EP1534612A1 - Coupling piece for joining two containers that are stacked one atop the other, arrangement of stacked containers, and method for joining stacked containers using coupling pieces of this type - Google Patents

Coupling piece for joining two containers that are stacked one atop the other, arrangement of stacked containers, and method for joining stacked containers using coupling pieces of this type

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Publication number
EP1534612A1
EP1534612A1 EP03727334A EP03727334A EP1534612A1 EP 1534612 A1 EP1534612 A1 EP 1534612A1 EP 03727334 A EP03727334 A EP 03727334A EP 03727334 A EP03727334 A EP 03727334A EP 1534612 A1 EP1534612 A1 EP 1534612A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coupling
container
containers
coupling piece
locking
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP03727334A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1534612B1 (en
Inventor
Christian Bederke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SEC Ships Equipment Centre Bremen GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
SEC Ships Equipment Centre Bremen GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Application filed by SEC Ships Equipment Centre Bremen GmbH and Co KG filed Critical SEC Ships Equipment Centre Bremen GmbH and Co KG
Publication of EP1534612A1 publication Critical patent/EP1534612A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1534612B1 publication Critical patent/EP1534612B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61D—BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
    • B61D5/00—Tank wagons for carrying fluent materials
    • B61D5/08—Covers or access openings; Arrangements thereof
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/02—Large containers rigid
    • B65D88/12—Large containers rigid specially adapted for transport

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a coupling piece for connecting two containers stacked one above the other, in particular on board ships, on their corner fittings, with a stop plate and a coupling projection on both sides of the stop plate, of which the first coupling projection can be attached to the corner fitting of one container and the another coupling projection is formed with a locking lug for locking in a corner fitting of the other container.
  • the invention further relates to an arrangement of containers stacked one above the other and a method for connecting containers stacked one above the other with such coupling pieces.
  • Such a coupling piece is known for example from DE 298 11 460 U1.
  • This coupling piece is a so-called midlock, which is used for lashing containers as deck cargo on board ships, namely for connecting two stacked containers.
  • the midlock is always used when two 20-foot containers are placed on a parking space for a 40-foot container, namely on the container corner fittings on the facing end faces of the 20-foot containers standing one behind the other.
  • the corner fittings are freely accessible on the other free end faces.
  • So-called twistlocks are generally used here, which are opened manually by the storage personnel when the container is unloaded (deleted). The container is then raised, the midlocks sliding out of the corner fittings of the lower container by skewing the container.
  • the midlocks When loading the container, the midlocks are first hooked into the lower corner fitting of the upper container with floating containers on land.
  • hook-like lugs on a front side (the side pointing in the longitudinal direction of the container toward the front side of the same) of the upper coupling projection serve this purpose.
  • More modern variants, such as the midlock shown in DE 298 11 460 U1 have lateral projections on the upper coupling projection, which extend approximately parallel to the stop plate. These projections engage in the lower corner fitting of the upper container.
  • the opposite, lower coupling projection has a locking lug on a front.
  • the invention is based on the problem of creating a coupling piece and an arrangement of containers stacked one above the other and a method for connecting containers stacked one above the other, in which the front opening of the upper corner fitting of a container for lashing means remains free.
  • the coupling piece according to the invention is characterized in that the locking nose, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the containers, is arranged laterally on the other coupling projection.
  • the arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the containers are connected to each other at least at the corner fittings of one end of the container with one of the coupling pieces according to the invention.
  • the upper container is pivoted about its vertical axis when coupling and / or uncoupling with the lower container or, alternatively, laterally offset.
  • the locking lug Due to the lateral arrangement of the locking lug, the front hole of the corner fitting of the lower container remains freely accessible for lashing equipment.
  • the locking lug is assigned to a conventional way of lashing containers on board ships that are not used anyway and where they therefore do not interfere.
  • the measure according to the invention offers yet another advantage.
  • 20-foot containers are connected to one another on loading spaces for 40-foot containers by two different fittings when stacked on top of one another, namely on the one hand with two midlocks and on the other hand with two twistlocks.
  • Different fittings must therefore be kept on board the ship.
  • a twistlock that is accidentally used instead of a midlock is often difficult to release.
  • a so-called universal lock also called Unilock
  • An example of such a universal lock is the subject of DE 101 05 785 A1.
  • the previously proposed universal locks have not really gained a foothold in practice.
  • a coupling piece equipped with the features according to the invention can also be used as a fully automatic machine.
  • One coupling piece is inserted into all of the four lower corner fittings of the upper container.
  • the locking lugs each point in different directions.
  • the container prepared in this way is placed on the lower container, the container rotates slightly about its vertical axis, in particular due to the design of the coupling pieces, and the lower coupling projections of the coupling pieces snap into the corner fittings of the lower container with the locking lugs. This provides a secure locking of the containers stacked one above the other when the ship is moving.
  • the container tilts in the transverse direction due to the rolling movements of the ship at sea.
  • One long side of the container is thereby loaded under pressure, while the opposite long side is loaded under tension.
  • the coupling pieces on the pressure side of the container prevent the entire container from moving, so that the locking lug on the train side cannot come out of engagement with the upper corner fitting of the lower container and thus safely transmits the tensile forces between the upper and lower container on the train side.
  • the containers stacked in the bow area of a ship, where the stomping of the ship can possibly lead to the case that tensile loads occur on all four coupling pieces are held securely. Due to the inertia of the upper container, it will not twist by itself with respect to the lower container, so that a secure locking is provided even under these circumstances.
  • the length of the other (lower) coupling projection is slightly less than the length of an associated elongated hole in the associated corner fitting of the other (lower) container. Accordingly, the maximum width of the locking lug should be slightly smaller than the width of the elongated hole.
  • the lower coupling projection then just fits through the slot, which is sufficient for the desired coupling and uncoupling of the stacked containers; counteracts an unwanted decoupling due to ship movements. This is further supported if the front edges of the other (lower) coupling projection have a contour that corresponds to the contour of the assigned elongated hole in this area.
  • the coupling piece has only a very small play in the longitudinal direction, so that the coupling piece also blocks in the transverse direction. So there is a further improved protection against displacement of the coupling piece in the transverse direction, so that the secure connection of the stacked containers is further improved by means of the locking lug.
  • an insertion cone is arranged below the locking lug according to a further constructive embodiment of the invention. This insertion cone tapers downward, so that it ensures the correct positioning of the lower coupling projection, and thus the entire coupling piece, for coupling.
  • an insertion bevel should be arranged on the long side of the lower coupling projection facing away from the locking lug.
  • the insertion slope is now used by further lowering the upper container.
  • the coupling piece is pressed by further lowering the upper container in the direction in which the locking lug points and thereby causes the coupling of the upper container to the lower container (locking position).
  • the coupling piece has little play in the transverse direction of the container due to the lead-in chamfer, so that the locking lug is the elongated hole of the upper corner fitting of the lower container always undercuts safely. This ensures a further improvement in a secure connection of the containers stacked one above the other.
  • the lead-in bevel has an angle corresponding to a chamfer on the upper elongated hole of the upper container corner fitting and thus lies snugly in the elongated hole.
  • only the upper area facing the striking plate can be designed with an angle corresponding to the chamfer at the slot corresponding to the length of the chamfer at the slot. Below this chamfer, a course that is flatter than the chamfer is provided. As a result, the vertical distance between the locking lug and the stop plate can be reduced, which also reduces the vertical play of the coupling piece in the corner fitting. This further increases the lashing security of the interconnected containers on board the ship.
  • an obliquely sloping shoulder can be arranged on the top of the locking lug.
  • This variant is particularly suitable for fully automatic machines.
  • the top can also have a horizontal top.
  • the locking lug should be designed with an obliquely inwardly directed side wall. This variant is particularly suitable for midlocks and can be used in addition or as an alternative to the sloping shoulder on the top of the locking lug.
  • the locking lug is designed to be displaceable in relation to the lower coupling projection.
  • the locking lug is pressed back relative to the lower coupling projection and, after being inserted into the elongated hole, is pushed back into the locking position by the force of a spring.
  • Figure 1 is a coupling piece with the features of the invention in side view, partially cut.
  • FIG. 2 shows the coupling piece according to FIG. 1 in a front view
  • Figure 3 is a schematic representation of two containers when loading them, just before locking.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the container when unloading shortly after unlocking.
  • Figure 5 shows a detail of the container when loading or unloading the container.
  • FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of two containers in a top view during locking and unlocking
  • FIG. 9 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a coupling piece with the features of the invention in a side view, partly in section;
  • FIG. 10 shows the coupling piece according to FIG. 9 in a front view
  • FIG. 12 shows a detail of the container according to FIG. 11 shortly before unlocking in a side view
  • FIG. 13 shows the detail of the container according to FIG. 12 in a front view
  • FIG. 14 shows the detail of the container according to FIG. 12 in a top view
  • FIG. 15 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a coupling piece with the inventive features in a front view
  • Fig. 16 shows a further embodiment of a coupling piece with the features of the invention in a front view.
  • FIGS. 1 to 8 are particularly suitable as a so-called fully automatic machine 20, also referred to as a Uni-Lock.
  • the fully automatic machine 20 has a central stop plate 21 and coupling projections 22 and 23 extending upwards and downwards therefrom. Lateral projections 24, 25 are arranged on the upper coupling projection 22, which engage behind a lower elongated hole of a container corner fitting, so that they are positively locked within this corner fitting.
  • the present fully automatic machine 20 still responds to a conventional midlock, as is shown, for example, in DE 298 11 460 U1 and, like this midlock, is inserted into the lower corner fitting of the upper container by the storage personnel.
  • the hand levers 27 are always facing the front of the container (the front with doors or the closed rear).
  • the side of the hand lever 27 is therefore referred to in the context of this description and the claims as the front side V, the opposite side as the rear side R and the adjoining sides pointing from the front side V to the rear side R as the long sides L.
  • the lower coupling projection 23 is designed in a special way.
  • This coupling projection 23 has a projecting locking lug 28.
  • the locking lug 28 is assigned to one of the two long sides L, namely the long side L to the right as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the locking lug 28 is arranged laterally, so that an opening of the container corner fitting assigned to the end faces of the container remains free for hooking in lashing means.
  • the coupling projection 23 is provided with a downward insertion cone 29.
  • a downward insertion cone 29 At the transition from the lower coupling projection 23 to the stop plate 21 is on the longitudinal side L of the lower side facing away from the locking lug 28 Coupling projection 23 an insertion bevel 30 is provided.
  • the insertion bevel 30 has the effect that when the fully automatic machine 20 is inserted into the upper corner fitting of the lower container, that is to say when the upper container is placed on the lower container, the respective fully automatic machine 20 in the illustration according to FIG. 2 is shifted to the right.
  • a chamfer 31 is provided at the transition from the coupling projection 23 to the stop plate 21. This chamfer 31 is primarily provided for reasons of strength. However, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the chamfer 31 and the upper part of the insertion bevel 30 correspond exactly with a chamfer 32 on the elongated hole 33 of the corner fitting.
  • the length I of the lower coupling projection 23 is only insignificantly smaller than the length of the elongated hole 33.
  • the width b of the locking lug 28 at its widest point is also only slightly smaller than the width of the elongated hole 33.
  • the projecting depth t of the locking lug 28 is therefore only slightly smaller than the distance a of the side surface of the coupling projection 28 facing away from the locking lug 28 from the associated inner wall of the elongated hole 33 (FIG. 2).
  • the locking lug 28 is designed with a shoulder 34 that slopes away to the outside.
  • the shoulder 34 abuts against the underside of the container corner fitting, so that the fully automatic machine 20 is pushed to the left in the illustration according to FIG. 2 and thus disengages from the elongated hole 33.
  • FIGS. 3 to 8 show the loading and unloading of containers using the fully automatic machine 20.
  • FIG. 3 shows a container 35 already placed on board ships, for example, onto which another container 36 is to be placed.
  • the further container 36 is shown in the position shortly before locking on the lower container 35.
  • the fully automatic machine 20 with the insertion cone 29 rests on the upper edge of the elongated hole 33 and is then moved by a movement of the entire upper container 36 by a longitudinal rotation of the container 36 about its vertical axis (see FIG. 7, arrow 37) locked.
  • the sequence of movements of the fully automatic machine is illustrated by the arrow combination 38 in FIGS. 4 and 5.
  • the front fully automatic machines 20 initially slide to the left when locking due to the insertion cone 29 (arrow 38.1), while the rear fully automatic machines 20 slide to the right.
  • the fully automatic machine 20 initially lowers vertically (arrow 38.2).
  • the front fully automatic machines 20 finally slide to the right (arrow 38.3), while the rear fully automatic machines 20 analogously slide to the left into their respective locking position. 6 finally shows the containers 35, 36 in the fully locked position.
  • FIG. 4 shows, analogously to FIG. 3, the upper container 36 shortly after unlocking during the unloading (deletion) of the container 36.
  • the container is in turn slightly rotated about its vertical axis with respect to the lower container 35. 4 and 5, the front fully automatic machines 20 slide out of the elongated holes 33 according to arrow 40 in the illustration according to FIGS. 4 and 5, while the rear fully automatic machines 20 slide out of the elongated holes 33 according to arrow 41 in FIG.
  • the container 36 thus rotates clockwise according to arrow 42 in Fig. 7 during unloading.
  • a front and rear end edge 39 of the fully automatic machine, more precisely the lower coupling projection 23, at least in the region of the elongated hole 33 of the upper corner fitting 43, 44 of the lower container 35 has a contour which corresponds to the contour of the elongated hole 33 corresponds. Specifically, an arc-shaped contour is provided.
  • FIGS. 9 to 14 show a coupling piece which is particularly suitable as a midlock 45.
  • the essential components of the midlock 45 correspond to the fully automatic machine 20 according to FIGS. 1 to 8, so that comparable components in FIGS. 9 to 14 are designated with the same reference numbers as in FIGS. 1 to 8.
  • a locking lug 46 of the midlock 45 which is also arranged laterally, does not have a sloping shoulder, but has an approximately horizontal upper side 47.
  • An outer side wall 48 of the locking lug 46 is guided obliquely inwards on the side facing away from the hand lever 27, as is particularly the case in FIG 14 is clearly visible.
  • FIGS. 11 to 14 show the unlocking of the upper container 36 from the lower container 35.
  • a semi-automatic twist lock 49 inserted there is manually unlocked by the stevedore at the front corner fittings 44 which are freely accessible to the stowage personnel.
  • the container 36 is then lifted with a container loading crane (arrow 50).
  • the front corner fittings 44 of the containers 35, 36 stand out from one another and the container 36 tilts.
  • the midlock 45 also tilts, as can be seen particularly well in FIG. 12. Because of the sloping side wall 48, the midlock 45 is now pushed to the left in the illustration according to FIG. 13 (arrow 51), as a result of which the locking lug 46 comes free from the elongated hole 33.
  • FIG. 15 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the insertion bevel 30 is initially formed with a steeper chamfer 52.
  • the angle of this chamfer (52) corresponds to the angle of the chamfer 32 at the slot 33 of the container corner fitting.
  • the insertion bevel 30 merges into a chamfer 53 with an angle that is flatter than the chamfer 52.
  • This variant has the advantage that the vertical distance between the underside of the stop plate 21 and the upper shoulder 34 on the locking lug 28 can be shortened. This also results in less vertical play for the coupling piece. The container connected to each other in this way is thus improved.
  • the locking lug 54 is displaceable with respect to the lower coupling projection 23.
  • the locking lug 54 can be moved slightly obliquely upwards in the direction of the insertion slope 30. This variant is advantageous if the containers stacked one above the other are so close together on board ships that the containers cannot be rotated about their vertical axis for loading and / or unloading the containers during loading and / or unloading.
  • the insertion cone 29 is first inserted into the elongated hole 33 on the lower coupling projection 23.
  • a lower slope 56 is placed on the chamfer 32 at the slot 33.
  • the locking lug 54 is pressed backward against the force of a spring 55 and comes into the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 16.
  • the lower coupling projection 23 can now slide into the slot 33.
  • the locking lug 54 is then pushed back into the starting position by the force of the spring 55.
  • the coupling piece is locked.
  • the locking lug 54 is only pressed back specifically when loading the container, that is to say when the lower coupling projection 23 is inserted into the elongated hole 33.
  • the slightly inclined course of the direction of displacement of the locking lug which corresponds approximately to the angle of the upper shoulder 34, creates a force on the locking lug 54 which is almost perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the locking lug 54 during unloading.
  • the containers must twist slightly when unloading. This measure ensures, however, that the containers stacked one above the other do not automatically unlock due to the forces acting on them in the sea. Any difficulties that may arise when the container is unloaded due to closely spaced containers are less important than safety during transport on board ships.
  • the course of the lower slope 56 is slightly larger than a right angle with respect to the direction of displacement of the locking lug 54. This achieves an optimal force on the locking lug 54 for pushing back during the loading.

Abstract

A coupling piece for joining two containers (35, 36) that are stacked one atop the other, particularly onboard ships is provided. Such a coupling is provided at corner fittings (43, 44) and each include a stop plate (21) and a coupling projection (22, 23) on each side of the stop plate (21). A first coupling projection (22) can be placed on the corner fitting of one container (36) and the other coupling projection (23) is provided with a locking catch (28, 46, 54) for locking inside a corner fitting of the other container (35). The drawback that front-side openings in upper corner fittings (43, 44) of a container (36) are obstructed by a locking catch of the coupling piece, hindering the use of lashing means is overcome with the coupling piece locking catch (28, 46, 54), when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the containers (35, 36), being arranged laterally on the other coupling projection (23).

Description

Kuppelstück zum Verbinden zweier übereinander gestapelter Container, Coupling piece for connecting two stacked containers,
Anordnung übereinander gestapelter Container und Verfahren zum Verbinden übereinander gestapelter Container mit solchen KuppelstückenArrangement of stacked containers and method for connecting stacked containers with such coupling pieces
B e s c h r e i b u n g :Description :
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Kuppelstück zum Verbinden zweier übereinander gestapelter Container, insbesondere an Bord von Schiffen, an ihren Eckbeschlägen, mit einer Anschlagplatte und je einem Kupplungsvorsprung zu beiden Seiten der Anschlagsplatte, von denen der erste Kupplungsvorsprung an den Eckbeschlag des einen Containers anbringbar ist und der andere Kupplungsvorsprung mit einer Verriegelungsnase zum Verriegeln in einem Eckbeschlag des anderen Containers ausgebildet ist. Ferner betrifft die Erfindung eine Anordnung übereinander gestapelter Container und Verfahren zum Verbinden übereinander gestapelter Container mit solchen Kuppelstücken.The invention relates to a coupling piece for connecting two containers stacked one above the other, in particular on board ships, on their corner fittings, with a stop plate and a coupling projection on both sides of the stop plate, of which the first coupling projection can be attached to the corner fitting of one container and the another coupling projection is formed with a locking lug for locking in a corner fitting of the other container. The invention further relates to an arrangement of containers stacked one above the other and a method for connecting containers stacked one above the other with such coupling pieces.
Ein solches Kuppelstück ist beispielsweise aus der DE 298 11 460 U1 bekannt. Dieses Kuppelstück ist ein sogenannter Midlock, der zum Zurren von Containern als Decksladung an Bord von Schiffen, nämlich zum Verbinden zweier übereinander gestapelter Container dient. Der Midlock wird immer dann angesetzt, wenn zwei 20- Fuß-Container auf einem Stellplatz für einen 40-Fuß-Container gestellt werden, und zwar an den Containerneckbeschlägen an den einander zugewandten Stirnseiten der hintereinander stehenden 20-Fuß-Container. Zwischen den hintereinander stehenden 20-Fuß-Containern ergibt sich nämlich nur ein sehr schmaler Spalt von etwa 76 mm, so daß die an diesen Seiten angeordneten Eckbeschläge und mithin auch der Midlock für das Staupersonal schlecht zugänglich sind. An den anderen, freien Stirnseiten sind die Eckbeschläge frei zugänglich. Hier werden im allgemeinen sogenannte Twistlocks eingesetzt, die beim Entladen (Löschen) des Containers vom Staupersonal manuell geöffnet werden. Der Container wird sodann angehoben, wobei die Midlocks durch Schiefstellen des Containers aus den Eckbeschlägen des unteren Containers gleiten.Such a coupling piece is known for example from DE 298 11 460 U1. This coupling piece is a so-called midlock, which is used for lashing containers as deck cargo on board ships, namely for connecting two stacked containers. The midlock is always used when two 20-foot containers are placed on a parking space for a 40-foot container, namely on the container corner fittings on the facing end faces of the 20-foot containers standing one behind the other. There is only a very narrow gap of about 76 mm between the 20-foot containers standing one behind the other, so that the corner fittings arranged on these sides and therefore also the midlock are difficult to access for the stowage personnel. The corner fittings are freely accessible on the other free end faces. So-called twistlocks are generally used here, which are opened manually by the storage personnel when the container is unloaded (deleted). The container is then raised, the midlocks sliding out of the corner fittings of the lower container by skewing the container.
Beim Laden des Containers werden die Midlocks zunächst in den unteren Eckbeschlag des oberen Containers bei schwebenden Containern an Land eingehängt. Hierzu dienen bei älteren Varianten hakenartige Nasen an einer Vorderseite (die in Längsrichtung des Containers zur Stirnseite derselben weisende Seite) des oberen Kupplungsvorsprungs. Modernere Varianten, wie beispielsweise auch der in DE 298 11 460 U1 gezeigte Midlock, weisen seitliche Vorsprünge an dem oberen Kupplungsvorsprung auf, die sich etwa parallel zur Anschlagplatte erstrecken. Diese Vorsprünge greifen in den unteren Eckbeschlag des oberen Containers. Der gegenüberliegende, untere Kupplungsvorsprung weist an einer Vorderseite eine Verriegelungsnase auf. Beim Absetzen des oberen Containers auf dem bereits an Bord des Schiffes befindlichen unteren Container gleitet dann entweder der gesamte Midlock gegenüber dem oberen Container oder der gesamte obere Container auf einer unteren Schrägfläche der Verriegelungsnase nach vorne bzw. hinten und rastet beim weiteren Absenken des Containers in den oberen Eckbeschlag des unteren Containers ein.When loading the container, the midlocks are first hooked into the lower corner fitting of the upper container with floating containers on land. For older variants, hook-like lugs on a front side (the side pointing in the longitudinal direction of the container toward the front side of the same) of the upper coupling projection serve this purpose. More modern variants, such as the midlock shown in DE 298 11 460 U1, have lateral projections on the upper coupling projection, which extend approximately parallel to the stop plate. These projections engage in the lower corner fitting of the upper container. The opposite, lower coupling projection has a locking lug on a front. When the upper container is set down on the lower container already on board the ship, either the entire midlock slides forward or backward relative to the upper container or the entire upper container on a lower inclined surface of the locking lug and snaps into place when the container is lowered further upper corner fitting of the lower container.
Dieser Midlock weist folgenden Nachteil auf. Meistens ist an Bord von Schiffen der hintere Container-Eckbeschlag, in dem üblicherweise ein Midlock eingesetzt wird, schlecht zugänglich, wie oben dargelegt. Es gibt aber auch Containerschiffe, bei denen zumindest an einem Teil der Ladeplätze, oder weil gerade nicht alle Ladeplätze belegt sind, zum Anbringen zusätzlicher Zurrmittel, beispielsweise Zurrstangen, die Container doch zugänglich sind. Hier kann aber bei den bekannten Midlocks dennoch kein Zurrmittel im oberen Eckbeschlag des unteren Containers angeschlagen werden, da die stirnseitige Öffnung wegen der darin eingreifenden Verriegelungsnase besetzt ist. Aus diesem Grund ist in der DE 100 04 359 A1 ein besonderer Einhakbeschlag einer Zurrstange vorgeschlagen, der die Verriegelungsnase herkömmlicher Midlocks umgreift. Dieser Einhakbeschlag wurde in der Praxis bisher nicht eingesetzt. Hiervon ausgehend liegt der Erfindung das Problem zugrunde, ein Kuppelstück sowie eine Anordnung übereinander gestapelter Container und ein Verfahren zum Verbinden übereinander gestapelter Container zu schaffen, bei dem die stirnseitige Öffnung des oberen Eckbeschlages eines Containers für Zurrmittel frei bleibt.This midlock has the following disadvantage. Most of the time, the rear container corner fitting, in which a midlock is usually used, is difficult to access on board ships, as explained above. However, there are also container ships in which the containers are accessible at least at some of the loading bays, or because not all loading bays are occupied, for attaching additional lashing equipment, for example lashing rods. Here, however, with the known midlocks, no lashing means can still be attached in the upper corner fitting of the lower container, since the front opening is occupied due to the locking lug engaging therein. For this reason, DE 100 04 359 A1 proposes a special hooking fitting for a lashing rod, which engages around the locking nose of conventional midlocks. This hook fitting has never been used in practice. Proceeding from this, the invention is based on the problem of creating a coupling piece and an arrangement of containers stacked one above the other and a method for connecting containers stacked one above the other, in which the front opening of the upper corner fitting of a container for lashing means remains free.
Zur Lösung dieses Problems ist das erfindungsgemäße Kuppelstück dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verriegelungsnase in Längsrichtung der Container gesehen seitlich an dem anderen Kupplungsvorsprung angeordnet ist. Die erfindungsgemäße Anordnung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Container wenigstens an den Eckbeschlägen einer Stirnseite der Container mit je einem der erfindungsgemäßen Kuppelstücke miteinander verbunden werden. Gemäß dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren wird der obere Container beim Ver- und/oder Entkuppeln mit dem unteren Container um seine Hochachse verschwenkt oder, alternativ, seitlich versetzt.To solve this problem, the coupling piece according to the invention is characterized in that the locking nose, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the containers, is arranged laterally on the other coupling projection. The arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the containers are connected to each other at least at the corner fittings of one end of the container with one of the coupling pieces according to the invention. According to the method according to the invention, the upper container is pivoted about its vertical axis when coupling and / or uncoupling with the lower container or, alternatively, laterally offset.
Durch die seitliche Anordnung der Verrieglungsnase bleibt die stirnseitige Bohrung des Eckbeschlages des unteren Containers frei für Zurrmittel zugänglich. Die Verriegelungsnase ist einer üblicher Weise zum Zurren von Containern an Bord von Schiffen ohnehin nicht verwendeten seitliche Öffnung des Eckbeschlages zugeordnet, wo sie deshalb auch nicht stört.Due to the lateral arrangement of the locking lug, the front hole of the corner fitting of the lower container remains freely accessible for lashing equipment. The locking lug is assigned to a conventional way of lashing containers on board ships that are not used anyway and where they therefore do not interfere.
Die erfindungsgemäße Maßnahme bietet aber noch einen weiteren Vorteil. Wie oben dargelegt, werden 20-Fuß-Container auf Ladeplätzen für 40-Fuß-Containern durch zwei unterschiedliche Beschläge beim Ubereinanderstapeln miteinander verbunden, nämlich einerseits mit zwei Midlocks und andererseits mit zwei Twistlocks. An Bord des Schiffes müssen also unterschiedliche Beschläge vorgehalten werden. Darüber hinaus läßt sich ein versehentlich anstelle eines Midlocks eingesetzter Twistlock oft nur noch schwer lösen. Es hat deshalb in der Vergangenheit Bestrebungen gegeben, einen universell einsetzbaren Beschlag, einen sogenannten Universal-Lock (auch Unilock genannt), zu schaffen, der universell an allen Positionen einsetzbar ist. Ein Beispiel für einen solchen Universal-Lock ist Gegenstand der DE 101 05 785 A1. Die bisher vorgeschlagenen Universal-Locks haben in der Praxis noch nicht so recht Fuß gefaßt. Weiterhin weisen sie den Nachteil auf, daß zum Entladen (Löschen) der Container immer noch das Staupersonal an den zugänglichen Containereckbeschlägen („Twistlockposition") den Universal-Lock manuell öffnen muß, damit er mit dem oberen Eckbeschlag des unteren Containers entriegelt wird. Um dieses zu vermeiden und ein ohne Eingriff von Staupersonal entriegelbares Kuppelstück zu schaffen, wurden in der DE 43 07 781 A1 und WO 01/76980 A1 sogenannte Vollautomaten vorgeschlagen, bei denen bewegliche Sperrelemente vorgesehen sind. Diese Sperrelemente bewegen sich durch Schiffsbewegungen, insbesondere Rollbewegungen, während der Fahrt und verriegeln dadurch das Kuppelstück mit dem oberen Eckbeschlag des unteren Containers. Bei der WO 01/76980 A1 ist als Sperrelement eine in einem Käfig bewegliche Kugel vorgesehen. In der DE 43 07 781 A1 wird vorgeschlagen, einen schwenkbaren Kloben zu verwenden, der je nach Lage des Schiffes von einer zur anderen Seite schwenkt und so unter dem Langloch des oberen Eckbeschlages des unteren Containers verhakt. Die Sperrelemente sind dabei so ausgebildet, daß sie bei ruhigem Schiff, also im Hafen, selbsttätig in eine Ruheposition gelangen, in der sie das Kuppelstück mit dem oberen Eckbeschlag des untern Containers entriegeln, so daß der obere Container gelöscht werden kann.The measure according to the invention offers yet another advantage. As explained above, 20-foot containers are connected to one another on loading spaces for 40-foot containers by two different fittings when stacked on top of one another, namely on the one hand with two midlocks and on the other hand with two twistlocks. Different fittings must therefore be kept on board the ship. In addition, a twistlock that is accidentally used instead of a midlock is often difficult to release. There have therefore been efforts in the past to create a universal fitting, a so-called universal lock (also called Unilock), which can be used universally in all positions. An example of such a universal lock is the subject of DE 101 05 785 A1. The previously proposed universal locks have not really gained a foothold in practice. Furthermore, they have the disadvantage that for unloading (deleting) the containers, the stowage personnel at the accessible container corner fittings ("twistlock position") must still manually open the universal lock so that it is unlocked with the upper corner fitting of the lower container. In order to avoid this and to create a coupling piece that can be unlocked without the intervention of traffic personnel, so-called fully automatic machines have been proposed in DE 43 07 781 A1 and WO 01/76980 A1, in which movable locking elements are provided. These locking elements move by ship movements, in particular rolling movements, during the journey and thereby lock the coupling piece with the upper corner fitting of the lower container. In WO 01/76980 A1, a ball movable in a cage is provided as the blocking element. In DE 43 07 781 A1 it is proposed to use a pivotable block which, depending on the position of the ship, pivots from one side to the other and thus hooks under the slot of the upper corner fitting of the lower container. The locking elements are designed so that when the ship is calm, i.e. in port, they automatically reach a rest position in which they unlock the coupling piece with the upper corner fitting of the lower container, so that the upper container can be deleted.
Nachteilig bei diesen Vollautomaten ist aber, daß die beweglichen Sperrelemente sehr empfindlich insbesondere gegen Verschmutzungen sind. Diese Vollautomaten sind daher auch bei guter Wartung sehr störanfällig.A disadvantage of these fully automatic machines, however, is that the movable locking elements are very sensitive, particularly to soiling. These fully automatic machines are therefore very susceptible to faults even with good maintenance.
Ein mit den erfindungsgemäßen Merkmalen ausgerüstetes Kuppelstück läßt sich auch als Vollautomat einsetzen. Je ein Kuppelstück wird dabei in alle von vier unteren Eckbeschläge des oberen Containers eingesetzt. Durch Verwendung vier gleich ausgebildeter Kuppelstücken ergibt sich automatisch, daß an den „vorderen" Eckbeschlägen einerseits und den „hinteren" Eckbeschlägen andererseits die Verriegelungsnasen jeweils in unterschiedliche Richtungen zeigen. Beim Absetzen des so vorbereiteten Containers auf den unteren Container verdreht sich der Container, insbesondere aufgrund der Gestaltung der Kuppelstücke, leicht um seine Hochachse und die unteren Kupplungsvorsprünge der Kuppelstücke rasten mit den Verriegelungsnasen in die Eckbeschläge des unteren Containers ein. Hierdurch ist eine bei Schiffsbewegungen sichere Verriegelung der übereinander gestapelten Container gegeben. Durch Rollbewegungen des Schiffes im Seebetrieb kippen die Container in Querrichtung. Eine Längsseite des Containers ist dadurch auf Druck belastet, während die gegenüberliegende Längsseite auf Zug belastet ist. Die Kuppelstücke auf der Druckseite des Containers verhindern das Verschieben des gesamten Containers, so daß die Verriegelungsnase auf der Zugseite nicht außer Eingriff mit dem oberen Eckbeschlages des unteren Containers gelangen kann und so die Zugkräfte zwischen dem oberen und unteren Container auf der Zugseite sicher überträgt. Auch die im Bugbereich eines Schiffes gestapelten Container, bei denen durch Stampfen des Schiffes unter Umständen der Fall eintreten kann, daß an allen vier Kuppelstücken Zugbelastungen auftreten, werden sicher gehalten. Aufgrund der Massenträgheit des jeweils oberen Containers, wird dieser sich nicht von selbst gegenüber dem jeweils unteren Container verdrehen, so daß auch unter diesen Umständen eine sichere Verriegelung gegeben ist.A coupling piece equipped with the features according to the invention can also be used as a fully automatic machine. One coupling piece is inserted into all of the four lower corner fittings of the upper container. By using four coupling pieces of the same design, it automatically results that on the "front" corner fittings on the one hand and the "rear" corner fittings on the other hand the locking lugs each point in different directions. When the container prepared in this way is placed on the lower container, the container rotates slightly about its vertical axis, in particular due to the design of the coupling pieces, and the lower coupling projections of the coupling pieces snap into the corner fittings of the lower container with the locking lugs. This provides a secure locking of the containers stacked one above the other when the ship is moving. The container tilts in the transverse direction due to the rolling movements of the ship at sea. One long side of the container is thereby loaded under pressure, while the opposite long side is loaded under tension. The coupling pieces on the pressure side of the container prevent the entire container from moving, so that the locking lug on the train side cannot come out of engagement with the upper corner fitting of the lower container and thus safely transmits the tensile forces between the upper and lower container on the train side. Also the containers stacked in the bow area of a ship, where the stomping of the ship can possibly lead to the case that tensile loads occur on all four coupling pieces are held securely. Due to the inertia of the upper container, it will not twist by itself with respect to the lower container, so that a secure locking is provided even under these circumstances.
Die Länge des anderen (unteren) Kupplungsvorsprungs ist nach einer konstruktiven Ausgestaltung der Erfindung geringfügig kleiner als die Länge eines zugehörigen Langlochs des zugehörigen Eckbeschlages des anderen (unteren) Containers. Entsprechend sollte auch die maximale Breite der Verriegelungsnase geringfügig kleiner sein, als die Breite des Langlochs. Der untere Kupplungsvorsprung paßt dann so gerade eben durch das Langloch, was zum gewollten Ver- und Entkuppeln der übereinander gestapelten Container völlig ausreicht; einem ungewollten Entkuppeln aufgrund von Schiffsbewegungen aber entgegenwirkt. Dieses wird weiter unterstützt, wenn Stirnkanten des anderen (unteren) Kupplungsvorsprungs eine Kontur aufweisen, die zu der Kontur des zugeordneten Langlochs in diesem Bereich korrespondiert. Hierdurch hat das Kuppelstück in Längsrichtung nur ein sehr kleines Spiel, so daß das Kuppelstück auch in Querrichtung blockiert. Es liegt also eine weiter verbesserte Sicherung gegen Verschieben des Kuppelstücks in Querrichtung vor, so daß die sichere Verbindung der übereinander gestapelten Container mittels der Verriegelungsnase weiter verbessert ist.According to a constructive embodiment of the invention, the length of the other (lower) coupling projection is slightly less than the length of an associated elongated hole in the associated corner fitting of the other (lower) container. Accordingly, the maximum width of the locking lug should be slightly smaller than the width of the elongated hole. The lower coupling projection then just fits through the slot, which is sufficient for the desired coupling and uncoupling of the stacked containers; counteracts an unwanted decoupling due to ship movements. This is further supported if the front edges of the other (lower) coupling projection have a contour that corresponds to the contour of the assigned elongated hole in this area. As a result, the coupling piece has only a very small play in the longitudinal direction, so that the coupling piece also blocks in the transverse direction. So there is a further improved protection against displacement of the coupling piece in the transverse direction, so that the secure connection of the stacked containers is further improved by means of the locking lug.
Zum erleichterten Einführen des unteren Kupplungsvorsprungs in das zugehörige Langloch am Containereckbeschlag ist nach einer weiteren konstruktiven Ausgestaltung der Erfindung unterhalb der Verriegelungsnase ein Einführkegel angeordnet. Dieser Einführkegel verjüngt sich nach unten, so daß er für die korrekte Positionierung des unteren Kupplungsvorsprungs, und damit des gesamten Kuppelstücks, zum Verkuppeln sorgt.In order to facilitate insertion of the lower coupling projection into the associated elongated hole on the container corner fitting, an insertion cone is arranged below the locking lug according to a further constructive embodiment of the invention. This insertion cone tapers downward, so that it ensures the correct positioning of the lower coupling projection, and thus the entire coupling piece, for coupling.
Am Übergang von der Anschlagplatte zum unteren Kupplungsvorsprung sollte auf der der Verriegelungsnase abgewandten Längsseite des unteren Kupplungsvorsprungs eine Einführschräge angeordnet sein. Nach dem sich das Kuppelstück durch den Einführkegel zum Einführen in das Langloch richtig positioniert hat, kommt nun durch weiteres Absenken des oberen Containers die Einführschräge zum Einsatz. Durch die Einführschräge wird das Kuppelstück nämlich durch weiteres Absenken des oberen Containers in die Richtung gedrückt, in die die Verriegelungsnase zeigt und dadurch das Verkuppeln des oberen Containers mit dem unteren Container bewirkt (Verriegelungsposition). Ferner hat das Kuppelstück durch die Einführschräge nur wenig Spiel in Querrichtung des Containers, so daß die Verriegelungsnase das Langloch des oberen Eckbeschlages des unteren Containers immer sicher hinterschneidet. Damit ist für eine weitere Verbesserung einer sicheren Verbindung der übereinander gestapelten Container miteinander gesorgt.At the transition from the stop plate to the lower coupling projection, an insertion bevel should be arranged on the long side of the lower coupling projection facing away from the locking lug. After the coupling piece has been correctly positioned by the insertion cone for insertion into the elongated hole, the insertion slope is now used by further lowering the upper container. By means of the insertion bevel, the coupling piece is pressed by further lowering the upper container in the direction in which the locking lug points and thereby causes the coupling of the upper container to the lower container (locking position). Furthermore, the coupling piece has little play in the transverse direction of the container due to the lead-in chamfer, so that the locking lug is the elongated hole of the upper corner fitting of the lower container always undercuts safely. This ensures a further improvement in a secure connection of the containers stacked one above the other.
Die Einführschräge weist einen zu einer Fase am oberen Langloch des oberen Containereckbeschlags korrespondieren Winkel auf und liegt somit satt in dem Langloch. Alternativ kann nur der obere, zur Schlagplatte weisende Bereich entsprechend der Länge der Fase am Langloch mit einem zur Fase am Langloch korrespondierenden Winkel ausgebildet sein. Unterhalb dieser Fase ist dann ein gegenüber der Fase flacherer Verlauf vorgesehen. Hierdurch kann der vertikale Abstand zwischen der Verriegelungsnase und der Anschlagplatte vermindert werden, wodurch gleichzeitig auch das vertikale Spiel des Kupplungsstücks im Eckbeschlag vermindert wird. Hierdurch wird die Zurrsicherheit der miteinander verbundenen Container an Bord des Schiffes weiter erhöht.The lead-in bevel has an angle corresponding to a chamfer on the upper elongated hole of the upper container corner fitting and thus lies snugly in the elongated hole. Alternatively, only the upper area facing the striking plate can be designed with an angle corresponding to the chamfer at the slot corresponding to the length of the chamfer at the slot. Below this chamfer, a course that is flatter than the chamfer is provided. As a result, the vertical distance between the locking lug and the stop plate can be reduced, which also reduces the vertical play of the coupling piece in the corner fitting. This further increases the lashing security of the interconnected containers on board the ship.
Zum Erleichtern des Entkuppeins kann an der Oberseite der Verriegelungsnase eine schräg abfallende Schulter angeordnet sein. Diese Variante ist insbesondere für Vollautomaten besonders geeignet. Alternativ kann die Oberseite aber auch eine horizontale Oberseite aufweisen. Um dann das Entkuppeln zu erleichtern sollte die Verriegelungsnase mit einer schräg nach innen gerichteten Seitenwand ausgebildet sein. Diese Variante ist insbesondere für Midlocks geeignet und kann zusätzlich oder alternativ zur schräg abfallenden Schulter an der Oberseite der Verriegelungsnase eingesetzt werden.To facilitate decoupling, an obliquely sloping shoulder can be arranged on the top of the locking lug. This variant is particularly suitable for fully automatic machines. Alternatively, the top can also have a horizontal top. In order then to facilitate uncoupling, the locking lug should be designed with an obliquely inwardly directed side wall. This variant is particularly suitable for midlocks and can be used in addition or as an alternative to the sloping shoulder on the top of the locking lug.
Nach einem alternativen Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Kupplungsstücks ist die Verriegelungsnase gegenüber dem unteren Kupplungsvorsprung querverschieblich ausgebildet. Beim Einführen des unteren Kupplungsvorsprungs in das obere Langloch des oberen Eckbeschlags des Containers wird die Verriegelungsnase gegenüber dem unteren Kupplungsvorsprung zurückgedrückt und nach dem Einführen in das Langloch wieder durch die Kraft einer Feder in die Verriegelungsposition zurückgedrückt. Diese Variante ist bei sehr eng an Bord stehenden Containern von Vorteil, da die Container nun aufgrund der „ausweichenden" Verriegelungsnase nicht mehr um ihrer Hochachse beim Beladen gedreht werden müssen.According to an alternative embodiment of the coupling piece according to the invention, the locking lug is designed to be displaceable in relation to the lower coupling projection. When the lower coupling projection is inserted into the upper elongated hole of the upper corner fitting of the container, the locking lug is pressed back relative to the lower coupling projection and, after being inserted into the elongated hole, is pushed back into the locking position by the force of a spring. This variant is advantageous for containers that are very closely on board, since the containers no longer have to be rotated about their vertical axis during loading due to the “evasive” locking lug.
Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand von in den Zeichnungen dargestellten Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert. Es zeigen: Fig. 1 ein Kuppelstück mit den Erfindungsmerkmalen in Seitenansicht, teilweise geschnitten;The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. Show it: Figure 1 is a coupling piece with the features of the invention in side view, partially cut.
Fig. 2 das Kuppelstück gemäß Fig. 1 in Vorderansicht;FIG. 2 shows the coupling piece according to FIG. 1 in a front view;
Fig. 3 eine schematische Darstellung zweier Container beim Laden derselben, kurz vor dem Verriegeln;Figure 3 is a schematic representation of two containers when loading them, just before locking.
Fig. 4 eine schematische Darstellung der Container beim Entladen kurz nach dem Entriegeln;Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the container when unloading shortly after unlocking.
Fig. 5 ein Detail der Container beim Laden bzw. Entladen der Container;Figure 5 shows a detail of the container when loading or unloading the container.
Fig. 6 ein Detail der übereinander gestapelten Container im verriegeltem Zustand;6 shows a detail of the containers stacked one above the other in the locked state;
Fig. 7 eine schematische Darstellung zweier Container in Draufsicht während des Ver- und Entriegeins;7 shows a schematic illustration of two containers in a top view during locking and unlocking;
Fig. 8 eine schematische Draufsicht des unteren Containers im verriegelten Zustand;8 shows a schematic top view of the lower container in the locked state;
Fig. 9 ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel für ein Kuppelstück mit den Erfindungsmerkmalen in Seitenansicht, teilweise geschnitten;9 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a coupling piece with the features of the invention in a side view, partly in section;
Fig. 10 das Kuppelstück gemäß Fig. 9 in Vorderansicht;10 shows the coupling piece according to FIG. 9 in a front view;
Fig. 11 zwei übereinander gestapelte Container mit einem Kuppelstück gemäß Fig. 9 beim Entladen kurz vor dem Entriegeln;11 two containers stacked one above the other with a coupling piece according to FIG. 9 during unloading shortly before unlocking;
Fig. 12 ein Detail der Container gemäß Fig. 11 kurz vor dem Entriegeln in Seitenansicht;FIG. 12 shows a detail of the container according to FIG. 11 shortly before unlocking in a side view;
Fig. 13 das Detail des Containers gemäß Fig. 12 in Vorderansicht;13 shows the detail of the container according to FIG. 12 in a front view;
Fig. 14 das Detail des Containers gemäß Fig. 12 in Draufsicht;14 shows the detail of the container according to FIG. 12 in a top view;
Fig. 15 ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel für ein Kupplungsstück mit den Erfindungsmerkmalen in Vorderansicht; Fig. 16 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für ein Kupplungsstück mit den Erfindungsmerkmalen in Vorderansicht.15 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a coupling piece with the inventive features in a front view; Fig. 16 shows a further embodiment of a coupling piece with the features of the invention in a front view.
Die in den Fig. 1 bis 8 dargestellten Ausführungsformen eines Kuppelstücks nach der Erfindung eignen sich insbesondere als sogenannter Vollautomat 20, auch als Uni-Lock bezeichnet. Der Vollautomat 20 weist eine mittlere Anschlagplatte 21 und sich davon nach oben bzw. nach unten erstreckende Kupplungsvorsprünge 22 und 23 auf. Am oberen Kupplungsvorsprung 22 sind seitliche Vorsprünge 24, 25 angeordnet, die ein unteres Langloch eines Containereckbeschlages hintergreifen, so daß sie innerhalb dieses Eckbeschlages formschlüssig verriegelt sind. Zum Ver- bzw. Entriegeln des oberen Kupplungsvorsprunges 22 in diesem Containereckbeschlag dient ein Verriegelungsstück 26 welches mittels eines Handhebels 27 zur Seite in die Ebene der Anschlagplatte 21 verschwenkt werden kann. Insoweit einspricht der vorliegende Vollautomat 20 noch einem herkömmlichen Midlock, wie er beispielsweise in DE 298 11 460 U1 gezeigt ist und wird wie dieses Midlock in den unteren Eckbeschlag des oberen Containers vom Staupersonal eingesetzt.The embodiments of a coupling piece according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 are particularly suitable as a so-called fully automatic machine 20, also referred to as a Uni-Lock. The fully automatic machine 20 has a central stop plate 21 and coupling projections 22 and 23 extending upwards and downwards therefrom. Lateral projections 24, 25 are arranged on the upper coupling projection 22, which engage behind a lower elongated hole of a container corner fitting, so that they are positively locked within this corner fitting. A locking piece 26, which can be pivoted to the side into the plane of the stop plate 21 by means of a hand lever 27, is used to lock or unlock the upper coupling projection 22 in this container corner fitting. To this extent, the present fully automatic machine 20 still responds to a conventional midlock, as is shown, for example, in DE 298 11 460 U1 and, like this midlock, is inserted into the lower corner fitting of the upper container by the storage personnel.
Da die oberen Langlöcher an den oberen Eckbeschlägen ebenso wie die unteren Langlöcher der untern Eckbeschläge bei Normcontainer immer in Längsrichtung des Containers gerichtet sind, sind die Handhebel 27 immer der Containerstirnseite (der mit Türen versehenen Vorderseite oder der geschlossenen Rückseite) zugewandt. Die Seite des Handhebels 27 wird daher im Rahmen dieser Beschreibung und der Ansprüche als Vorderseite V bezeichnet, die gegenüberliegende Seite als Rückseite R und die hieran angrenzenden, von der Vorderseite V zur Rückseite R weisenden Seiten als Längsseiten L.Since the upper elongated holes on the upper corner fittings as well as the lower elongated holes of the lower corner fittings in standard containers are always directed in the longitudinal direction of the container, the hand levers 27 are always facing the front of the container (the front with doors or the closed rear). The side of the hand lever 27 is therefore referred to in the context of this description and the claims as the front side V, the opposite side as the rear side R and the adjoining sides pointing from the front side V to the rear side R as the long sides L.
Der untere Kupplungsvorsprung 23 ist in besonderer Weise ausgebildet. Dieser Kupplungsvorsprung 23 weist eine vorspringende Verriegelungsnase 28 auf. Wie in Fig. 1 und 2 zu erkennen ist, ist die Verriegelungsnase 28 einer der beiden Längsseiten L, nämlich der gemäß Darstellung in Fig. 2 rechten Längsseite L zugeordnet. Die Verriegelungsnase 28 ist seitlich angeordnet, so daß eine der Stirnseiten des Containers zugeordnete Öffnung des Containereckbeschlages zum Einhaken von Zurrmitteln frei bleibt.The lower coupling projection 23 is designed in a special way. This coupling projection 23 has a projecting locking lug 28. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the locking lug 28 is assigned to one of the two long sides L, namely the long side L to the right as shown in FIG. 2. The locking lug 28 is arranged laterally, so that an opening of the container corner fitting assigned to the end faces of the container remains free for hooking in lashing means.
Unterhalb der Verriegelungsnase 28 ist der Kupplungsvorsprung 23 mit einem nach unten gerichteten Einführkegel 29 versehen. Am Übergang vom unteren Kupplungsvorsprung 23 zur Anschlagplatte 21 ist auf der von der Verriegelungsnase 28 abgewandten Längsseite L des unteren Kupplungsvorsprungs 23 eine Einführschräge 30 vorgesehen. Die Einführschräge 30 bewirkt, daß beim Einsetzen des Vollautomaten 20 in den oberen Eckbeschlag des unteren Containers, also beim Absetzen des oberen Containers auf den unteren Container, der jeweilige Vollautomat 20 in der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 2 nach rechts verschoben wird.Below the locking lug 28, the coupling projection 23 is provided with a downward insertion cone 29. At the transition from the lower coupling projection 23 to the stop plate 21 is on the longitudinal side L of the lower side facing away from the locking lug 28 Coupling projection 23 an insertion bevel 30 is provided. The insertion bevel 30 has the effect that when the fully automatic machine 20 is inserted into the upper corner fitting of the lower container, that is to say when the upper container is placed on the lower container, the respective fully automatic machine 20 in the illustration according to FIG. 2 is shifted to the right.
An der der Einführschräge 30 gegenüberliegenden Seite des unteren Kupplungsvorsprungs 23 ist eine Fase 31 am Übergang vom Kupplungsvorsprung 23 zur Anschlagsplatte 21 vorgesehen. Diese Fase 31 ist in erster Linie aus Festigkeitsgründen vorgesehen. Wie in Fig. 2 aber erkennbar, korrespondiert die Fase 31 sowie der obere Teil der Einführschräge 30 exakt mit einer Fase 32 am Langloch 33 des Eckbeschlages.On the side of the lower coupling projection 23 opposite the insertion bevel 30, a chamfer 31 is provided at the transition from the coupling projection 23 to the stop plate 21. This chamfer 31 is primarily provided for reasons of strength. However, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the chamfer 31 and the upper part of the insertion bevel 30 correspond exactly with a chamfer 32 on the elongated hole 33 of the corner fitting.
Die Länge I des unteren Kupplungsvorsprungs 23 ist dabei nur unwesentlich kleiner als die Länge des Langlochs 33. Die Breite b der Verriegelungsnase 28 an ihrer breitesten Stelle ist ebenfalls nur geringfügig kleiner als die Breite des Langlochs 33. Die vorspringende Tiefe t der Verriegelungsnase 28 ist also nur geringfügig kleiner als der Abstand a der von der Verriegelungsnase 28 abgewandten Seitenfläche des Kupplungsvorsprungs 28 von der zugehörigen Innenwand des Langlochs 33 (Fig. 2).The length I of the lower coupling projection 23 is only insignificantly smaller than the length of the elongated hole 33. The width b of the locking lug 28 at its widest point is also only slightly smaller than the width of the elongated hole 33. The projecting depth t of the locking lug 28 is therefore only slightly smaller than the distance a of the side surface of the coupling projection 28 facing away from the locking lug 28 from the associated inner wall of the elongated hole 33 (FIG. 2).
Um das Entriegeln zu erleichtern ist die Verriegelungsnase 28 mit einer nach außen hin abfallenden Schulter 34 ausgebildet. Beim Anheben des oberen Containers und damit des Vollautomaten 20 stößt die Schulter 34 gegen die Unterseite des Containereckbeschlages, so daß der Vollautomat 20 in der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 2 nach links gedrückt wird und so außer Eingriff mit dem Langloch 33 kommt.In order to facilitate unlocking, the locking lug 28 is designed with a shoulder 34 that slopes away to the outside. When lifting the upper container and thus the fully automatic machine 20, the shoulder 34 abuts against the underside of the container corner fitting, so that the fully automatic machine 20 is pushed to the left in the illustration according to FIG. 2 and thus disengages from the elongated hole 33.
In den Figuren 3 bis 8 ist das Be- und Entladen von Containern unter Verwendung des Vollautomaten 20 gezeigt. Fig. 3 zeigt einen bereits beispielsweise an Bord von Schiffen abgestellten Container 35, auf den ein weiterer Container 36 abgesetzt werden soll. Der weitere Container 36 ist dabei in der Position kurz vor dem Verriegeln auf dem unteren Container 35 gezeigt. Wie in Fig. 5 erkennbar, setzt der Vollautomat 20 mit dem Einführkegel 29 auf dem oberen Rand des Langlochs 33 auf und wird dann durch eine Bewegung des gesamten oberen Containers 36 durch eine Längsdrehung des Containers 36 um seine Hochachse (siehe Fig. 7, Pfeil 37) verriegelt. Der Bewegungsablauf des Vollautomaten ist durch die Pfeilkombination 38 in Fig. 4 und 5 verdeutlicht. Die vorderen Vollautomaten 20 gleiten beim Verriegeln aufgrund des Einführkegels 29 zunächst nach links (Pfeil 38.1), während die hinteren Vollautomaten 20 nach rechts gleiten. Durch weiteres Absenken des oberen Containers 36 senkt sich der Vollautomat 20 zunächst senkrecht (Pfeil 38.2). Durch noch weiteres Absenken des oberen Containers 36 gleiten die vorderen Vollautomaten 20 schließlich nach rechts (Pfeil 38.3), während die hinteren Vollautomaten 20 analog nach links in ihre jeweilige Verriegelungsposition gleiten. Fig. 6 zeigt die Container 35, 36 schließlich in der vollständig verriegelten Position.FIGS. 3 to 8 show the loading and unloading of containers using the fully automatic machine 20. FIG. 3 shows a container 35 already placed on board ships, for example, onto which another container 36 is to be placed. The further container 36 is shown in the position shortly before locking on the lower container 35. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the fully automatic machine 20 with the insertion cone 29 rests on the upper edge of the elongated hole 33 and is then moved by a movement of the entire upper container 36 by a longitudinal rotation of the container 36 about its vertical axis (see FIG. 7, arrow 37) locked. The sequence of movements of the fully automatic machine is illustrated by the arrow combination 38 in FIGS. 4 and 5. The front fully automatic machines 20 initially slide to the left when locking due to the insertion cone 29 (arrow 38.1), while the rear fully automatic machines 20 slide to the right. By further lowering the upper container 36, the fully automatic machine 20 initially lowers vertically (arrow 38.2). By lowering the upper container 36 even further, the front fully automatic machines 20 finally slide to the right (arrow 38.3), while the rear fully automatic machines 20 analogously slide to the left into their respective locking position. 6 finally shows the containers 35, 36 in the fully locked position.
Fig. 4 zeigt analog zu Fig. 3 den oberen Container 36 kurz nach dem Entriegeln während des Entladens (Löschens) des Containers 36. Der Container ist wiederum leicht um seine Hochachse gegenüber dem unteren Container 35 verdreht. Die vorderen Vollautomaten 20 gleiten nach oben links entsprechend Pfeil 40 in der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 4 und Fig. 5 aus den Langlöchern 33 heraus, während die hinteren Vollautomaten 20 gemäß Pfeil 41 in Fig. 4 nach oben rechts aus den Langlöchern 33 heraus gleiten. Der Container 36 verdreht sich also im Uhrzeigersinn gemäß Pfeil 42 in Fig. 7 während des Entladens. Diese Richtungen gemäß der Pfeile 38, 40, 41 , 42 ergeben sich, da die den vorderen Eckbeschlägen 44 der Container 35, 36 zugeordneten Vollautomaten 20 einerseits und die Verriegelungsnasen 28 der den hinteren Eckbeschlägen 43 zugeordneten Vollautomaten 20 andererseits mit ihren Verriegelungsnasen 28 in entgegengesetzte Richtungen zeigen.FIG. 4 shows, analogously to FIG. 3, the upper container 36 shortly after unlocking during the unloading (deletion) of the container 36. The container is in turn slightly rotated about its vertical axis with respect to the lower container 35. 4 and 5, the front fully automatic machines 20 slide out of the elongated holes 33 according to arrow 40 in the illustration according to FIGS. 4 and 5, while the rear fully automatic machines 20 slide out of the elongated holes 33 according to arrow 41 in FIG. The container 36 thus rotates clockwise according to arrow 42 in Fig. 7 during unloading. These directions according to the arrows 38, 40, 41, 42 result because the fully automatic machines 20 assigned to the front corner fittings 44 of the containers 35, 36 on the one hand and the locking lugs 28 of the fully automatic machines 20 assigned to the rear corner fittings 43 on the other hand with their locking lugs 28 in opposite directions demonstrate.
In Fig. 8 ist gut zu erkennen, daß eine vordere und hintere Stirnkante 39 des Vollautomaten, genauer des unteren Kupplungsvorsprungs 23, zumindest im Bereich des Langlochs 33 des oberen Eckbeschlages 43, 44 des unteren Containers 35 eine Kontur aufweist, die der Kontur des Langlochs 33 entspricht. Konkret ist eine kreisbogenförmige Kontur vorgesehen.In Fig. 8 it can be clearly seen that a front and rear end edge 39 of the fully automatic machine, more precisely the lower coupling projection 23, at least in the region of the elongated hole 33 of the upper corner fitting 43, 44 of the lower container 35 has a contour which corresponds to the contour of the elongated hole 33 corresponds. Specifically, an arc-shaped contour is provided.
Soweit versehentlich die den hinteren Eckbeschlägen 43 oder die den vorderen Eckbeschlägen 44 zugeordneten Vollautomaten 20 einmal verkehrt herum eingesetzt werden, ist dieses auch nicht weiter tragisch. Der Container 36 wird dann während des Ver- und Entriegeis insgesamt seitlich versetzt abgesenkt bzw. angehoben. Eine solche Situation sollte allerdings durch sorgfältiges Arbeiten des Staupersonals vermieden werden. Soweit nur einer der Vollautomaten verkehrt herum eingesetzt wird, so daß die den vorderen Eckbeschlägen 44 bzw. den hinteren Eckbeschlägen 43 zugeordneten Verriegelungsnasen 28 zueinander zeigen bzw. von einander wegzeigen, läßt sich der Container 36 gar nicht verriegeln. Dieses fällt dem Staupersonal auf, so daß der Container noch einmal angehoben und der Fehler korrigiert werden kann. Eine Situation jedenfalls, bei welcher der Vollautomat verriegelt und dann nur noch sehr schwer entriegelt und damit der Container nicht Entladen werden kann, kann nicht eintreten.Insofar as the fully automatic machines 20 assigned to the rear corner fittings 43 or the front corner fittings 44 are accidentally used upside down, this is also no longer tragic. The container 36 is then lowered or lifted laterally offset overall during the locking and unlocking ice. However, such a situation should be avoided by careful work of the traffic jam personnel. If only one of the fully automatic machines is used upside down, so that the locking lugs 28 assigned to the front corner fittings 44 and the rear corner fittings 43 point towards or away from one another, the container 36 cannot be locked at all. This is noticed by the traffic jam personnel so that the container can be raised again and the error can be corrected. Anyhow, a situation with which the fully automatic machine locks and then only very difficult to unlock and so that the container cannot be unloaded cannot occur.
In den Figuren 9 bis 14 ist ein insbesondere als Midlock 45 geeignetes Kuppelstück gezeigt. Das Midlock 45 entspricht in seinen wesentlichen Bauteilen dem Vollautomat 20 gemäß Fig. 1 bis 8, so daß vergleichbare Bauteile in den Figuren 9 bis 14 mit denselben Bezugsziffern bezeichnet sind, wie in den Figuren 1 bis 8. Wie aber in Fig. 10 erkennbar, weist eine ebenfalls seitlich angeordnete Verriegelungsnase 46 des Midlocks 45 keine schräg abfallende Schulter auf, sondern verfügt über eine etwa horizontale Oberseite 47. Eine äußere Seitenwand 48 der Verriegelungsnase 46 ist auf der vom Handhebel 27 abgewandten Seite schräg nach innen geführt, wie dieses insbesondere in Fig. 14 gut zu erkennen ist.FIGS. 9 to 14 show a coupling piece which is particularly suitable as a midlock 45. The essential components of the midlock 45 correspond to the fully automatic machine 20 according to FIGS. 1 to 8, so that comparable components in FIGS. 9 to 14 are designated with the same reference numbers as in FIGS. 1 to 8. As can be seen in FIG. 10, however, A locking lug 46 of the midlock 45, which is also arranged laterally, does not have a sloping shoulder, but has an approximately horizontal upper side 47. An outer side wall 48 of the locking lug 46 is guided obliquely inwards on the side facing away from the hand lever 27, as is particularly the case in FIG 14 is clearly visible.
In den Figuren 11 bis 14 ist das Entriegeln des oberen Containers 36 vom unteren Container 35 gezeigt. Zunächst wird an den vorderen, für das Staupersonal frei zugänglichen Eckbeschlägen 44 ein dort eingesetzter, semiautomatischer Twistlock 49 vom Stauer manuell entriegelt. Sodann wird mit einem Containerladekran der Container 36 angehoben (Pfeil 50). Die vorderen Eckbeschläge 44 der Container 35, 36 heben voneinander ab und der Container 36 verkippt. Hierdurch verkippt auch der Midlock 45, wie besonders in Fig. 12 gut zu erkennen ist. Aufgrund der schrägen Seitenwand 48 wird nun der Midlock 45 in der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 13 nach links gedrückt (Pfeil 51 ), wodurch die Verriegelungsnase 46 aus dem Langloch 33 frei kommt.FIGS. 11 to 14 show the unlocking of the upper container 36 from the lower container 35. First, a semi-automatic twist lock 49 inserted there is manually unlocked by the stevedore at the front corner fittings 44 which are freely accessible to the stowage personnel. The container 36 is then lifted with a container loading crane (arrow 50). The front corner fittings 44 of the containers 35, 36 stand out from one another and the container 36 tilts. As a result, the midlock 45 also tilts, as can be seen particularly well in FIG. 12. Because of the sloping side wall 48, the midlock 45 is now pushed to the left in the illustration according to FIG. 13 (arrow 51), as a result of which the locking lug 46 comes free from the elongated hole 33.
Das Verriegeln des Containers 36 bzw. des Midlocks 45 beim Laden des Containers 36, also beim Absetzen desselben auf dem unteren Container 35 erfolgt analog dem anhand der Figuren 1 bis 8 erläuterten Vollautomat 20.The locking of the container 36 or the midlock 45 when loading the container 36, that is to say when it is placed on the lower container 35, is carried out analogously to the fully automatic machine 20 explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
Fig. 15 zeigt ein Ausführungsbeispiel, bei dem die Einführschräge 30 zunächst mit einer steileren Fase 52 ausgebildet ist. Der Winkel dieser Fase (52) entspricht dem Winkel der Fase 32 am Langloch 33 des Containereckbeschlags. Unterhalb dieser Fase 52 geht die Einführschräge 30 in eine Fase 53 mit gegenüber der Fase 52 flacherem Winkel über. Diese Variante hat den Vorteil, daß der vertikale Abstand zwischen der Unterseite der Anschlagplatte 21 und der oberen Schulter 34 an der Verriegelungsnase 28 verkürzt werden kann. Hierdurch ergibt sich auch ein geringeres Vertikalspiel des Kupplungsstücks. Die zur Sicherheit der so miteinander verbundenen Container ist damit verbessert. Bei dem in Fig. 16 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Verriegelungsnase 54 gegenüber dem unteren Kupplungsvorsprung 23 verschieblich. Konkret kann die Verriegelungsnase 54 leicht nach schräg oben in Richtung auf die Einführschräge 30 verschoben werden. Diese Variante ist dann von Vorteil, wenn die übereinander gestapelten Container an Bord von Schiffen so eng nebeneinander stehen, daß zum Ein- und/oder Ausfädeln der Container beim Be- und/oder Entladen die Container nicht um ihre Hochachse verdreht werden können. Beim Absetzen des oberen Containers 35 auf dem unteren Container 36 wird, wie gehabt, zunächst der Einführkegel 29 am unteren Kupplungsvorsprung 23 in das Langloch 33 eingeführt. Sodann setzt eine untere Schräge 56 auf die Fase 32 am Langloch 33 auf. Hierdurch wird die Verriegelungsnase 54 nach hinten gegen die Kraft einer Feder 55 gedrückt und kommt in die in Fig. 16 strichniert gezeichnete Position. Der untere Kupplungsvorsprung 23 kann nun in das Langloch 33 gleiten. Sodann wird die Verriegelungsnase 54 wieder durch die Kraft der Feder 55 in die Ausgangsposition zurückgedrückt. Das Kupplungsstück ist verriegelt.FIG. 15 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the insertion bevel 30 is initially formed with a steeper chamfer 52. The angle of this chamfer (52) corresponds to the angle of the chamfer 32 at the slot 33 of the container corner fitting. Below this chamfer 52, the insertion bevel 30 merges into a chamfer 53 with an angle that is flatter than the chamfer 52. This variant has the advantage that the vertical distance between the underside of the stop plate 21 and the upper shoulder 34 on the locking lug 28 can be shortened. This also results in less vertical play for the coupling piece. The container connected to each other in this way is thus improved. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the locking lug 54 is displaceable with respect to the lower coupling projection 23. Specifically, the locking lug 54 can be moved slightly obliquely upwards in the direction of the insertion slope 30. This variant is advantageous if the containers stacked one above the other are so close together on board ships that the containers cannot be rotated about their vertical axis for loading and / or unloading the containers during loading and / or unloading. When the upper container 35 is placed on the lower container 36, the insertion cone 29 is first inserted into the elongated hole 33 on the lower coupling projection 23. Then a lower slope 56 is placed on the chamfer 32 at the slot 33. As a result, the locking lug 54 is pressed backward against the force of a spring 55 and comes into the position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 16. The lower coupling projection 23 can now slide into the slot 33. The locking lug 54 is then pushed back into the starting position by the force of the spring 55. The coupling piece is locked.
Bei dem in Fig. 16 gezeigten Kupplungsstück wird die Verriegelungsnase 54 konkret nur beim Beladen des Containers, also beim Einführen des unteren Kupplungsvorsprungs 23 in das Langloch 33 zurückgedrückt. Durch den leicht nach schräg oben geneigten Verlauf der Verschieberichtung der Verriegelungsnase, die in etwa dem Winkel der oberen Schulter 34 entspricht, entsteht auf die Verriegelungsnase 54 beim Entladen eine nahezu senkrecht zur Verschieberichtung der Verriegelungsnase 54 gerichtete Kraft. Beim Entladen müssen sich die Container also leicht verdrehen. Durch diese Maßnahme wird aber sichergestellt, daß sich die übereinander gestapelten Container durch im Seegang auf sie wirkende Kräfte nicht selbständig entriegeln. Eventuell beim Entladen des Containers durch eng aneinander stehende Container auftretende Schwierigkeiten treten gegenüber der Sicherheit während des Transports an Bord von Schiffen zurück. Gleichzeitig ist erkennbar, daß der Verlauf der unteren Schräge 56 gegenüber der Verschieberichtung der Verriegelungsnase 54 geringfügig größer als ein rechter Winkel ist. Hierdurch wird eine optimale Kraft auf die Verriegelungsnase 54 zum Zurückdrücken während des Beiadens erreicht. B e z u g s z e i c h e n l i s t eIn the coupling piece shown in FIG. 16, the locking lug 54 is only pressed back specifically when loading the container, that is to say when the lower coupling projection 23 is inserted into the elongated hole 33. The slightly inclined course of the direction of displacement of the locking lug, which corresponds approximately to the angle of the upper shoulder 34, creates a force on the locking lug 54 which is almost perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the locking lug 54 during unloading. The containers must twist slightly when unloading. This measure ensures, however, that the containers stacked one above the other do not automatically unlock due to the forces acting on them in the sea. Any difficulties that may arise when the container is unloaded due to closely spaced containers are less important than safety during transport on board ships. At the same time it can be seen that the course of the lower slope 56 is slightly larger than a right angle with respect to the direction of displacement of the locking lug 54. This achieves an optimal force on the locking lug 54 for pushing back during the loading. List of reference symbols
Vollautomat 42 Pfeil Anschlagplatte 43 Eckbeschlag Kupplungsvorsprung 44 Eckbeschlag Kupplungsvorsprung 45 Midlock Vorsprung 46 Verriegelungsnase Vorsprung 47 Oberseite Verriegelungsstück 48 Seitenwand Handhebel 49 Twistlock Verriegelungsnase 50 Pfeil Einführkegel 51 Pfeil Einführschräge 52 Fase Fase 53 Fase Fase 54 Verriegelungsnase Langloch 55 Feder Schulter 56 Schräge Container a Abstand Container b Breite Pfeil I Länge Pfeilkombination t Tiefe Stirnkante V Vorderseite Pfeil R Rückseite Pfeil L Längsseite Fully automatic 42 arrow stop plate 43 corner fitting coupling projection 44 corner fitting coupling projection 45 midlock projection 46 locking lug projection 47 top locking piece 48 side wall hand lever 49 twistlock locking lug 50 arrow insertion cone 51 arrow insertion bevel 52 chamfer chamfer 53 chamfer chamfer 54 locking lug elongated hole 55 spring shoulder 56 inclined container a distance container b Width arrow I Length arrow combination t Deep front edge V front arrow R rear arrow L long side

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e : Patent claims:
1. Kuppelstück zum Verbinden zweier übereinander gestapelter Container (35, 36), insbesondere an Bord von Schiffen, an ihren Eckbeschlägen, mit einer Anschlagplatte (21) und je einem Kupplungsvorsprung (22, 23) zu beiden Seiten der Anschlagplatte (21), von denen der erste Kupplungsvorsprung (22) an den Eckbeschlag des einen Containers (36) anbringbar und der andere Kupplungsvorsprung (23) mit einer Verriegelungsnase (28, 46, 54) zum Verriegeln in einem Eckbeschlag des anderen Containers (35) ausgebildet ist, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t , daß die1. coupling piece for connecting two stacked containers (35, 36), in particular on board ships, at their corner fittings, with a stop plate (21) and a coupling projection (22, 23) on both sides of the stop plate (21), from which the first coupling projection (22) can be attached to the corner fitting of one container (36) and the other coupling projection (23) is designed with a locking lug (28, 46, 54) for locking in a corner fitting of the other container (35), characterized in that that the
Verriegelungsnase (28, 46, 54) in Längsrichtung der Container (35, 36) gesehen seitlich an dem anderen Kupplungsvorsprung (23) angeordnet ist.Locking nose (28, 46, 54) in the longitudinal direction of the container (35, 36) is arranged laterally on the other coupling projection (23).
2. Kuppelstück nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Länge (I) des anderen Kupplungsvorsprungs (23) geringfügig kleiner als die Länge eines Langlochs (33) des zugehörigen Eckbeschlages des anderen Containers (35) ist.2. Coupling piece according to claim 1, characterized in that the length (I) of the other coupling projection (23) is slightly less than the length of an elongated hole (33) of the associated corner fitting of the other container (35).
3. Kuppelstück nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die maximale Breite (b) der Verriegelungsnase (28, 46, 54) geringfügig kleiner als die Breites des Langlochs (33) des zugehörigen Eckbeschlages des anderen Containers (35) ist.3. Coupling piece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the maximum width (b) of the locking lug (28, 46, 54) is slightly smaller than the width of the slot (33) of the associated corner fitting of the other container (35).
4. Kuppelstück nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß Stirnkanten (39) des anderen Kupplungsvorsprungs (23) eine zur Kontur des Langlochs (33) korrespondierende, insbesondere kreisbogenförmige, Kontur aufweisen.4. Coupling piece according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that end edges (39) of the other coupling projection (23) have a contour corresponding to the contour of the elongated hole (33), in particular an arcuate contour.
5. Kuppelstück nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kupplungsvorsprung (23) unterhalb der Verriegelungsnase (28, 46, 54) einen Einführkegel (29) aufweist.5. Coupling piece according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling projection (23) below the locking nose (28, 46, 54) has an insertion cone (29).
6. Kuppelstück nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß am Übergang vom Kupplungsvorsprung (23) zur Anschlagplatte (21) auf der der Verriegelungsnase (28, 46, 54) abgewandten Längsseite (L) eine Einführschräge (30) angeordnet ist. 6. Coupling piece according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at the transition from the coupling projection (23) to the stop plate (21) on the locking lug (28, 46, 54) facing away from the longitudinal side (L) an insertion bevel (30) is arranged ,
7. Kupplungsstück nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Einführschräge (30) mit einem zur Fase (32) am Langloch (33) des Containereckbeschlags korrespondierenden Winkel aufweist.7. Coupling piece according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the insertion bevel (30) with an angle corresponding to the chamfer (32) on the slot (33) of the container corner fitting.
8. Kupplungsstück nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Einführschräge (30) zunächst mit einer zur Fase am Langloch (33) korrespondierenden Fase (52) und unterhalb des Langlochs (33) eine Fase (53) mit gegenüber der Fase (52) flacherem Winkel ausgebildet ist.8. Coupling piece according to claim 6, characterized in that the insertion bevel (30) first with a chamfer on the slot (33) corresponding chamfer (52) and below the slot (33) a chamfer (53) with opposite the chamfer (52) shallower angle is formed.
9. Kuppelstück nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verriegelungsnase (28) an ihrer Oberseite eine schräg abfallende Schulter (34) aufweist.9. coupling piece according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking lug (28) has an obliquely sloping shoulder (34) on its upper side.
10. Kuppelstück nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verriegelungsnase (46) mit einer etwa horizontalen Oberseite (47) ausgebildet ist.10. Coupling piece according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the locking lug (46) is formed with an approximately horizontal top (47).
11. Kuppelstück nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß- die Verriegelungsnase (46) mit einer schräg nach innen gerichteten Seitenwand (48) ausgebildet ist.11. coupling piece according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that - the locking lug (46) is formed with an obliquely inwardly directed side wall (48).
12. Kupplungsstück nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verriegelungsnase (54) gegenüber dem Kupplungsvorsprung (23) verschieblich ausgebildet ist.12. Coupling piece according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the locking lug (54) relative to the coupling projection (23) is designed to be displaceable.
13. Kupplungsstück nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verriegelungsnase (54) gegen die Kraft einer Feder (55) querverschieblich ausgebildet ist.13. Coupling piece according to claim 12, characterized in that the locking lug (54) against the force of a spring (55) is designed to be displaceable.
14. Anordnung übereinander gestapelter Container (35, 36), insbesondere an Bord von Schiffen, die mit Kuppelstücken (20, 45) an ihren Eckbeschlägen miteinander verbunden sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Container (35, 36) wenigstens an den Eckbeschlägen einer Stirnseite der Container (35, 36) mit je einem Kuppelstück (20, 45) nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 9 miteinander verbunden sind. 14. Arrangement of stacked containers (35, 36), in particular on board ships which are connected to one another by coupling pieces (20, 45) at their corner fittings, characterized in that the containers (35, 36) at least on the corner fittings of one end face the container (35, 36) are connected to each other with a coupling piece (20, 45) according to claims 1 to 9.
15. Anordnung nach Anspruch 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Container (35, 36) an allen ihren Eckbeschlägen mit einem Kuppelstück (20) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7 miteinander verbunden sind.15. Arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the containers (35, 36) are connected to each other at all their corner fittings with a coupling piece (20) according to one of claims 1 to 7.
16. Anordnung nach Anspruch 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Verriegelungsnasen (28) der Kuppelstücke (20), die den (vorderen) Eckbeschlägen (43) an einer der Stirnwände der Container (35, 36) zugeordnet sind, in Längsrichtung der Container (35, 36) gesehen in eine seitliche Richtung und die Verriegelungsnasen (28) der Kuppelstücke (20), die den (hinteren) Eckbeschlägen (44) an den anderen Stirnwände der Container (35, 36) zugeordnet sind, in die entgegengesetzte Richtung zeigen.16. The arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that the locking lugs (28) of the coupling pieces (20), which are assigned to the (front) corner fittings (43) on one of the end walls of the container (35, 36), in the longitudinal direction of the container ( 35, 36) seen in a lateral direction and the locking lugs (28) of the coupling pieces (20), which are assigned to the (rear) corner fittings (44) on the other end walls of the containers (35, 36), in the opposite direction.
17. Verfahren zum Verbinden von übereinander gestapelten Containern (35, 36), insbesondere an Bord von Schiffen, mit Kuppelstücken (20, 45) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der obere Container (36) beim Ver- und/oder Entkuppeln mit dem unteren Container um seine Hochachse verdreht wird.17. A method for connecting stacked containers (35, 36), in particular on board ships, with coupling pieces (20, 45) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the upper container (36) when shipping and / or uncoupling with the lower container is rotated about its vertical axis.
18. Verfahren nach Anspruch 17, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der obere Container (36) beim Ver- und/oder Entkuppeln durch die Gestaltung der18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the upper container (36) during coupling and / or uncoupling by the design of the
Kuppelstücke (20, 45) um seine Hochachse verdreht wird.Coupling pieces (20, 45) is rotated about its vertical axis.
19. Verfahren zum Verbinden von übereinander gestapelten Containern (35, 36), insbesondere an Bord von Schiffen, mit Kuppelstücken (20, 45) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der obere Container (36) beim Ver- und/oder Entkuppeln mit dem unteren Container seitlich versetzt wird.19. A method for connecting stacked containers (35, 36), in particular on board ships, with coupling pieces (20, 45) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the upper container (36) when shipping and / or uncoupling is laterally offset with the lower container.
20. Verfahren nach Anspruch 19, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der obere Container (36) beim Ver- und/oder Entkuppeln durch die Gestaltung der Kuppelstücke (28, 45) seitlich versetzt wird. 20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the upper container (36) during the coupling and / or uncoupling by the design of the coupling pieces (28, 45) is laterally offset.
EP03727334A 2002-08-24 2003-04-22 Coupling piece for joining two containers that are stacked one atop the other, arrangement of stacked containers, and method for joining stacked containers using coupling pieces of this type Revoked EP1534612B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10238895A DE10238895C5 (en) 2002-08-24 2002-08-24 Coupling piece for connecting two stacked containers, arrangement of stacked containers and method for connecting stacked containers with such dome pieces
DE10238895 2002-08-24
PCT/EP2003/004162 WO2004020316A1 (en) 2002-08-24 2003-04-22 Coupling piece for joining two containers that are stacked one atop the other, arrangement of stacked containers, and method for joining stacked containers using coupling pieces of this type

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1534612A1 true EP1534612A1 (en) 2005-06-01
EP1534612B1 EP1534612B1 (en) 2008-11-12

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EP03727334A Revoked EP1534612B1 (en) 2002-08-24 2003-04-22 Coupling piece for joining two containers that are stacked one atop the other, arrangement of stacked containers, and method for joining stacked containers using coupling pieces of this type

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US7621414B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1534612B1 (en)
JP (2) JP4543382B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100703251B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1315700C (en)
AT (1) ATE414025T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2003233039A1 (en)
DE (2) DE10238895C5 (en)
DK (1) DK1534612T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2316750T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2004020316A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE10238895B4 (en) 2004-12-23
AU2003233039A1 (en) 2004-03-19
DK1534612T3 (en) 2009-03-02
WO2004020316A1 (en) 2004-03-11
JP4543382B2 (en) 2010-09-15
US7621414B2 (en) 2009-11-24
ATE414025T1 (en) 2008-11-15
KR100703251B1 (en) 2007-04-03
CN1315700C (en) 2007-05-16
JP2005536413A (en) 2005-12-02
JP4753142B2 (en) 2011-08-24
DE10238895A1 (en) 2004-03-18
US20050260054A1 (en) 2005-11-24
DE10238895C5 (en) 2009-04-30
ES2316750T3 (en) 2009-04-16
EP1534612B1 (en) 2008-11-12
JP2008184225A (en) 2008-08-14
KR20050058512A (en) 2005-06-16
DE50310786D1 (en) 2008-12-24
CN1675111A (en) 2005-09-28

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