Twist lock improvements

Abstract

A twist lock activator for activating a twistlock between an open position and a closed position, the activator having a actuator shaft that can be raised or lowered with fluid pressure, which causes a rotation of a twistlock activator shaft that effects movement of a suitably coupled twist lock head between an open and closed position.

Description

[0001] Twist lock Improvements

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to improvements to automatic twist lock arrangements and in particular to the twist lock activator that operates the twist lock between a locked position and an unlocked position suitable for trailers transporting international shipping containers operating within port and shipping, mining, government, agriculture, waste management, construction, manufacturing, defence, aviation and energy sectors.

[0004] Background

[0005] Container locks, and more specifically twist locks are used to fasten shipping containers to surface transport vehicles, such as rail wagons and road trailers . Also, where containers are stacked, twistlocks fasten adjacent containers on top of one another.

[0006] Twist locks normally comprise a fastener housing for fitting between the container and a load surface of a container carrier vehicle, such as a railway wagon platform (rail wagon) and trailers, with a slot engaging portion that fits into the slot of a comer casting of the container, and a shaft adapted for rotation about a fastener housing, an enlarged elongate cone or locking head at one or both ends of the shaft is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, such that in the locked position, portions of the cone overlap the slot of the corner casting to engage an inside of the corner casting to thereby hold the container. In the unlocked position the cone is aligned with the slot engaging portion of the fastener housing to enable it to pass through the slot, the shaft typically comprises a biasing (spring) means to bias the shaft to the locked position.

[0007] Twist locks may be operated manually or may be semi-automatic or fully-automatic. A manual twist lock includes a handle external to the twist lock housing, that is operatively connected to the twist lock shaft and in turn to a twist lock head, which engages with engaging portion that fits into the slot of a corner casting of the container. A user can then turn the handle, and thus the twist lock head, moving the twist lock head between and a locked and unlocked position, to lock or unlock the twist lock with the corner casting of the container. Fully-Automatic twist locks have been developed such that the twist lock head (cone) has a bevelled upper side so that on placing the container on the twist lock head, the side of the slot urges the cone and hence the shaft to rotate against the action of the biasing means towards the disengaged position and thus allows entry into the corner casting. Additionally, fully - automatic twist lock heads include a bevelled underside, so that the force of lifting the container urges edges of the slots to bear against the lower bevels to cause the twist lock head to rotate to the unlocked position at a specific force thereby allowing for passage through the slot and thus out of the container.

[0008] However, currently available twist locks are often bulky due to the activating mechanism or operating unit used to operate the twistlock shaft between an open and closed position (locked and unlocked). In other currently available twist locks the activating or operating unit, requires the use of a spring element that can be susceptible to stress fractures and extreme temperature variations, which have an effect on the mechanism’s physical operating characteristics. For example, in extreme low temperatures the activating mechanism or operating unit may have less spring tension and become vulnerable to early formation of stress cracks. The fully-automatic twist lock currently in use to secure containers on rail are mechanically fully-automatic and this is not suitable when carrying containers during road transport when you want to decide when the twist locks shall be open or locked. The container must be secured to a trailer during transportation and cannot be released by force.

[0009] Yet other twist locks units are driven between an open and closed position (locked and unlocked) using an activator that can be electrical, mechanically or hydraulically driven. These units are typically bulky and take up considerable space in the bed of the trailer or rail car. Moreover, such units are less suitable for use in automated container handling environments and with autonomous operating vehicles, in which there is less or no manual involvement of operation and require more reliable, and consistent operation from the twist locks units, with more efficient use of the spaced in which they are housed along with confirmation of locking and record keeping of locking and unlocking of twist locks

[0010] In addition, twist lock that are used on road trailers cannot be automatic, they must always be locked, and a mechanically operated fully automatic twist lock may, in certain instances, unlock themselves, which is not acceptable during transit. For such twist locks, the operation of moving the twist lock to the open position may be done by fluid but the default position must be locked.

[0011] Object of the invention

[0012] It is an object of the invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate, the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art

[0013] In preference, certain embodiments of the present invention provide for an improved twist lock whose ease of efficiency and ease of operation allow a road trailer fitted with such twist locks to be more productive, shortening turn around times when picking up or dropping of a container and increase the safety of the vehicle driver that no longer needs to exit the driver seat and being exposed to other moving vehicles in container depot, sea terminals among others. The invention will allow for autonomous road vehicles to be able to transport a container.

[0014] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of the present invention are disclosed.

[0015] Summary of the invention

[0016] According to the present invention, there is a twistlock activator, having a main twist lock activator body with a main chamber, a twist lock activating shaft, a twist lock activating shaft rotator, an actuator shaft, with a fluid pressure actuating plate at a first end and operatively coupled to the twist lock activating shaft rotator at a second end, wherein movement of the actuator shaft by the fluid pressure actuating plate rotates the twist lock activating shaft rotator and the twist lock activating shaft.

[0017] In preference, the twist lock activating shaft includes a twist lock activator shaft chamber. In preference, the twist lock activating shaft moves upwards and into the twist lock activator shaft chamber.

[0018] In preference, the actuator shaft has at least one channel or groove on its outer surface.

[0019] In preference, the twist lock activating shaft rotator has a bearing seat.

[0020] In preference, the bearing seat contains a ball bearing.

[0021] In preference, the ball baring cooperatively engages with the at least one channel or groove on the outer surface of the actuator shaft.

[0022] In preference, the at least one channel or groove on the outer surface of the actuator shaft is helical.

[0023] In preference, the main twist lock activator body includes a fluid inlet port located in close proximity to the fluid pressure actuating plate.

[0024] In preference, the fluid is a gas or air.

[0025] In preference, the fluid inlet port is a gas or air inlet port.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the present invention there is a there is a twist lock activator, having a main twist lock activator body with a main chamber, a twist lock activating shaft, a twist lock activating shaft rotator, an actuator shaft, with a fluid pressure actuating plate at a first end and operatively coupled to the twist lock activating shaft rotator at a second end, wherein the actuator shaft is vertically slidable by the fluid pressure to a raised position which causes rotation of the twist lock activating shaft rotator.

[0027] In preference, the twist lock activator includes a return biasing means to bias the actuator shaft to a lowered position. In preference, wherein the actuator shaft is vertically slidable by the fluid pressure to a raised position which compresses the biasing means.

[0028] In preference, the biasing means is urges against the fluid pressure actuating plate.

[0029] In preference, the biasing means is a coil spring.

[0030] In preference, the twist lock activator includes at least one sensor to sense the rotational position of the twist lock activating shaft.

[0031] In preference, the twistlock activator is operatively connected to a communication module.

[0032] In preference, the communication module includes a wireless transmitter that may transmit the position of the rotatable fastener shaft described for any communication link, such as any other WPAN communication link (e.g., Bluetooth low power, Bluetooth 5, ANT+, Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), other IEEE 802.15 protocols, IEEE 802.11 A, B or G without limitation, or Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11)), a cellular communication link, an infrared communication link, any other wireless communication link, any other communication link, or any combination of the preceding.

[0033] In preference, the communication module can transmit rotational position of the twist lock activating shaft to a remote location.

[0034] In preference, the twist lock activator is operatively connected to a pressurised air supply.

[0035] In preference, the twist lock activator is housed within a twistlock body.

[0036] In order to now describe the invention in greater detail a series of preferred embodiments will be presented with the assistance of the following illustrations and accompanying text.

[0037] Summary of the drawings

[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the view of Figure 1;

[0039] Figure 3 is a cross-section view of Figure 2;

[0040] Figure 4 is a partial view of the operating mechanism within the present invention with the main body removed;

[0041] Figure 5 is the view of Figure 4 with activator shaft housing removed;

[0042] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the present invention, without the main body and activator shaft housing;

[0043] Figure 7 is a cross-section view of figure 5;

[0044] Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the actuator shaft and accompanying ball bearings that interact with the activator shaft rotator, showing the first and second locations about the diameter of the actuator shaft;

[0045] Figure 9 is a cross section view showing the location of the present invention within a twistlock.

[0046] Detailed description of the invention

[0047] In general, a description of the components of the illustrated embodiment are as follows.

[0048] The present invention as illustrated is a twist lock activated unit, used within a twist lock to operate the twist lock between an open and closed position.

[0049] Referring to Figure 1, the present invention is for a twist lock activator, or driving unit, 10. The twist lock activator 10 has main body 15, with a twist lock activator shaft 25 and a twist lock engagement head 20, shaped to cooperatively engage with a twist lock shaft. The mounting plate 30 has an upper surface 35 and a lower surface 40. Projecting from the upper surface 35 is the twist lock activator shaft 25 being substantially circular in shape. Located about the periphery of the upper surface 35 are the fastener receiving apertures 45 shaped to receive fastening elements, such as bolts, to allow the twist lock activator 10 to be mounted within a twist lock body.

[0050] The twist lock engagement head 20 has projecting wings 50 and 55 that are shaped to be received within a twist lock shaft.

[0051] Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1 showing the present invention 10 . The mounting plate 30 having the upper surface 35 and lower surface 40.

[0052] Figure 3 is a cross section view of Figure 2. The activating shaft 25, sits within an activator shaft housing 60, through the opening 65.

[0053] Within the activator shaft housing 60 is the activator shaft rotator 70, operatively coupled to both the activating shaft 25, via the collar 27, and the actuator shaft 80 . A lower end of the actuator shaft 80 is operatively coupled to a fluid pressure activating plate 90 by way of the fastening pin 100, which engages with the lower end of the actuator shaft 80 by threaded connection. The fluid pressure activating plate 90 includes the upper plate 110 and lower plate 111, each of which include a sealing element 120 and 125 respectively. The upper and lower plates are circular in shape, designed to fit within the main chamber 150 of the activator housing main body 15. Located on the outside surface of the activator housing main body 15 are fluid ports 170 and 175 for fluid connection to a fluid delivery means, for example, a source of compressed air, each of the ports 170 and 175 can allow for both the entry and exit of air or fluid, depending upon the circumstances of operation of the apparatus.

[0054] Turing to the activator housing main body 15, the main chamber 150 is substantially cylindrical having a first internal diameter 190 and a second internal diameter 195 with a shoulder 196 separating the two internal diameters. The top plate 30 is secured to an upper portion of the activator housing main body by a plurality of fastening elements such as bolts. At a lower end, a base plate member 200 is secured in position within the first internal diameter 190 at the opening 210, the base plate member 200 having a seal or gasket element 220 to provide an air tight fitment or fitting into the opening 210. The activator shaft housing is also a generally cylindrical body fitting within the second internal diameter 195 of the activator housing main body. A circular channel 230 contains a sealing ring or gasket 235 to create an air tight connection or fit with the second internal diameter 195, so as to prevent air from passing. Within the internal chamber 250 of the activator shaft housing 60 is a bearing 260 that rests on the shoulder of the activator shaft housing and also the activating shaft 25 to allow for smooth rotation of the activating shaft 25, about axis 240, relative to the activator shaft housing 60, the activating shaft 25 also has an internal chamber 270 within which there is an activator shaft rotator 70, fixed in position to the activating shaft 25, the actuator shaft 80 then fitting within the activator shaft rotator 70 and allowed to freely rotate within the activator shaft rotator 70.

[0055] The main spring (coil spring) 290, is biased to push against the upper plate 110 of the fluid pressure activating plate 90.

[0056] Turning to figure 4, an exploded view of selected elements of the present invention, there is the actuator shaft 80, which has a longitudinal elbow groove 300 on a portion of its outer surface. There is a matching elbow groove on the opposing side of the actuator shaft 80 (not shown) the profile of the elbow groove 300 is shaped to allow for a portion of a ball bearing 310 to fit smoothly within it. The shaft on the opposite side is cooperatively engaged with the ball bearing 315.

[0057] Figure 5 is a cross section view of selected element of the present invention, showing the location of the ball bearings 310 and 315 within the grooves. Each of the ball bearings 310 and 315 have a portion held within the grooves 300 and 301 (other side) as well as within openings 71, 72 of the activator shaft rotator 70, so that they are captively held within. The activator shaft rotator 70 being coupled to the collar 27 of the activating shaft 25 by the faster bolts 28a and 28b. As the activator shaft rotator 70 is securely fastened to the activating shaft 25 such that rotation of the activator shaft rotator 70 causes the activating shaft 25 to also rotate.

[0058] Figure 6 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention, the helical groove 300 showing on the outer surface of the actuator shaft 80, along with the activator shaft rotator 70, captively held ball bearings 310 and 315, and collar 27. Linear movement of the actuator shaft 80 causes the activator shaft rotator 70, the operatively connected collar 27, with twist lock engagement head 20, coupled to the activating shaft 25 by lugs / engaging pins, to rotate about axis 240.

[0059] When air is injected into, for example, the first port 170 of the main chamber 15, the air coming in then forces up against the fluid pressure activating plate 90 and forces it upwards away from the base plate member 200 which then forces the actuator shaft 80 upwards and into the chamber 270 of the activating shaft 25. As the actuator shaft 80 moves upwards, the ball bearings 310, 315, which are located in a first position 350a and 350b respectively, in the groove 300 are then forced to the second position 360 on the groove 300a and 300b. As the actuator shaft 80 moves upward (actuator shaft cannot rotate) the change in position of the ball bearings 310, 315 from the first position 350 to the second position 360 causes the activator shaft rotator 70 to rotate a distance determined by the difference between the circumferential location at the first position 350 and the circumferential location of the second position 360. As shown in figure 8A, which is a top view of the actuator shaft 80, with ball bearings 310 and 315 both in their respective groove 300a and 300b, in the first positions 350a and 35b. As the shaft 80 rises, as it cannot rotate and the ball bearings 310 and 315 are forced to follow the path of the elbow channels or helical groove 300a and 300b, on the outer surface of the actuator shaft 80 moving them the first position 350a, 350b around a central axis of the actuator shaft 80 to the second position 360a and 360b.

[0060] The difference between these two locations or positions results in the overall change in the position of the twist lock engagement head. It is the linear movement of the actuator shaft 80 that results in the rotational movement of the activating shaft 25, which causes rotation of the activating shaft 25 from a first position to a second position, which in turn causes the rotation of the twist lock shaft, causing the twist lock head to rotate from a first position to a second position, which may be from an open position to a locked position.

[0061] When the air pressure provided through the first port 170 of the activator housing main body is released, the main spring (coil spring) 290 urges the fluid pressure activating plate 90 back to a first position towards the base plate member 200. The ball bearings 310 and 315 then move from the second position 360 back to the first position 350, resulting in the counter rotation of the activator shaft rotator 70. Notably, the present invention provides a smooth and controlled rotation of the activating shaft 25, without the need for rotation of the actuator shaft 80, less friction, making for smooth operation. If required, air can be forced into the second port 175 to also push the fluid pressure activating plate 90. Should, for whatever reason, the spring 290 fail to force the fluid pressure activating plate 90 all the way back to its original starting position, then air can be supplied via 175 to force the fluid pressure activating plate back down to its original position.

[0062] The present invention also includes sensors attached to the activator that are able to determine the relative position of the actuator shaft 80, and or the activating shaft 25, and communicate such information to a communications module. In certain embodiments only the position of the actuator shaft 80 may be determined, either being up or down as each position will also determine a rotational position of the activator shaft rotator 70, the activating shaft 25 and the twist lock that is coupled to it. In other embodiments it may be preferable to determine rotational position of the activating shaft only, to determine if it is in a first position, which may coincide with a unlocked or open position of the twist lock it is activating, or if it is in a second position, which may corresponded to a closed or locked position of the twist lock being activated.

[0063] Figure 9 shows the location of the twist lock activator 10 within a twist lock 400.

[0064] In ease case, the position of the actuator shaft 80 of the activating shaft 25 can be communicated by the suitably placed location sensors to a communications module wither within the twistlock 400 or external to it. The communications module includes a wireless transmitter that transmit signals described for any other communication link, such as any other WPAN communication link (e.g., Bluetooth low power, Bluetooth 5, ANT+, Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), other IEEE 802.15 protocols, IEEE 802.11 A, B or G without limitation, or Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11)), a cellular communication link, an infrared communication link, any other wireless communication link, any other communication link, or any combination of the preceding. This is especially useful in situations where many twist locks may be in operation and there is a need to ensure that an operator is able to quickly and safely determine the operation status or location of each of the twist locks. For example, when twist locks are used there may be several trailers positioned in series, the operator, in this instance the driver can quickly observe the status of each twist lock on a remote console or display device as containers are locked into place on each of the trailers. It is also possible by way of the present invention to be able to log unique operation information for each twist lock device and provide reports on functionality issues, such as how may lock / unlock operations a specific twist lock has performed, which is important for both safety and maintenance requirements.

[0065] Features of the present invetion, or embodiments thereof include:

[0066] • A twist lock activator, having a main twist lock activator body with a main chamber, a twist lock activating shaft, a twist lock activating shaft rotator, an actuator shaft, with a fluid pressure actuating plate at a first end and operatively coupled to the twist lock activating shaft rotator at a second end, at least one helical channel or groove on an outer surface of the actuator shaft, the twist lock activating shaft rotator being cooperatively engaged with the at least one helical channel or groove; and linear movement of the actuator shaft by the fluid pressure actuating plate rotates the twist lock activating shaft rotator and the twist lock activating shaft.

[0067] • The twist lock activating shaft including a twist lock activator shaft chamber.

[0068] • The twist lock activating shaft moves upwards and into the twist lock activator shaft chamber.

[0069] • The twist lock activating shaft rotator has a bearing seat.

[0070] • The bearing seat contains a ball bearing.

[0071] • The ball bearing cooperatively engages with the at least one channel or groove on the outer surface of the actuator shaft.

[0072] • The main twist lock activator body includes a fluid inlet port located in close proximity to the fluid pressure actuating plate.

[0073] • The fluid is a gas or air.

[0074] • The fluid inlet port is a gas or air inlet port.

[0075] • The twist lock activator includes at least one sensor to sense the rotational position of the twist lock activating shaft.

[0076] • The twist lock activator is operatively connected to a communication module. • The communication module includes a wireless transmitter that may transmit the position of the twist lock activating shaft via a communication link.

[0077] • The communication link is at least one communication link selected from the group of: WPAN communication link (e.g., Bluetooth low power, Bluetooth 5, ANT+, Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), other IEEE 802.15 protocols, IEEE 802.11 A, B or G without limitation, or Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11)), a cellular communication link, an infrared communication link, , or any combination of the preceding.

[0078] • The communication module can transmit rotational position of the twist lock activating shaft to a remote location.

[0079] • The twist lock activator is operatively connected to a pressurised air supply.

[0080] • The twist lock activator of any one of the above claims, wherein the twist lock activator is housed within a twist lock body.

Claims

Claims1. A twist lock activator, having a main twist lock activator body with a main chamber, a twist lock activating shaft, a twist lock activating shaft rotator, an actuator shaft, with a fluid pressure actuating plate at a first end and operatively coupled to the twist lock activating shaft rotator at a second end, at least one helical channel or groove on an outer surface of the actuator shaft, the twist lock activating shaft rotator being cooperatively engaged with the at least one helical channel or groove; and linear movement of the actuator shaft by the fluid pressure actuating plate rotates the twist lock activating shaft rotator and the twist lock activating shaft.

2. The twist lock activator of claim 1, wherein the twist lock activating shaft includes a twist lock activator shaft chamber.

3. The twist lock activator of claim 2, wherein the twist lock activating shaft moves upwards and into the twist lock activator shaft chamber.

4. The twist lock activator of any one of the above claims, wherein the twist lock activating shaft rotator has a bearing seat.

5. The twist lock activator of claim 4, wherein the bearing seat contains a ball bearing.

6. The twist lock activator of claim 5, wherein the ball bearing cooperatively engages with the at least one channel or groove on the outer surface of the actuator shaft.

7. The twist lock activator of any one claims 1-6, wherein the main twist lock activator body includes a fluid inlet port located in close proximity to the fluid pressure actuating plate.

8. The twist lock activator of any one claims 1-7, wherein the fluid is a gas or air.

9. The twist lock activator of claim 7 , wherein the fluid inlet port is a gas or air inlet port.

10. The twist lock activator of any one of the above claims, wherein the twist lock activator includes at least one sensor to sense the rotational position of the twist lock activating shaft.

11. The twist lock activator of any one of the above claims, wherein the twist lock activator is operatively connected to a communication module.

12. The twist lock activator of claim 11, wherein the communication module includes a wireless transmitter that may transmit the position of the twist lock activating shaft via a communication link.

13. The twist lock activator of claim 12 , wherein the communication link is at least one communication link selected from the group of: WPAN communication link (e.g., Bluetooth low power, Bluetooth 5, ANT+, Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), other IEEE 802.15 protocols, IEEE 802.11 A, B or G without limitation, or Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11)), a cellular communication link, an infrared communication link, , or any combination of the preceding.

14. The twist lock activator of claim 12, wherein the communication module can transmit rotational position of the twist lock activating shaft to a remote location.

15. The twist lock activator of any one of the above claims, wherein the twist lock activator is operatively connected to a pressurised air supply.

16. The twist lock activator of any one of the above claims, wherein the twist lock activator is housed within a twist lock body.

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