System for attaching a turnbuckle of a lashing system to a cargo securing structure in a container ship

Abstract

A system (1) for attaching a turnbuckle (5) to a cargo securing structure in a container ship, wherein the system (1) comprises a fastening member (2) comprising a fork (3) and a fastening element (4), wherein the fastening element (4) is configured to engage with the cargo securing structure, wherein the fastening element (4) has a non-circular cross-section (7), and wherein the orientation of the fastening element (4) is such that a bending strength of the fastening element (4) in one tensile direction (F) of the turnbuckle (5) is greater than in other directions.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present application relates generally to a lashing system. More specifically, the present application relates to a system for attaching a turnbuckle of a lashing system to a cargo securing structure in a container ship. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Lashing bars are used on cargo ships to provide additional support to stacked containers on a ship's deck. The lashing bars provide support particularly when the ship heels in rough weather and each stack of containers tilts sideways. One end of the lashing bar may be attached to the container. The other end may be attached to a turnbuckle, which can be secured to a lashing bridge on the ship's deck by means of a fastening link comprising a fork and a fastener. The fork and fastener can be improved to optimize the strength and weight of the fastening link. SUMMARY

[0003] This summary is provided to introduce, in simplified form, a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of protection of the claimed subject matter. The scope of protection sought for different embodiments of the present disclosure is defined by the independent claims.

[0004] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide for the attachment of a turnbuckle of a lashing system to a cargo securing structure in a container ship, thereby optimizing the material use in fastening elements that lock and support the containers on board a ship.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a system for attaching a turnbuckle of a lashing element to a cargo securing structure in a container ship is disclosed, wherein the system comprises a fastening member including a fork and a fastening element, the fastening element being configured to engage with the cargo securing structure, the fastening element having a non-circular cross-section, and the fastening element being oriented such that its bending strength in one tensile direction is greater than in other directions. By orienting the fastening element such that its bending strength is greater in one tensile direction than in other directions, the fastening element can more effectively withstand tensile loads while maintaining a compact overall geometry.This direction-dependent stiffness can improve the reliability of load transfer to the load securing structure and can enable the fastening element to withstand operational stresses without unnecessarily increasing the amount of material used.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the non-circular cross-section can be rectangular, oval, or elliptical, and a principal axis of the cross-section can be oriented substantially along the direction of pull of the turnbuckle. These shapes can offer predictable mechanical properties and can be readily manufactured using conventional forming or machining techniques. Such geometries can provide good direction-dependent stiffness and can allow for optimization of bending strength relative to weight and space constraints in the lashing system.

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the fastener can be an I-beam or an H-beam, and a web of the I-beam or H-beam can be substantially aligned with the direction of tension. These beam profiles can provide a high stiffness-to-weight ratio and offer excellent bending resistance along their web. This allows the fastener to withstand significant tensile forces while remaining lightweight and compact.

[0008] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the system can be designed to reduce the lateral size of the fastening element by allowing the fork and vertical elements to use a narrower lateral width while maintaining the required strength. This can allow the fork to be designed with narrower vertical elements, thereby reducing weight and material costs without compromising the required structural strength. The resulting design can offer improved efficiency and compatibility with space-constrained load securing environments.

[0009] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the fork can comprise two vertical elements spaced apart from one another, and the fastening element can be configured to extend between the vertical elements to transfer a tensile load from the turnbuckle to a securing plate of the load securing structure. Positioning the fastening element between these vertical elements allows for the efficient transfer of tensile forces from the turnbuckle to a securing plate of the load securing structure. This configuration can distribute the load symmetrically through the fork, reduce stress concentrations, and improve structural stability during operation.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, each of the two vertical elements can include a bore, and the fastener can be configured to pass through the bores of the vertical elements to secure the fastener to the fork. Passing the fastener through aligned bores can provide a mechanically robust connection that can prevent unintentional loosening and ensure that the tensile load is reliably transmitted through the fork. This arrangement can also facilitate easy assembly and maintenance.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the cross-section of the bores of the two vertical elements can essentially correspond to the non-circular cross-section of the fastener. This can prevent rotation and can enhance the direction-dependent bending strength.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the fastener can be mounted non-rotatably in the fork to prevent rotation of the fastener about an axis perpendicular to the direction of pull and thereby maintain the orientation of the fastener. Preventing rotation can ensure that the fastener remains correctly oriented during use and thus maintains the intended direction-dependent bending strength. This feature can increase the safety and reliability of the system during repeated load cycles.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the fastening element can be configured to pass through an opening in the securing plate, the securing plate being a lashing plate or an eye plate attached to the cargo securing structure. This arrangement can provide flexibility for connecting the fastening element to various marine lashing components and can allow the system to be integrated into existing cargo securing infrastructure on ships or hatch covers.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the cargo securing structure can comprise a lashing bridge, a hatch cover, or a deck of a container-carrying vessel. Providing compatibility with these structures ensures the system's usability in practical operating environments, enhances its applicability to modern container handling systems, and increases the robustness of cargo securing operations.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect, the increased bending strength of the fastener allows for an increase in the jaw width of the fork and the length of the fastener without increasing the thickness of the fastener or the lateral width of the vertical elements of the fork. Due to the increased direction-dependent bending strength, the fork can be made wider and the fastener longer without increasing their dimensions in other directions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this description, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, help to explain the principles of the invention. The following applies to the drawings: Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows an example of a partial front view of a turnbuckle attached to a cargo securing structure of the ship by a fastening member comprising a fork and a fastening element, and Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows an example of a side view of Fig. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0017] The same reference symbols are used to designate identical parts in the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following section refers in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not meant to represent the only ways in which the present example can be built or used. The description outlines the functions of the example as well as the sequence of steps or procedures for building and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be achieved by other examples.

[0019] According to one exemplary embodiment, if the ship heels heavily and the container stacks tilt sideways, container locks can hold the containers together, and the lashing elements can provide additional support for the container stacks. The lashing element can comprise a lashing bar and a turnbuckle. A system can be used to attach the turnbuckle of a lashing element to a cargo securing structure in a container ship. The system can include a fastening member comprising a fork and a fastening element, the fastening element being configured to engage with the cargo securing structure. The turnbuckle can be used to tension lashing bars in a container ship. The fork can be attached to a lashing plate or eye plate, which is arranged, for example, on a hatch cover or lashing bridge.

[0020] In conventional fork designs, the fastening element can be cylindrical with a circular cross-section. As a result, the fork can be wider to accommodate the circular geometry. This can increase the space required for the fastening structure.

[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment, a system for attaching a turnbuckle of a lashing element to a cargo securing structure in a container ship is disclosed. The system can include a fastening member comprising a fork and a fastening element, the fastening element being configured to engage with the cargo securing structure. The fastening element can have a non-circular cross-section. Additionally, the fastening element can be oriented such that its bending strength in one direction of tension of the turnbuckle can be greater than in other directions, for example, in lateral directions. The direction of tension is typically the direction of the turnbuckle and the connected lashing bar.

[0022] According to one exemplary embodiment, the fastening element can have a non-circular cross-section, such as oval or rectangular. The non-circular cross-section can be oriented such that the longer side of the cross-section is substantially aligned with the direction of tension acting on the fork. The direction of tension can be in the same direction as the tensile load acting on the turnbuckle and the lashing bar.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment, other forms for the fastening element are I beams or H beam profiles.

[0024] According to one exemplary embodiment, an advantage of a non-circular cross-section is that it allows the use of narrower vertical elements, such as side plates, in the fork. This can enable the installation of a turnbuckle in a more confined space and allow multiple turnbuckles to be installed closer together than before. Similarly, another advantage can be the ability to fit a stronger fastener and fork into the same installation space currently occupied by lower-strength solutions. Furthermore, a fastener with improved bending strength can allow the jaw opening of the fork to be increased without significantly increasing the thickness of the fastener itself, and thus without substantially increasing the width of the fork's vertical elements, such as side plates.

[0025] An example from Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a partial front view of a turnbuckle 5, which is attached to a cargo securing structure of the ship by means of a fastening element 2. The fastening element can comprise a fork 3 and a fastening element 4. An example from Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of Fig. 1.

[0026] An example from Fig. Figure 1 shows a system 1 for attaching a turnbuckle 5 of a lashing element to a load securing structure in a container. The system 1 comprises a fastening member 2. The fastening member includes a fork 3 and a fastening element 4, which is designed to engage with the load securing structure. The fastening element 4 has a non-circular cross-section 7. The orientation of the fastening element 4 is such that the bending strength in one tensile direction F is greater than in other directions.

[0027] As in the example of the Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the fork 3 of the fastener 2 comprises two spaced-apart vertical elements 9 to form a jaw. The lateral distance between the vertical elements 9 can define a jaw width J. A width of the vertical elements 9 of the fork 3 can define a lateral width W. Each vertical element 9 can include a bore 10. These bores 10 can be aligned with each other so that the fastener 4 can be inserted through them to secure the fastener 4 non-rotatably within the fork 3. The cross-section of the bores 10 can be shaped such that it substantially corresponds to the non-circular cross-section 7 of the fastener 4. This can ensure that the fastener 4 cannot rotate relative to the fork 3 under load.

[0028] The fastening element 4 can extend further through an opening 11 formed in a securing plate 6. The securing plate 6 can be designed as a lashing plate or an eye plate, which is mounted on the cargo securing structure of the ship.

[0029] The fastening element 4 can have a non-circular cross-section, for example a rectangular, oval or elliptical one, or alternatively an I-beam or H-beam profile. An axis 8 of the cross-section 7 can be oriented substantially along the tension direction F of the turnbuckle 5, which is also the case in the example of the Fig. Figure 1 shows the fastener. The fastener can have a thickness T.

[0030] In one example of the Fig. Figure 2 clearly shows the shape and orientation of the non-circular cross-section 7 of the fastener 4. The non-circular cross-section 7 can be elongated, resembling a rectangular, oval, or elliptical profile. The principal axis 8 can be vertically oriented, corresponding to the direction of tension F when the turnbuckle 5 is loaded. This configuration allows the fastener 4 to effectively resist bending in the direction of the applied force. The fastener 4 can pass through the aligned holes 10 in the vertical elements 9, ensuring secure attachment to the fork 3. Since the cross-sections can be substantially identical, the fastener 4 can be mounted non-rotatably. This prevents rotation about an axis perpendicular to the direction of tension F, thus keeping the fastener 4 in its optimal load-bearing orientation at all times.

[0031] An example of Fig. Figure 2 shows how the fastening element 4 passes through the opening 11 in the securing plate 6. The securing plate can provide a rigid, fixed structure through which the fastening element 4 can engage with the ship's cargo securing arrangement. The fastening element 4 can be relatively long without requiring an increase in the fork width W.

[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment, the non-circular cross-section 7 is rectangular, oval or elliptical, and a principal axis 8 of the cross-section 7 is oriented substantially along the direction of pull F of the turnbuckle 5.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fastening element 4 is an I-beam or H-beam, and a web of the I-beam or H-beam is substantially aligned with the direction of pull F.

[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment, the system 1 is designed to reduce the lateral size of the fastening element 4 by allowing the fork 3 and the vertical elements 9 to use a smaller lateral width W while maintaining the required strength.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fork 3 comprises two spaced-apart vertical elements 9. The fastening element 4 can be configured to extend between the vertical elements 9 in order to transfer a tensile load from the turnbuckle 5 to a securing plate 6 of the load securing structure.

[0036] According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the two vertical elements 9 includes a bore 10. The fastening element 4 can be configured to pass through the bores 10 of the vertical elements 9 in order to fasten the fastening element 4 to the fork 3.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment, the cross-section of the bores 10 of the two vertical elements 9 corresponds essentially to the non-circular cross-section 7 of the fastening element 4.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fastening element is mounted in the fork 3 in a non-rotatable manner in order to prevent rotation of the fastening element 4 about an axis perpendicular to the direction of pull F and thereby to maintain the orientation of the fastening element 4.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment, the fastening element 4 is designed to pass through an opening 11 in the securing plate 6. The securing plate 6 can comprise a lashing plate or an eye plate that is attached to the load securing structure.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment, the increased bending strength of the fastening element 4 allows an increase in the jaw width J of the fork 3 and the length of the fastening element 4 without increasing the thickness T of the fastening element 4 or the lateral width W of the vertical elements 9 of the fork 3.

[0041] Each range or device value specified herein may be expanded or modified without losing its intended effect. Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment unless expressly excluded.

[0042] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or actions, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the attached claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as examples of the implementation of the claims, and other equivalent features and actions are intended to fall within the scope of the claims.

[0043] It is understood that the advantages and benefits described above may refer to one embodiment or to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve one or all of the problems mentioned or that offer one or all of the advantages and benefits mentioned. Furthermore, it is understood that reference to "one" element may refer to one or more of these elements.

[0044] The steps or processes of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order or, if necessary, simultaneously. Furthermore, individual sections of one of the methods may be omitted without altering the scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of one of the embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other described embodiments to form further embodiments without losing the desired effect.

[0045] The term “comprehensive” is used herein to mean including the identified methods, blocks or elements, although such blocks or elements do not constitute an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements.

[0046] Although objects can be described as "first," "second," or "third," this does not necessarily indicate any order or importance of the objects. Rather, such attributes can be used solely for the purpose of distinguishing between objects.

[0047] It is understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art. The above description, examples, and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of detail or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous modifications to the disclosed embodiments without deviating from the scope of this description.

Claims

[1] A system (1) for attaching a turnbuckle (5) to a cargo securing structure in a container ship, wherein the system (1) comprises a fastening member (2) comprising a fork (3) and a fastening element (4), wherein the fastening element (4) is configured to engage with the cargo securing structure, wherein the fastening element (4) has a non-circular cross-section (7), and wherein the orientation of the fastening element (4) is such that a bending strength of the fastening element (4) in one tensile direction (F) of the turnbuckle (5) is greater than in other directions. [2] The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the non-circular cross-section (7) is rectangular, oval or elliptical and a principal axis (8) of the cross-section (7) is oriented substantially along the direction of pull (F) of the turnbuckle (5). [3] The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element (4) is an I-beam or H-beam and a web of the I-beam or H-beam is substantially aligned with the direction of pull (F). [4] The system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening element (4) is mounted in the fork (3) in a non-rotatable manner in order to prevent rotation of the fastening element (4) about an axis perpendicular to the direction of pull (F) and thereby maintain the orientation of the fastening element (4). [5] The system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fork (3) comprises two spaced-apart vertical elements (9), and wherein the fastening element (4) is configured to extend between the vertical elements (9) in order to transfer a tensile load from the turnbuckle (5) to a securing plate (6) of the load securing structure. [6] The system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the system (1) is configured to reduce the lateral size of the fastening element (4) by allowing the fork (3) and the vertical elements (9) to use a smaller lateral width (W) while maintaining the required strength. [7] The system (1) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein each of the two vertical elements (9) comprises a bore (10) and the fastening element (4) is configured to pass through the bores (10) of the vertical elements (9) in order to fasten the fastening element (4) to the fork (3). [8] The system (1) according to claim 7, wherein the cross-section of the bores (10) of the two vertical elements (9) substantially corresponds to the non-circular cross-section (7) of the fastening element (4). [9] The system (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the fastening element (4) is configured to pass through an opening (11) of the securing plate (6), and wherein the securing plate (6) comprises a lashing plate or an eye plate which is attached to the load securing structure. [10] The system (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the increased bending strength of the fastening element (4) allows an increase in the jaw width (J) of the fork (3) and the length of the fastening element (4) without increasing the thickness (T) of the fastening element (4) or the lateral width (W) of the vertical elements (9) of the fork (3).

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