Corner connecting piece for container, elevator assembly comprising corner connecting piece and container

Abstract

The corner connecting piece for the container comprises a plate-shaped body provided with a first through hole and a lock catch device installed on the body, the lock catch device comprises a lock tongue and a lock block, a shaft is arranged on the lock block, and the lock tongue is provided with a first through hole. The spring bolt and the lock block are located on the two opposite sides of the body in the thickness direction of the body and can be connected through a shaft penetrating through the first through hole, the body is provided with a first lug plate and a second lug plate which are opposite in the height direction of the body, the first lug plate is provided with a first connecting hole, and the second lug plate is provided with a second connecting hole. And the first connecting hole is opposite to the second connecting hole. The invention further provides an elevator assembly and a container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of containers, and in particular relates to a corner connector and a lift for a container, and a container comprising the corner connector. Background Art

[0002] The background description provided here is used to generally introduce the background of this application. The work of the presently named inventors described in this background section to the extent that it does not constitute prior art at the time of filing is neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art that conflicts with this application.

[0003] As a means of transporting goods, containers have been widely used in the field of cargo transportation due to their high degree of standardization, good intensiveness, and low cost. In addition, due to the characteristics of simple structure, large storage space, and easy transportation, containers are also used to manufacture various simple buildings, such as barracks, sentry boxes, warehouses, etc. In the prior art, when transporting containers, it is usually necessary to lift the containers with lifting equipment and load them onto vehicles and other means of transportation, which increases the difficulty and cost of operation. In addition, some buildings made of containers, such as barracks, usually need to be placed on a flat ground. If the barracks are placed on uneven ground, it is often necessary to lift or move the barracks first, and then put them back in place after the ground is leveled, which also causes inconvenience.

[0004] Therefore, a container with a lifting device is needed to enable it to rise and fall by itself. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This section introduces a selection of inventive concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the detailed description below. This section is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] In response to the problems existing in the prior art, on the one hand, the present application provides a corner connector for a container, which corner connector includes a plate-like body provided with a first through hole and a locking device installed on the body, wherein the locking device includes a locking tongue and a locking block, and the locking block is provided with an axis, the locking tongue and the locking block are located on opposite sides of the body in the thickness direction of the body and can be connected by the axis passing through the first through hole, and wherein the body is provided with a first ear plate and a second ear plate relative to each other along its height direction, wherein the first ear plate is provided with a first connecting hole, and the second ear plate is provided with a second connecting hole, and wherein the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole are arranged opposite to each other.

[0007] Preferably, the body comprises a plate-shaped first body and a plate-shaped second body perpendicular to the first body, wherein the locking tongue and the locking block are located on opposite sides of the first body.

[0008] Preferably, a boss is provided between the first body and the locking tongue.

[0009] Preferably, the first connection hole and the second connection hole are located on a side away from the first through hole in the thickness direction of the second body.

[0010] Preferably, the locking block is connected to the first body via threads.

[0011] Preferably, the lock tongue, the lock block and the boss are all rounded rectangles.

[0012] Preferably, the locking block is provided with second through holes at both ends respectively, and the first body is provided with four threaded holes that are evenly spaced around the first through holes.

[0013] Preferably, the first ear plate and the second ear plate are provided on the second body.

[0014] Preferably, the first ear plate and the second ear plate further include reinforcing ribs integrally formed therewith, wherein the reinforcing ribs are connected to the first body.

[0015] On the other hand, the present application also provides an elevator assembly, including an elevator and a corner connector connected to the elevator.

[0016] Preferably, the lift is connected to the corner connector via a connecting frame.

[0017] Preferably, the connecting frame is provided with a third through hole, which can be connected to the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole through an axle pin and is located between the first ear plate and the second ear plate, so that the connecting frame can rotate around the axle pin.

[0018] Preferably, the number of the connecting frames and the number of the corner connecting pieces are both two.

[0019] Preferably, the connecting frame is substantially triangular in shape, and the third through hole is provided at a vertex of the substantially triangle.

[0020] Preferably, the elevator is connected to the connecting frame along a direction of a side opposite to the vertex.

[0021] Preferably, the elevator is a screw elevator or a hydraulic elevator.

[0022] On the other hand, the present application also provides a container, including a box body and a corner connector or an elevator assembly, wherein corner components are provided at the outer corners of the box body, and the box body is connected to the corner connector or the elevator assembly through the corner components.

[0023] Preferably, a hoisting hole is provided on the corner member, and the locking device of the corner connector is connected to the corner member through the hoisting hole.

[0024] Preferably, the number of the elevator assemblies is four, and they are connected to the box body along the height direction of the box body.

[0025] Preferably, the hanging hole is a rounded rectangle.

[0026] Preferably, the container is equipped with a posture sensor and a communication module.

[0027] Preferably, a fixing buckle is provided on the box body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Other or additional features, advantages and details are presented by way of example only in the following detailed description of the embodiments. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 Schematically illustrates a corner connector according to the principles of the present application;

[0030] Figure 2 Schematically illustrates an exploded view of a corner connector according to the principles of the present application;

[0031] Figure 3 Schematically shows an exploded view of a corner connector according to the principles of the present application from another perspective;

[0032] Figure 4 A container according to the principles of the present application is schematically shown;

[0033] Figure 5 Schematically illustrates a corner member of a container according to the principles of the present application;

[0034] Figure 6 Schematically shows a partial view of a container according to the principles of the present application;

[0035] Figure 7 Schematically illustrates a connecting frame according to the principles of the present application; and

[0036] Figure 8 The figure schematically shows a partial cross-sectional view of a container according to the principles of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present application, applications, or uses. Furthermore, no intention is to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, and summary or the following detailed description. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals identify similar or corresponding parts or features.

[0038] The present application will now be further elaborated. In the following paragraphs, different aspects of the present application are defined in more detail. Unless clearly indicated to the contrary, each aspect so defined may be combined with any other (multiple) aspects. In particular, any feature indicated as preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other (multiple) features indicated as preferred or advantageous.

[0039] In order to solve the problems in the prior art, the present application provides a corner connector, which can be connected to the corner components of a container, thereby facilitating the lifting and lowering of the container by a lifting device.

[0040] Refer to the attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 , shows a corner connector 10 according to the principles of the present application. The corner connector 10 includes a body 100 and a locking device 200 mounted on the body 100. The locking device 200 includes a locking tongue 210 and a locking block 220. The locking block 220 is provided with a shaft 221. The locking tongue 210 and the locking block 220 are respectively located on either side of the body 100 along the thickness direction of the body 100, i.e., the OY direction. The body 100 is preferably a plate-shaped surface, and a first through hole 111 is provided on the body 100. The shaft 221 can pass through the first through hole 111 to connect the locking tongue 210 and the locking block 220, so that the locking block 220 and the locking tongue 210 can be coaxially linked, that is, when the lock 220 rotates, the locking tongue 210 also rotates. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the locking tongue 210 preferably has a shape that matches the corner member of the container, allowing the locking tongue 210 to be both inserted into the corner member and retained therein after rotation, thereby achieving a removable connection with the corner member, as described in detail below. The main body 100 is further provided with a first lug plate 121 and a second lug plate 122, facing each other, in its height direction (i.e., the OZ direction). The first lug plate 121 is provided with a first connection hole 123, and the second lug plate 122 is provided with a second connection hole 124. The first connection hole 123 and the second connection hole 124 are arranged in an opposite direction, i.e., their centers are aligned on the same straight line, allowing for insertion of an axle pin or rope into the first and second connection holes 123, 124 for connection to the lifting device.

[0041] Refer to the attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 3The body 100 comprises a first body 110 and a second body 120 arranged perpendicular to the first body 110, giving the body 100 an L-shape. The first and second bodies 110, 120 are advantageously both plate-shaped, with the locking tongue 210 and locking block 220 located on opposite sides of the first body 110. Advantageously, a boss 112 is disposed between the first body 110 and the locking tongue 210. The boss 112 includes a fourth through-hole 114 that extends through the first through-hole 111, allowing the shaft 221 to pass through the fourth through-hole 114 and connect the locking tongue 210 and locking block 220. The boss 112 has a shape that matches the corner member of a container, enabling insertion therein. Because the boss 112 has a certain height and thickness, it provides support for the container during lifting and lowering. The first and second connecting holes 123, 124 are located on the side away from the first through-hole 111 in the thickness direction of the second body 120 (i.e., the OX direction).

[0042] Refer to the attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 3 Advantageously, the first and second lug plates 121, 122 are disposed on the second body 120, facing each other along the height direction (OZ direction) of the second body 120. Advantageously, the first and second lug plates 121, 122 are generally triangular in shape, with the first and second connection holes 123, 124 respectively disposed at a corner 125 of the triangle, distal from the second body 120, and the corner 125 is preferably rounded. The first and second lug plates 121, 122 can be integrally formed with the second body 120 or welded together. Advantageously, the first lug plate 121 includes an integrally formed reinforcing rib 126, and the second lug plate 122 includes an integrally formed reinforcing rib 127. The reinforcing ribs 126 and 127 are respectively connected to the first body 110, thereby further stabilizing the connection between the first and second lug plates 121, 122 and the main body 100 and enhancing the stability of the connection between the first and second bodies 110, 120. Advantageously, the locking tongue 210 , the locking block 220 and the boss 112 are all rounded rectangles, which allows the locking tongue 210 and the boss 112 to be easily inserted into a corner member having a matching hole therewith, while the rounded rectangular locking block 220 is convenient for the user to manually rotate it.

[0043] Refer to the attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 2, the locking block 220 can be detachably connected to the first body 110. During operation, after the lock tongue 210 is rotated to an appropriate position by rotating the locking block 220, the locking block 220 can be fixed to the first body 110, thereby fixing the lock tongue 220 in an appropriate position. The locking block 220 can be connected to the first body 110 by a pin or a threaded connection, preferably a threaded connection, such as a screw connection or a bolt connection. The locking block 220 can be respectively provided with a second through hole 222 at both ends along the length direction, and four evenly spaced threaded holes 113 can be provided on the first body 110 around the first through hole 111, and the screws 223 can pass through the second through hole 222 and be connected to the first body 110 through the threaded holes 113, thereby fixing the locking block 220 on the first body 110.

[0044] Refer to the attached Figure 4 , shows a container 300 according to the principles of the present application, which includes a box body 310 and an elevator assembly 320. The elevator assembly 320 includes a corner connector 10 and an elevator 321 according to the principles of the present application. The elevator 321 can be a screw elevator or a hydraulic elevator, preferably an electric screw elevator. The electric screw elevator has a good self-locking function due to the use of a worm gear device. The elevator 321 is connected to the corner connector 10 through a connecting frame 322. There are four elevator assemblies 320, so that they can be respectively arranged at the four vertical edges of the box body 310. It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that there can be less than four elevator assemblies 320 to adapt to some special application scenarios. For example, a container barracks built on uneven ground only needs to be supported by an elevator assembly at one or two locations to stabilize the barracks. There can also be more than four elevator assemblies 320, so that a stronger lifting force can be provided.

[0045] Refer to the attached Figure 5 , shows a corner member 330 of a container according to the principle of the present application, the corner member 330 is installed at each outer corner of the box body 310, the corner member 330 is a rectangular parallelepiped or cube-shaped, and each of the three faces facing the outside of the box body 310 is provided with a lifting hole 331, which is usually a standard part. Figure 6The container 310 can be connected to the corner connector 10 or the elevator assembly 320 via a corner member 330. The locking device 200 of the corner connector 10 is connected to the corner member 330 via a lifting hole 331. The connecting frame 322 is provided with a third through-hole 323. The third through-hole 323 is located between the first connecting hole 123 and the second connecting hole 124, that is, between the first lug 121 and the second lug 122. An axle pin 324 passes through the first connecting hole 123, the third through-hole 323, and the second connecting hole 124, thereby connecting the three, allowing the connecting frame 322 to rotate about the axle pin 324. The end of the connecting frame 322 away from the third through-hole 323 is fixedly connected to the elevator 321, allowing the elevator 321 to rotate about the axle pin 324. Therefore, after the container 300 is lifted, the elevator 321 can be rotated to lean against the container 310, thereby reducing the usable space and making the container 300 easier to load and transport. Advantageously, the connecting frame 322 has an appropriate length so that when the lifters 321 on either side of the box 310 are deployed, the distance between the lifters 321 on both sides is greater than the width of the transport vehicle, allowing the vehicle to reverse into the bottom of the box 310 for transport. The length of the connecting frame 322 can be customized according to the size of the transport vehicle. Advantageously, a fixing buckle (not shown) is also provided on the box 310 to secure the lifters 321 when they are placed against the box 310, preventing them from rotating. The fixing buckle can be an elastic buckle, a locking buckle, or a rope.

[0046] Refer to the attached Figure 7 Advantageously, the connecting frame 322 is generally triangular in shape, the third through hole 323 is provided at a vertex of the generally triangular shape, and the elevator 321 is connected to the connecting frame 322 along the direction of the side opposite to the vertex. Advantageously, in the elevator assembly 320, the number of the connecting frame 322 and the number of the corner connectors 10 are both two, so that they can be connected to the elevator 321 along the length direction of the elevator 321 so as to be connected to the upper and lower corner members 330 at each vertical edge of the box body 310. Advantageously, the connecting frame 322 can be provided with a hollow portion to reduce weight while ensuring strength. The lifting hole 331 can be a rounded rectangle or other shape that matches the lock tongue 210 and the boss 112, preferably a rounded rectangle.

[0047] Refer to the attached Figure 8When connecting the corner connector 10 and the corner member 330, the rounded rectangular locking tongue 210 and the boss 112 are inserted into the rounded rectangular hanging hole 331. After rotating the locking block 220 to rotate the locking tongue 210, for example, 90 degrees, the locking tongue 210 cannot be directly withdrawn due to the obstruction of the inner wall of the corner member 330. At this time, the locking block 220 is fixed to the first body 110 with screws 223 through the two opposing threaded holes 113, so that the corner connector 10 is stably connected to the corner member 330. When the corner connector is connected to the corner member 330, because the first body 110 and the second body 120 are perpendicular, the second body 120 can be closely abutted against one surface of the corner member 220, thereby helping to prevent the corner connector 10 from sliding and making the connection between the corner connector 10 and the corner member 330 more stable. When the corner connector 10 and the corner member 330 need to be disassembled, it is only necessary to unscrew the screw 223 from the threaded hole 113, rotate the locking block 220 to rotate the locking tongue 210 to a corresponding angle, pull the locking tongue 210 out of the hanging hole 331, and then fix the locking block 220 to the first body 110 with the screw 223 through the other two opposite threaded holes 113.

[0048] Return to the attached Figure 4 , the container 300 according to the principle of the present application is also equipped with a posture sensor 340, such as a gyroscope, for collecting the posture information of the box body 310. The container 300 is also provided with a communication module (not shown), such as a Bluetooth module or a WiFi module, so that the posture information collected by the posture sensor 340 can be transmitted to the controller (not shown) located at the operating end. The controller sends instructions to the elevator 321 based on the posture information of the box body 310, and adjusts the lifting speed by adjusting the motor speed of each elevator, thereby ensuring that the box body 310 always remains stable during the lifting process. Advantageously, the controller can be a computer or a mobile phone, so that the lifting and lowering of the elevator 321 can be controlled by an application installed thereon, making the operation simpler and more convenient.

[0049] It will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the containers referred to in this application include but are not limited to standard containers used for transportation, boxes of different sizes or materials equipped with corner components, and various buildings made of the aforementioned standard containers or boxes, such as barracks, guard booths, warehouses, etc.

[0050] The container based on the principles of this application can be lifted and lowered independently without relying on external lifting equipment, simplifying the operation process, reducing the difficulty of operation, and being applicable to a variety of application scenarios. For example, when transporting a container by vehicle, the lift 321 is rotated about the axle pin 324 to expand. The lift 321 is activated to lift the container 310 to a position above the loading area of the transport vehicle. The transport vehicle then reverses under the container 310 and lowers the container 310 so that it rests on the loading area. The lift is reset and rotated against the container 310, secured with a fixing buckle, and the vehicle can be started to begin transportation. When installing some buildings made of containers, if the ground is not flat, the corresponding lift can be activated to lift one or more corners of the building, and the building can be lowered after the ground is leveled. If the ground is difficult to handle, the corresponding part can be directly lifted until the building is level and then not lowered, using the lift's self-locking function to provide support for the building.

[0051] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been described in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that there are a large number of variations. It should also be understood that the exemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present application in any way. On the contrary, the foregoing detailed description will provide a convenient guide for those skilled in the art to implement an exemplary embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes, modifications, or alterations may be made to the functions and arrangements of the elements without departing from the scope of the present application as set forth in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A corner connector for a container, characterized in that: The corner connector includes a plate-like body provided with a first through hole and a locking device installed on the body, wherein the locking device includes a locking tongue and a locking block, the locking block is provided with an axis, the locking tongue and the locking block are located on opposite sides of the body in the thickness direction of the body and can be connected by the axis passing through the first through hole, and wherein the body is provided with a first ear plate and a second ear plate relative to each other along its height direction, wherein the first ear plate is provided with a first connecting hole, the second ear plate is provided with a second connecting hole, and wherein the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole are arranged opposite to each other.

2. The corner connector according to claim 1, wherein: The body comprises a plate-shaped first body and a plate-shaped second body perpendicular to the first body, wherein the locking tongue and the locking block are located on opposite sides of the first body.

3. The corner connector according to claim 2, wherein: A boss is provided between the first body and the locking tongue.

4. The corner connector according to claim 3, wherein: The first connection hole and the second connection hole are located on a side away from the first through hole in the thickness direction of the second body.

5. The corner connector according to claim 4, wherein: The locking block is connected to the first body via threads.

6. The corner connector according to claim 5, wherein: The lock tongue, lock block and boss are all rounded rectangles.

7. The corner connector according to claim 6, wherein: The locking block is provided with second through holes at both ends respectively, and the first body is provided with four threaded holes that are evenly spaced around the first through holes.

8. The corner connector according to claim 7, wherein: The first ear plate and the second ear plate are disposed on the second body.

9. A lift assembly, characterized in that: The invention comprises an elevator and the corner connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8 connected to the elevator.

10. A container, characterized in that: It comprises a box body, and a corner connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 or an elevator assembly as described in claim 9, wherein a corner member is provided at the outer corner of the box body, and the box body is connected to the corner connector or the elevator assembly through the corner member.

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