JP4423144B2 - Twist container connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a twist type container connector for connecting upper and lower containers to each other when the containers are stacked.

  When a large number of containers are transported by a ship, containers stacked in multiple upper and lower stages are connected by a container connector, and are loaded so as not to collapse when the ship is shaken (rolling or pitching). As such a container connecting tool, a manually operated type in which the upper and lower cones are engaged with and disengaged from the engagement holes provided in the container metal fittings by the handle operation, or the upper cone is previously attached to the corner metal fittings in the lower container When stacking the container on the lower container, if the container is shipped with the lower container, the lower cone will automatically fit into the engaging holes of the corner metal fittings of the lower container, and the containers will be connected. On the other hand, there are various types such as a fully automatic twist type container connection tool in which the connection is released by lifting the container when the container is landed.

Of these, the fully automatic twist type container connector is used in many containers in recent years because it can be engaged and disengaged in a fully automatic manner by simply lifting or lifting the container itself with a crane without operating the connector itself. It is like that. As an example of such a conventional full-automatic twist type container connector, there is a type shown in FIGS. The illustrated twist type container connector C ₀ (hereinafter abbreviated as “twist lock”) integrally connects the upper cone 1 _U and the lower cone 1 _D to the upper and lower protrusions 2 _U and 2 _D , and the protrusion 2 _U and _2D are provided with connecting seats 3 arranged between the corner fittings of the upper and lower containers.

Then, when the illustrated lever 4 is lowered below the arrow, a projection (not shown) projecting from the coupling seat 3 falls (provided at the opposite end of the shaft 4x), and the whole is rotated by 90 ° from the illustrated state. the after inserting the upper cone 1 _U engaging hole C _H of the base plate C _EB corner fittings C _E above the container C _N state, twist lock C ₀ when back again rotated 90 ° in the FIG. 13 a state, the advance (by a one-dot chain line shows the lower part of the container) above the container C lower corner fittings C _E to twist locks C ₀ the mounting state of the _N. Upper cone 1 _U is longer in the lateral direction shown in the figure, this direction perpendicular width is short, may fall along the engaging hole C _H of the base plate C _EB.

Further, the lower cone 1 _D is formed to be larger than the center line of the projecting portions 2 _U and 2 _D and to be offset from one side in an eccentric manner, and the lower end is a projecting portion having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from the side. The outer shape is substantially trapezoidal in the direction (the plane orthogonal to the paper surface). As will be described later, when stacking the upper container C _N under the container C _N, it is formed for the purpose of locking the lower container C _N at the upper edge E of the lower cone 1 _D Therefore, the center line C _L of the lower cone 1 _D is formed so as to largely protrude to one side at a distance L from the center lines of the upper and lower protrusions 2 _U and 2 _D.

By the way, when the conventional twist lock C ₀ is used, there are two major problems. One disadvantage occurs during work stacking containers C _N, and one in that easily disengage the twist lock the inclination of the container C _N between the ship rolling by pitching in to transport stacked vessels is there. The first workability, as shown in FIG. 13, since the center line C _L of the lower cone 1 _D is deviated from the center line of the projecting portions 2 _U, 2 _D, the lower cone 1 _D below the container in point hard to the engaging hole C _H of the corner fitting C _E of C _N.

Since crane operator generally has a longitudinal center of the upper container C _N manipulated to match the lower part of the container C _N, above the container C _N protrusion 2 of the twist lock attached to the bottom of the _U, 2 _{since D} centerline of the operation to match the hole center of the corner fitting C _E below the container C _N, the lower cone 1 _D no relationship people matching the hole C _H of the corner fitting C _E. While wholesale at a position the center line C _L of the lower cone 1 _D To correct this shifted the corner fitting C from the center increases shifted by that amount above the container C _N of _E laterally, eventually up, down so that the center of the container C _N is loaded to return the container C _N to match. For this reason, work time will be extremely long.

The two twist locks C ₀ and C _{0 at} one end in the longitudinal direction of the container C _N are fitted to the corner fitting _CE , but the two twist locks C ₀ and C ₀ at the other end are in the longitudinal direction. Even if the container C _{N is} slightly shifted, a large position shift occurs at the position of the twist lock. In this case, the twist locks C ₀ and C ₀ at the other end cannot be entered. The twist locks C ₀ , C ₀ at the end of the head must be removed and the entire process must be redone, and the redo takes time. Further, if the container C _N is to be wholesaled at a position shifted from the center, if another container C _N is already placed at the adjacent position, there is no fixed gap between the container C _N on the side. And sometimes it can not be loaded.

Further, if the center tries to forcibly connected to the lower container C _N above the container C _N remains deviated, there is also the risk of collision with adjacent containers C _N, at the time of unloading of the container C _N along the corner of the hole since the outside while laterally offset Te, damage the container the container C _N are adjacent large swing laterally, especially when the adjacent containers C _N is the tank container, there is a risk that the chemicals contained therein to flow out. Further, when repeated operations largely fluctuates laterally during unloading of the container C _N, K point of the crane (the ability to fine-tune the balance of container) is destroyed, there is also a possibility to become a crane moving no longer impossible task.

For that easily container C _N in transit is disengaged shows the state in FIG. 14. Figure 14 is attached to the conventional twist lock C ₀ to 2 corners of the container C _N, showing a principal part cross-section stacked containers C _N vertically. Even above the container C _N as (a) diagram are stacked horizontally, the force of the rolling work, above the container C _N is lifted obliquely upward as the (b) diagram, further (c ) outside the twist lock is going Hazureyo lifted from the corner fitting C _E below the container C _N as shown in Figure. This is because the lower cone is formed so that the container can be lifted upward from the engagement hole in a state where the container is lifted as shown in FIG. corn is because readily pass through the engaging hole C _H of the corner fitting C _E. This phenomenon is the same when the pitching force is applied.

In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention simply lifts and unloads an upper container to a lower container via a connecting tool attached to the lower bottom of the upper container, and allows the container to be unloaded or loaded by a crane. The aim is to provide a simple and inexpensive fully automatic twist type container connector that can be used for everything .

As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides:
A flange, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped positioning projection that is provided above and below the flange, and whose longitudinal direction coincides with the engagement hole and can be fitted into the engagement hole, and an insertion that vertically penetrates both the protrusions A connector body having a hole;
A rotating shaft rotatably inserted into the insertion hole;
The upper cone, which is integrally provided at the upper end of the rotating shaft, is substantially rectangular and has a longitudinal direction orthogonal to the upper protrusion at the initial position of the rotating shaft;
The lower cone of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped provided integrally with the lower end of the rotating shaft, the longitudinal direction of the lower projecting portion matches the longitudinal direction at the initial position of the rotating shaft, and has a protrusion at a diagonal position in plan view;
A spring provided in the connector body for pulling the rotating shaft rotated from the initial position back to the initial position;
The lower cone has an inclined surface having an upward slope that is continuous with the upper surface of the protruding portion, and an inclined surface having a downward slope that is continuous with the lower surface of the protruding portion,
The width of the lower cone including the protruding portion is larger than the width of the engaging hole, the width excluding the protruding portion is smaller than the width of the engaging hole, and the lower cone is moved from the initial position of the rotating shaft. It is assumed that the engagement hole can be inserted when rotated by a predetermined angle,
When the upper container is stacked on the lower container with the upper cone inserted through the engagement hole of the upper container, the lower cone abuts the engagement hole of the lower container, and the protrusion Rotating at a predetermined angle from the initial position together with the rotating shaft while sliding on the downwardly inclined surface continuous with the lower surface of the part, the engaging hole is inserted, and then it can be engaged by being pulled back to the initial position by the spring. Configure
When the upper container is lifted from this engaged state, the lower cone comes into contact with the engagement hole of the lower container, and slides on an upwardly inclined surface continuous with the upper surface of the protrusion, and then the predetermined position from the initial position together with the rotating shaft. The twist type container connector is configured to be able to be inserted through the engagement hole by rotating at an angle .

  The twist-type container connector of the present invention having the above-described configuration is a mounting-type connector generally called a full-automatic system, and is connected to a lower container via a connector mounted on an upper container lower bottom. The container can be automatically unloaded or loaded by a crane simply by lifting and unloading the upper container. However, it is assumed that a connecting tool is manually attached to the lower bottom of the upper container in advance. Therefore, when the upper container is loaded on the lower container, it is only necessary to carry out the wholesale by aligning the container with the approximate center of the lower container with a crane.

  In this case, the center of the lower cone of the connector is slightly shifted from the center of the engaging hole of the corner metal fitting of the lower container, but the inclined surface provided to laterally shift the container laterally at the lower portion of the lower cone. Is moved laterally slightly by the weight of the container. Then, when further lowered, the lower cone is guided by the diagonal protrusions of the lower cone and the inclined surface in plan view, and the lower cone contacts the engagement hole end surface of the corner metal fitting while rotating with respect to the connector body by a predetermined angle. When the lower cone is below the metal fitting of the engagement hole, the lower cone, the rotating shaft and the upper cone rotate together by the elastic member and return to the initial position. Engage with the hole.

  On the contrary, when the container is unloaded, the lower cone is rotated by the unloading force by the crane in the reverse order to the above and is released from the engagement hole. After coming out of the engagement hole, the lower cone, the rotating shaft and the upper cone are similarly returned to the initial positions by the elastic member. The initial position is a position where the center of the lower cone is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the connector main body and the upper cone is orthogonal. The elastic member is provided in the connector main body so as to apply an elastic force that always pulls the upper and lower cones back to the initial positions via the rotation shaft. Further, the collapse of the load that causes the container to float and roll over due to rolling and / or pitching during transportation is prevented by the projection of the lower cone. Even when the lower cone rises into the engagement hole when the container is lifted, the projection on the lower cone hits the lower end of the corner bracket, and the vertical wall on the opposite side makes contact with the corner bracket to prevent tilting beyond a certain level. Because it does.

  In the twist type container connector of the present invention, a pair of or one protrusion on a diagonal line and a plurality of inclined surfaces are provided on the lower cone, and when the container is connected, the lower cone is rotated by a predetermined angle to be fitted and connected to the engagement hole. Therefore, the slight displacement of the center of the lower cone with respect to the rotation axis can be easily corrected with a slight lateral displacement without causing the container to move greatly, and the rotation of the lower cone at a predetermined angle ensures that the engagement hole It can be fitted, engaged and disengaged, can be easily pulled out, can reliably prevent load collapse due to rolling and / or pitching, etc., and can provide an inexpensive twist type container connector with a simple configuration. Benefits are gained.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the twist type container connector C ₁ (hereinafter abbreviated as “twist lock C _1” ) of this embodiment includes a flange 13 disposed between upper and lower containers, and upper and lower portions of the flange 13. The connector main body 10 having a pair of positioning protrusions 12 _U and 12 _D is provided. The pair of projecting portions 12 _U and 12 _D has a substantially rectangular shape, and both ends in the longitudinal direction are arcuate surfaces. Planar shape of the pair of projecting portions 12 _U, 12 _D are upper and lower corner fittings engaging hole provided in the C _E C _H (substantially rectangular) to the length, a predetermined clearance both slightly smaller in width Is formed. However, one longitudinal side surface of the protrusion 12 _D of downward as shown in FIG. 1 is largely formed as an inclined surface 12 _DS, also have very short vertical wall 12 _DH is provided below.

The connector main body 10 is divided into right and left by a dividing line 13b, and the divided half portions are connected to each other by tightening with bolts and nuts 16 inserted into the insertion holes _16h (see FIG. 4). And formed into an integral block. The connector body 10, the insertion hole 14 of the large diameter of the rotating shaft that penetrates from the end face of the upper projecting portion 12 _U on the end surface of the projecting portion 12 _D of the lower are provided, shown in part (a) shows the Matazu 3 Thus, a hollow portion 13a having a substantially trapezoidal shape in plan view is formed inside the flange 13 (the depth is slightly shorter than the flange 13). Then, insertion into the hole 14 rotating shaft 11x is inserted for connecting the upper cone 11 _U and the lower cone 11 _D to be described later, also the coil springs 15 in the hollow portion 13a is an elastic member is interposed, the coil spring 15 One end of each is locked with a locking piece 11h which is a locking member provided on the peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 11x, and the other end is locked with a locking column 13c provided on the flange protrusion.

The hollow portion 13a is engaging pieces 11h by a plane substantially trapezoidal shape is formed as a space measuring coil spring 15 is operated smoothly, as will be described later, the twist lock C ₁ above the insert the corner fitting C _E of the lower corners of the container, when the rotary shaft 11x is rotated by rotating the upper cone 11 _U or the lower cone 11 _D, as indicated by two-dot chain lines in (a) of FIG. 3 Thus, the locking piece 11h advances about 90 ° at the maximum, so that the coil spring 15 is slanted and acts so as to pull back the rotary shaft 11x. It is formed as a space sufficient to accept a change in position.

The upper cone 11 _U connected to the upper part of the rotating shaft 11x is substantially rectangular in plan view, the side surface in the length direction is substantially trapezoidal, and the upper cone 11 _U is not used (when assembled, natural). In the state), the longitudinal direction is always pulled back and set by the elastic force of the coil spring 15 so that the longitudinal direction is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the protruding portion 12 _{U on} the upper part of the connector body 10. The upper cone 11 _U pulled back by the coil spring 15 after inserted into the engaging hole C _H of the corner fitting C _E of the lower corners of the upper container C _N, the longitudinal direction of the engagement hole of the upper cone 11 _U It is locked in the direction perpendicular to the C _H longitudinally.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the lower cone 11 _D is substantially rectangular in plan view, but its longitudinal direction is parallel to the central longitudinal direction of the connector main body 10 in a natural state (when not in use). In addition, the protrusions 11 _Da and 11 _Db are diagonally formed at the end of the longitudinal side surface, and a plurality of inclined surfaces are joined to each other on the longitudinal side surface. Lower cone 11 _D in FIG. 1, right side view of the perspective view of FIG. 4, the lower cone 11 _D in FIG. 2 is a front view seen from the front side of the perspective view of FIG. 4, these perspective view, side Figure, as seen from the front view, the inclined surface 11a in the longitudinal direction of one side of the lower cone 11 _D, 11b, 11c are formed, parallel surfaces 11d remains slightly as the side surface of the rectangular cube. The upper slope of the protrusion _11Db is formed so that the upper end is continuous with the slope 11a at the same slope.

The end face 11 _E shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 and the opposite end face (not shown) remain at a depth of about 1/3 of the rectangular cube and are parallel to each other, but the lower portions of these end faces are inwardly inclined surfaces 11 _E. ', 11 _E '. On the other side in the longitudinal direction of the lower cone 11 _D , the side surface including the other protrusion 11 _Da at the diagonal position is a substantially half surface as a parallel vertical wall surface 11 _DH of the side surface of the rectangular cube, and the other half surface is loose. It is formed to be continuous end surface 11 _E, the inclined surface 11 _E 'as Do inclined surface 11e. In addition, in the position where the said inclined surface, a parallel surface, and an end surface connect, it is connected by the smooth arc shape. Further, the end surface 11 _E, the inclined surface 11 _E 'indicates what parallel form to one another, which may be used as an arc shape along the arc of the engaging hole C _H.

Further, as shown in (b) diagram of Figure 3, the plan view dimensions of the lower cone 11 _D are corner fittings C engaging hole C _H in the length direction of the width than the dimension of _E, the length is smaller predetermined dimension It is formed, and the maximum width of up to two protrusions ends is larger than the width of the engaging hole C _H, as described below, two protrusions 11 _Da in the state in which the lower cone 11 _D was slightly rotated (approximately 15 °) , 11 _Db, and the inclined surface 11e, 11b, 11c, a number of inclined surfaces, as the guide of the end face 11 _E 'is lower cone 11 _D penetrates smoothly into the engaging hole C _H, the end surface, the lower cone 11 by the projection _D is formed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, the protrusions 11 _Da and 11 _Db are provided so that their protrusion ends coincide with virtual extension lines of the inclined surfaces 11b and 11e that are substantially parallel to each other. .

Further, the center of the width of the lower cone _{11D in} the longitudinal direction is a position slightly deviated from the center of the rotation axis, and the distance range in which the lateral displacement of the container during container unloading does not affect the unloading operation. connecting the lower cone 11 _D to the rotation axis within. The not affect the unloading work, the lower cone 11 _D Container gravity必regardless inclined surface 11 _C abuts against the engaging hole C _H of the corner fitting C _E, the guide of the inclined surface 11 _C It means that the distance range is such that the container can be slightly moved laterally. The shape of the projecting portion 12 _D and the lower cone 11 _D below the connector main body 10 is formed so as to serve as a locking stop member during rolling and / or pitching, which will be described later. That is, the inclined surface 12 _DS on one side of the lower protruding portion 12 _D , the vertical wall surface 12 _DH, and the inclined surface of the lower cone 11 _D are above the protruding portion 11 _Db on the opposite side of the inclined surface 12 _DS on the one side. It is the inclined surface 11a formed in this. Its operation will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 4, the reverse attachment preventing protrusion 18 is provided on the arm 17 provided on the flange 13 of the connector main body 10 so as to extend to one side in the longitudinal direction of the pair of projecting portions 12 _U and 12 _D. Is formed. The projection 18, when mounting the twistlocks C ₁ the corner fitting C _E above the container C _N pre, provided to come to the outer surface of the corner fitting C _E, projections 18 in the corner fitting C _E hit not way is it possible to prevent the inverted mounting of the twistlock C _1. When inverted mounting to a temporary abuts the lower surface of the corner fittings at the outer projection 18 corner fitting C _E, and thus can not be attached themselves to the twist-locks C ₁ of the corner fittings C _E.

The operation of the twist lock C ₁ according to the embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6, and 7. FIG. As shown in (a) of FIG. 5A, the upper cone 11 _U of twistlock C ₁ is inserted into the engaging hole C _H of the corner fitting C _E of the lower end of the previously upper container C _N, engagement holes C in a direction longitudinal with perpendicular or intersecting the _H is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the upper cone 11 _U, and the longitudinal direction of the upper projecting portion 12 _U of the connector body 10 is adjusted to the longitudinal direction of the engaging hole C _H It is assumed that they are fitted and engaged. This work is carried out for the corner fitting C _E four corners when it is installed on a state or platform suspended above the container C _N, the following description will be representatively described action of the one twist lock C ₁ .

Now, the upper container _CN is generally suspended by the wire of the crane and is wholesaled to the position shown in FIG. 5A. At this time, the center line of the connector main body 10 (center of the rotating shaft 11x) is moved downward. corner fittings when combined unload the engaging hole C _H of C _E of the container, but the center of the lower cone 11 _D is slightly displaced with the center of the engaging hole C _H, the shift amount is small. Accordingly, the center of the engaging hole C _H a central connecting member body 10 above the container C _N to insert the lower cone 11 _D with respect to the engaging hole C _H of the corner fitting C _E below the container C _N If the weight of the container C _N is transmitted to the lower cone 11 _D even wholesale to fit the inclined surface 11c of the lower portion of the lower cone 11 _D in the gravity displaced while sliding against the shoulder portion of the engaging hole C _H As a result, the state shown in FIG. 5A (a) and FIG. 6 (a) is obtained.

When a container C _N states further upward from the (a) diagram of Figure 5A are unloaded downwards, two projections 11 _Da of the lower cone 11 _D, 11 _Db abuts the side edge of the engaging hole C _H Te slip by the lower inclined surfaces of both projections, and rotated by a small angle (approximately 15 °) about the axis of rotation 11x to parallel sides of the engaging hole C _H simultaneously, in FIG. 6 (b) Figure as such, both the protrusion 11 _Da diagonal, 11 projecting is rotated to the side of the respective engagement holes C _H of _Db (clockwise in (b) FIG. 6) Then the lower cone 11 _D of the inclined surface 11e , 11b are parallel to both sides, so that the upper container C _N and the twist lock C ₁ are lowered to the state shown in FIG. 5B (b). At this time, the rotation of the lower cone 11 _D is a direction opposite to the arrow in (a) of FIG. 3, rotated Te Gyaku' the tension of the coil spring 15, the rotation axis 11x original direction as a reaction force Tension is generated in the direction to be pulled back.

Furthermore, as shown in (c) diagram of Figure 5B, when both projections 11 _Da of the lower cone 11 _D, 11 _Db tip of drops to less than the thickness of the engaging hole C _H, both projections 11 _Da opposite , the inclined surface 11a of the inclined surface and the lower cone 11 _D on the 11 _Db, further coupling by the inclined surface 12 _Ds of the main body 10 shown in FIG. 6 (c) figure of FIG. 5B while skidding to a position indicated by the two-dot chain line (d ) on both sides the lower surface of the flange 13 as shown in FIG. is unloaded to the corner fitting C _E below the container C _N. The slight shift amount with respect to the center of the engaging hole C _H of the center of the connector body 10 therebetween (rotation axis), the center of the connector body 10 is overcome by the side slip is in the center of the engaging hole C _H matching, above the container C _N are stacked aligned directly above the lower container C _N.

Further, during the transition from FIG. 5A (b) to FIG. 5B (c), the lower cone 11 extends along the upper slopes of the two protrusions 11 _Da and 11 _Db and the inclined surface 11 a of the lower cone 11 _{D. D} is rotated the engagement hole C _H of pulled back by the elastic force of the coil spring 15 while shifted with respect to the lower corners of FIG. 5A (b) view of the rotating direction opposite to the direction ((c) diagram of Fig. 5B) , lower cone 11 _D When down to the position (d) of FIG. 5B returns its longitudinal direction is in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the engaging hole C _H, twist-lock is completed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the upper protruding portion 12 _U and the lower protruding portion 12 _D are provided orthogonal to each other. However, as shown in FIG. 7A, some external force is applied to the lower protruding portion 12 _D. When the impact force is applied and hits the barrier W or the like, therefore, even if the projecting portion 12 _D rotates, the tilted surface 11b rotates only up to about 75 °, so that the upper projecting portion 12 _U is engaged with the engagement hole C. _Dropping from _H is prevented.

(A) Figure 8 is an explanatory view of disengagement action of (b) FIGS, twist lock C ₁ at the time of unloading operations of the container C _N in (c) FIG. The disengagement action, the generally-through engagement is released the work process opposite to the engaging action industry twistlock C _1. (A) In view of FIG. 8 shows a state that has already slightly lifted above the container C _N by a crane from twist-lock engagement in the (d) Figure Figure 5B. As can be seen from (a) Figure 8, along the upper inclined surface 11a of the inclined surface 12 _DS and the lower cone 11 _D above the container C _N lifting the twist lock C ₁ with the lower projecting portion 12 _D Te twistlock C ₁ rises while slightly shifted, when raised to the state (b) Figure 2 of the protrusions 11 _Da, 11 _Db abuts the lower shoulder of the engaging hole C _H.

Then, further twist lock C ₁ lifts the lower cone 11 _D is a small angle (approximately 15 °) in the same direction as the (b) diagram of Figure 5A by the rotation and the lower cone 11 _D is the engaging hole C _H and Intruded. After that, although not shown in the figure, when the container C _N is further lifted through the state shown in FIG. 5A, it returns to the initial set state and rises together with the container C _N. As described above, the lock can be released when the load is relatively low, using the crane and the elongation of the wire rope used in the crane, so that the cone rotates slowly.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the action of the twist lock C ₁ during transportation. (A) In view of this illustration, one engaging the two twist-lock C ₁ in the width direction cross-section including the two corner fittings C _E in the longitudinal direction one end side of the plurality of containers C _N loaded on a ship or the like 2 shows a horizontal loading state in which the upper and lower containers _CN are connected to each other. Then, (b) figure shows can be effectively prevented by the twistlock C ₁ to rolling and / or pitching when such vessels the container C _N mutually disengagement. The rolling motion of the vessel or even above the container C _N climbed overall float slightly with respect to the lower container C _N, arrows rolling and / or pitching relatively high speed such as a as shown In the levitating force due to the load, the protrusions 11 _Da and 11 _Db and the inclined surface prevent the rotation and prevent further floating. Thus, unlike the relatively slow speed such as during Nijo work load of the fast speed is the floating of the container C _N is prevented to act upon the rolling and / or pitching.

Figure 10 shows a modification C ₂ having a stopper member for preventing the falling off of the twist-lock after mounting the twist lock into the corner fitting C _E above the container C _N. The stopper members 20, drop-off preventing pin 21 and which elastically supports for spring 22 the connector body upper protrusion 12 on the dividing line 13b of 10 _U and extends up to the flange inner surface depth pin insertion hole 23 of the It is provided and formed. In plan view, as shown in FIG. 11, the pin insertion hole 23 is dropped at one side end when the upper cone 11 _U is rotated at a predetermined position near the arc end on one side of the upper protrusion 12 _U. It is provided at a position where it can come into contact with the prevention pin 21.

Pin insertion hole 23 is formed in a different diameter step shape as shown in (a) of FIG. 10, has a flange portion at the lower end of the drop-off preventing pins 21, the upper end of the pin to the side surface of the upper cone 11 _U suitable lengths partial drop-off preventing pins 21 that may contact protrudes from the upper surface of the upper projecting portion 12 _U. As shown in the cross section of FIG. 10, in this example, the flange portion 13 is thinner than the embodiments shown in FIGS. It is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. However, FIGS. 10A and 10B respectively show side views including partial cross-sections in a direction perpendicular to the special state in which the upper cone 11 _U is located in the state of FIG.

The upper cone 11 _{U in} plan view of the twist lock C _{2 in} FIG. 11 shows a special state in which it is rotated by the action of an external force due to an erroneous operation at the time of work or a collision with some object, and the rotation is stopped by the drop-off prevention pin 21. and which, when the upper cone 11 _U engaging hole C _H of the corner fitting C _E unless an external force is not applied is correctly Kakariawasa, like the previous embodiments, the longitudinal direction of the upper cone 11 _U engagement It is mounted in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hole C _H. However, some external force before the lower cone 11 _D is unloaded under the container C _N is added to the lower cone 11 _D, when the drop-off preventing pin 21 is not provided, the lower cone 11 _D in the strong force 90 ° rotated, the longitudinal direction of the upper cone 11 _U upper cone 11 _U is able to fall off from the corner fitting C _E coincides with the longitudinal direction of the engaging hole C _H.

Therefore, in order to prevent such disconnection of the coupler, the twist lock C ₂ of this modification is provided with a fall prevention pin 21 as shown in the figure so as to stop the rotation of the upper cone 11 _U halfway. It is. However, if the drop prevention pin 21 is fixed by protruding from the upper surface of the upper protruding portion 12 _U , the upper cone 11 _U cannot be attached to the corner fitting _CE , so the drop prevention pin 21 is always attached upward by the spring 22. However, when attaching to the corner metal fitting _CE , the upper cone 11 _U is inserted into the hole so as to coincide with the longitudinal direction of the upper protruding portion 12 _U by pushing down into the pin insertion hole 23 with a finger. , by rotating the entire or cone twist lock C ₂ upper cone 11 _U turn in a direction perpendicular to the engaging hole C _H.

FIG. 12 is a partial side view of modified examples C _{3 to} C ₆ in which the shapes of the lower protrusion 12 _D and the lower cone 11 _D are slightly different from those of the previous embodiment. The twist lock C ₃ of the second modification of FIG. 12A is slightly different from the twist lock C ₁ of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 in the shape of one of the pair of protrusions 11 _Db . . That is, the slope of the upper surface of the protrusion 11 _Db is connected to the boundary with the upper inclined surface 11 a in a broken line shape (gradually inclined), and the lower inclined surface 11 c is formed at a slightly larger angle. The point is different.

Third Modification twist lock C ₄ of the (b) diagram Figure 12, when compared to the first embodiment, the inclined surface 12 _DS of the projection 12 _D of the lower, vertical wall 12 _DH, the inclination of the lower cone 11 _D The surfaces 11a, 11c, 11e and the protrusion _11Db are slightly different. The inclined surface 12 _DS is bent in the middle and is connected at a predetermined height position of the vertical wall surface _12DH . The inclined surface 11a has a gentler inclination than that in the case of FIG. 1, the height of the protrusion _11Db is high, and therefore the height of the other protrusion 11 _Da is also high. 11 _Db is provided above, and the inclined surface 11 c has a larger inclination than the example of FIG. 1, and the inclined surface 11 e is slightly inclined below the protrusion 11 _Da .

Twist lock C of a fourth modification of the (c) Figure _{12. 5,} (b) the inclined surface of the projecting portion 12 _D of the same lower in the example of Figure 12 _DS, protrusion 12 perpendicular wall 12 _DH lower has on one side and _D, the lower cone 11 _D of the inclined surface 11a, 11c, the inclination of 11e, the protrusion 11 _Da, 11 height positions of the _Db are different. Inclined surfaces 11a, 11c, 11e is the slope 11a than the example of FIG. 1 is loosely, 11c, 11e is the slope is increased by the height position of the protrusion 11 _Da, 11 _Db is increased.

The twist lock C ₆ of the fifth modification of FIG. 12D is provided with a vertical wall surface 12 _DH above the inclined surface 12 _DS of the lower protrusion 12 _D and a short vertical wall surface 12 ′ _DH below. followed by polygonal line short inclined surface at its upper, lower cone 11 _D of the inclined surface 11a, 11c, 11e, the protrusion 11 _Da, 11 _Db slightly in the example of FIG different. The inclined surface 11a has a short vertical wall 11 _DH at its upper end, since the overall height of the lower cone 11 _D is slightly longer, inclined surface 11c, the inclination of 11e is slightly larger.

As described above, various modifications can be made to the inclined surface, the protrusion height, and the like with respect to the shape of the lower protruding portion 12 _D and the lower cone 11 _D , and any of them can be adopted. In each of the above embodiments, the protrusions 11 _Da and 11 _Db of the lower cone 11 _D have been described as being provided at both ends of the diagonal position in plan view, but the basic function can be provided by providing only one of them. The same thing is obtained.

  Since the twist type container connector of the present invention is easy and reliable to mount and can maintain a reliable connection state against the rising of the container, it can be widely used for transporting containers by ships and the like.

Side view of twist type container connector of embodiment Side view including a partial cross-sectional view of the connector (A) Sectional view taken along line IIIa-IIIa in FIG. 2, (b) Sectional view taken along line IIIb-IIIb in FIG. External disassembled perspective view of the connector as above Explanatory drawing of an effect | action of a connection tool same as the above ((a) beginning of connection, (b) middle of connection) Explanatory drawing of an effect | action of a connection tool same as the above ((c) During connection, (d) End of connection) Explanatory drawing of the action of the coupler as above (Rotation of the lower cone during the coupling action) (A) Figure showing the mutual relationship between the upper cone and the lower cone before connection (b) Figure explaining the drop-off prevention when an external force is applied Explanatory drawing of the action when removing the connector Explanatory drawing of load collapse prevention action during rolling and / or pitching action during container transportation (A) Side view including a partial cross section of a modified example provided with a drop-off preventing member for preventing the coupler from dropping off from the corner fitting, (b) Front view of the same The top view explaining the effect | action of the modification of FIG. Partial partial side views of modified examples in which the shapes of the lower protrusion and the lower cone are different ((a) second modified example (C ₃ ), (b) third modified example (C ₄ ), (c) fourth modified example (C ₅ ), (d) Fifth modification (C ₆ )) Side view of a conventional twist type container connector Explanatory drawing of the action of the connector

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Connecting tool main body 11x Rotating shaft 11 _U Upper cone 11 _D Lower cone 11a-11c, 11e Inclined surface 11 _Da , 11 _Db protrusion part 11 _E , 11 _E 'End surface 12 _U Upper protrusion part 12 _D Lower protrusion part 13 Flange 14 Insertion hole 15 Coil spring C _{1 to} C ₆ Twist type container connector C _E corner metal fitting C _H engagement hole C _N container

Claims (4)

  A container linking tool for connecting containers provided with corner fittings having rectangular engagement holes by connecting the upper cone and the lower cone through the engagement holes in a state of being stacked up and down,
  A flange, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped positioning projection that is provided above and below the flange, and whose longitudinal direction coincides with the engagement hole and can be fitted into the engagement hole, and an insertion that vertically penetrates both the protrusions A connector body having a hole;
  A rotating shaft rotatably inserted into the insertion hole;
  The upper cone, which is integrally provided at the upper end of the rotating shaft, is substantially rectangular and has a longitudinal direction orthogonal to the upper protrusion at the initial position of the rotating shaft;
  The lower cone of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped provided integrally with the lower end of the rotating shaft, the longitudinal direction of the lower projecting portion matches the longitudinal direction at the initial position of the rotating shaft, and has a protrusion at a diagonal position in plan view;
  A spring provided in the connector body for pulling the rotating shaft rotated from the initial position back to the initial position;
  The lower cone has an inclined surface having an upward slope that is continuous with the upper surface of the protruding portion, and an inclined surface having a downward slope that is continuous with the lower surface of the protruding portion,
  The width of the lower cone including the protruding portion is larger than the width of the engaging hole, the width excluding the protruding portion is smaller than the width of the engaging hole, and the lower cone is moved from the initial position of the rotating shaft. It is assumed that the engagement hole can be inserted when rotated by a predetermined angle,
  When the upper container is stacked on the lower container with the upper cone inserted through the engagement hole of the upper container, the lower cone abuts the engagement hole of the lower container, and the protrusion Rotating at a predetermined angle from the initial position together with the rotating shaft while sliding on the downwardly inclined surface continuous with the lower surface of the part, the engaging hole is inserted, and then it can be engaged by being pulled back to the initial position by the spring. Configure
  When the upper container is lifted from this engaged state, the lower cone comes into contact with the engagement hole of the lower container, and slides on an upwardly inclined surface continuous with the upper surface of the protrusion, and then the predetermined position from the initial position together with the rotating shaft. A twist-type container connector configured to be able to pass through the engagement hole by rotating at an angle. The width center in the longitudinal direction of the lower cone,
At a position slightly deviated from the center of the rotation axis,
The twist type container connector according to claim 1, wherein the lower cone is connected to the rotating shaft within a distance range in which the lateral displacement of the container at the time of unloading the upper container does not affect the unloading operation. The lower protrusion has an inclined surface with a downward slope on one side in the longitudinal direction thereof,
Locking at the time of rolling and / or pitching between the inclined surface of the protruding portion and the inclined surface having an upward slope continuous with the upper surface of the protruding portion opposite to the inclined surface of the protruding portion among the plurality of inclined surfaces of the lower cone The twist type container connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the twist type container connector is formed as a stopper member. A drop-off preventing member having a pin protruding from the upper protruding portion is provided in the connector main body, and the engagement by the upper cone to the corner metal fitting on the lower bottom of the upper container is prevented from dropping due to rotation due to unexpected external force. Therefore, the twist type container coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the pin prevents the upper cone from rotating more than a predetermined amount.

Images