WO2018138202A1

WO2018138202A1 - Coupling piece for securing two containers stacked one on top of the other, in particular on board ships

Info

Publication number: WO2018138202A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/051832
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Bederke
Original assignee: Sec Ship´S Equipment Centre Bremen Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2017-01-26
Filing date: 2018-01-25
Publication date: 2018-08-02
Also published as: DE202017100425U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling piece (10) for securing two containers stacked one on top of the other, in particular on board ships, having a first coupling projection (11), which is designed such that it engages in a corner fitting of the one container and a second coupling projection, (12) which is designed such that it engages in a corner fitting of the other container, and having a prelocking device (17), which is allocated to the first coupling projection (11) and which has a prelocking position in which the coupling piece (10) is secured against inadvertent dropping from the corner fitting on the one container when it is inserted and has an operational position in which the first coupling projection (11) can be introduced into the corner fitting of the one container or can be removed from the corner fitting of the one container, characterised in that the prelocking device (17) comprises a locking pawl (18) which is pretensioned in the direction of the prelocking position and, when the first coupling projection (11) is inserted in the corner fitting of the one container, can move automatically into the operational position.

Description

description

Coupling piece for securing two containers stacked on top of one another, in particular on board ships

Coupling piece for securing two stacked containers, in particular on board ships, with a first coupling projection which is formed so that it engages in a corner fitting of a container, and a second coupling projection, which is formed so that it is in a Corner fitting of the other container engages, and with a Vorverriegelungseinrichtung which is associated with the first coupling projection and a Vorverriegelungsstellung in which the coupling piece against accidental falling out of the corner fitting of a container is safe when it is inserted there, and has an actuating position, in which the first coupling projection in the corner fitting of a container insertable or can be removed from the corner fitting of a container.

Such dome pieces are known in different forms for different applications for securing containers on board seagoing ships during the voyage. The forms used include twiststackers, manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic twistlocks and midlocks. Twiststackers are used to secure 20-foot containers loaded on ships in cell stands for 40-foot containers against horizontal displacement, without being secured against vertical lifting (at least this is not necessary in practice and therefore becomes not done). Twistlocks serve to secure, namely connect, containers loaded on the deck of a ship both against horizontal displacement and against lifting. Midlocks are used in conjunction with manual or semi-automatic twistlocks whenever 20-foot containers are loaded into 40-foot container slots. In such a case remains between two successively loaded 20-foot containers only a gap of 76 mm, which is not accessible for a stevedores for manually unlocking the container. Common to all these coupling pieces is that they have a first coupling projection and a second coupling projection, each engaging in a corner fitting of the one or the other container.

If a container is loaded on board a ship, it is first lifted in the harbor by a crane. On land, a stevedores sets the dome pieces each with their first coupling projection in the lower corner fittings of the container. This first coupling projection is therefore also referred to in practice as the upper coupling projection. The crane now lifts the container aboard the ship and places it on an already loaded container. In this case, the respective second coupling projection of the coupling pieces is inserted into the associated upper corner fitting of the lower container. This coupling projection is therefore also referred to as the lower coupling projection.

If a container is unloaded (unloaded), it is lifted by the crane. However, manual and semi-automatic coupling pieces must first be manually unlocked by a jam before the lower coupling projection can be pulled out of the upper corner fitting of the lower container and the upper container can thus be raised. The container will now be heaved ashore again. Here, a stevedores removes the dome pieces before the container is removed.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the dome pieces both during loading and unloading of the container hang freely in the lower corner fittings of the upper container and secured against accidental falling out (pre-locked) must be in order to endanger sturgeons or sailors by falling dome pieces. To ensure this pre-locking, different Vorverriegelungseinrichtungen are known. For example, so-called positive locking devices are known, which must be manually pre-locked both before and after unlocking. These are complicated to handle. To avoid this disadvantage is known from DE 10 2012 201 797 B3 a coupling piece, in which the upper coupling projection is effectively screwed into the container corner and is supported by undercut surfaces on the lower slot of the corner fitting of the upper container. This coupling piece was easy to read Screw it into the lower corner fitting of the upper container and turn it out again after unloading. The coupling piece is sufficiently secured against falling out, as long as no external forces act on the coupling piece, which turn it back. If, however, the coupling piece collides with an obstacle (for example, an adjacent container) during loading and unloading, there is a risk that the elements will undergo a reverse rotation and fall out of the lower corner fitting unintentionally.

On this basis, the invention is based on the problem of providing an easy-to-use and at the same time secure pre-locking for a coupling piece.

To solve this problem, the coupling piece according to the invention is characterized in that the Vorverriegelungseinrichtung has a biased toward the Vorverriegelungsstellung and when inserting the first coupling projection (1 1) in the corner fitting of a container automatically movable into the actuating position pawl. The stevedore then does not need to manually operate the pawl when he inserts the coupling piece in the corner fitting, but only if he removes the coupling piece from the corner fitting after unloading the container from the ship.

To achieve that the pawl when inserting the coupling piece in the corner fitting is automatically moved into the operating position, the pawl may be provided according to a structural embodiment of the invention with an oblique outer surface, such that the pawl is wider when the first coupling projection in the corner fitting of a container is introduced. Due to the oblique outer surface, the pawl is automatically pressed when inserting the coupling piece in the corner fitting in the operating position.

The biasing force preferably acts on the pawl in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling piece. In this case, the biasing force acts approximately in the same direction as the movement of the pawl from the operating position to the pre-locking position and is thus optimally utilized. According to a further structural embodiment, the pawl may be formed so that it bridges a game between the first coupling projection and an inner side of a slot in the associated corner fitting when the upper coupling projection is inserted into the corner fitting. As a result, an unintentional twisting of the coupling piece in a position in which it may accidentally fall out of the corner fitting prevents constructive simple manner.

In order to provide the biasing force on the pawl, an elastic element is particularly suitable. This may be a compression spring and / or a (moss) rubber element. Of course, two or more elastic elements can be used parallel to each other. Further, the biasing force could also be provided by gravity or magnetic forces. After a concrete structural design of the invention is the

Pawl is guided through a recess in a shaft of the first (upper) coupling projection and abuts with a pivot bearing and with a lever arm opposite the pivot bearing on an inner wall of an inner bore through the shaft, but without being firmly connected to the shaft. As a result, the pawl is free to move and can rotate in the operating position to the pivot bearing, but also to the hand lever or linearly. Furthermore, a combination of these motion components is possible. As a result, the force required to automatically move the pawl into the operating position when inserting the coupling piece in the corner fitting is minimized.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawing show:

1 shows a coupling piece with the features of the invention in side view,

FIG. 2 shows the coupling piece according to FIG. 1 in front view, FIG. 3 shows the coupling piece according to FIG. 1 in plan view,

Figure 4 shows the coupling piece according to Figure 1 in a vertical section in the plane

IV - IV according to FIG. 3.

The illustrated Ausluhrungsbeispiel a coupling piece 10 of the invention shows a so-called fully automatic twistlock (Fully Automatic Twistlock - FAT), as it is used to connect two stacked and loaded on the deck of a container ship container. However, the invention can equally well be used in conjunction with semi-automatic twistlocks, manual twistlocks, midlocks and twiststackers.

The coupling piece 10 has a first, upper coupling projection 11 and a second, lower coupling projection 12. Between the upper coupling projection 1 1 and the lower coupling projection 12 a pronounced, flange-shaped stop plate 13 is arranged in the present case. But there are also known coupling pieces, in which the stop plate 13 is reduced to a bead which engages in a groove formed by the phases on the slot of two consecutive corner fittings.

The upper coupling projection 1 1, starting from the stop plate 13 on a shaft 14, to which a support plate 15 connects. Both the shaft 14 and the support plate 15 are trapezoidal in the present case, as can be clearly seen in the plan view of Figure 3. The support plate 15 protrudes T-like over the shaft 14. This results in the underside of the support plate 15 bearing surfaces 16 with which the support plate 15 engages behind the slot on the underside of a corner fitting, so that the coupling piece 10 does not fall out of the corner fitting while it hangs on the crane and safely during the sea transport with the associated Corner fitting remains connected.

If a container is to be loaded on board a ship, it is picked up by a crane. While the container is at a comfortable working height from the crane is raised, sets a stowage in each lower corner fitting of this container a coupling piece 10 a. In this case, the upper coupling projection is inserted into the respective corner fitting, specifically by its located on the underside of the corner fitting slot. In this case, the coupling piece 10 is rotated so that the support plate 15 can be inserted through the slot at the bottom of the corner fitting, namely approximately in the position shown in Figure 3. The rotation of the coupling piece 10 takes place about its vertical longitudinal axis, ie about an axis perpendicular to the bottom plane of the container. As soon as the upper coupling projection completely into the lower corner fitting of

Containers is introduced, the coupling piece 10 is rotated back again, so according to the plan view in the figure 3 counterclockwise, so that engages behind the slot in the corner fitting in the support plate 15 with their support surfaces 16. In that regard, this process corresponds to the procedure, as well as the coupling piece is used according to DE 10 2012 201 797 B3.

However, the coupling piece must not unintentionally turn back and thereby accidentally fall out of the corner fitting, while the container is then heaved on board the ship. Otherwise, people such as stevedores or sailors would be endangered. In the coupling piece according to DE 10 2012 201 797 B3 therefore hi nterschnei-ended surfaces are provided to prevent such turning back. This works reliably as long as the coupling piece is not turned back by the action of external forces, such as by abutment against an adjacent container or other obstacle.

The coupling piece 10 according to the invention goes another way:

In the region of the shaft 14, a locking pawl 18 is provided as a pre-locking device 17, which is guided through a corresponding recess 19 in the shaft 14. Specifically, in the upper coupling projection 11, in the present case also extending through the stop plate 13 Inner bore 20 in the interior of the coupling piece 10. The recess 19 is arranged in the casing 21 formed by the inner bore 20 in the shaft.

The pawl 18 has a pivot bearing 22, which engages behind the recess 19 and rests against the inside of the inner bore 20, as can be clearly seen in Figure 4. On the side opposite the Drehlagcr 22 side of the pawl 18, a lever 23 is provided. The pawl 18 facing the (upper) portion of the hand lever 23 also abuts on the inside of the inner bore 20 as long as the pawl 18 is in the extended position shown in Figure 4.

An elastic element, in the illustrated embodiment, a compression spring 24, pushes the pawl 18 toward the outside of the shaft 14, so that the pivot bearing 22 and the upper part of the hand lever 23 are pressed against the inner wall of the inner bore 20. This is the position shown in FIG. The compression spring 24 pushes the pawl 18 in the illustration according to the figure 4 so to the right.

So that the compression spring 24 does not slip, 21 receptacles for the compression spring 24 are provided both on the pawl 18 and on the mantle. In the illustrated embodiment, the pawl 18 has a pin 25, over which the compression spring 24 is slipped. In the casing 21 a funnel-shaped bore 26 is provided in the present case, which serves as a seat for the other end of the compression spring 24. Of course, other receptacles for the pressure spring 24 are suitable. Thus, for example, both shell 21 and pawl 18 may be formed with a bore 26 or a pin 25 or the pawl with a bore and the jacket with a pin. Also blind holes instead of a funnel-like bore are conceivable, which, however, are difficult to manufacture manufacturing technology. Instead of the compression spring 24 and other elastic elements, such as a (moss) Gummielcment conceivable. Further, the pawl may also be biased by other suitable means towards the pre-locking position, for example by gravity, in which case a suitable (counter) weight should be applied to the pawl. The compression spring is in the present case as Spiral spring shown. Of course, other compression springs are suitable, such as a plate spring package, a leaf spring or the like.

The pawl 18 is provided in the present case with an oblique outer surface 27, so that the pawl 18 of the support plate 15 in the direction of the stop plate

13 is getting thicker. This can be clearly seen in FIG. The deeper the upper coupling projection 11 is thus inserted into the lower corner fitting of the upper container, the wider the pawl 18 is due to the oblique outer surface 27. When the upper coupling projection 1 1 is now inserted into the lower slot of the corner fitting, the pawl 18 due the oblique outer surface 27 pressed against the force of the compression spring 24 inwardly in the direction of the inner bore 20, so that the sound 14 can be inserted into the slot. Due to the comparatively flat angle of the oblique outer surface 27, only a small force is required for pushing the shaft 14 into the elongated hole of the corner fitting. The coupling piece 10 is now rotated back again, and again in the vertical longitudinal axis of the coupling piece 10 (an axis perpendicular to the bottom plane of the container). The stevedores need in this situation so nothing more to do than introduce the coupling piece in the manner known to him analogous to the coupling piece according to DE 10 2012 201 797 B3.

Once the coupling piece 10 is inserted into the corner fitting and turned back, creates a game between the outside of the shaft in the region of the pawl 18

14 (casing 21) and the inside of the slot in the corner fitting. Therefore, the compression spring 24 presses the pawl again outward, so that the protruding pawl 18 according to Figure 4 bridges this game. Optionally, the pawl 18 and the compression spring 24 may be designed so that the pawl 18 is pressed with a certain bias against the inside of the slot. The dome piece 10 is characterized reliably against unwanted twisting about its vertical longitudinal axis in the position in which the coupling piece 10 could fall out of the corner fitting, secured and thus pre-locked. This position is therefore referred to in the context of the present invention as Vorverriegelungsstellung and is shown in Figure 4. If the coupling piece 10 is to be removed from the corner fitting again after the container has been unloaded, the stoward engages from below into the inner bore 20 and presses the hand lever 23 inwards, for example, with the thumb. The pawl 18 now rotates from the pre-locking position shown in Figure 4 against the force of the compression spring 24 in a clockwise direction about the pivot bearing 22, so that the game between the shaft 14 and the inside of the slot is released again. This position is referred to as operating position in the sense of the present invention. The stevedores can now turn the coupling piece back into the position shown in FIG. 3 and remove it from the corner fitting or slot.

As can also be clearly seen in FIG. 4, the rotary bearing 22 is formed by a simple tongue, which rests against the internal transformation of the inner bore 20. The pawl 18 is thereby very freely movable when pushing into the shaft 14. It can rotate about the pivot bearing 22 or horizontally displaced inwardly against the force of the compression spring 24 or a combination of these two movements. A tilting or Verzwängen the pawl 18 when pushing in are avoided, which also reduces the effort required for the stevedores. In order to allow the pawl easy turning around the pivot bearing 22, it is provided with a corresponding obliquely extending bottom 28.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 dome piece

11 coupling projection

12 coupling projection

13 stop plate

14 shaft

15 support plate

16 contact surface

17 pre-locking device

18 pawl

19 recess

20 inner bore

21 coat

22 pivot bearings

23 hand lever

24 compression spring

25 cones

26 hole

27 outer surface

28 bottom

Claims

claims

Coupling piece (10) for securing two containers stacked on top of one another, in particular on board ships, having a first coupling projection (11) which is designed such that it engages in a corner fitting of the one container, and a second coupling projection (12). is formed so that it engages in a corner fitting of the other container, and with a Vorverriegelungseinrichtung (17), which is associated with the first coupling projection (1 1) and a Vorverri egelungsstel 1 ung, in which the coupling piece (10) against unwanted Falling out of the corner fitting of a container is safe, if it is used there, and has an operating position in which the first coupling ungsvorsprung (1 1) in the corner fitting of a container einiührbar or from the corner fitting of a container is removed, thereby characterized in that the Vorverri gel ungsei nrichtung

(17) has a biased towards the Vorverriegelungsstellung and upon insertion of the first coupling projection (1 1) in the corner fitting of a container automatically movable into the actuating position pawl (18).

Coupling piece (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pawl

(18) is provided with an oblique outer surface (27), such that the pawl (18) is wider when the first coupling projection (1 1) is inserted into the corner fitting of a container.

Coupling piece (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the biasing force in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the coupling piece (10) acts on the pawl (18).

Coupling piece (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pawl (18) is formed so that it is a game bridged between the first coupling projection (1 1) and an inner side of a slot in the associated corner fitting when the upper coupling projection (1 1) is inserted into the corner fitting.

5. Coupling piece (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pawl (18) is biased by an elastic element, preferably a compression spring (24) and / or a (moss) rubber element in the direction of the Vorverriegelungsstellung.

6. coupling piece (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pawl (18) through a recess (19) in a shaft (14) of the first coupling projection (1 1) is guided and with a pivot bearing (22) and with a hand lever (23) opposite the rotary bearing (22) abuts against an inner wall of an inner bore (20) through the shaft (14), without, however, being fixedly connected to the shaft (14).