Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
  • B65D90/0006—Coupling devices between containers, e.g. ISO-containers
  • B65D90/0013—Twist lock
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
  • B60P7/00—Securing or covering of load on vehicles
  • B60P7/06—Securing of load
  • B60P7/13—Securing freight containers or forwarding containers on vehicles
  • B60P7/132—Securing freight containers or forwarding containers on vehicles twist-locks for containers or frames
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
  • B63B25/002—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for goods other than bulk goods
  • B63B25/004—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for goods other than bulk goods for containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
  • B63B25/24—Means for preventing unwanted cargo movement, e.g. dunnage
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2590/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
  • B65D2590/0008—Coupling device between containers
  • B65D2590/0025—Twist lock
  • B65D2590/0033—Semi or fully automatic twist lock, i.e. semi or fully automatic locking/unlocking

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a coupling device to be connected to at least a first corner fitting of a container, said coupling device comprising at least a first engaging portion, wherein said first engaging portion is at least partially insertable into said first corner fitting and adapted to engage said first corner fitting in a holding condition, for assisting in holding said coupling device in said corner fitting, and releas- able from said corner fitting, and a second engaging portion, wherein said second engaging portion is at least partially insertable into a second corner fitting in an insertable condition and adapted to engage said second corner fitting in a holding condition, for assisting in holding said coupling device in said second corner fitting, and releasable from said second corner fitting in a removable condition.
• the present invention also relates to the use of a coupling device for lashing of two containers.
• Containers of the type described above are usually rectangular with floor, roof, two sidewalls and two end walls .
• One end wall usually consists of a door portion that is often formed as a pair of doors, each door of the pair of doors being hinged to opposite edges of the end wall in question.
• Corner fittings are usually arranged at the corners of the container and supports connecting and lashing of containers .
• a coupling that can be inserted into an opening arranged on a corner fitting of an ISO container.
• Such couplings usually have a locking mechanism to securely lock the coupling device in the corner fitting of the container.
• a first type of coupling devices are so called “fully automatic” coupling devices, which is a coupling device that is designed to be inserted into a first corner fitting and thereafter inserted and/or taken out of a second corner fitting of a container without the need for manual locking or unlocking.
• a second type of coupling devices are so called “semi automatic” coupling devices which are coupling de- vices that can be inserted into a corner fitting without the need for manual locking.
• a “semi-automatic” coupling device requires manual unlocking of at least one of the engaging portions before it can be brought out of the corner fitting.
• the operation means for manual unlocking is usually positioned at a section between the two engaging portions. This section is, in use, often po- sitioned between two stacked containers, and hence, creates a space between the two containers.
• Lockable couplings of the above-mentioned types, may for example be provided with one or two locking por- tions designed as spring-loaded helical cones, which are adapted to be moved and rotated into locking engagement with corner fittings of ISO containers.
• the two helical cones are often connected by means of a shaft portion that is rotatably mounted in a housing.
• This kind of cou- pling devices is usually referred to as “twist-locks" and may be either "fully automatic” or "semi automatic”.
• Another coupling device of the above-mentioned types is a coupling device where one or both of the engaging portions are non-rotational elements.
• the engaging portion may then be shaped as a protruding portion, e.g.
• a nose or a catch which may be either fixed or movable.
• the protruding portion may during use be brought into the corner fitting and abut against the inner side of the wall of the corner fitting. Also this kind of coupling devices may be either “fully automatic” or “semi automatic”.
• each container is connected to at least one neighboring container, or to the transport vehicle, by means of, for example, lockable couplings of the above type.
• a phenomenon referred to as “slamming” has been found during transport of containers on, for example, ships. Slamming means that a sudden force, e.g. as a result of waves, acts on the containers in a direction that, unintentionally, may tend to lift the containers in relation to each other or in relation to the transport vehicle.
• a coupling device to be connected to at least a first corner fitting of a container, said coupling device comprising at least a first engaging portion.
• Said first engaging portion is at least partially insertable into said first corner fitting and adapted to engage said first corner fitting in a holding condition, for assisting in holding said coupling device in said corner fitting, and releasable from said corner fitting in a remov- able condition, and a second engaging portion, wherein said second engaging portion is at least partially insertable into a second corner fitting in an insertable condition and adapted to engage said second corner fitting in a holding condition, for assisting in holding said coupling device in said second corner fitting, and releasable from said second corner fitting in a removable condition.
• Said coupling device comprises a locking means, wherein said locking means is activated upon unintentional relative movement between said first and second engaging portions .
• Said locking means prevents unintentional alteration from holding condition to removable condition of at least one of said engaging portions.
• a coupling device arranged in the above-described manner fulfills at least some of the intended objects.
• an undesired force such as brought about by slamming, acts upon at least one of the engaging portions of a coupling device
• the locking means will be activated.
• Such an undesired force may for example act upon one or both of the engaging portions in a manner that may cause an unintentional movement towards the removable condition for at least one of the engaging portions if no locking means are arranged.
• the locking means will be activated and prevent any further relative movement between the first and second engaging portions.
• the coupling device according to the invention will allow interconnected containers to release from each other, due to a slow controlled and prescribed lifting movement of a container with the purpose to dis- , connect and unload stacked containers.
• said coupling device according to claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a connection portion and a movable part, which are movable in relation to each other. Further said locking means is activated upon relative movement between said connection portion and a movable part for prevention of movement of at least one of said first and second engaging portions. It may be advantageous if the coupling device is provided with a movable part which may be movable in relation to an engaging portion. When a prescribed relative movement between the movable part and the engaging por- tion occurs, the locking means may be acutated.
• connection portion and movable part are arranged to be rotatably movable.
• connection portion and movable part are arranged to be jointly rotatable around a common axle.
• the rotatable part is jointly rotatable with the connection portion, and does not actuate the locking means when rotating in conjunction.
• said connection portion and movable part are arranged to be rotatable in relation to each other.
• connection portion and movable part are rotatable around different axes, wherein the rotation of the movable part is eccentric in relation to the rota- tion axis of the connection portion.
• the movable part and connection portion may be able to rotate eccentrically in relation to each other during an unin- tended relative movement between the first and second engaging portions, such that said locking effect may be actuated.
• the angular position between said connection portion and movable part is variable.
• the angular position between the two parts will be variable.
• the movable part provides a substantially linear movement, when switching to the locking condition, which is a combination of two circular movements. It is further possible to design the substantially linear move- ment in different ways with warying resulting movements.
• connection portion and movable part are arranged to rotate jointly with at least one of said first and second engaging portions.
• connection portion and movable part are arranged to rotate jointly with at least one of the first and second engaging portions.
• said locking means for prevention of unintentional alteration of condition comprises a locking device, wherein said locking device being fixed arranged in relation to said coupling device, and an engagement means, wherein said engagement means is rotatably ar- ranged in relation to said locking device, wherein said alteration of condition of at least one of said first and second engaging portions is prevented when said engagement means and said locking device are in engagement.
• connection portion is constituted of an upper portion of an axle arranged in relation to at least one of said first and second engaging portions, and wherein said movable part comprises said engagement means arranged in relation to said connection portion for rotation therewith, wherein the relative angular position of said engagement means and said portion portion is variable, wherein said engagement means is arranged to engage said locking abutment, depending on the angular position of said engagement means in relation to said connection portion.
• the engagement means When a movement of at least one of the first and second engaging portions occurs, the engagement means will rotate in conjunction with the axle connecting the engagement means and at least one of the engaging por- tions . Depending of the characteristics of the movement, i.e. desired or undesired, the angular position of the engagement means in relation to the axle will vary. Depending on the angular position the engagement means will either engage or not engage the locking device and fur- ther movement will be either prevented or allowed.
• said axle portion is prevented from rotation in relation to said coupling device when said locking device and said engagement means are in engagement. This means that the axle portion is prevented from further rotation towards the removable condition.
• the axle portion is locked in this situation. However it is possible for the axle portion to rotate back towards the holding condition.
• said movable part is constituted of an in- ertia member interactingly connected to said connection portion for angular rotation relative to said connection portion and axle, and spring means interconnecting said inertia member and said connection portion, wherein said inertia member is rotatably with said connection portion, wherein said inertia member is provided with said engagement means, whereby upon relative angular movement of said inertia member and said connection portion said engagement means is forced to engage said locking abutment in order to provide locking of said axle relative to said first engaging portion.
• An inertia member is an efficient manner in how to distinguish between desired movement and undesired move- ment, since undesired movement often may be a result of sudden force acting upon the containers and the coupling devices. A desired movement may however be executed in a controlled and not so sudden manner.
• said inertia member has an aperture configured to engage said connection portion, said aperture having a substantially circular portion engaging a portion of the connection portion to rotatably arrange said inertia member and its attached engagement means eccen- trically relative to rotation axis of the connection portion, wherein said aperture is further provided with a portion extending from said circular portion in which a part of the connection portion is disposed for limitation the amount of angular movement of said inertia member in relation to said connection portion.
• the described configuration is an efficient manner in how to arrange an eccentric rotational axis and an al- ternatable angular position between the inertia member and the axle portion in order to achieve the desired functionality.
• the result will be that the rotational axis of the inertia member will have different positions depending on the angular position between the inertia member and the axle portion.
• the engagement means will then engage or not engage the locking device depending on the position of the rotational axis of the inertia member in relation to the rotational axis of the axle portion.
• said coupling device further comprises a movable unit, and an axle comprising an abutment portion.
• said movable unit is provided with a recess, wherein said abutment portion is adapted to pass said movable unit by said recess under rotation of said axle, when said movable unit is in its unaffected position .
• said movable unit is further provided with a lip.
• Said engagement means is adapted to engage said lip of said movable unit upon unintentational movement of at least one of said first and second engaging portions.
• said movable unit is forced to move in a substantially linear path upon en- gagement of said engagement means with said lip.
• the movable unit can be trigged by the locking means and take a large locking force, due to for example dynamic forces at sea.
• said movable unit upon movement becomes positioned such that said abutment portion of said axle is obstructed in its rotational movement by said movable member, wherein further relative movemement between said first and second engaging portions is prevented.
• said coupling device is a fully auto- matic twist-lock. Further, said second engaging portion of said coupling device is prevented to rotate by said locking means .
• a manual means that brings the locking means into a locking condition upon relative movement between the first and second engaging part. This feature may for example be relevant in order to enable jointly lifting of two interconnected containers.
• Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a coupling device according to one embodiment of the present invention in perspective
• Figs. 2a to 2c shows a coupling device according to one embodiment of the present invention arranged in the corner fittings of two containers for lashing of two containers, in a neutral condition;
• Figs. 2d to 2e shows a coupling device according to one embodiment of the present invention arranged in the corner fittings of two containers, in a condition where an unintentional movement has activated the locking means of the coupling device;
• Figs. 3a to 3c shows a coupling device according to one embodiment of the present invention where a desired relative movement is utilized for removing an engagement portion of the coupling device from a corner fitting;
• Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of a coupling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention in perspective
• Figs. 5a to 5c shows a coupling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention arranged in the corner fittings of two containers for lashing of two containers, in a neutral condition;
• Figs. 5d to 5g shows a coupling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention arranged in the corner fittings of two containers, in a condition where an unintentional movement has activated the locking means of the coupling device;
• Figs. 6a to 6f shows a coupling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention where a desired relative movement is utilized for removing an engagement portion of the coupling device from a corner fitting;
• Figs. 7a and 7b shows two containers and a detailed view of a coupling device engaged in a corner fitting. Detailed description of preferred embodiments
• a coupling device 1 comprising a housing 25 is shown in for example figs 2b and 3b.
• the housing 25 comprises engagement means 42 which together with at least a part of the housing 25 forms a first engaging portion 2 which is intended to assist in holding the coupling device 1 in a first corner fitting 26 of a first container 27 (shown in fig 7a) .
• a second engaging portion 3 for holding the coupling device 1 in a second corner fitting 28 of a second container 29, is arranged at a substantially opposite end of the coupling device in relation to the housing 25.
• the second engaging portion 3 is arranged at an end of an axle 30, which extends into the housing 25 of the coupling device 1.
• the axle 30 is provided with a spring 31 which acts to bring the second engaging portion 3 into a neutral position when no external forces acts upon the second engaging portion 3.
• the first engaging portion 2 When lashing two containers together, the first engaging portion 2 is usually inserted first into a lower first corner fitting 26 of a first container 27. Usually, one coupling device is inserted in the four lower corner fittings of the container. After the first engaging portions 2 of the coupling devices have been brought to a holding condition in the first corner fittings 26, the first container 27 is usually lowered with a movement downwardly against a second container 29 by means of e.g. a crane, in order to insert the second engaging portions 3 into the upper second corner fittings 28 of the second container 29. When both engaging portions 2,3 are secured in a respective corner fitting 26,28, the first and sec- ond containers 27,29 (shown in fig 7a) are now lashed together.
• the coupling device 1 is a so called "fully automatic twist-lock", wherein the second engaging portion 3 rotates both during insertion and release of the coupling device 1 with the corner fitting 28 of a second container 29.
• the second engaging portion 3 rotates in an opposite direction when being released as compared to being inserted into the corner fitting 28.
• the required rotational movement of second engaging portion 3 for insertion and release is in this embodiment approximately 90° in both directions from the neutral position of the second engaging portion 3.
• the neutral position of the second engaging portion is the position it takes when no external forces acts upon it. In the neutral position the second engaging portion 3 may not be removed from the corner fitting 28 without altering its position .
• the guide part 45 of the second engaging portion 3 may be provided with a cam portion 50, the eccentric part of the cam 50 has essentially the same extending direc- tion as the eccentricity of the guide part 45, in relation to the axis 47 of the shaft 30.
• the screw-shaped flange of the guide part 45 can be described as a double acting twist cone, which is asymmetric oriented in relation to the rotation axis of the second engaging portion 3.
• the double acting twist cone drives, in the automatic condition, the second engaging portion 3 to rotate both during engaging and release of the coupling 1 with the corner fitting, wherein the vertical movement of the coupling 1 partly is transformed to a forced rotation of the engaging portion 3.
• the eccentricity and the cam 50 cooperates during unloading of a container to force the container to move in a sideway direction.
• the cam 50 and the eccentric twist cone acts in a different way during loading since the rotation is in the opposite direction.
• the coupling device 1 may further comprise a section 4 arranged between the two engaging portions 2,3. This section 4 is, in use, arranged to be positioned between the two stacked containers 27,29, and hence, creates a space between the two containers .
• chamfer 53 provided at the lower part of the section 4 to permit the coupling 1 to move upwards and sideway, during unloading in the automatic condition.
• the first engag- ing portion 2 of coupling devices according to the invention are usually mounted in the holes of the four lower corner fittings 26 of the first container 27 to be loaded.
• the design of the housing 25 and the engagement means 42 allows the coupling device to be securely held in the corner fitting 26.
• a crane or other lifting device lifts the first container 27 above the second container 29 and the first container 27 is lowered straight down on to the second container 29.
• the second engaging portion 3 of the cou- pling device 1 will rotate clockwise, seen from below, due to the contact between the edges of the hole and the rotation guide path of the second engaging portion 3.
• the guide part 45 will perform a rotation and a longitudinal movement. This is since the core 46 of the guide part 45 is eccentrically located from the rotation axis 47 of the shaft 30. Since the guide part 45 moves generally in the oblong direction of the hole the first container can be lowered vertically straight down onto the second container during engagement between the second engaging por- tion 3 and the hole of the upper corner fitting 28 of the second container 29.
• a lifting device is used for lifting the first container 27 from the second container 29 with the prescribed movement.
• the pitch of the second guide surface 49 of the guiding part 45 will cause the second engaging portion 3 to rotate in a counter clockwise direction, seen from below.
• the second engaging portion rotates the translation path of the cam 50 will interact with the long side of the hole and push the housing 25 side ways.
• the housing 25 and the first container 27 will be forced to move with a horizontal component in a direction parallel to the short side of the container during unloading.
• the coupling devices 1 will follow the lifted container since they are coupled in the corner fittings 26 of the first container 27 by use of the first engaging portion 2. All four couplings will move upwards and side ways at the same time, and they will await each other if necessary.
• the pitch of the guide surface 49 of the guide part 45 converts the vertical lifting movement to a driving rotation of the second engaging portion 3, and this driving rotation is used by the geometry of the guiding part 45 to force the housing 25 in a direction with a horizontal component.
• the neutral rotation position is achieved by a spring 31 acting on the shaft 30, and it makes the second engaging portion 3 return to the neutral position from a rotated position both clockwise and counterclockwise from the neutral position.
• a washer 5 (movable part) is rotatably arranged in relation to an upper portion 8 of the axle 30.
• the washer 5 comprises an engagement means or a locking tooth 22 and a locking device 6 is arranged in the housing 25.
• the locking device 6, which in this embodiment comprises a lock lug 23, is fixedly arranged in relation to the housing 25 of the coupling device.
• the lock lug 23 is made as an integral part of the housing 25.
• the lock lug 23 is positioned in the same central plane as the locking tooth 22 of the washer 5, wherein said central plane extends in a direction perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal axis of the axle portion.
• the arrangement is such that the locking tooth 22 of the washer 5 can be brought into engagement with the lock lug 23 of the locking device 6.
• the connection portion 8 of the axle 30 has a shape which, when viewed in top-view, is similar to a keyhole, i.e.
• connection portion 8 a substantially circular part 13 and an elongate part 18 extending at substantially opposite sides of the upper connection portion 8 of the axle 30.
• the washer 5 is arranged with an aperture or a through hole 12 with a circular portion 14 corresponding to the circular part 13 of the axle portion 8.
• the key shaped part (13 and 18) of the axle portion 8 may extend into the aperture in such a way that the circular portion 14 of the aperture is filled by the circular part 13 of the connection portion 8 to provide an axis of rotation 21 of washer 5, and hence locking tooth 22, which is eccentric in relation to the axis 43 of the axle 30, and conse- quently connection portion 8.
• a part 18 of connection portion 8 is designed in a somewhat elongate manner and extends into the aperture portion 15 which extends from the circular part 13. The part 18 fills only approximately half of the portion 15 of aperture 12 when viewed in axial direction of the washer 5 and provides for a limited angular movement of washer 5.
• the washer 5 has a weight which gives the washer 5 a certain inertia against movement. Thereby, the washer 5 functions as an inertia member.
• Spring means 10 is ar- ranged in relation to the washer 5 and the connection portion 8 (or axle 30) in such a manner that the washer 5 and the axle 30 will rotate in conjunction, as long as the external force acting upon the axle 30 is not to sudden or to strong so that it overcomes the spring force holding the washer/inertia member 5 and the axle portion 8 in their initial relative positions.
• connection portion 8 will rotate and the rotational axis 21 for the washer 5 will be positioned in a new relative position in relation to the connection portion 8.
• the washer 5 will rotate relative connection portion 8 under the effect of spring means 10, which " brings the locking to cease and returns the locking tooth 22 to a position where it does not abut lock lug 23.
• Figs 4 to 6f discloses a second embodiment of the present invention.
• the coupling device according to this embodiment also comprises an upper connection portion 8 with an elongate part 18 and a circular portion 13, a washer 5 (movable part) with an aperture 12 and spring means 10.
• the coupling device according to this embodiment also comprises a movable unit 24 which is arranged in the housing 25 of the coupling device 1.
• the movable unit 24 is linearly movable inside the housing 25.
• the axle 30 comprises an abutment por- tion 11 which is arranged below the upper connection portion 8.
• the movable unit 24 comprises a recess 32 which, when no external force acts upon the movable unit, is positioned such that the abutment portion and hence the axle 30 may rotate the required amount for insertion and removing of the second engaging portion 3 of the coupling device 1 from a corner fitting 28.
• the movable unit 24 is further provided with a lip 33.
• the axle 30 will be hindered in its movement so that it will not be able to rotate the required amount for insertion or removal of the second engaging portion 3 from a corner fitting 28.
• an intended rotation of the axle 30 when an intended rotation of the axle 30 occurs, it may be carried out with such an acceleration that the washer 5 is not displaced in relation to the axle portion 8.
• the locking tooth 22 may not engage the lip 33 and the movable unit 24 is not displaced, as is shown in figs ⁇ a to ⁇ f .
• connection portion 8 and the washer 5 and its attached engagement means may be arranged in any alternative manner that provides for a limited angular movement for the engagement means about an eccentric axis.
• the engagement means does not need to have a rotatable movement.
• the movement may as well be a linear axial or radial displacement movement which brings the engagement means into engagement with a locking device when unintentional relative movement of a first and second container (first and second engaging portions) take place.
• the coupling device 1 has been illustrated with a housing. It is however not a necessary design and if a housing is present, it may be shaped in many alternative ways. It may not even need to be a housing present, since the first engaging portion 2 may have a similar shape as the second engaging portion 3. If no housing is present, the locking means may be arranged with the same parts and functionality as described above, but being arranged as a separate unit at the coupling device.
• the engagement means and locking device 6 have been illustrated as a locking tooth 22 and a lock lug 23, re- spectively.
• either the locking device 6 or the engagement means 22 of the washer 5 may comprise several locking projections or other portions that may be brought into engagement. With several locking projections on either or both of the engagement means and the locking de- vice, the first and second engaging portions may be locked in several relative positions in relation to each other .
• the present invention has been described in relation ⁇ to a fully automatic coupling device. However, it may also be utilised in a semi-automatic coupling device, in which it may prevent alteration of condition of the engaging portion which is not to be unlocked manually.
• the coupling device according to the present invention may also be provided with maneuvering means for manual prevention of relative movement between the first and second engaging portions.
• maneuvering means may have many different configurations, but the intention is to enable prevention of relative movement between the first and second engaging portions, that does not exceed a certain limit rotary acceleration.
• Such prevention of movement may for example be useful in situations where it may be desirable to lift two, or more, interconnected containers simultaneously in a so called tandem lift. It may also be useful in order to avoid the risks of slamming, since a manual prevention of relative movements between the first and second engaging portions also prevents movement caused by slamming.
• One manner in how to arrange such maneuvering means may be to provide a wire attached to the axle 30, which in turn is attached to the second engaging portion 3.
• a section of the housing 25 may comprise two interconnected openings, through which the wire may extend and an end knob, attached to the wire, may be positioned outside the housing 25. Due to the interconnection between the two openings in the section of the housing, the maneuvering means may be brought between two different conditions .
• the coupling device When the wire extends through the first opening, the coupling device may be in its fully automatic condition. However, if an operator alters the position of the maneuvering means such that the wire extends through the second opening, the second engaging portion 3 will be forced to rotate clockwise, seen from below, due to the connection between the wire and axle 30. This forced rotation may for example bring two substantially horizontal surfaces of the coupling device 1 to be directed towards, or be in contact with, surfaces surrounding the oval hole of the corner fitting 28 of the second container 29.
• the coupling device 1 Since no guide path of the coupling device in this position is in contact, or will come in contact with the corner fitting 28 if a force acts upon either of the containers 27,29 or the coupling device 1, the fully automatic condition of the coupling device 1 is disabled. Hence, the coupling device 1 is now positioned in a locked condition and it may be possible to lift two interconnected containers, even with the prescribed movement for disengaging the coupling device 1, without dis- engaging the second engaging portion 3 from the corner fitting 28.
• the coupling device may also be set back to its fully automatic condition by operation of the maneuvering means back to the first opening provided in section 4. Another manner in how such a manual locking may be established is to provide a lever which is, when a manual locking is desired, arranged to obstruct the movement of the washer 5.
• This may be achieved by a lever extending from the section of the housing so that an operator may maneuver it. The other end of the lever may then upon the maneuvering of the operator be brought into engagement with a recess or projection at the washer 5 and thereby obstruct the movement of the washer.
• the washer 5 When the axle 30 thereafter rotates, the washer 5 will not be able to rotate in conjunction with the connection portion 8, and locking of the second engaging portion will be estab- lished.
• a third manner in how to provide a manual locking is to provide a projecting nose in relation to the movable unit 24 in the second embodiment described above.
• This projecting nose may project outside the housing and func- tion as orientation means. Due to the design of the housing 25 it is possible to insert the first engaging portion 2 into the corner fitting with two alternative orientations. The coupling device 1 is rotated 180° between the two alternative orientations . In a first orien- tation, the nose is then positioned against one of the side openings 40,40' of the corner fitting 26, and the nose may therefore protrude through the side opening.
• the recess 32 of the movable unit 24 may be positioned such that the abutment portion 11 of the axle 30 is able to rotate during insertion and removal of the second engaging portion 3 without abutting the movable unit 24.
• the function of the coupling device 1 will be fully automatic.
• the coupling device 1 is rotated 180° when inserted into the first corner fitting 26 the projecting nose has no side opening to protrude through and it will therefore abut a side wall 41 of the corner fit- ting 26. Since the projecting nose now abuts a side wall of the corner fitting, the movable unit 24 will be forced to make a linear displacement. The linear displacement is such that an abutment portion of the movable unit 24 becomes positioned adjacent the axle 30.
• the second engaging portion 3 rotates, as when the second engaging portion 3 is removed from its corner fitting 28, the abutment portion 11 of the axle 30 will abut the abutment portion of the movable unit 24. Hence, further rotation of the axle 30 and, consequently, of the second engaging portion 3 will be prevented.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Snaps, Bayonet Connections, Set Pins, And Snap Rings (AREA)
• Connection Of Plates (AREA)

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Citations (4)

• 2006
  • 2006-08-02 CN CNA2006101084245A patent/CN101058363A/zh active Pending
• 2007
  • 2007-03-14 WO PCT/SE2007/000241 patent/WO2007120094A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2007-04-18 TW TW96113707A patent/TW200815257A/zh unknown

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