Device for securing a shipping container

Abstract

Title of the invention: Device for securing a shipping container. The invention relates to a device 6 for securing a container conforming to ISO 1161, comprising a tang 14 intended to be inserted into a hole 3 in a corner 2 of the container, extending beyond a wall 2P of that corner, this tang having a larger dimension L14 greater than a width of the hole and such that, in a working position, the tang extends transversely beyond opposite edges of the hole along its narrowest dimension, the device further comprising means 20, 27 for being removably locked onto said container. Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Device for mooring a shipping container

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of transport for shipping containers equipped with securing corners, in particular corners conforming to ISO 1161, referred to as "corners" or "ISO corners" in the remainder of this description. It relates in particular to lashing devices, commonly called lashing plates, designed to engage with such ISO corners.

[0002] Known bridges are generally difficult and time-consuming to set up, which goes against the requirements of the handler's work, which must be simple and quick, in order to immobilize the container for as little time as possible.

[0003] The object of the invention is to propose a lashing device whose handling is simplified, while ensuring at least the same lashing security as prior art devices.

[0004] According to the invention, a device for mooring a container equipped with corners to the conforming to ISO 1161 and equipped with a mooring hole, it comprises a body, provided with a longitudinal axis, and a ring fixed to the rear of the body, the body comprising:

[0005] - a substantially flat front face perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;

[0006] - a spindle which extends forward along the axis from this face;

[0007] - a piece of bacon;

[0008] - locking means for maintaining the device in a usable position, removable grip with the corner;

[0009] the gib being fixed to the spindle at a distance from the upper front face equal to the thickness of a wall of the corner in the vicinity of the hole;

[0010] the bacon being intended to be inserted through the hole, beyond the wall; and,

[0011] the gib having a larger dimension greater than the width of the hole and such that in the position of use it extends transversely to the hole, that is to say beyond opposite edges of the hole along the narrowest dimension of the hole

[0012] The body may include a flange forming with the ring a pivot joint around a ring axis which extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0013] In a first embodiment, the device may include a lock comprising a movable part rotating about the longitudinal axis, relative to the body, between the front face and a rear face of the gib, around the pin, this part having a cross-section, taken perpendicular to said longitudinal axis substantially identical to that of the hole, so that it can be inserted into it with clearance. Advantageously, the lock comprises at least one bolt, the component comprising at least one chamber having an opening in one rear face of the component and a blind opening opposite this opening, each bolt being mounted to slide within its respective chamber, the lock further comprising an elastic actuator that tends to draw the bolt out of its chamber, rearward, through the rear face of the component. Preferably, the lock comprises two bolts, arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis. The body advantageously comprises a strike plate formed within the thickness of the body, open in the front face of the body, and arranged so that for each chamber there is a locking position in which this chamber is opposite the strike plate, so that the corresponding bolt can be pushed by the spring inside this strike plate.Preferably, the device includes unlocking means that allow the bolt to be pushed back out of the strike plate, beyond the front face of the body.

[0014] Advantageously, the unlocking means include a push button, disposed at the rear of the body and provided with a rod which extends forward and opens into a bottom of the strike plate, the button being mounted to slide forward and backward relative to the body, with recoil means tending to push the button backward.

[0015] In a second embodiment, the device may include a lock comprising a bolt, a chamber, and a spring actuator. The chamber is formed within the body and opens forward through the front face of the body. The actuator is arranged to tend to push the bolt forward, so as to extract it from the chamber through the front face. Preferably, it includes unlocking means for returning the bolt to the chamber, behind the front face. Advantageously, the unlocking means include a button and a rod that engages with the bolt and extends rearward through a bottom of the chamber. The button engages with the rod such that pulling the button rearward, against the action of the actuator, tends to retract the bolt into the chamber. Brief description of the figures

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] is a schematic and perspective view illustrating a container according to ISO668 and ISO 1161 standards, the arrangement of fixing corners in such a container and different possibilities for securing this container to a floor;

[0018] [Fig.2] is a schematic and perspective view illustrating in an enlarged manner a top corner and a bottom corner for a container of the type of [Fig.1];

[0019] [Fig.3] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view of a first method of embodiment of a device according to the invention, for securing a container as illustrated in figures 1 and 2;

[0020] [Fig.4] is a schematic three-quarter view perspective view, exploded along a principal axis, of the device of [Fig.3];

[0021] [Fig.5] is a schematic elevation view from the rear of the device of [Fig.3];

[0022] [Fig.6] is a schematic vertical view, the main axis, partially cut, of the device of the device of [Fig.3];

[0023] [Fig.7] is a schematic three-quarter perspective view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention, for securing a container as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

[0024] [Fig.8] is a schematic three-quarter view perspective view, exploded along a principal axis, of the device of [Fig.7];

[0025] [Fig.9] is a schematic elevation view from the rear of the device of [Fig.7]; and,

[0026] [Fig. 10] is a schematic vertical view, the main axis, partially cut, of the device of the device of [Fig.7]. Detailed description

[0027] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a container 1 designed for transporting goods and conforming to ISO 668 and ISO 1161 standards. This container has a roughly parallelepiped shape, each corner of which is reinforced by a standardized corner 2 commonly called an "ISO corner"; these corners 2 are of four types, depending on their position on the container. Thus, there are top right corners TR, top left corners TL, bottom right corners BR, and bottom left corners BL.

[0028] In [Fig.1], the container 1 is shown secured by links 11 to a floor S, on which it rests, each link being stretched between a corner 3 and the floor S.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates, in an enlarged and more realistic manner, a top right corner TR and a bottom right corner BR of a container 1. The corners are hollow rectangular parallelepipeds; holes connect the exterior to the interior of the corner. The bottom corners include a lower hole, not visible in the figures, which allows, in particular, coupling with another container placed below, and, laterally, a hole 3 commonly called an "oblong hole" and a hole 3P commonly called a "pear-shaped hole." The top corners include a top hole 3S, which allows, in particular, coupling with another container placed above, and, laterally, an oblong hole 3 and a pear-shaped hole 3P. As particularly illustrated in Figure 1, it is the lateral holes 3 and 3P that are commonly used to secure a container 1.

[0030] Figures 3 to 10 describe two embodiments of a lashing device 6 intended to cooperate with an oblong hole 3 – hereinafter referred to as “the hole”. Such a lashing device is generally called a “bridge”. A person skilled in the art will understand that a simple modification of the shape allows a similar device to be used in cooperation with a pear-shaped hole 3P.

[0031] Position terms such as front, back, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, and the like are arbitrary or refer to a container placed on a horizontal surface, and / or when the device 6 is in the position illustrated in the figures. In Figures 3 to 10, and arbitrarily, the front V is on the left, the back R is on the right.

[0032] Figures 3 to 6 describe a first embodiment for a lashing device 6 according to the invention.

[0033] The device 6 is shown in a so-called working position. It comprises gripping means 7 on a corner 2, a ring 8 and a body 9.

[0034] The body 9 includes a longitudinal axis X9. It also includes a flange 10 for securing the ring 8 to the body and its articulation around a horizontal ring axis X8. The ring axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis, that is, it extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X9. The ring is designed for attaching a link 11, not shown in Figures 3 to 10; such a link may be a strap or a cable and may be attached to it directly or by means of a carabiner.

[0035] The body comprises a plate 12, the flange 10 is fixed to a rear face 12R of this plate. The plate 12 further comprises a front face 12V. The faces 12V, 12R are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X9. In the position of use, particularly illustrated in [Fig. 6], the front face is substantially in contact with an outer face 2E of the corner 2, in the vicinity of the hole 3.

[0036] The body further comprises a pin 13 extending from the front face 12V. In the illustrated example, the pin 13 is cylindrical around the longitudinal axis X9. A gib 13 is fixed to a free end 13V at the front of the pin 13, such that there is a distance D14 between a rear face 14R of the gib 14 and the front face 12V of the plate; this distance D14 is greater than a thickness E2 of the wall 2P of the corner 2 in the vicinity of the hole 3, between the outer wall 2E and an inner wall 2N. The gib has a substantially constant cross-section, taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cross-section of the gib 14 is substantially identical to that of the hole 3, so that the gib can pass through the hole with clearance.

[0037] The device further comprises a lock 20. The lock 20 comprises a part 21 that is rotatable about the longitudinal axis X9, relative to the body 9, between the front face 12V of the plate 12 and the rear face 14R of the gib 14, around the pin 13. The part 21 has a cross-section, taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, substantially constant. The cross-section of part 21 is substantially identical to that of the gib 14, so that it can be inserted with play into hole 3.

[0038] The device further includes a latch 20. The latch 20 comprises a part 21 that is rotatable about the longitudinal axis X9, relative to the body 9, between the front face 12V of the plate 12 and the rear face 14R of the gib 14, around the pin 13. The part 21 has a substantially constant cross-section, measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The cross-section of the part 21 is substantially identical to that of the gib 14, so that it can be inserted with some play into the hole 3.

[0039] The lock 20 further comprises two bolts 22, arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis X9. The part 21 comprises two chambers 23, arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis X9. Each chamber comprises an opening 23F in a rear face 21R of the part 21, opposite the plate 12; it is blind on the opposite side of this opening. Each bolt 22 is slidably mounted in its respective chamber 23. An actuator, here a helical spring 24, tends to draw the bolt 22 out of its chamber 23, rearward, through the rear face 21R of the moving part 21.

[0040] The plate 12 includes a strike plate 26. The strike plate 26 is formed within the thickness of the plate 12, which is open in the front face 12V of the plate. The strike plate is arranged so that for each of the chambers, there is a locking position in which that chamber is opposite the strike plate, so that the bolt can be pushed by the spring 24 inside the strike plate 26, until it comes to rest against a bottom 26Z of the strike plate. Unlocking means 27 allow the bolt to be pushed out of the strike plate, beyond the front face 12V of the plate 12. Thus, outside of this locking position, the bolt is held by its helical spring 24 in sliding contact against the front face 12V of the plate 12. Thus, there are two locking positions for the lashing device 6, one for each of the bolts 22.

[0041] The unlocking means 27 include a push button 28, located at the rear of the plate 12, accessible to an operator who wishes to unlock the lashing device 6. It is provided with a rod 29 which extends forward along a locking axis X27, through the plate 12, and opens into the bottom 26Z of the strike plate 26. The locking axis X27 is parallel to the longitudinal axis X9. Thus, the button is mounted to slide back and forth relative to the body 9. Recoil means 29, here a helical spring 29, tend to push the button backward.

[0042] When the device is in the position illustrated in [Fig.6], i.e. when a bolt 22 is lodged at the bottom of the strike plate 26, pressing the button 28 allows the bolt to be pushed out of the strike plate and thus, to detach the body 9 from the lock 20 and allow a relative rotation of the lock relative to the body 9 around the longitudinal axis X9.

[0043] We will now describe the operation of the first embodiment for mooring device 6, as described with reference to Figures 3 to 6.

[0044] Thus, if an operator wants to fix the device to a corner 2, they first align the movable part 21 with the gib 14. Then, they position the locking device 6 opposite the hole 3, so that the gib is aligned with this hole; in this insertion position, the body is at a ninety-degree angle from its working position, i.e., the ring axis is substantially vertical. The operator then inserts the gripping means 7 into the hole 3, until the front face 12V of the plate 12 comes into contact with the outer face 2E of the wall 2P of the corner 2.

[0045] It is then sufficient to rotate the body 9 a quarter turn around its longitudinal axis X9 to lock the docking device into engagement with the corner 2. During this quarter turn:

[0046] - the moving part remains immobilized in the hole;

[0047] - the 14th piece comes to rest across it, so that its largest dimension L14 extends according to the width of the hole; and,

[0048] - one of the bolts 22 comes into contact with the strike plate 26.

[0049] The docking device 6 is then in the position of use, in particular illustrated in [Fig. 6]. The device is engaged with the wall 2P of the corner and can only be removed by a positive action of an operator on the button 28.

[0050] The gripping means 7 include the front face 12v, the gib 14 and the locking means 20, which work together to keep the docking device in removable grip with the corner 2.

[0051] A second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 6 to 10, in that it differs from the first embodiment described above. Identical elements or elements having a similar function may be assigned the same reference numerals.

[0052] The device 6 is shown in a so-called working position. It comprises gripping means 7 on a corner 2, a ring 8 and a body 9.

[0053] The body 9 includes a longitudinal axis X9. It also includes a flange 10 for securing the ring 8 to the body and its articulation around a horizontal ring axis X8. The ring axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis, that is, it extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X9. The ring is designed for attaching a link 11, not shown in Figures 3 to 10; such a link may be a strap or a cable and may be attached to it directly or by means of a carabiner.

[0054] The body comprises a plate 12, the flange 10 is fixed to a rear face 12R of this plate. The plate 12 further comprises a front face 12V. The faces 12V and 12R are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X9. in the position of use, particularly illustrated in [Fig. 10], the front face 12V is substantially in contact with an outer face 2E of the corner 2, in the vicinity of the hole 3.

[0055] The body further includes a pin 13 which extends from the front face 12V. In the illustrated example, the pin 13 is cylindrical around the longitudinal axis X9. A gib 14 is fixed to a front end of the pin 13, such that there is a distance D14 between a rear face 14R of the gib 14 and the front face 12V of the plate 12; this distance D14 is greater than a thickness E2 of the wall 2P of the corner 2 in the vicinity of the hole 3, between the outer face 2E and an inner face 2N. The gib has a cross-section, taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, that is substantially constant. The cross-section of the gib 14 is substantially identical to that of the hole 3, so the gib can pass through the hole with clearance. The device further includes a cylindrical sleeve 130 around the axis X9 and mounted around the pin 13, between the front face 12V of the plate 12 and the rear face 14R of the gib 14. The pin and the sleeve may be a single piece. The sleeve has a diameter DI30 close to the lower diameter of the hole 3.

[0056] The device further includes a latch 20. The latch 20 includes a bolt 22, a chamber 23, and an actuator 24. In the illustrated example, the chamber includes a recess 23A mounted on the rear face 12R of the plate, extends forward through the plate 12, and opens through the front face 12V of this plate. In the illustrated example, the actuator is a helical spring 24 disposed between a base 23Z at the rear of the recess 23A and which tends to push the bolt 22 forward, so as to extract it from the chamber through the front face 12V of the plate 12.

[0057] Hole 3 serves as a strike plate for the bolt 22. There is a locking position, illustrated in [Fig. 10], in which chamber 23 is opposite hole 3, so that the bolt can be pushed by spring 24 into the hole. The device 6 further includes unlocking means 27. These allow the bolt 22 to be returned to the chamber, below the front face 12V of the plate 12. The unlocking means include a button 28 and a rod 29; the rod is formed as a single piece with the bolt and extends rearward through the bottom 23Z. The button 28 is engaged with the rod 29. Pulling the button 28 backwards, against the action of the spring 24, tends to push the bolt back into the chamber 23. The button 28 forms, among other things, a stop 28B which, by butting against the bottom 23Z of the structure, limits the forward movement of the bolt.

[0058] We will now describe the operation of the second embodiment for mooring device 6, as described with reference to Figures 7 to 10.

[0059] Thus, if an operator wants to fix the device 6 to a corner 2, he positions the locking device 6 opposite the hole 3, so that the gib 14 is aligned with this hole; in this insertion position, the body is at a ninety-degree angle from its In its usual position, the ring axis is substantially vertical. The operator inserts the gib into hole 3 until the front face 12V of plate 12 comes into contact with the outer face 2E of wall 2P of corner 2. The operator moves the device 6 towards the bottom until the sleeve 130 rests against the bottom of hole 3.

[0060] When the lag bolt is inserted, a front face 22V of the bolt comes into contact with the outer face 2E until the front face of the bolt is substantially flush with the front face of the plate 12.

[0061] It is then sufficient to rotate the body 9 a quarter turn around its longitudinal axis X9 to lock the docking device into engagement with the corner 2. During this quarter turn:

[0062] - the front face of the bolt slides on the outer face 2E of the corner, until the bolt come opposite hole 3;

[0063] - the bolt, no longer held by wall 2P, enters hole 3, which serves as gâche, which blocks any further rotation of the body around its axis X9; and,

[0064] - the lardon 14 comes to be placed across it, so that its largest dimension L14 extends according to the width of the hole, when the bolt is inserted into the hole 3.

[0065] The docking device 6 is then in the position of use, in particular illustrated in [Fig. 10]. The device is engaged with the wall 2P of the corner and can only be removed by a positive action of an operator on the button 28.

[0066] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described. On the contrary, the invention is defined by the following claims.

[0067] It will indeed appear to the person skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in the light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to him.

[0068] Thus, in the first embodiment, there may be only one bolt, instead of two.

Claims

Demands

1. Device (6) for securing a container equipped with wedges (2) conforming to ISO 1161, said wedge comprising a hole (3), characterized in that said lashing device comprises a body (9), provided with a longitudinal axis (X9), and a ring (8) fixed to the rear (R) of said body, said body comprising: - a front face (12V) substantially flat and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; - a pin (13) extending forward (V) along said axis from said front face (12V); - a gib (14); - locking means (20) for maintaining the device in a working position, in removable engagement with the wedge; said gib being fixed to said pin at a distance (DI4) from the front face (12V) greater than or equal to a thickness (E2) of a wall (2P) of the wedge (2) in the vicinity of the hole (3); said bacon being intended to be inserted through the hole (3), beyond said wall (2P);and, the said bacon having a larger dimension (L14) greater than a width of the hole so that in the said position of use it extends transversely to the said hole, that is to say beyond opposite edges of the hole according to its narrowest dimension.;

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the body comprises a flange (10) forming with the ring a pivot joint around a ring axis (X8) which extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X9).

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises a lock (20), said lock comprising a part (21) movable in rotation about the longitudinal axis (X9), relative to the body (9), between the front face (12V) and a rear face (14R) of the gib, around the spindle, said part (21) having a cross-section, taken perpendicular to said longitudinal axis substantially identical to that of the hole (3), so that it can be inserted into it with clearance.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the lock comprises at least one bolt (22), the part (21) comprising at least one chamber (23) which includes an opening (23F) in a rear face (21R) of said part (21) and blind on the opposite side of said opening, each bolt being mounted sliding in a respective chamber, the lock further comprising an elastic actuator (24) which tends to extract said bolt (22) from its chamber (23), towards the rear, through the rear face (21R) of the part (21).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the lock comprises two bolts, arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis (X9).

6. Device according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the body comprises a strike plate (26) formed in the thickness of the body, open in the front face (12V) of said body, and arranged so that for each of the chambers there is a locking position in which this chamber is opposite said strike plate, so that the corresponding bolt can be pushed by the actuator (24) into said strike plate (26).

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it includes unlocking means (27) which allow the bolt to be pushed out of the strike plate, beyond the front face (12V) of the body.

8. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the unlocking means (27) comprise a push button (28), disposed at the rear of the body (9), provided with a rod (29) which extends forward (V) and opens into a bottom (26Z) of the strike plate (26), said button being mounted to slide forward and backward relative to the body (9), recoil means (29) tending to push said button backward.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it comprises a lock (20) which includes a bolt (22), a chamber (23) and an elastic actuator (24), said chamber being formed in the body and opening forward through the front face (12V) of said body, the actuator being arranged so that it tends to push said bolt forward, so as to extract it from the chamber through said front face.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that it includes unlocking means (27) for bringing the bolt (22) back into the chamber, below the front face (12V).

11. A device according to claim 10, characterized in that the unlocking means comprise a button (28) and a rod (29) engaging with the bolt and extending rearward through a bottom of the chamber (23), said button being engaged with said rod so as that pulling the button backwards and against the action of the actuator (24) tends to cause the bolt to retract into said chamber.

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