WO2019090395A1

WO2019090395A1 - Twist lock recovery tool and system

Info

Publication number: WO2019090395A1
Application number: PCT/AU2018/051209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chris O'Dwyer; David Robin BEAN; Ruben FITZSIMONS
Original assignee: Modalinta Pte Limited
Priority date: 2017-11-09
Filing date: 2018-11-09
Publication date: 2019-05-16

Abstract

A tool for releasing a malfunctioning semi-automatic twist lock from a shipping container corner casting; a first component of the tool comprising a body located in a front aperture of a corner casting of a shipping container for use; the body including a projection adjustable from a first retracted position to a second extended position.

Description

TWIST LOCK RECOVERY TOOL AND SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for securing shipping containers and, more particularly to the management of semi-automatic twist locks.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Over the last decades the transport of goods both within countries, but particularly for transport by ship, has increasingly made use of steel shipping containers built to standardised ISO dimensions and specifications.

[0003] These containers are secured on transport

vehicles by locking them to the load bed of the vehicle, and to the decks of ships with special fittings provided for that purpose. In addition, on container cargo ships, shipping containers may be stacked to multiple levels with successive higher containers in a stack secured to the container below it .

[0004] The mechanisms used to secure one container to another are known as twist locks which operate to lock corner castings at the lower corners of one container to upper corner castings of the container below it.

[0005] A type of twist lock in common use is the so- called semi-automatic twist lock, such as the MacGregor semi-automatic twist lock. These are placed in each of the upper four corner castings of a container (or the twist lock fitting on a vehicle load bed or deck) which are to receive a next container on top of it, and are

automatically brought into a locking condition when the next container is lowered into position on one below.

[0006] While the locking operation is automatic, the semi-automatic twist locks must be manually unlocked to allow a container to be lifted from the deck or from a supporting container below it. Release is effected by pulling on a release wire against an inner spring, biased to maintain the semi-automatic twist lock in its locked condition .

[0007] Problems arise however if the release mechanism is impaired, for example by incorrect initial installation of the semi-automatic twist lock, crushing of its release pod, inner spring failure or even missing wires or other parts of the release mechanism.

[0008] Another known problem arises when the release wire, though intact, has stretched to the point where sufficient rotation of the lower cone of the semi-automatic twist lock is impossible. AU2014224129 discloses a device

(shown in Fig. 1 Prior Art) for clamping the wire in a sufficiently extended position. A problem with this

arrangement is that it relies on friction of the clamping fork. Another disadvantage is that the device is suspended from, and projects from the corner casting while the container is lifted. It is also difficult to be sure in advance of lifting that the retaining lower cone of the semi-automatic twist lock has been turned sufficiently to release that corner of the container.

[0009] Another problem with this arrangement is that it is not effective for most other failure modes and hence is restricted in its usefulness.

[00010] Another known method of solving the problem is to apply a wedge which is left in the lower corner during the move, but this method frequently results in the wedge catching or dislodging with the result that the twist lock re-engages, requiring a second attempt, or the wedge falls out; a safety hazard to workers and property.

[00011] Yet a further approach is to wedge the lower corner with debris, but this has similar issues to that above and is frequently ineffective. [00012] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above

disadvantages or provide a useful alternative.

Notes

[00013] The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".

[00014] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[00015] Accordingly, in a first broad form of the

invention, there is provided a tool for releasing a

malfunctioning semi-automatic twist lock from a shipping container corner casting; a first component of the tool comprising a body located in a front aperture of a corner casting of a shipping container for use; the body including a projection adjustable from a first retracted position to a second extended position.

[00016] Preferably, the malfunctioning semi-automatic twist lock is located between a lower corner casting of a higher container and an upper corner casting of a lower container or between the higher container and a semiautomatic twist lock fitting of a transport vehicle.

[00017] Preferably, a second component of the tool comprises a lever insertable into an upper or the lower corner casting through a side or front aperture; the lever having a distal end shaped to rotate the upper cone into an orientation in which the lower cone can pass through a slot in an upper face of the upper corner casting.

[00018] Preferably, the orientation for release is determined by thickness of a distal end of the second component; the orientation of the upper cone reached when the distal end is inserted between the upper cone of the semi-automatic twist lock and an internal surface of the lower corner casting.

[00019] Preferably, the body is provided with a threaded sleeve; a headed bolt passing through the threaded sleeve.

[00020] Preferably, the projection comprises a jamming plate captive at a distal end of the headed bolt.

[00021] Preferably, the headed bolt is rotated to advance or retract the jamming plate by rotation of a driving sleeve in sliding engagement with the head of the headed bolt.

[00022] Preferably, the jamming plate is advanced into contact with the upper cone to lock the upper cone of the semi-automatic twist lock in the orientation determined by the insertion of the second component.

[00023] Preferably, the orientation of the upper cone of the semi-automatic twist lock as determined by insertion of the second component of the tool leaves the upper cone sufficiently transverse to a slot in a lower face of the lower corner casting to retain the upper cone within the lower corner casting.

[00024] Preferably, wherein a proximate end of the second component is provided with a feeler gauge; the feeler gauge sized to fit between an internal surface of an upper corner casting and the lower cone of the semi-automatic twist lock when the lower cone is in an orientation allowing release of the lower cone from the upper corner casting.

[00025] In another broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of releasing a lower cone of a malfunctioning semi-automatic twist lock from an upper corner casting of a shipping container or from a twist lock fitting of a transport vehicle; the malfunctioning twist lock located between the upper corner casting or twist lock fitting and a lower corner casting of a higher container; the method including the steps of:

- Placing a first component of a semi-automatic twist lock recovery tool into a front aperture of a lower corner casting,

- Inserting a distal^* end of a second component of the semi-automatic twist lock recovery tool through a side aperture of the lower corner casting to force an upper cone of the semi-automatic twist lock into an orientation at which the lower cone of the semiautomatic twist lock is in a release position,

- Advancing a projection of the first component of the recovery tool to lock the upper cone of the semiautomatic twist lock into the orientation induced by the second component of the recovery tool,

- Removing the second component from the lower corner casting .

[00026] Preferably, the method includes the further steps of:

- After removal of the second component from the lower corner casting, reversing the second component to insert a feeler gauge end of the second component into a front aperture of the upper corner casting, -Checking that the feeler gauge end fits between an

inner surface of the upper corner casting and the lower cone of the semi-automatic twist lock.

[00027] Preferably, the projection of the first component of the recovery tool is advanced by rotation of a driving sleeve; the driving sleeve in sliding engagement with a headed bolt passing through a threaded sleeve in a body of the first component.

[00028] Preferably, the distal end of the second

component is of a thickness and shape that when the distal end is forced between the inside surface of the lower corner casting and the upper cone the lower cone is rotated into a release orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00029] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein :

[00030] Figure 1 (prior art) showing a device for

restraining the release mechanism of a semi-automatic twist lock,

[00031] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a corner casting for ISO shipping containers,

[00032] Figure 3 is a side view of a semi-automatic twist lock such as the subject of Figure 1,

[00033] Figure 4 is an end view of the semi-automatic twist lock of Figure 3,

[00034] Figure 5 is a plan view of the semi-automatic twist lock of Figures 3 and 4,

[00035] Figure 6 is a partially sectioned perspective view of two of the corner castings of Figure 2 locked together by the semi-automatic twist lock of Figures 3 to 5,

[00036] Figure 7 is a further view of the corner castings of Figure 6 with one of the components of a recovery tool according to the invention inserted,

[00037] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a first

component of the recovery tool according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, [00038] Figure 9 is a side view of the first component of Figure 8,

[00039] Figure 10 is a sectioned side view of the first component of Figures 8 and 9,

[00040] Figure 11 is a part sectioned plan view of the second component inserted into a lower corner casting for rotation of an upper cone of a semi-automatic twist lock,

[00041] Figure 12 is a further view of the arrangement of Figure 11 now with the first component of the recovery tool in a retracted condition, positioned into a from aperture of the lower corner casting,

[00042] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the lower corner casting of Figures 11 and 12 with a projection of the first component of the recovery tool in an extended condition and the second component of the recovery tool removed,

[00043] Figure 14 is a plan view of the lower corner casting with upper face removed showing a method of

checking rotations of the upper and lower cones of the semi-automatic twist lock,

[00044] Figure 15 is a cross section view of a further preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Preferred Embodiment

[00045] With reference to Figures 2 to 5, shipping containers built to ISO specifications, are provided at the four upper and four lower corners with castings 10 such as depicted in Figure 2. Castings 10 are provided with

apertures 12A and 12B in front and adjacent side faces 14 and 16 respectively, and with elongate slots 18 through the upper face 20 (for castings at upper corners) and at the underside 22 (not visible in Figure 2, for castings at the lower corner) .

[00046] Semi-automatic twist locks 24 shown in Figures 3 to 5, comprise a central body 26 which include a central plate 28 with upper and lower projections 30 and 32

respectively. The upper and lower projections 30, 32 are shaped to fit into the upper and lower slots 18 of the corner casting 10.

[00047] Projecting from upper projection 30 is an upper cone 34 and projecting from the lower projection 32 is a lower cone 36, the two cones interconnected by a central shaft. The base of each cone is oblong, shaped to also pass through the slots 18 in a corner casting 10. A knob 33 and release wire 35 of a release mechanism 37 project from the central plate 28, the release wire 35 acting on the central shaft to rotate it against the bias of a spring (not visible) when the knob 33 is pulled for release of the lock .

[00048] In use, the semi-automatic twist lock 24 is positioned between an upper corner casting 10B of a lower container (or of a load bed or deck) and a lower corner casting 10A of a higher container, the two corner castings being separated by the central plate 28 of the semiautomatic twist lock as shown in Figure 6. (note the release mechanism 37 is not shown for clarity in Figures 6 and 7 )

[00049] In a semi-automatic twist lock, the shoulders of the upper cone 34 are shaped so that the cone, when in the default, spring controlled orientation, that is,

transversely to the upper projection 30 as shown in Figures 3 to 5, is forced into the slot 18 of a corner casting 10 by the lowering of a onto the semi-automatic twist lock, the upper cone is forced to rotate bringing the base of the cone into an orientation which allows it to pass through the slot 18 .

[00050] As soon as the lower surface of the corner casting 10A makes contact with the central plate 28 of the semi-automatic twist lock, the spring acting on the central shaft forces the upper cone 34 back into the transverse orientation, thus locking the semi-automatic twist lock to the lower corner casting of the lowered higher container.

[00051] In this position, the lower cone 36 returns also to its default position which approaches a transverse orientation relative the slot 18 in the upper corner casting 10B of a lower shipping container, thus locking the semi-automatic twist lock to the upper casting of the lower container .

[00052] The lower cone 36 only approaches a transverse orientation because the angular orientation of the lower cone 36 is offset from that of the upper cone 34 , typically by an angle of 12-22degrees . Thus, when the cones are rotated to a position in which the base of the lower cone 36 is in alignment, or at least in a position at which it can pass through slot 18 of the upper corner casting 10B , the base of the upper cone 34 is still sufficiently

transverse to the slot 18 in its casting 10A for the semiautomatic twist lock to be retained in the lower corner casting when the higher container is lifted away.

[00053] With reference now to Figures 7 and 8 to 10, a recovery tool 40 for malfunctioning semi-automatic twist locks, is comprised of a first component 42 and a second component 44 .

[00054] The first component 42 of the tool comprises a body 43 insertable into a lower corner casting 10A of a shipping container, through aperture 12A at the front of the casting 10A . The body 43 includes a central boss 46 projecting from a plate 48 , with the body shaped at its intersection with the plate to conform to the shape of the aperture 12A. The corners of the plate 48, which project out from the body, act to retain the first component 42 in the aperture 12 by contact with the internal surface of the casting 10A.

[00055] With reference now to the sectioned side view Figure 10, the body 43 includes a central threaded sleeve 50 and a headed bolt 52 passing through the sleeve. A driving sleeve 54 has a shaped through aperture in sliding engagement with the head of the bolt- 52 so that by rotation of the driving sleeve 54, the bolt 52 may be advanced or retracted through the body 43.

[00056] A jamming plate 56 is captive at the distal end of the bolt 52 and projects inwardly from the body 43. The driving sleeve 54 projects outwardly from the body 43 to allow it to be grasped by a user when in use, but may be pushed inward to minimize projection of the driving sleeve from the casting 10A.

[00057] The mechanism of first component 42 thus provides adjustment of the jamming plate 56 from a first retracted position as shown in Figure 12, to a second extended position as shown in Figure 13.

[00058] The second component 44 comprises a lever 58, the distal end 60 of which is shaped to a thickness which, when the lever is inserted, preferably through the aperture 12B of the lower corner the casting 10A, and forced between an inner surface 62 of the casting 10A and the upper cone 34, rotates the upper cone 34 from its transverse position shown in Figures 3 to 5, to the position shown in Figure 11. In this position the upper cone 34 is still retained in the casting 10A, not in this position being able to pass through slot 18 of the casting 10A. This degree of rotation however has rotated the lower cone 36 into a position sufficiently aligned with the corresponding slot 18 in the upper corner casting 10B to allow the lower cone to pass through that slot.

[00059] With the upper cone 34 held in this position by the lever of the second component 44 (against the spring of the semi-automatic twist lock) , the driving sleeve 54 of the first component 42 is rotated clockwise to advance the jamming plate 56 against the side of the upper cone 34, thereby preventing it from rotating back to its default transverse position.

[00060] The second component 44 may now be withdrawn from the lower corner casting 10A, and reversed to act as a feeler gauge. For this purpose, the rectangular proximate end 64 is inserted into aperture 12A of the upper corner casting 10B to check that the orientation of the lower cone 36 is such as to allow the cone to pass through the slot 18 of that upper corner casting. If correct, the second component 44 is removed and the higher container may be lifted from the lower, while retaining the semi-automatic twist lock which may subsequently be removed as is usual practice .

[00061] It should be noted that the upper cone may be driven into the desired orientation by application of the first component 42 only and without first applying the lever of the second component 44, but this is a slower and less efficient method.

[00062] Although the above description has focused on the tool acting to release a semi-automatic twist lock located between corner castings of a higher and a lower container, it will be understood that the tool may equally be applied when the semi-automatic twist lock is between a lower corner casting of a container and a twist lock fitting of a container transporting vehicle. Other Embodiments

[00063] Other mechanical arrangements of the first component can be realized, such as shown in Figure 15 for example. In this arrangement, the body 142 is formed in the same manner as that described for the first preferred embodiment above, and is capable of insertion into, and retention within, an aperture of a casting 10. Again, as for the first preferred embodiment, the first component includes a projecting element, preferably in the form of a jamming plate 156 which may be advanced inwardly relative the body 142, to contact a cone of a twist lock.

[00064] In the arrangement of Figure 15, the jamming plate 156 is carried on the end of a sliding member 152 which may be advanced through the body 142. In this

embodiment however, the neither the aperture in the body through which the sliding member passes, nor the sliding member itself, are fully threaded. The aperture is provided with a spline 153 which provides clearance for serrations 155 along a portion of the sliding member 152.

[00065] When the jamming plate 156 has been brought into contact with the cone, a driving sleeve 154, similar to that of the first embodiment above, rotates the sliding member 152 to bring the 155 into engagement with the threaded portion 157 of the passage. Further rotation of the sleeve 154 and the sliding element then locks the sliding element and hence the jamming plate into position.

[00066] In still another arrangement, a sliding member, after being advance through the body of the first

component, may be locked into a position in which a

projecting element is in contact with a cone of a twist lock, (already forced into a release orientation by a second component as described above) . Locking of the sliding member, without rotation, may be achieved for example by an over-centre clamp provided in the body and acting on the sliding member.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[00067] The semi-automatic twist lock recovery tool of the system of the invention provides a means of setting a faulty semi-automatic twist lock to a release condition, regardless of any defect in the release mechanism of the semi-automatic twist lock. Thus the tool is effective even if the release mechanism is completely unserviceable.

Moreover, the compact arrangement of the first component of the tool avoids any articles dangling or projecting from the lower corners of a lifted container.

Claims

1. A tool for releasing a malfunctioning semi-automatic twist lock from a shipping container corner casting; a first component of the tool comprising a body located in a front aperture of a corner casting of a shipping container for use; the body including a projection adjustable from a first retracted position to a second extended position.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the malfunctioning semiautomatic twist lock is located between a lower corner casting of a higher container and an upper corner casting of a lower container or between the higher container and a semi-automatic twist lock fitting of a transport vehicle.

3. The tool of claim 1 or 2 wherein a second component of the tool comprises a lever insertable into an upper or the lower corner casting through a side or front aperture; the lever having a distal end shaped to rotate the upper cone into an orientation in which the lower cone can pass through a slot in an upper face of the upper corner casting.

4. The tool of claim 3 wherein the orientation for release is determined by thickness of a distal end of the second component; the orientation of the upper cone reached when the distal end is inserted between the upper cone of the semi-automatic twist lock and an internal surface of the lower corner casting.

5. The tool of claim 1 wherein the body is provided with a threaded sleeve; a headed bolt passing through the threaded sleeve.

6. The tool of claim 5 wherein the projection comprises a jamming plate captive at a distal end of the headed bolt. The tool of claim 6 wherein the headed bolt is rotated to advance or retract the jamming plate by rotation of a driving sleeve in sliding engagement with the head of the headed bolt .

The tool of claim 6 or 7 wherein the jamming plate is advanced into contact with the upper cone to lock the upper cone of the semi-automatic twist lock in the orientation determined by the insertion of the second component .

The tool of claim 8 wherein the orientation of the upper cone of the semi-automatic twist lock as

determined by insertion of the second component of the tool leaves the upper cone sufficiently transverse to a slot in a lower face of the lower corner casting to retain the upper cone within the lower corner casting. The tool of any previous claim wherein a proximate end of the second component is provided with a feeler gauge; the feeler gauge sized to fit between an

internal surface of an upper corner casting and the lower cone of the semi-automatic twist lock when the lower cone is in an orientation allowing release of the lower cone from the upper corner casting.

A method of releasing a lower cone of a malfunctioning semi-automatic twist lock from an upper corner casting of a shipping container or from a twist lock fitting of a transport vehicle; the malfunctioning twist lock located between the upper corner casting or twist lock fitting and a lower corner casting of a higher

container; the method including the steps of:

Placing a first component of a semi-automatic twist lock recovery tool into a front aperture of a lower corner casting,

Inserting a distal end of a second component of the semi-automatic twist lock recovery tool through a side aperture of the lower corner casting to force an upper cone of the semi-automatic twist lock into an orientation at which the lower cone of the semiautomatic twist lock is in a release position,

Advancing a projection of the first component of the recovery tool to lock the upper cone of the semiautomatic twist lock into the orientation induced by the second component of the recovery tool,

Removing the second component from the lower corner casting .

The method of claim 11 wherein the method includes the further steps of :

After removal of the second component from the lower corner casting, reversing the second component to insert a feeler gauge end of the second component into a front aperture of the upper corner casting, - Checking that the feeler gauge end fits between an inner surface of the upper corner casting and the lower cone of the semi-automatic twist lock.

The method of claim 11 or 12 wherein the projection of the first component of the recovery tool is advanced by rotation of a driving sleeve; the driving sleeve in sliding engagement with a headed bolt passing through a threaded sleeve in a body of the first component.

The method of claim 11 wherein the distal end of the second component is of a thickness and shape that when the distal end is forced between the inside surface of the lower corner casting and the upper cone the lower cone is rotated into a release orientation.