EP0923495A1

EP0923495A1 - Set of parts for rigidly interconnecting the corners of two containers provided with hollow corner fittings, tools therefore, and assembly system

Info

Publication number: EP0923495A1
Application number: EP97941931A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Horst Neufingerl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-08-12
Filing date: 1997-08-11
Publication date: 1999-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2017-08-11
Also published as: BR9711197A; JP2000516179A; EP0923495B1; CN1227529A; ID18016A; US6363586B1; KR20000029936A; KR100444824B1; CN1072597C; WO1998006644A1

Abstract

A set of parts for rigidly interconnecting two containers provided with hollow corner fittings (4) includes an intermediate element (120) which leaves a predetermined gap between the rigidly interconnected containers, a rod with threaded ends and two hammer head parts (118) both of which may be screwed at either end of the threaded rod and inserted into the corner fittings (4) (14) through oblong holes provided on the surfaces of the corner fittings. Once assembled for rigidly interconnecting the containers, the threaded rod (116) extends through the intermediate element (120), is rotatable from outside the intermediate element and, when rotating, drives the hammer head parts (118) mounted on and inserted in the corner fittings into a superposed position against the intermediate element (120), under the pressure from the corner fitting external side (4).

Description

Kit for rigidly connecting two containers provided with hollow corner fittings at their corners, as well as handling tool, container and device

The invention relates to a kit for rigidly connecting two containers provided with hollow corner fittings in their corners according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a handling tool for such kits, containers and a device for rigidly connecting containers according to the preamble of the claim 23.

The majority of general cargo is now transported in containers, especially in ocean freight. Introduced according to ISO standards are 20-foot and 40-foot sea containers for which ships, carrying devices, lifting equipment, port facilities etc. were built

A problem that frequently arises in practice is that in a particular terminal, such as a port, loading station, etc., the existing 20-foot containers and 40-foot containers do not meet the respective requirements, i. H. empty back and forth transpoπieπ must be in order to have small and large containers or 20-foot and 40-foot containers available at the respective terminal. This empty transpose causes considerable costs. In addition, the load on the containers drops, which also leads to increased costs.

To remedy this problem, a container has been proposed in DE 43 29 355 C2, which can be assembled with a second container of the same type to form a completely double-length container. To connect the two containers, locking devices are provided, each consisting of a bolt-guiding element and a bolt-receiving element, which are integrated into the front-side container frame construction of both containers to be coupled and on the detachable front side of the are distributed in such a way that the same element type is always arranged on the side of an imaginary vertical center line that divides the detachable end face, so that it can be coupled with any other, similar container. The locking device creates a positive connection by inserting a pin arranged on a pin of the pin-guiding element of one container into the corresponding pin-receiving element of the other container with subsequent locking by rotating and pressing the pin onto the pin-receiving element.

The previously known device has the following characteristics:

- The double-length container does not fit the currently installed lifting and carrying device for 20- and 40-foot sea containers according to the ISO standard, since a distance of about 76 mm is required between two 20-foot containers, so that in coupled condition of the two 20-foot containers whose corner fittings are at the same distance as the outer corner fittings of a 40-foot container.

- Extensive renovation work is required on the containers because the locking elements have to be built into the frame structure of the containers.

- To connect two containers together, a person has to walk inside the container, which presupposes that the container is empty or temporarily unloaded, which in addition to high costs causes additional customs problems.

The object of the invention is to make the empty transports required in the containers currently available worldwide to a large extent superfluous, to rationalize the storage and to reduce the transport costs. This object is achieved with the features of the main claim.

The kit according to the invention can be used for globally introduced and ISO-standardized 20-foot containers without any change in the container, with two 20-foot containers rigidly connected to the kits according to the invention such as a 40-foot container in the worldwide infrastructure can be transported. The construction of the kit according to the invention is simple and therefore inexpensive. The containers can be connected in a simple manner by means of the kits, in that the hammer pieces are introduced into the container through the lateral elongated holes in the corner fittings, then screwed to the threaded rod while the containers are brought together externally, and then by rotating the threaded rod to one another be pulled until the spacer is in firm contact with the corner fittings. There are no changes to the containers, nor is it necessary to walk inside the containers.

In addition to other advantages, the invention achieves the following advantages:

- Improved use of 20 foot containers;

- By coupling two 20-foot containers can be driven as 40-foot containers on board a ship in 40-foot racks or on 40-foot parking spaces, which reduces both the loading costs and the transport costs;

- Empty transports are reduced;

- The coupled 40-foot container can be loaded quickly because it is accessible from two sides;

- An appropriate conversion of the 20-foot container in individual cases in such a way that its coupled state facing end faces are apparent, is possible in a simple manner without interfering with the support structure;

- No design changes to existing lifting and transport equipment are necessary;

- The kits according to the invention can also be used advantageously when lashing and securing the 20-foot container on ships.

- A composite container assembled with the kit from two conventional 20-foot containers is burglar-proof if the door sides face each other.

The sub-claims 2 to 13 are directed to advantageous embodiments of the kit according to the invention.

Claims 14 to 18 are directed to a handling tool which facilitates the handling of the kits according to the invention when connecting and disconnecting two containers.

The claims 19 to 22 identify containers which are particularly well suited for using the kit according to the invention.

It is only necessary to place two kits in each container, for example in a container provided in the container floor, so that the worldwide inventory of 20-foot containers can be used optimally and cost-effectively.

Claim 23 is directed to a device with which containers can be rigidly connected to a composite container in a particularly simple manner using construction kits according to the invention. The invention is explained below with reference to schematic drawings, for example and with further details.

They represent:

1 side views of a 40-foot container and two 20-foot containers,

2 a perspective view, partially cut open, of two 20-foot containers which are to be rigidly connected to one another and have their end faces arranged opposite one another,

3 is a perspective interior view of a composite container,

4 side views, partly in section, of kits for rigidly connecting two containers,

5 shows various details of the kits according to FIG. 4,

6 detailed views of an embodiment of a spacer and a hammer piece modified compared to FIG. 5,

7 shows a composite container assembled with a kit according to FIG. 6,

8 is a sectional view of the bottom of a container,

9 is a side view and plan view of a modified shape of a spacer, 10 is a side view of a threaded rod,

11 is a side view and a plan view of a hammer piece, as it can be used for the spacer according to FIG. 9,

12 is a side view and a plan view of a further embodiment of a spacer,

13 is a plan view of a modified embodiment of a threaded rod,

14 is a plan view and an end view of a modified hammer piece,

15 is a plan view and a front view of a modified embodiment of a multi-part spacer,

16 is a plan view, partly in section, of an assembled kit with a handling tool,

17 is a side view and an end view of a further embodiment of a spacer,

18 is a plan and a sti nansicht a multi-part spacer, which is slightly modified from that of FIG. 15,

19 is a plan view, partly in section, of an assembled kit with handling tool in an embodiment modified from FIG. 16,

FIG. 20 shows a side view and end view of an embodiment of a spacer that is modified compared to FIG. 17. 21 is a side view of a device for rigidly connecting two containers,

22 is a plan view of the device according to FIG. 21,

23 is an enlarged detail view of the device according to FIG. 21,

24 is an end view of a section of the device according to FIG. 21, and

25 shows a detail of the device according to the invention.

1 shows the top side view of a 40-foot container 2 with corner fittings 4 at each corner for lashing, fastening to a loading tackle, mutual fastening when stacking, etc. Two 20-foot containers 6 are shown below, which are arranged in such a way that their outer corner fittings 4 are aligned with the corner fittings of the 40-foot container 2, so that a uniform lifting device, uniform stacking points etc. could be used with respect to these corner fittings if the 20-foot container 6 is rigid in the position shown would be coupled or connected to each other. As can be seen, in the arrangement shown in the current ISO standardization of the containers, there is a distance d between the 20-foot containers 6 which is approximately 76 mm. This distance d is necessary for stacking reasons, etc.

2 shows a perspective view of two 20-foot containers 6 according to the invention with their end faces next to one another. These containers 6 are provided with corner fittings 4 in a manner known per se and, on their end faces facing away from one another according to FIG externally opening doors 8 through which the containers 6 are loaded.

On their mutually facing end faces, the containers 6 have further doors, only the door of the container shown on the right in FIG. 2 being shown. This door is as hinged tilting door 10 issued above, which is evident in the container and is in the open state directly on the ceiling of the container, so that it affects the interior as little as possible. Instead of the tilting door 10, other types of doors or gates can also be provided, such as rolling, rotating or sectional doors. It is crucial that these doors or gates are completely accommodated in the interior of the container in the open state and impair the interior as little as possible. Advantageously, the doors 10 located on the opposite end faces of the containers open completely inwards and are only evident from the inside, so that they are evident in the containers arranged according to FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the interior of two containers arranged according to FIG. 2 with open doors 8 facing the viewer, closed doors 8 facing away from the viewer and open doors 10 (not shown). As can be seen, there is a rigid connection between the two containers Interior created that corresponds to that of a larger 40-foot container, so that the 40-foot container is completely unnecessary. Another advantage of the composite container according to FIG. 3 is that it can be loaded from both sides, which speeds up the loading and unloading processes.

Fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the opposite ends of two containers 6. The grand construction of these containers 6 can be known per se, i.e. for example, a frame construction with frame parts 12 running along the edges, the mutual connection of which is reinforced by means of the corner fittings 4. Each corner fitting 4 is hollow and has an elongated hole 14 on each outside through which the inside of the corner fitting 4 is accessible.

A threaded rod 16 with two counter-rotating threads is used for mutual bracing or rigid connection of the containers 6, which is in screw engagement with tendons 18 or hammer elements accommodated in the cavities of the corner fittings 4. are pieces. The middle area of the threaded rod 16 extends through a spacer 20, which is arranged between two opposite corner fittings 4. Through a lateral opening in the spacer 20 through a rotationally fixed to the threaded rod 16, provided with radial holes 22 clamping sleeve 24 can be actuated so that when the threaded rod 16 rotates the hammer pieces 18 towards each other and taking the corner fittings 4, the container 6 rigid with the spacer 20 or mutually connected. If, according to FIG. 3, a continuous interior of the composite container is to be created, a circumferential hose seal (not shown) can be attached between the frame parts 12, the corner pieces of which are formed, for example, by the corresponding contours of the spacers 20. By inflating the hose seal, the interior of the container 6 can be reliably sealed to the outside. It is further understood that the space between the bottoms of the containers can be bridged by inlaid floor panels or hinged to the container bottoms.

5 shows some details of the connecting device, with FIGS. A), b), c) showing a side view, end view, top view of the spacer 20, d) showing the passage of the threaded rod 16 through the spacer 20, and e) the threaded rod 16 with the clamping sleeve 24 and the hammer pieces 18 shows which components together with the spacer 20 form a kit.

The spacer 20 is a hollow part with a through bore 28, through which the threaded rod 16 extends, and with a large opening 30 running along a narrow side, through which the clamping sleeve 24 can be rotated by means of a clamping iron or actuating bolt 27 which can be inserted into its holes 22 is. In order to connect the clamping sleeve 24 to the threaded rod 16 in a rotationally fixed manner, at least one spring pin 32 is inserted and secured in the clamping sleeve 24.

6 shows in a) a side view, in b) a front view and in c) a top view of one modified form of a spacer 40 and in d) an end view of a hammer piece

42nd

The base body of the spacer 40 is designed similarly to the spacer 20 (FIG. 5) with a through hole 28 and the or the side openings 30. Above and below the through hole 28, the spacer 40 has lugs 44 with which it engages in a form-fitting manner in the corresponding elongated holes 14 (FIG. 4) of the associated corner fittings 4. A recess 46 thus extends between the lugs 44 between the lugs 44 across the through bore 28.

The hammer pieces 42 assigned to the spacer 40 have a threaded through bore 48 and, in addition to the threaded bore 48, are provided on their end faces with shoulders 50 which engage in the cutouts 46.

Fig. 7 shows the entire assembly of threaded rod 16, spacer 40, clamping sleeve 24 and hammer pieces 18 with which two corner fittings 4 of adjacent containers 6 are rigidly connected. The connection between two upper corner fittings 4 is shown.

The assembly is done as follows:

The clamping sleeve 24 is introduced into the spacer 20 through the openings 30. The threaded rod 16 is inserted through the through-bore 28 of the clamping sleeve 24 and connected to the clamping sleeve 24 in a rotationally fixed manner by means of at least one spring pin 32. The assembly of the clamping sleeve 20, the threaded rod 16 and the clamping sleeve 24 is then inserted into a side slot 14, for example of the right container 6, the containers being even further apart than shown. The spacer 20 is then rotatably connected to the corner fitting 4. The hammer piece 18 is then introduced through an upper, elongated slot 14 and placed on the threaded end 16 of the threaded rod 16 and screwed to it. The hammer piece 18 is brought into a position in which its shoulders 50 engage in the recesses 46 of the spacer 20, so that the hammer piece 42 is non-rotatably coupled to the spacer 20 and by simply turning the threaded rod 16 by means of one in one of the radial holes 22 actuating bolt used can be screwed further onto the threaded rod 16.

7 is then shifted towards the right container, so that the left side of the spacer 20 engages in the corresponding elongated hole in the upper corner fitting and aligns the two corner fittings or containers with one another. Then the other hammer piece 42 is inserted through one of the elongated holes 14 and screwed onto the thread of the threaded rod 16. By turning the threaded rod, the threaded areas of which are in opposite directions, the hammer pieces 42 are moved towards one another, their end faces coming into contact with the inner walls of the corner fittings 4 and pressing the corner fittings against the spacer 20.

The sequence described takes place at the four corners of each of the containers, so that the containers can be rigidly and precisely connected to one another. According to the current ISO standard, the elongated holes 14 of the upper corner fittings are different from those of the lower corner fittings, which can be taken into account by designing the lugs 44 of the spacers 40 accordingly. The hammer pieces 42 can be of the same design for all four corner fittings.

After the four clamping screws 16 have been tightened, securing screws (not shown) for securing the threaded rods 16 against rotation are screwed into an opening 54 of each spacer 40, which screws can optionally be provided with customs seals.

Fig. 8 shows a section through a portion of the bottom 60 of a container, below the reinforcement bars 68. A bottom part 70 is cut out conically between two reinforcing bars 68. A container 72 is inserted into the opening that becomes free when the base part 70 is removed, and is used to hold two connection kits, with which an upper and lower corner fitting of a container can be connected to a corresponding upper and lower corner fitting of another container. The connection kits each consist of a spacer, an adapter sleeve, a threaded rod and two hammer pieces as well as, if necessary, the associated spring pins and locking screws as well as the clamping bolt.

It is understood that numerous modifications of the device described are possible. For example, the clamping sleeve 24 may be missing and the threaded rod 16 may be directly formed in its central region such that it can be rotated through the spacer 20 or 40 by, for example, the threaded rod itself being formed with holes for inserting an actuating bolt or between the Threaded rod and the spacer a worm gear is provided.

The hammer pieces can be designed such that they are inserted directly through the slot, which they engage behind after rotation. This is easily possible with ISO-standardized corner fittings, in particular on the lower corner fittings, since their elongated holes have a significantly greater length than their width. If the hammer pieces, the spacer and the threaded rod are introduced in this way, containers stacked in a ship can be directly attached to one another or fastened, which makes the corresponding conventional attachment unnecessary and saves time and money.

The anti-rotation of the hammer pieces does not have to be achieved by their engagement on the spacer; the hammer pieces can also be designed with lugs with which they engage in the elongated holes, so that thereby security against rotation is achieved. The security against rotation of the spacers can be increased by their engagement with the secured hammer pieces can be achieved.

Fig. 9 shows in a) a side view and in b) an end view of a modified embodiment of a spacer 86. Similar to the previously described spacers, the spacer 86 also has a through hole 28 through which the threaded rod 16 can be pushed with a fit, and radial Through holes 88 for inserting spring pins engaging in radial holes 89 of the threaded rod 16 (FIG. 10), by means of which the spacer 86 can be connected non-rotatably to the threaded rod 16, and radial blind holes 22, into which an actuating bolt for rotating the spacer with the non-rotatably its connected threaded rod 16 can be used. The described embodiment of the spacer 86 makes the clamping sleeve used in the above-described embodiments for rotating the threaded rod 16 superfluous. Since the spacer 86 described is rotated when two containers are attached to one another or when a container is being lashed, which can lead to friction problems on the end face, the spacer 86 is constructed in three parts with a central part 90 and two side parts 92 and 94. The side parts 92 and 94 form annular contact surfaces which protrude slightly from the central part 90 and are supported on the central part 90 by means of thrust bearings 96, so that the central part 90 can be rotated even with large contact forces acting on the side parts 92 and 94 until the pressure in the Internal thread of the hammer pieces 98 (FIG. 11) engaging threaded rod 16 no longer permits further tightening.

The tightened state of the spacer 86 or of its middle part 90 can be ensured by screwing an Allen screw (not shown) into a threaded bore 100 from one of the radial holes 22 and its screwed end coming into contact with one of the corner fittings.

The hammer pieces 98 used differ from those described above in that they are provided with a projection 102 which engages in a form-fitting manner in an associated elongated hole in a corner fitting and keeps it secured against twisting therein. An advantage of the spacer 86 according to FIG. 9 is that it is particularly simple to manufacture as a rotating part provided with bores. The thrust bearings 96 can be commercially available bearings that can be attached to the middle part in a conventional manner.

12 shows in a) a side view and in b) an end view of an embodiment of a spacer 104 which is modified compared to FIG. 9. The central part 90 is largely identical to the central part 90 according to FIG. 9. The side parts 106 and 108 are provided with projections 110 which engage in a form-fitting manner in corresponding elongated holes in the fittings of the containers to be connected, so that the side parts 106 and 104 are held in the elongated holes in a rotationally fixed manner and connect the containers in alignment with one another. Correspondingly, hammer pieces can be used which are similar to the hammer pieces 42 of FIG. 6d with lugs 50 and 52 which engage between the lugs 110.

It is understood that the non-rotatable connection between the spacer and hammer piece can also be achieved other than by means of spring pins, for example by means of a bolt which is inserted or screwed into a through hole in the spacer and a through hole aligned therewith through the screw bolt.

Another embodiment of a kit is described below:

13 shows a threaded rod 116 with opposing threaded areas 128 and a threadless central region, within which a radially projecting projection 130 is formed, which extends over part of the axial length of the threaded rod 116.

FIG. 14 shows one of the hammer pieces 118, FIG. 14a in top view and FIG. 14b in end view. As can be seen, the hammer piece 118 has a through bore 134 provided with an internal thread 132. In addition, the outer end face of the hammer piece is provided with a groove 136, the function of which is explained below. FIG. 15 shows a spacer 120 composed of several components and modified compared to the embodiment of FIG. 11, FIG. 15a showing a top view and FIG. 15b an end view. The spacer 120 consists of a total of four parts, namely a central part designed as an adapter sleeve 138, two side parts 140 and a bridge 144.

The clamping sleeve 138 has a through hole 146 which is formed with an axial groove 148, so that the threaded rod 116 can be inserted through the clamping sleeve 138 and the shoulder 130 comes into positive engagement with the groove 148. Radial holes 150 for attaching a tool are formed along the circumference of the clamping sleeve 138, by means of which the clamping sleeve can be rotated.

Each of the identical side parts 140 has a through bore 152 with a groove 154, so that the threaded rod 116 can be pushed through the side part. The through bore 152 is widened in a region 156 adjacent to the clamping sleeve 138 and has an inner diameter which is so large that the threaded rod 116 passed through the side part 140 can rotate relative to the side part when the shoulder 130 rotates within the extended region 156 located. On the end face facing the clamping sleeve 138 in the assembled state, the side part 140 is provided with a recess for receiving the clamping sleeve 124. On the opposite outer end face, the side part 140 has a shoulder 158 for a positive engagement in one of the elongated holes 14 of a corner fitting 4.

A bridge 144, which can be screwed or welded to each of the side parts 140, for example, and has a threaded bore 159 into which a securing screw 160 (FIG. 16) can be screwed in, serves to rigidly connect the two side parts 140 to one another with the clamping sleeve 138 received between them is.

Before the function of the components described is explained with reference to FIG. 16, another handling tool, designated 165 in FIG. 16, is described.

The handling tool 165 has a holding leg 166, one end of which is designed as a handle 167 and the other end of which carries a bushing 168, the outer diameter of which corresponds to the inner diameter of the through bore 134 of a hammer piece 118. The holding leg 166 is designed in cross section such that it fits into the groove 136 on the end face of the hammer piece 118. Furthermore, a stop 170 is formed on the holding limb 166, which, when the bush 168 is aligned with the through bore 134, bears against the outside of the corner fitting 4 shown in dash-dotted lines in FIG. 16.

The described components work as follows:

The two side parts 140, which receive the clamping sleeve 138 between them, are rigidly connected to one another via the bridge 144, so that they form the spacer 120. In the assembled state, the clamping sleeve 138 is received with practically no axial play between the side parts 140. The threaded rod 116 is pushed into the assembly formed in this way, the threaded rod 116 being able to move axially in the pushed-in state after a slight rotation within the spacer 120 by a distance which by the stop of the extension 130 at the end of the enlarged bore area 156 of the left or right side part 140 is determined. The threaded rod 116 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the clamping sleeve 138 over its entire axial displacement range by the engagement of the projection 130 in the groove 154 of the clamping sleeve 138. One end of the threaded rod 116 protruding from the spacer 120 is then inserted through a corresponding elongated hole 14 into a corner fitting 4 of one of the containers to be connected. Through another of the elongated holes 114 of the corner fitting 4, a hammer piece 118 is inserted into the inside of the corner fitting 4 and held on the threaded rod 116 by means of the handling tool 162. By turning the clamping sleeve 138, the thread of the threaded rod 116 comes with the thread of the urinary merstücks 118 engaged so that the handling tool 162 can be removed. It should be pointed out that when the handling tool 165 is inserted with the hammer piece 118 placed thereon, the stop 170 comes into contact with the outside of the corner fitting 4, in which position an alignment between the hammer piece 118 and the threaded rod 116 is ensured at least in one dimension. By appropriately designing the stop 170, full alignment between the hammer piece 118 and the threaded rod 116 can be ensured.

The two containers to be connected to one another are now moved towards one another at the latest so that the threaded rod 116 protrudes with its other end into the other corner fitting, whereupon the other hammer piece 118 is inserted in a similar manner by means of the handling tool 165 and brought into screw engagement with the threaded rod 116 becomes. The clamping sleeve 138 is now rotated further, the side parts 140 being held non-rotatably by the positive engagement between the lugs 158 and the elongated holes 14 of the corner fittings 4. The hammer pieces 118 are moved towards each other when the clamping sleeve 138 is rotated by the threaded engagement with the opposite threaded areas of the threaded rod 116 and come into contact with the inside of the corner fittings 4, whereby the corner fittings or containers are moved towards one another and in firm contact with the outside of the spacer or come from its side parts 140. If necessary, an axial thrust bearing can be provided between the side parts 140 and the clamping sleeve 138; However, it has been found that this is not necessary, but that the clamping sleeve 138 can be rotated so far without storage that there is a rigid, firm connection between the two containers. It goes without saying that additional measures can be provided for securing the hammer pieces 118 against rotation, for example the handling tool 165 can be designed such that it engages with its holding legs 166 in the groove 136 and thereby causes a rotation lock, or the bushing 168 can have a non-rotatable cross section engage in the hammer piece 118 or the hammer piece 118 can be configured similarly to the lugs 158 with lugs which extend into the corresponding elongated hole 14 intervention. The axial displaceability of the threaded rod 116 relative to the spacer 120 ensures that a uniform adjustment is ensured even when the clamping sleeves 118 are unsymmetrically screwed on.

After rigidly connecting the two containers to one another by tightening the threaded rod 116 or rotating the clamping sleeve 138 sufficiently, the clamping sleeve is secured against rotation by screwing the locking screw 160 into the bridge 144 until it is formed in one of the outer circumferential surfaces of the clamping sleeve 138 Holes 150 (Fig. 15) engages.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a spacer 172 which is considerably simplified compared to FIG. 15, FIG. 17a showing a side view and 17b an end view. The spacer 172 is formed in one piece and also serves directly as an adapter sleeve. It has an axial through-hole 174 with a groove 176 so that the threaded rod 116 (FIG. 13) can be pushed through the spacer 172, but is non-rotatably connected to the spacer 172 when the shoulder 130 is located within the groove 176 . On its circumference, the spacer 172 has holes 178 evenly distributed for the insertion of a turning tool. On its two end faces, the spacer 172 is provided with slightly projecting ring flanges 180 for bearing against the corner fittings of the containers to be connected to one another.

The functioning or the interaction of the spacer 172 with the threaded rod 116 and the hammer pieces 118 is similar to that described above, but in this case the threaded rod 116 is not directly limited with regard to its axial mobility relative to the spacer 172 and for securing the spacer against rotation 172 additional measures must be provided when the containers are in the aggregated state, for example an oblique hole through which a locking screw can be screwed, which engages a corner fitting. FIG. 18 shows a spacer 120, which is largely similar to that of FIG. 15, with the exception that four bores 162 are formed in the right end face 161 of the right side part 140 according to FIG. 18, into which permanent magnets 163 are firmly inserted, for example by Gluing, shrinking, screwing or the like. The permanent magnets, whose diameter is, for example, 18 mm and which are 6 mm long, are flush with the end face 161.

Before the function of the spacer according to FIG. 18 is explained with reference to FIG. 19, a handling tool, designated 190 in FIG. 19, is explained which enables even more convenient work compared to that of FIG. 16:

The handling tool 190 has two holding legs 192 which are connected via a base 194, so that it is U-shaped overall. Each holding leg 192 carries a bushing 196, the outer diameter of which corresponds to the inner diameter of the through bore 134 of a hammer piece 118. The cross section of each holding leg 192 is dimensioned such that the leg fits into the groove 136 on the end face of the hammer piece 118. Furthermore, a stop 198 is formed on each holding leg 192, which abuts on the outside of the corner fitting 4 shown in dash-dotted lines when the bush 196 is aligned with the through bore 134 or the axis of the threaded rod 116. Alternatively, the stops 198 may be absent and may be formed in that the front ends of the holding legs 192 rest on the inner sides (not shown) of the corner fittings 4.

The base 194 of the handling tool 190 is formed by two mutually guided support profiles 200 which are rigidly connected to the holding legs 192 and which are pulled together to form two by means of a spring. The spring 202 is suspended, for example, in pins 204 which extend through the support profiles 200. The holding legs 192 have extensions 206 projecting beyond the base 194, which can be shaped into handles which improve the manageability of the handling tool. The functionality of the kit corresponds to that of the embodiment according to FIG. 16, with the exception of the possibilities caused by the magnets 163 and the modified embodiment of the handling tool 190.

19, the assembly consisting of spacer 120 and threaded rod 116 is inserted with one end of the threaded rod 116 through an elongated hole 114 into a corner fitting 4 of one of the containers to be connected. In the example shown, the end face of the right side part 140 comes into contact with the corner fitting 4, the permanent magnets 163 holding the assembly of the spacer 120 and the threaded rod 116 on the right corner fitting 4.

The left container is now approached to the right container so far that the threaded rod 116 protrudes into the left corner fitting 4. Now the two hammer pieces 118 (shown in dashed lines) placed on the bushes 196 of the handling tool 190 are inserted through the side elongated holes 14 into the respective corner fitting 4, the holding legs 192 being pulled apart by tensioning the spring 202. Due to the tension of the spring 202, the hammer pieces 118 automatically come into abutment against the end faces of the threaded rod 116 when the stops 198 are in contact with the corner fittings 4, while maintaining this position without the handling tool 190 having to be held any further. By rotating the clamping sleeve 138, the containers are then rigidly connected to one another in the manner described, the process described, i.e. at least the assemblies of spacer 120 and threaded rod 116 are attached to all four corners of the containers before they are moved towards one another.

FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of the spacer which corresponds to that of FIG. 17 with the only difference that in the end face of one of the ring flanges 180 permanent magnets 163 are provided, which have the same function as the permanent magnets according to the embodiment of FIG 19. A device is described below with the aid of FIGS. 21 to 25, with which containers can be coupled to form a composite container using the kits described above:

21, two platforms 240 are rigidly connected to one another by means of connecting struts 242. The platforms 240 consist of two double-T beams 244 (FIG. 24) which are assembled by means of struts 246 to form a rigid base frame which rests on stands 250. The entire arrangement is such that the tops of the double T-beams are in one plane.

Provided on each of the platforms 240 is a chute or trolley-like support 252 which is formed from four roller assemblies 254 which are movably guided on the double-T supports 244 and which are rigidly connected to one another by means of longitudinal and transverse struts 256 and 258. The two supports 252 are dimensioned such that a container 6 can be placed on each support, the two outer corner fittings of the container 6 being engageable with the outer roller assemblies 254 so that they rest immovably thereon.

A movement device 260 is provided for the longitudinal movement of the supports 252, which is constructed as follows (see in particular FIG. 23):

A gear rack 262, which meshes with a gear wheel 264 mounted on the platform 240, is fastened to the ends of the movable supports 252 facing each other. The gearwheels 264 can be rotated by means of cranks 266 and are optionally coupled to one another via a coupling rod 268 in such a way that they rotate in opposite directions.

Two holding devices 272 are provided for the presentation or mounting of the assembly 270 consisting of the threaded rod and the spacer (FIG. 24). Each of the holding devices 272 has an arm 274 which is pivotable on a pin 276 the platforms 240 or their connecting struts 242 is mounted. Each arm has two spring clip assemblies 278, into which the assembly 270 consisting of a spacer and a threaded rod guided through the spacer can be inserted.

Each of the pivotable arms 274 can be pivoted from a loading position (not shown), in which it is pivoted horizontally outwards, into an operating position, in which it stands vertically upwards, and by means of a latching lever 280 which is pivotably mounted on it and which is supported by a spring 282 is biased, held in a defined system on a platform-fixed stop 284 (Fig. 25).

The function of the device described is as follows:

When the supports 252 are moved apart, a container 6 is placed on each support, for example by means of a crane or a lifting truck. The arms 274 are folded outwards after the locking lever 280 has been released, and an assembly 270 consisting of a threaded rod and the spacer is inserted into each of the spring clip assemblies 278. The arms 274 are then pivoted upwards in the vertical direction, wherein they are locked in a well-defined position by means of the locking lever 280. The containers 6 are now moved towards each other by actuating one of the cranks 266 so that the threaded rods of the assemblies 270 protrude into the corner fittings 4 through the oblong holes. The advantage here is that the middle between the containers that are moved towards each other remains stationary. Hammer pieces 224 are now introduced into the interior of the corner fittings 4, for example by means of handling tools as described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 19, and brought into threaded engagement with the threaded rods by turning the clamping sleeves of the assemblies 270 (the spring clips only engage the side parts). The arms 274 can be folded out after loosening the locking lever 280 for better accessibility of the clamping sleeves, whereupon the clamping sleeves are rotated until the corner fittings 4 come into firm contact with the spacers and the containers 6 are rigidly connected to one another. The whole process is at high precision extremely comfortable and easy to carry out, so that two containers can be connected to one another inexpensively with the device according to the invention or can be separated from one another in the reverse order of the operations described.

It is understood that numerous modifications of the device described are possible. For example, a motor drive of the clamping sleeves can be integrated into the spring bracket assemblies 278. Likewise, the pivoting of the arms 274 and the drive of the pinions or gears 264 can be motorized, so that an even faster and more comfortable operation is possible. The spring bracket assemblies 278 can be expanded such that the hammer pieces can be introduced into the interior of the corner fittings by further swivel arms provided on them, which can also be operated by motor, so that the entire operation of the device can be automated or centrally controlled.

If assemblies with magnets corresponding to FIG. 18 or 20 are used, the arms 274 can be omitted entirely.

Containers other than 20-foot containers can also be connected to one another, for example four 10-foot containers to form a 40-foot container, two 10-foot containers to form a 20-foot container, etc.

Claims

claims

1. Kit for rigidly connecting two containers (6) provided with hollow corner fittings (4) at their corners, in particular 20-foot sea containers, the corner fittings being provided with oblong holes (14) through which their interior space from the outside of the container is accessible, characterized by a spacer (20; 40; 120; 172; 186), which ensures a predetermined distance between them in rigidly connected containers (6), a threaded rod (16; 116) provided with threads at its end regions and two Hammer pieces (18; 42; 118) that can be screwed onto one end of the threaded rod, which can be inserted into the interior through one of the elongated holes (14) formed on the side surfaces of the corner fittings (4) and with their end faces facing the spacer for an overlap with the corresponding inner walls of the corner fittings are formed, the so-called in the assembled state for rigid connection of the containers th components, the threaded rod passes through the spacer, can be rotated from outside the spacer and, when they are rotated, the hammer pieces arranged in the corner fittings (4) and engaging them move against one another while pressing the outer sides of the corner fittings against the spacer.

2. Kit according to claim, characterized in that a rotationally fixed to the threaded rod (16; 116) connectable clamping sleeve (24; 138) is provided, which in the assembled state of an assembly comprising the spacer, the threaded rod and the clamping sleeve within the spacer (20 ; 40; 120) and can be driven in rotation from outside the spacer by means of a tool.

3. Kit according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the spacer (120) with an opening (159) for inserting a locking screw (160) is provided for securing the clamping sleeve (138) against rotation.

4. Kit according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spacer (40; 120) with lugs (44; 158) for a positive engagement in the corresponding elongated holes (14) of the corner fittings (4) is formed and the sides of the hammer pieces (42) facing the spacer (40) are designed in such a way that they are coupled to it in a rotationally fixed manner by engagement with the spacer.

5. Kit according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer (86; 120; 172) is rotatably connected to the threaded rod (16; 116) and is formed on its outer periphery such that it can be driven in rotation by means of a tool.

6. Kit according spoke 5, characterized in that the threaded rod (116) in the spacer (120; 172) is received axially movable.

7. Kit according to claim 6, characterized in that the threaded rod (116) in its central region has an extension (130) which is formed in a longitudinal groove (135; 154; 176) in the spacer (120; 172 ) intervenes.

8. Kit according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the spacer (120) with the threaded rod (116) non-rotatably, but axially movably connected middle part (138) and on both sides of the middle part for contact with a corner fitting (4) the container to be connected to one another each has a side part (140).

9. Kit according to claim 8, characterized in that the side parts (140) are directly connected to one another by means of a bridge (144), so that the multi-part spacer forms a preassembled module.

10. Kit according to claim 7 and claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the longitudinal groove (157) is formed only in the axially outer region of the side parts (140) and the radius of a through hole for receiving the threaded rod (116) in the axially inner region ( 156) of the side parts (140) is at least as large as the radius of the threaded rod in the area of the shoulder (130).

11. Kit according to claim 9, characterized in that the bridge (144) has a threaded bore (159) for screwing in a screwed in the central part (138) against rotation locking screw (160).

12. Kit according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the spacer (120; 172) on at least one of its corner fittings (4) facing end faces is provided with at least one permanent magnet (163) which the assembly from threaded rod (116 ) and spacer (120; 172) in contact with the associated corner fitting (4).

13. Kit according to claim 12, characterized in that from the end face of the spacer (120; 172) around the axis of the threaded rod (116) arranged holes (162), in each of which a permanent magnet (163) is inserted.

14. handling tool for placing a hammer piece (118) of a kit for rigidly connecting two containers provided at their corners with hollow corner fittings (4) through elongated holes (14) of the corner fittings through to the ends of a threaded rod (116) of the kit protruding into the corner fittings, Which kit has a spacer (120) which ensures a predetermined distance between the containers in rigidly connected containers, a threaded rod (116) provided at its ends with threads and two hammer pieces (118) which can be screwed onto one end of the threaded rod, whereby in assembled state of the components mentioned the threaded rod that Traverses the spacer and, when it rotates, moves the hammer pieces arranged through the elongated holes in the corner fittings toward one another while pressing the outer sides of the corner fittings against the spacer, which handling tool (165; 190) has a holding leg (166; 192) with a bushing (168; 196) for insertion into a through bore (134) of the hammer piece (118), such that the hammer piece placed on the bushing can be moved through an elongated hole (14) of the corner fitting (4).

15. Handling tool according spoke 14, which has a stop (170; 198) provided on the holding leg (166; 192), which aligns the bushing (168; 198) in a position aligned with the threaded rod (116).

16. Handling tool (62) according to spoke 14 or 15, wherein the holding leg (166; 192) engages in a groove (136) formed on the rear side of the hammer piece (118).

17. Handling tool according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the handling tool (190) is U-shaped overall, at each end of its holding legs (192) a socket (178) for insertion into a through hole (134) each Hammer piece (118) and at its base (194) is designed such that the legs are not mutually rotatable but can be moved away from each other under elastic bias.

18. Handling tool according spoke 17, characterized in that each holding leg (192) is rigidly connected to an approximately perpendicularly extending support profile (200), which support profiles are guided together to form the base (194) of the U and by one Spring (202) are biased.

19. Container for use in kits according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized characterized in that a container (72) is provided in which a kit for connecting two upper corner fittings and two lower corner fittings is accommodated.

20. Container according to claim 19, characterized in that the container (72) is closed at the top by a removable part (70) of the container base (60).

21. Container according spoke 12, characterized in that along the vertical edges of one end web strips (56) run, with which one in the container (6) within the web strips end wall (62) can be screwed to close the container.

22. Container according spoke 21, characterized in that along the bottom (60) on the end face a horizontal web strip (58) with which a flange (66) of the end wall (62) can be screwed.

23.Device for rigidly connecting two containers (6) provided with corner fittings (4), the corner fittings being able to be moved towards one another by means of thread engagement with threaded rods provided with opposite ends at their end regions, and thereby the containers can be rigidly connected to one another, comprising two supports (252 ), on each of which a container (6) can be placed, a movement device (260) for moving the supports so that the containers located on the supports with their end faces face each other, and a holding device (272) for holding four threaded rods in such a way that the threaded rods come into threaded engagement with the opposite corner fittings of the containers which are moved towards one another.

24. The apparatus of spoke 23, wherein the supports (252) on rails (244) are guided, which are rigidly formed on at least one stationary platform (240).

25. The device according spoke 23 or 24, wherein each support (252) has a rack (262) which meshes with a gear (264) mounted on the platform.

26. Device according to one of claims 23 to 25, wherein the gearwheels (264) are connected to one another via a coupling rod (268) in such a way that when one of them rotates

Gear rotates the other in opposite directions.

27. Device according to one of claims 23 to 26, wherein the holding device (272) has two pivotable arms (274) which are movable from a loading position in which each arm can be loaded with two threaded rods in an operating position in which the the threaded rods held in the arms are in a position aligned with the corner fittings (4) to be moved towards one another.