US20110155614A1

US20110155614A1 - Universal container locking system

Info

Publication number: US20110155614A1
Application number: US13/003,469
Authority: US
Inventors: John L. Szeglin; Peter J. Walker
Original assignee: PECK AND HALE LLC
Current assignee: STAFFA IPI LLC
Priority date: 2008-07-10
Filing date: 2009-07-10
Publication date: 2011-06-30
Also published as: CN102149617A; WO2010006317A1; EP2310302B1; CN102149617B; EP2310302A1

Abstract

A universal container locking system for cargo containers. The system includes an actuating mechanism located in the top corner casting of the cargo container, and a locking mechanism located in the bottom corner fitting of the cargo container. The actuating mechanism is coupled to the locking mechanism such that rotation of a pick cone positioned in the top corner fitting from its initial insertion position to an orientation approximately 45° does not cause rotation of the locking cone extending from the bottom corner fitting while subsequent rotation of the pick cone from an orientation of approximately 45° to an orientation of approximately 90° causes the locking cone extending from the bottom corner fitting to rotate approximately 45° from the locked position to the unlocked positions.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/079,620 filed Jul. 10, 2008, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for interlocking stacked cargo containers and, more particularly, to a universal container locking system which can eliminate the need for the manual handling and operation of the twist locks used to interlock conventional containers.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, cargo containers are commonly stacked while being transported by, for example, ship, truck or rail. It is customary to interlock the stacked containers to prevent movement between the containers and to ensure such containers are properly secured to the transport vehicle. This is commonly accomplished by devices which are typically referred to as twist locks.
Operation of these twist locks generally requires at least some manual intervention by a worker. Inasmuch as each container requires a twist lock at each corner, a total of four twist locks are required to interlock two stacked containers (the bottom-most container using another four twist locks to lock such container to the underlying floor). Typically, these twist locks are manually installed/removed by a worker. In addition, many twist locks require at least some manual operation to lock and/or unlock the device. Thus, the effort required to interlock two stacked containers can be substantial. The size of typical cargo containers (e.g., forty feet) further increases such effort by oftentimes requiring the same worker to traverse substantial distances during the loading/unloading procedures, and may place the worker in potentially dangerous locations during such procedures.
There is therefore a need in the art for a container interlocking system which reduces/eliminates the need for the manual handling and operation of the twist locks used to interlock stacked cargo containers, while remaining compatible with conventional containers employing conventional twist locks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, which addresses the needs of the prior art, relates to a universal container locking system for a cargo container. The cargo container has opposing top and bottom corner fittings. The opposing top and bottom corner fittings define a rotation axis extending through the center thereof. The top corner casting includes an opening sized to receive a pick cone of a crane. The pick cone is rotatable between a first insertion position and second rotated position. The rotated position is 90° from said insertion position. The locking system includes an actuating mechanism located in the top corner casting and rotatable about the rotation axis. The mechanism is positioned to engage the pick cone whereby rotation of the pick cone within the top fitting causes rotation of the actuating mechanism about the rotation axis. The system further includes a locking mechanism located in the bottom corner fitting. The locking mechanism includes a locking cone extending from the bottom corner fitting and rotatable through approximately 45° of rotation from a locked position to an unlocked position. Finally, the actuating mechanism is coupled to the locking mechanism such that the locking cone remains in its locked position as the pick cone is rotated approximately 45° from its insertion position, while subsequent rotation of the pick cone from an orientation of approximately 45° to an orientation of approximately 90° causes the locking cone to rotate approximately 45° from the locked position to the unlocked position.
In one preferred embodiment, the actuating mechanism includes a cup sized to receive the pick cone, the cup being rotatably mounted within the top corner fitting. In another preferred embodiment, the system further includes a cable for coupling the actuating mechanism to the locking mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes a base for rotatably supporting the cup, the base including an aperture therethrough. The aperture is offset from the rotation axis. The cable extends through the aperture, the end of the cable being secured to the cup.
In another preferred embodiment, the actuating mechanism includes a bracket rotatably mounted within the top corner fitting and rotatable about the rotation axis. The actuating mechanism further includes at least one post extending from the bracket and positioned to engage the pick cone at an orientation of approximately 45° from the insertion position of the pick cone.
The present invention also relates to a method of securing stacked cargo containers. The method includes the step of providing an actuating mechanism in the top corner fitting of the cargo container, and providing a locking mechanism in the opposing bottom corner fitting of the cargo container. The locking mechanism includes a locking cone extending from the bottom corner fitting and rotatable through approximately 45° of rotation from a locked position to an unlocked position. The actuating mechanism is coupled to the locking mechanism. The method includes the further step of limiting the rotation of the locking cone extending from the bottom corner fitting during the initial 45° of rotation of a pick cone inserted in the top corner fitting. Finally, the method includes the step of rotating the locking cone extending from the bottom corner fitting through 45° of rotation from its locked position to its unlocked position in response to rotation of the pick cone from approximately 45° to approximately 90°.
As a result, the present invention provides a universal container locking system which reduce/eliminates the need for the manual handling and operation of the twist locks used to interlock stacked cargo containers, while remaining incompatible with conventional containers employing conventional twist locks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a rig of a crane positioned over three stacked cargo containers;

FIG. 2 is a view showing enlarged details of both the top and bottom corner fittings of a container including the present universal container locking system;

FIG. 3 a is an exploded perspective view of the components associated with the top corner fitting of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 b is an enlarged detail of the top corner fitting of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 a is an exploded perspective of the compartments associated with the bottom corner fitting of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 b is a detail of the bottom corner fitting of FIG. 2

FIG. 4 c is an enlarged detail of the bottom corner fitting of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top and bottom corner fittings (with the container of FIG. 2 removed for clarity) showing a pick cone positioned within the top corner fitting at approximately 0° rotation;

FIG. 5 a is an enlarged plan view showing the pick cone at approximately 0° rotation;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the top and bottom corner fittings (with the container of FIG. 2 removed for clarity) showing of the pick cone positioned within the top corner fitting at approximately 45° rotation;

FIG. 6 a is an enlarged plan view showing the pick cone at approximately 45° rotation;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the top and bottom corner fittings (with the container of FIG. 2 removed for clarity) showing the pick cone positioned within the top corner fitting at approximately 70° rotation;

FIG. 7 a is an enlarged plan view showing the pick cone at approximately 70° rotation;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the top and bottom corner fittings (with the container of FIG. 2 removed for clarity) showing the pick cone positioned within the top corner fitting at approximately 90° rotation;

FIG. 8 a is an enlarged plan view showing the pick cone at approximately 90° rotation;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the top and bottom corner fittings (with the container of FIG. 2 removed for clarity) showing a conventional semi-automatic twist lock (SATL) coupled to the top corner fitting;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the top and bottom corner fittings (with the container removed for clarity) of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 a is an enlarged detail of the top corner fitting of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10 b is an enlarged detail of the bottom corner fitting of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 is another enlarged detail of the top corner fitting of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 a is an exploded perspective view of the top corner fitting of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is another enlarged detail of the bottom corner fitting of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 a is an exploded perspective view of the bottom corner fitting of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A plurality of cargo containers, e.g., containers 10, 12, 14, are shown stacked on a deck 17 in FIG. 1. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a corner fitting 16 is located at each corner of each container. As it will be described further hereinbelow, container 14 contains a universal container locking system (UCLS) formed in accordance with the present invention. This new locking system is preferably compatible with conventional cargo containers such that the containers can be stacked and properly secured regardless of the design. More particularly, container 14 including the universal container locking system of the present invention can be stacked upon and secured to container 12, which may consist of a conventional cargo container without the present locking system. Likewise, container 10 may also consist of a conventional cargo container without the present locking system. Of course, container 14 could also be stacked upon and secured to another container including the universal locking system of the present invention.
Inasmuch as containers 10 and 12 are conventional cargo containers, cargo container 10 would be secured to deck 17 in a conventional manner. In addition, four twist locks (not shown) would be installed between the top corner fittings of container 10 and the bottom corner fittings of container 12 to interconnect container 10 to container 12. The universal container locking system of the present invention (which is incorporated into container 14) eliminates the need for the placement of twist locks between container 12 and container 14. A crane 18 having a pick cone 19 at each corner is used to load/unload the cargo containers. The use of a crane or spreader to move cargo containers is well-known in the industry.
Referring to FIG. 2, the universal container locking system includes an actuating mechanism 20, located in top corner fitting 16 a of container 14, actuating mechanism 20 being connected to a locking mechanism 22 located in bottom corner fitting 16 b of container 14. Actuating mechanism 20 is coupled to the locking mechanism by, for example, an actuating rod 24. It is contemplated herein that actuating mechanism 20 can also be coupled to locking mechanism 22 by use of a flexible cable, linkage or other mechanical elements. Alternatively, it is contemplated herein that the connection between actuating mechanism 20 and locking mechanism 22 may be electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic or wireless.
Top corner fitting 16 a is shown in further detail in FIGS. 3 a-3 c. In one preferred embodiment, connecting rod 24 can be coupled to actuating mechanism 20 by use of a connecting link 25, a locking nut and bolt 25 a, a washer 25 b and a locking nut 25 c, or by other such mechanical coupling elements. As shown, actuating mechanism 20 preferably includes a shaft 50 sized and configured to couple with connecting link 25, a bracket 52 secured to the other end of shaft 50 and a pair of posts 54, 56 extending upward from such bracket.
The bottom corner fitting 16 b of container 14 is shown in detail in FIGS. 4 a-4 c. Referring first to FIG. 4 a, locking cone 28 preferably includes a shaft 30 which extends through a housing 32 and a locking plate 34, and preferably includes an engagement end 36 sized and configured to couple to engagement end 38 of shaft 58. In turn, shaft 58 is coupled to connecting link 60, which in turn is coupled to the bottom end of connecting rod 24. A lock nut 40 may be used to secure housing 32 and plate 34 to cone 28. In addition, housing 32 may be fitted with a spring lock mechanism 42 for continuously biasing cone 28 to the locked position. The components of locking mechanism 22 are shown assembled in FIGS. 4 b and 4 c. In addition, locking cone 28 is shown engaged with corner fitting 16 c in FIG. 4 b. In this regard, the orientation of locking cone 28 in FIGS. 4 b and 4 c is the orientation of such cone when in its locked position. More particularly, locking cone 28 is rotated approximately 45° counterclockwise (when viewed looking down). In an alternative embodiment, locking corner 28 is rotated approximately 45° clockwise to its locked position (when viewed looking down).
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, conventional twist locks typically include a bottom locking cone which rotates approximately 45° to lock the device to the lower container. Stated differently, the extent of rotation of the bottom locking cone on such prior art devices is limited to approximately 45°. It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the pick cones of the cranes used to load/unload cargo containers are rotated approximately 90° once inserted within the upper corner fittings of the cargo container. The universal container locking system of the present invention is designed to take advantage of these characteristics of conventional cranes and twist locks.
Referring now to FIGS. 5-8 a, such figures illustrate the sequence of action which occurs when the pick cone of a crane is inserted into the upper corner fitting of a container including the present universal container locking system. Referring first to FIGS. 5-5 a, pick cone 19 a is oriented for alignment with ISO opening 70 of corner fitting 16 a. Actuating mechanism 20 is shown at the location in which it is positioned when locking cone 28 is in the locked position. In other words, corner fitting 16 a would be locked to the upper corner fitting of a lower container (not shown). Referring now to FIGS. 6-6 a, the pick cone of the crane is rotated to engage the upper corner fitting of the container to be lifted. During the first 45° of clockwise rotation (see FIG. 6 a), the pick cone does not contact either of posts 54, 56. Once the pick cone has been rotated 45° clockwise, the pick cone comes into contact with post 54 of lever 20. As shown in FIG. 6, locking cone 28 remains in its locked position as the pick cone initially contacts post 54.
Post 54 is sized and shaped to facilitate contact with the pick cone. In one preferred embodiment, post 54 is formed with a generally triangular cross-section. Of course, other cross-sectioned shapes which provide the necessary contact surface for engagement with the pick cone can also be used.
Referring now to FIGS. 7-7 a, the pick cone of the crane is shown rotated approximately 70° clockwise. From 45° onward, the pick cone is in contact with post 54 of actuating mechanism 20, thus moving bracket 52, which in turn rotates rod 24, resulting in the rotation of locking cone 28. As shown in FIG. 7 a, rotation of approximately 70° of the pick cone results in locking cone 28 rotating approximately 25°.
Referring now to FIGS. 8-8 a, the pick cone is shown rotated approximately 90°. This is the final orientation of the pick cone when positioned within the upper fitting of a container, and indicates that the pick cones of the crane have fully engaged the upper corner fittings of the container to be loaded/unloaded. As seen in FIG. 8, rotation of the pick cone approximately 90° causes sufficient rotation of actuating mechanism 20 such that locking cone 28 is rotated to the unlocked position. More particularly, locking cone 28 is rotated approximately 45° to the unlocked position. Thus, at the same time that the pick cones are rotated 90° to engage the upper corner fittings of the container for loading/unloading, the bottom locking cones have been automatically unlocked from the corner fittings of the adjacent container, thereby freeing such container for transport. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this automatic unlocking of the container has eliminated the need for a worker to manually unlock the interbox connectors which would have been located at each of the four corners of the containers.
The universal container locking system of the present invention works for both unloading of containers from a stack of containers, or for loading a container onto a stack of containers. Although the preceding discussion describes the unlocking of a container for removal from a stack, the same process works in reverse for loading of a container onto a stack. More particularly, a container would be picked up by a crane and moved into position over an existing stack of containers. At this point, the pick cone of the crane would be in the position depicted in FIG. 8 while the bottom locking cones of the container being hoisted would be in the orientation shown in FIG. 8, i.e., in an unlocked orientation. Once the container is positioned onto the existing stack of containers, the pick cones of the crane would be rotated 90° counterclockwise. This 90° of rotation would move the actuating mechanism back to the position shown in FIG. 5 a through contact of the pick cone with post 56, and return locking cone 28 to the locked position. The pick cone is thereafter removed from the upper ISO opening 70 of the upper corner fitting.
In the alternative embodiment where locking cone 28 is rotated approximately 45° clockwise to its locked position, locking mechanism 22 can include gearing or other such structure to translate the clockwise rotation of rod 24 into counterclockwise rotation of cone 28 (during engagement of the pick cone) and the counterclockwise rotation of rod 24 into clockwise rotation of cone 28 (during disengagement with the pick cone).
In the present embodiment, post 56 is formed with a circular cross-section. As described with respect to post 54, post 56 can be formed with other cross-sectioned shapes which provide the necessary contact surface for engagement with the pick cone as the pick cone is rotated back to the orientation shown in FIGS. 5-5 a. As shown, the pick cone will contact post 56 thereby rotating actuating mechanism 20 back to the orientation of FIGS. 5-5 a, which also rotates locking cone 28 back to the orientation of FIG. 5. In an alternative embodiment, cone 28 may be biased to the locked position via a spring (or other such biasing mechanism), thereby eliminating the need for post 56.
As described herein, cargo containers including the present universal container locking system will have bottom locking cones 28 protruding therefrom. Accordingly, it is contemplated herein that locking platforms can be provided at storage locations for receipt and engagement with the bottom locking cones of such containers. Thus, instead of simply stacking containers one upon the other (without twist locks therebetween), the stacking of containers including the universal container locking system of the present invention will provide a safer means of stacking containers. More particularly, stacked containers will be secured to one another, and to a base platform, even when not in use. In addition, the bottom tier container can simply be supported on dunnage if a locking platform is not available, although container stack height would be reduced.
It is also recognized herein that there may be applications in which it is difficult to secure the bottom most container to the deck of a truck, railcar or other transportation vessel. Inasmuch as the universal container locking system of the present invention does not require the use of conventional twist locks, a container including such a system can be loaded onto a rail car or truck, and automatically secured thereto by the rotation of the pick cones. For example, there may be applications where the design of the vehicle either prevents or hinders a person from access to these lowermost corner fittings. The incorporation of a universal container locking system into a container thereby eliminates this concern.
As mentioned hereinabove, cargo containers including the present universal container locking system should preferably be compatible with conventional cargo containers. In other words, the cargo containers should be stackable one upon the other, regardless of the design of such container. The novel design of the present universal locking system allows containers including such system to be interstacked with conventional containers.
Referring to FIG. 9, the upper corner fitting 16 a and the bottom corner fitting 16 b of a container including the present universal container locking system is shown. More particularly, the bottom locking cone 28 is shown in the locked position. Thus, the bottom locking cone 28 is depicted in the orientation in which it would appear if locked to the upper corner fitting of a lower container. A conventional semi-automatic twist lock 46 is shown coupled to top corner fitting 16 a. The bottom cone 48 of twist lock 46 is shown in its locked position. More particularly, bottom cone 48 of twist lock 46 is rotated approximately 45° to lock such bottom cone to the corner fitting.
Due to the novel arrangement of the locking system of the present invention, this initial approximately 45° of rotation does not move actuating mechanism 20, and therefore does not result in any rotation of bottom locking cone 28. As a result, twist lock 46 can be attached/detached from top corner fitting 16 a without causing any rotation of bottom locking cone 28. This therefore allows a conventional cargo container to be installed on top of a container including the present universal container locking system. Likewise, if a container including the present universal container locking system is positioned on top of a second container including the present universal container locking system, the rotation of bottom locking cone 28 through an arc of approximately 45° will likewise not result in any movement of actuating mechanism 20, or any rotation of the bottom locking cone in the lower container.
Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 10-12 a. More particularly, the present invention also provides a universal container locking system 100. System 100 preferably includes an actuating mechanism 102 located in the top corner fitting of the container, and a locking mechanism 104 located in the bottom corner fitting of a container. System 100, although different in design from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-9, nonetheless relies upon the underlying concept that the initial 45° of rotation of a cone positioned in the top corner fitting (whether a pick cone or a cone of a semi-automatic twist lock) does not cause rotation of the cone of the twist lock assembly located in the bottom corner fitting. Like the earlier embodiment, rotation of the cone of the twist lock assembly positioned in the bottom corner fitting is only accomplished during rotation of the pick cone from approximately 45° to approximately 90°.
As mentioned, actuating mechanism 102 is located in the top corner fitting of the cargo container. Referring now to FIGS. 11-11 a, mechanism 102 includes a base plate 106, which is fixedly positioned within the top corner fitting. A cup assembly 108 is rotatably connected to an upper surface 110 of base plate 106, and is preferably rotatable about an axis Y extending through the centers of both the top and bottom corner fittings. In this regard, cup assembly 108 preferably includes a cup 112 and a bottom 114. The outer circular edge 116 of bottom 114 is sized for receipt within circular track 118 of base plate 106. A plurality of brackets 120 rotatably retains the cup assembly on base plate 106.
Cup 112 is configured to engagedly receive a pick cone whereby subsequent rotation of the pick cone will rotate cup 112 about base plate 106. In this regard, cup 112 is shown rotated 45° (in a clockwise direction) in FIGS. 11-11 a.
As best seen in FIG. 10, a cable 122 connects actuating mechanism 102 to locking mechanism 104. A tensioning/coupling mechanism 124 is preferably located between the top and bottom corner fittings, thus providing adjustability to the length of the cable which allows for adjustability during installation and/or subsequent servicing. As shown, cable 122 passes through a fitting 126 located in a corner of base plate 106. In one preferred embodiment, fitting 126 is used to secure base plate 106 to the top corner fitting.
Cable 122 is preferably attached to cup 112. In one preferred embodiment, a ball 128 is swaged or otherwise connected to the end of cable 122. A substantially vertically extending slot 130 is formed in the edge of cup 112. Ball 128 is thereafter positioned within slot 130 providing a connection between cable 122 and cup 112. When cup 112 is in a non-rotated state (as shown in FIG. 10) the point of attachment of cable 122 to cup 112 is proximate fitting 126. Stated differently, cable 122 is connected to cup 112 at a location which is close to fitting 126 when cup 112 is in a non-rotated state.
Turning now to locking mechanism 104 (shown in detail in FIGS. 12-12 a), mechanism 104 includes a body 132 located within the bottom corner fitting of the cargo container. A cone 134 extends outward from the bottom surface of the corner fitting. Cone 134 is rotatably supported within body 132 via a shaft 136. A lever arm 138 preferably extends from shaft 136 to provide a point of attachment for cable 122. In this regard, cable 122 preferably passes through an aperture 140 formed in the bottom corner fitting. Cone 134 is preferably biased to the locked position (the position shown in FIG. 12), via a spring 142 (or other such biasing mechanism) located within body 132.
At 0° rotation, slot 130 is preferably substantially aligned with fitting 126 (as shown in FIG. 10). In this orientation, there is preferably some light tension in cable 122. As the cup is rotated, the tension in the cable is gradually increased. However, sufficient tension to pull on lever arm 138 and turn cone 134 is not reached until approximate 45° rotation of cup 112. In other words, cup 112 can rotate approximately 45° from the orientation shown in FIG. 10 (in either direction) before any rotation of cone 134 is initiated. It is only during the rotation of the cup from approximately 45° to approximately 90° that sufficient tension is applied to cable 122 to pull on lever arm 136, thus turning shaft 136 and, as a result, rotating cone 134.
Locking system 100 thus provides some advantages over the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-9. In particular, system 100 allows both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of cup 112 within the same device. Although the pick cones of cranes typically rotate in a clockwise direction, system 100 can accommodate rotation of a pick cone in a counterclockwise direction. Likewise, when intermixing containers incorporating the universal container locking system of the present invention with conventional retainers utilizing semi-automatic twist locks (see FIG. 9), system 100 will allow connection of a semi-automatic twist lock (or other such device) having a locking cone which rotates 45° in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Finally, locking system 100 more readily allows for the retrofitting of existing cargo containers with a universal container locking system. In particular, the cable used in system 100 is more readily installed within existing containers, and can be more easily located in a protected area of the container, minimizing damage to such cable during normal usage/handling of the container.
It will be appreciated that the present invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred or exemplary embodiments. The preferred or exemplary embodiments described herein may be modified, changed, added to or deviated from without departing from the intent, spirit and scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such additions, modifications, amendments and/or deviations be included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A universal container locking system for a cargo container, said cargo container having opposing top and bottom corner fittings, said opposing top and bottom corner fittings defining a rotation axis extending through the center thereof, said top corner casting including an opening sized to receive a pick cone of a crane, said pick cone being rotatable between a first insertion position and second rotated position, said rotated position being 90° from said insertion position, said locking system comprising:

an actuating mechanism located in said top corner casting and rotatable about said rotation axis, said mechanism being positioned to engage said pick cone whereby rotation of said pick cone within said top fitting causes rotation of said actuating mechanism about said rotation axis;

a locking mechanism located in said bottom corner fitting, said locking mechanism including a locking cone extending from said bottom corner fitting and rotatable through approximately 45° of rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position;

and wherein said actuating mechanism is coupled to said locking mechanism such that said locking cone remains in its locked position as said pick cone is rotated approximately 45° from its insertion position, while subsequent rotation of said pick cone from an orientation of approximately 45° to an orientation of approximately 90° causes said locking cone to rotate approximately 45° between said locked and unlocked positions.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said actuating mechanism includes a cup sized to receive said pick cone, said cup being rotatably mounted within said top corner fitting.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising a cable for coupling said actuating mechanism to said locking mechanism;

and wherein said actuating mechanism includes a base for rotatably supporting said cup, said base including an aperture therethrough, said aperture being offset from said rotation axis;

and wherein said cable extends through said aperture, the end of said cable being secured to said cup.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said cup is provided with a substantially vertically-extending slot, and wherein said cable includes a ball attached to the end thereof, said slot being sized to receive said ball thereby coupling the end of said cable to said cup.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein said cable includes a tension/adjusting mechanism located between said actuating mechanism and said locking mechanism.

6. The system according to claim 3, wherein said locking mechanism further includes a body and a shaft, said cone being coupled to a first end of said shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported within in said bottom corner fitting by said body;

and wherein said cable is coupled to said shaft such that application of a predetermined level of tension to said cable causes rotation of said shaft and said cone from said locked position to said unlocked position.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said locking mechanism further includes a spring for biasing said cone to said locked position.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said bottom corner fitting includes an aperture therethrough;

and wherein said locking mechanism further includes a lever arm extending from said shaft;

and wherein said cable extends through said aperture of said bottom corner fast fitting and is coupled to said lever arm.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said actuating mechanism includes a bracket rotatably mounted within said top corner fitting and rotatable about said rotation axis, said actuating mechanism further including a first post extending from said bracket and positioned to engage said pick cone at an orientation of approximately 45° from said insertion position of said pick cone.

10. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a rod for connecting said actuating mechanism to said locking mechanism, said rod being located substantially along said rotation axis.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said actuating mechanism includes a second post extending from said bracket for contacting said pick cone during rotation of said pick cone from said rotated position to said insertion position.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said bracket has a V-shaped configuration defining two legs, and wherein said first post is located at the end of said first leg and said second post is located at the end of said second leg.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein said first post has a triangular cross section to facilitate contact with said pick cone.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein said locking mechanism further includes a body and a shaft, said cone being coupled to a first end of said shaft, said shaft being rotatably supported within said bottom corner fitting by said body;

and wherein said rod is coupled to said shaft such that rotation of said rod causes rotation of said shaft and said cone from said locked position to said unlocked position.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said locking mechanism further includes a spring for biasing said cone to said locked position.