeitig in eine den Randbereich des Langlochs 25 des Eckbeschlags 22 (des oberen Containers 20) hintergreifende Position (Fig. 6). Die konkave Vertiefung an der Unterseite 94 der Verankerungsnase 78 umgreift in dieser Position einen unteren Randbereich des ihr zugeordneten vertikalen Langlochs 92 des Eckbeschlags 22 zur Verhinderung eines selbsttätigen Verschiebens des Kuppelstücks 71 aus der Verriegelungsstellung.When the containers 20 and 21 are subsequently placed on top of one another, the connection between them is established by completely moving the coupling piece 71. If the coupling piece 71 has been pre-locked under the upper container 20 in such a way that it is already in the locking position (FIG. 4), then the sliding piece 85 shown on the right pushes the coupling piece 71 away from the end face 80 of the container 20 and 21, until the anchoring lug 83 can enter the corner fitting 23 through the elongated hole 25 (FIG. 5). As soon as the anchoring lug 83 has passed the elongated hole 25, in the course of the further lowering of the upper container 20 onto the lower container 21, the entire coupling piece 71 is moved in the opposite direction to the end faces 80 of the containers 20 and 21 by means of the correspondingly designed sliding surface 87 ( Fig. 6). The sliding surface 87 is supported on the end region of the elongated hole 25 of the corner fitting 23 which is directed away from the anchoring nose 83. As a result, the coupling piece 71 reaches the locking position. In this, the anchoring lug 83 engages behind an edge region of the corner fitting 23 which adjoins the elongated hole 25. The anchoring lug 78 simultaneously comes into a region engaging behind the edge region of the elongated hole 25 of the corner fitting 22 (of the upper container 20) Position (Fig. 6). In this position, the concave depression on the underside 94 of the anchoring lug 78 encompasses a lower edge region of the vertical elongated hole 92 of the corner fitting 22 assigned to it, in order to prevent the coupling piece 71 from automatically moving out of the locking position.

Das Entriegeln des Kupplungsstücks 71 ist ohne manuellen Eingriff möglich, wenn zwei erfindungsgemäße Kuppelstücke 71 einem stirnseitigen Endbereich eines jeden Containers 20 bzw. 21 zugeordnet werden und an gegenüberliegenden stirnseitigen Endbereichen des Containers Kuppelstücke mit verdrehbaren Kupplungsvorsprüngen (Twistlocks) verwendet werden, wie sie beispielsweise aus der DE 37 10 419 A1 hervorgehen. Nach dem Lösen der zwei herkömmlichen Twistlocks, beispielsweise der bekannten Semi-Automatik-Twistlocks, wird der obere Container 20 leicht angehoben, wodurch er in eine Schräglage gelangt (Fig. 1). In dieser kommen obere Eckbeschläge der oberen Container 20 gegenseitig zur Anlage, wodurch der untere Eckbeschlag 22 des oberen Containers 20 gegenüber dem oberen Eckbeschlag 23 des unteren Containers 21 verschoben wird. Durch diese Verschiebung kommt die Verankerungsnase 83 des (unteren) Kupplungsvorsprungs 76 jedes Kuppelstücks 71 in den Bereich der Langlöcher 25 des jeweiligen Eckbeschlags 23, wodurch sich automatisch die Verbindung der Container 20 und 21 durch die beiden erfindungsgemäßen Kuppelstücke 71 löst.Unlocking the coupling piece 71 is possible without manual intervention if two coupling pieces 71 according to the invention are assigned to a front end area of each container 20 or 21 and coupling pieces with rotatable coupling projections (twistlocks) are used on opposite front end areas of the container, such as those from the DE 37 10 419 A1 emerge. After loosening the two conventional twistlocks, for example the known semi-automatic twistlocks, the upper container 20 is raised slightly, as a result of which it moves into an inclined position (FIG. 1). In this upper corner fittings of the upper container 20 come to rest against each other, whereby the lower corner fitting 22 of the upper container 20 is shifted relative to the upper corner fitting 23 of the lower container 21. As a result of this displacement, the anchoring lug 83 of the (lower) coupling projection 76 of each coupling piece 71 comes into the region of the elongated holes 25 of the respective corner fitting 23, whereby the connection of the containers 20 and 21 is automatically released by the two coupling pieces 71 according to the invention.

Die Hin- und Herbewegung des Kuppelstücks 71 zum Verriegeln der Container 20 und 21 wird erleichtert durch den gute Gleiteigenschaften aufweisenden Belag 81 an der Oberseite 73 des Widerlagers 72. Dieser Belag 81 wird beim Aufeinandersetzen der Container 20 und 21, nämlich durch die von der Gleitfläche 85 bzw. 87 ausgelöste Reaktionskraft, gegen die Unterseite des Eckbeschlags 22 des oberen Containers 20 gedrückt. Der Belag 81 nimmt dabei die vertikalgerichtete Kraftkomponente der Gleitfläche 85 bzw. 87 auf, während die vertikalgerichtete Kraftkomponente zum Verschieben des Kuppelstücks 71 in die Verriegelungsstellung bzw. die Entriegelungsstellung zum Herstellen der Verbindung der Container 20 und 21 gebracht wird. Der Belag 81 stellt dabei sicher, daß die durch die Reibung zwischen der Oberseite 73 des Widerlagers 72 und der Unterseite des Eckbeschlags 22 entstehende entgegengesetzte horizontale Kraftkomponente die durch die Gleitfläche 85 bzw. 87 erzeugte horizontale Kraftkomponente auch unter schwierigen Bedingungen nicht aufhebt, also immer eine Querverschiebung des Kuppelstücks 71 zur Gewährleistung einer einwandfreien automatischen Verriegelung der Container 20 und 21 durch die Kuppelstücke 71 gegeben ist.The back and forth movement of the coupling piece 71 for locking the containers 20 and 21 is facilitated by the covering 81 with good sliding properties on the upper side 73 of the abutment 72. This covering 81 is when the containers 20 and 21 are placed one on top of the other, namely by the sliding surface 85 or 87 triggered reaction force, pressed against the underside of the corner fitting 22 of the upper container 20. The covering 81 receives the vertically directed force component of the sliding surface 85 or 87, while the vertically directed force component is brought to move the coupling piece 71 into the locking position or the unlocking position for the connection of the containers 20 and 21. The lining 81 ensures that the friction between the upper side 73 of the abutment 72 and the underside of the corner fitting 22, the opposing horizontal force component that arises does not cancel out the horizontal force component generated by the sliding surface 85 or 87 even under difficult conditions, i.e. always a transverse displacement of the coupling piece 71 to ensure that the containers are automatically locked correctly 20 and 21 is given by the coupling pieces 71.

Claims (10)

  1. Coupling piece for connecting containers (20, 21) on board ships, having an abutment (72) lying essentially between the containers (20, 21) to be connected and coupling projections (74, 76), allocated to opposite sides of the abutment (72), for engaging in one corner fitting (22, 23) each of the containers (20, 21) to be connected, characterized in that at least one coupling projection (74, 76) is designed in such a way that the entire coupling piece (71) can be put into a locking position relative to at least one corner fitting (22, 23) of the corresponding container (20, 21) by a relative displacement.
  2. Coupling piece according to Claim 1, characterized in that the relative displacement of the coupling piece (71) is effected transversely to the locking direction (28) of the containers (20, 21).
  3. Coupling piece according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one coupling projection, in particular a bottom coupling projection (76), is designed for displacing the entire coupling piece when the containers (20, 21) are placed one on top of the other.
  4. Coupling piece according to Claim 3, characterized in that the (bottom) coupling projection (76) has at least one displacing means for displacing the entire coupling piece (71) into the locking position.
  5. Coupling piece according to Claim 4, characterized in that the displacing means is designed in such a way that it displaces the coupling piece (71) automatically into the locking position of the (bottom) coupling projection (72) when the top container (20) is lowered onto the bottom container (21) and is preferably inclined and/or concavely arched.
  6. Coupling piece according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the displacing means of the (bottom) coupling projection (76) is formed by an inclined sliding surface (85, 87) integrally formed on the coupling projection (76).
  7. Coupling piece according to Claim 6, characterized in that the sliding surface (87) is arranged on the side of the (bottom) coupling projection (32) directed away from an anchoring lug (83).
  8. Coupling piece according to Claim 7, characterized in that a further displacing means, in particular a sliding surface (85), is arranged on the side of the (bottom) coupling projection (76) pointing towards the anchoring lug (83), which displacing means or sliding surface (85), to couple together the containers (20, 21), moves the coupling piece (71) in such a way that the (bottom) coupling projection (76) together with the anchoring lug (83) can enter the corner fitting (23) of the container (21) through the elongated hole (25).
  9. Coupling piece according to one or more of Claims 1 to 8, characterized by a securing member to prevent rotation and/or displacement relative to one of the containers (20, 21).
  10. Coupling piece according to one or more of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the (top) coupling projection (74) has a centre piece (77) which projects through the elongated hole (25) in the corner fitting (22) and is provided with a recess (89) which is designed in such a way that the centre piece (77) can be rotated in the corner fitting (22), and the recess (89) in the centre piece (77) can preferably be filled by a filling piece (88) to prevent rotation of the centre piece (77) in the elongated hole (25) of the corner fitting (22) of the respective container (20).
EP91116305A 1990-09-25 1991-09-25 Coupling means for containers Expired - Lifetime EP0477887B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4030336 1990-09-25
DE4030336A DE4030336C2 (en) 1990-09-25 1990-09-25 Coupling piece for connecting containers

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0477887A1 EP0477887A1 (en) 1992-04-01
EP0477887B1 true EP0477887B1 (en) 1996-01-31
EP0477887B2 EP0477887B2 (en) 2000-09-06

Family

ID=6414951

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91116305A Expired - Lifetime EP0477887B2 (en) 1990-09-25 1991-09-25 Coupling means for containers

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US5560088A (en)
EP (1) EP0477887B2 (en)
DE (3) DE4030336C2 (en)
DK (1) DK0477887T4 (en)
ES (1) ES2082901T5 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK0477887T4 (en) 2000-12-18
US5560088A (en) 1996-10-01
DE4042710C2 (en) 2002-11-28
EP0477887B2 (en) 2000-09-06
ES2082901T3 (en) 1996-04-01
DE4030336C2 (en) 2001-03-22
ES2082901T5 (en) 2000-12-01
DK0477887T3 (en) 1996-07-01
DE59107335D1 (en) 1996-03-14
DE4030336A1 (en) 1992-03-26
EP0477887A1 (en) 1992-04-01

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