TWI568915B - Twistlock - Google Patents

Description

Twist lock

The object of the present invention is to use a twist lock for joining two containers stacked on top of each other, or to connect a container to a fixed point below the twist lock comprising a main body and a pivoting type for the container. a lock block and a pivoting lock block for a lower container or a corresponding block for the mounting table, the upper and lower lock blocks are rigidly coupled to each other by, for example, a shaft, and an operating cable system for extending into the twist lock Rotate the lock block.

The invention thus relates to the operation of a spring mechanism for twisting locks that latch the freight containers on the freighter together. By means of a twist lock, of course, the bottommost container can also be latched to its mounting table, for example on the top of a hatch cover. The spring mechanism allows one of the torsion locks (rotary bolts) to rotate in a certain direction, but the operating cable fixed to the lock block is free from movement in the above-described rotational direction.

The practical twist lock of the present invention can be manually, semi-automatically or fully automatic in its basic function.

The way the operating cable is used is to change the latching state of the twist lock, such as setting the twist lock to the open position and, again, removing the container from a corner casting. If there is no deflection between the operating cable and the lock block, the operating cable is broken. Hazard, for example due to impact from the container, and due to the lock block rotating in the wrong direction.

The prior art is the German utility model patent publication DE 202012101261 U1. I will refer in particular to Figures 6 and 9 of the above publication after the article. Furthermore, the reference numbers in this document are also referred to in the German publication. In Figure 6, the operating cable (39) avoids movement of one of the sliders (47) mounted in the body (25) associated with the twist lock (as shown, when the lock block (37) is rotated counterclockwise Time). A spring (50) holds the slider (47) in its outer position because the spring force of the spring (50) is greater than the spring (42) acting in the opposite direction.

When the lock block (37) is rotated counterclockwise due to an external force (for example, when the twist lock is locked between the two containers), the operating cable (39) fixed to the lock block (37) will slide (47). ) Pulled into its inner position while the spring (50) is compressed. When the external force on the lock block (37) stops, the spring (50) returns the slider (47) to its outer position, and at the same time the operating cable (39) pulls the lock block (37) to its original position.

One of the disadvantages of the above described torsion lock spring mechanism is that the slider structure takes up space and increases the length of the torsion lock body. Furthermore, the slider is a separate "extra" component. It is also possible that the slider is stuck or damaged, in which case the operation of twisting the lock is disturbed.

The object of the invention is to achieve an innovative twist lock without the above disadvantages. The spring mechanism according to the present invention is characterized in that at least one element exhibiting flexibility in its longitudinal direction is threaded to the operating cable, the operating cable is flexibly or slidably coupled to a joint point on the shaft of the lock block, and the joint point is flexible The elements are separated from each other or the halves of a flexible element are separated from one another.

A twist lock feature in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided with two flexible elements, each disposed on either side of the joint.

A twist lock feature in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is a coil spring in which the flexible member is free to slide over the top of the operating cable.

A twist lock feature in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a flexible component rubber component or other resilient component.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that the structure is extremely simple, the operation is reliable, and the price is low. Moreover, the present invention provides an opportunity to make the twist lock body structure simpler, smaller, and lighter.

1‧‧‧ Subject

2‧‧‧Locking block

3‧‧‧Unlocking block

4‧‧‧ rigid axis

5‧‧‧ Connection point

6‧‧‧ Operation

7‧‧‧ Pull

8‧‧‧Coil spring

9‧‧‧Helical spring

10‧‧‧End block

11‧‧‧Compression sleeve

12‧‧‧ Waist

13‧‧‧ base cabinet corner castings

14‧‧‧corresponding block

In the following, the invention will be explained in detail by means of some preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the twist lock in the open position of the present invention in stereo orthographic projection.

Fig. 2 shows the same as Fig. 1, but it is a plan view.

Figure 3 discloses the same as Figure 1, but is a cross-sectional view.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the position of the twist lock of the present invention after receiving the impact and the rotation of the lock block.

Fig. 5 shows the same as Fig. 4, but it is a plan view.

Fig. 6 discloses the same as Fig. 4, but it is a cross-sectional view.

Figure 7 discloses an exploded view of the twist lock of the present invention.

Figure 8 illustrates the installation of a twist lock into the corner casting of the upper and lower containers.

Thus, Figure 1 discloses a twist lock for latching the upper and lower cabinet corners of two containers stacked one on top of the other or latching the bottom cabinet corner of a lowermost container to a corresponding block on the mounting table. The main system of the twist lock is indicated by reference numeral 1. The body 1 of the twist lock is a pivotal lock block 2 and a pivotal lock block 3 is provided below the main body. These lock blocks are coupled to one another on a rigid shaft 4, which is disclosed in Figures 3 and 6. The twist lock of the present invention is used for the same purpose as the twist lock shown in the German patent application DE 202012101261 U1, and is also used in the same manner as shown in the above application. The locking block 2 is latched into the corner casting of the bottom cabinet corner of one of the upper containers, and correspondingly, the lower locking block 3 is latched into the corner casting of the top cabinet corner of the lower container or its own habit The technical means is latched into one of the corresponding blocks of the mounting table.

An operating cable 6 is coupled to the coupling point 5 on the shaft 4, and the operating shaft 4 is operated by pulling the operating cable, and the locking blocks 2, 3 can also be rotated in relation to the main body 1. Thus, by operating the cable 6, the latch of the container assembly can be opened. Attached to the end of the operating cable 6 is a pull handle 7. By pulling the operating cable 6 from the pull handle 7, and thus pulling the shaft 4, the locking blocks 2, 3 can be moved. In this embodiment, two flexible elements (such as coil springs 8, 9) have been installed in the operating cable circumference. Wai. The operating cable 6 further includes an end block 10 to prevent the coil spring 9 against it from sliding off the end of the operating cable 6. In addition, the operating cable 6 includes a compression sleeve 11 that limits movement of the operating cable toward the inside of the body 1 by a waisted portion 12 therein. The waist portion 12 of the body also prevents the coil spring 8 from running out of the body.

It should be noted that the two flexible elements 8, 9 may alternatively be replaced by other numbers of flexible elements, such as helical springs. If there is only one flexible element, the junction 5 divides the flexible element into two halves. In this case, the flexible elements divided into two halves may have different elastic forces from each other. Likewise, it is also possible for either or both of the flexible elements 8, 9 to comprise one or more elements, such as a helical spring, which is flexible in the longitudinal direction. An elongate coil spring can also be substituted, so that for example, a plurality of continuous coil springs can be used.

The joint 5 on the shaft 4 of the lock blocks 2, 3 may be a channel, a hole or the like, the operating cable may slide therethrough, but otherwise limits the movement of the coil springs 8, 9.

Typically, the spring force of the coil spring 9 is larger than that of the coil spring 8, which determines the normal position of the lock blocks 2, 3. By pulling the operating cable 6, in the first position, the coil spring 8 is compressed and simultaneously the locking blocks 2, 3 are rotated in relation to the body.

Under normal conditions, the coil spring 8 replies the lock blocks 2, 3 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Figure 2, until the compression sleeve 11 of the operating cable 6 in turn abuts against the waist portion 12 of the body.

When the operation of the container encounters a condition, that is, due to an external force, a lock block is rotated more counterclockwise than the normal condition, and the coil spring 9 is compressed (as shown in the figure). 4, 5 and 6). If the coil spring 9 is not provided, the above movement cannot be achieved, and the operation cable is broken. When the external force has been removed, the coil spring 9 pushes the lock block to the normal position.

Figure 7 discloses an exploded view of the twist lock of the present invention, from which the structure can be seen more clearly. The main body 1 includes two halves, and a spring mechanism is provided inside. The halves of the body are joined together, such as by the two screws and nuts shown in FIG.

Figure 8 discloses a simplified view of a condition in which the twist lock is mounted to the bottom corner casting 13 of a container and in the present embodiment is lowered onto, for example, a top of a corresponding block 14 mounted on the hatch cover, here In this case, the underlock lock block 3 is latched therein by means of the holes of the top surface of the corresponding block and by conventional techniques. If the container is lowered to the top of the lower container, the corresponding block 14 can also be the top cabinet corner casting of the lower container.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, which may vary within the scope of the appended claims.

The mechanism of the present invention can also be implemented, for example, in such a manner that one or both of the springs are replaced with rubber components into other resilient components.

Furthermore, the spring mechanism of the present invention can be implemented in such a manner that the operating cable is connected to a sleeve and then mounted on the locking block (or its shaft). In this way, the sleeve can slide to the lock block. Limited range. In this case, the lock block can be moved without movement of the operating cable. The sleeve may be spring loaded or the stiffness of the spring may be selected depending on how the sleeve is spring loaded to a desired position relative to the lock block (stationary condition).

The features described herein in conjunction with other features may be use.

1‧‧‧ Subject

4‧‧‧ rigid axis

5‧‧‧ Connection point

6‧‧‧ Operation

7‧‧‧ Pull

8, 9‧‧‧ coil spring

10‧‧‧End block

11‧‧‧Compression sleeve

12‧‧‧ Waist

Claims (11)

A twist lock for joining two containers stacked on top of each other or a container coupled to a fixed point below thereof, the twist lock comprising a body (1) and a pivot lock on the container Block (2), and a corresponding block lower pivoting lock block (3) for the lower container or for the mounting table, the upper and lower locking blocks being rigidly coupled to each other, for example, by a shaft (4), and An operating cable (6) extending into the twist lock is configured to rotate the lock block, characterized in that at least one element (8, 9) exhibiting flexibility in its longitudinal direction is threaded onto the operating cable (6), The operating cable (6) is flexibly and slidably coupled to a joint point (5) on the shaft (4) of the lock block (2, 3), and the joint point (5) the flexible member ( 8, 9) separating or separating one half of the flexible element from each other. For example, in the twist lock of claim 1, wherein the two flexible members (8, 9) are respectively disposed on both sides of the joint point (5). A twist lock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible member (8, 9) is a coil spring freely slidable on the top of the operating cable (6). A twist lock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible member (8, 9) is a rubber component or other elastic component. A twist lock according to claim 3, wherein the first flexible member (8) is limited between the waist portion (12) of the body (1) and the joint point (5), and the second flexibility The element (9) is constrained between the junction point (5) and the end block (10) on the end of the operating cable (6). A twist lock according to claim 4, wherein the first flexible member (8) is limited to the waist portion (12) of the body (1) and the joint point (5) The second flexible element (9) is constrained between the junction point (5) and the end block (10) on the end of the operating cable (6). The twist lock of claim 2, wherein the elastic force of the second flexible member (9) is greater than the elastic force of the first flexible member (8). The twist lock of claim 3, wherein the elastic force of the second flexible member (9) is greater than the elastic force of the first flexible member (8). The twist lock of claim 4, wherein the elastic force of the second flexible member (9) is greater than the elastic force of the first flexible member (8). A twist lock according to claim 5, wherein the elastic force of the second flexible member (9) is greater than the elastic force of the first flexible member (8). A twist lock according to claim 6 wherein the elastic force of the second flexible member (9) is greater than the elastic force of the first flexible member (8).