Locking apparatus

Abstract

A locking mechanism 1 for a modular storage system. The locking mechanism comprises actuator portion(s) 2 which are moveable, upon contact with a forklift tine, between a first extended position and a

Description

The present invention relates to a modular storage system for use in connection with intermodal containers and vehicles, and to a method of installing and removing containers from the modular storage system. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Containers are conventionally transported by road, rail and on ships. In order to reduce movement during transportation, there is a need for an effective locking mechanism which is capable of being used on all types of transport and vehicle chassis. Transfer of freight from one vehicle to another can be slow and can require a large number of operators to ensure the freight is moved safely. There are therefore significant safety considerations and labour costs associated with conventional freight transfer. There is therefore a need for a cost effective locking mechanism which can be utilised on all types of vehicle involved in freight transport. There is also a need for a more efficient freight transfer operation. SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular storage system comprising: a locking mechanism for a modular storage system, the locking mechanism comprising: at least one actuator portion configured in use to be moveable, upon contact with a forklift tine, between: a first extended position; and a second retracted position; and at least one clamping portion configured in use to receive and engage a corresponding engagement feature of an adjacent modular storage system, in which the clamping portion is moveable between: a first engaged position, when the at least one actuator portion is in the first extended position, in which the at least one clamping portion engages the engagement feature to secure the adjacent modular storage system in position; and a second released position, when the at least one actuator portion is in the second retracted position, in which the at least one clamping portion is free from engagement with the engagement feature. The locking mechanism may be provided on a base portion. The base portion may be substantially planar. In one embodiment, the base portion forms a portion of a container or a portion of a vehicle, for example a rail or road vehicle. The container may for example be configured for mounting and transporting on a vehicle, for example a rail or road vehicle. The container may be a standard ISO shipping container. The actuator may for example be configured in use to be moveable between the first extended and second retracted positions when exposed to pressure supplied by the forklift tines, for example when subjected to compressive forces upon contact with forklift tines. The locking mechanism comprises a pair of spaced apart actuator portions, each actuator portion being configured to be moveable upon contact with a respective forklift tine. The locking mechanism may for example comprise at least one guide portion in communication with the at least one actuator. The at least one guide portion configured in use to receive a corresponding forklift tine and to direct the forklift tine into contact with the at least one actuator. The at least one guide portion may for example be a hollow channel or recess. The guide portion may for example comprise at least one opening in wall thereof. The at least one actuator may be aligned with the opening, and at least a portion may extend therethrough, to enable contact with a forklift tine received within the guide portion during use. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a pair of spaced apart clamping portions. Each clamping portion being configured to receive and engage a corresponding engagement feature. In one embodiment, a pair of spaced apart actuator portions are aligned along a first axis, and a pair of spaced apart clamping portions are aligned along a second axis. The first axis preferably extends at an angle to, for example substantially perpendicular to, the second axis. A pair of spaced apart clamping portions are preferably substantially centrally positioned with respect to the first axis defined by the pair of spaced apart actuator portions. The pair of spaced apart actuator portions are preferably substantially centrally positioned with respect to the second axis defined by the pair of spaced apart clamping portions. In one embodiment, the at least one actuator portion and at least one clamping portion define a plane. The at least one clamping portion is preferably configured to receive and engage an engagement feature extending at an angle to the plane, for example extending substantially perpendicular to the plane. The at least one actuator portion is preferably configured in use to be moveable between the first extended position and the second retracted position by movement of the at least one actuator portion in a direction extending at an angle to, preferably substantially perpendicular to, the direction of movement of the forklift tine during use. In one embodiment, the at least one actuator is preferably configured in use to be moveable in a direction extending substantially parallel to the first axis when moving between the first extended and second retracted positions. The locking mechanism preferably further comprises a release mechanism operable to move the at least one clamping portion from the first engaged position to the second released position. The release mechanism is preferably manually operable. The release mechanism may be configured to be remotely operable. The release mechanism may comprise one or more solenoid and / or magnet configured in use to be remotely operated. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular storage system comprising: a container comprising at least one engagement feature extending outwardly from a first base portion thereof; and a locking mechanism as herein described, in which the locking mechanism comprises at least one clamping portion positioned to releasably engage the at least one engagement feature. The at least one engagement feature preferably comprises one or more of: protrusion, ridges, loops, or hooks, or any combination thereof. The container may comprise a pair of spaced apart engagement features. The engagement feature(s) may be located at or adjacent a periphery of the first base portion of the container. The at least one engagement feature may extend at any angle relative to the first base portion of the container. Preferably, the at least one engagement feature extends substantially perpendicular to the first base portion of the container. The modular storage system preferably further comprises a second base portion defining a contact surface configured to support the container thereon. The second base portion preferably comprises the locking mechanism. The second base portion is preferably a planar base portion defining a planar contact surface. The at least one clamping portion is preferably located at or adjacent a periphery of the second base portion. The second base portion may have any suitable shape and / or dimensions. For example, the base portion may be substantially square or rectangular in shape. In one embodiment, the container, for example the first base portion of the container comprises a pair of spaced apart guide portions (for example hollow channels or recesses) configured in use to receive forklift tines therein. Each guide portion is preferably configured in use to be in communication with a corresponding actuator portion of the locking mechanism such that insertion or removal of a forklift tine causes actuation of the actuator portion. In one embodiment, the guide portion provides an opening, which is aligned in use with the corresponding actuator portion (and preferably is configured to receive at least a portion of the actuator portion extending therethrough) to provide for contact with a forklift tine. The locking mechanism is preferably configured to be moveable between a first engaged position in which the container is retained in position relative to the base portion, and a second released position in which the container is capable of being moved apart from the base portion, for example in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the base portion. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism is placed in the second released position on receipt of forklift tines within the pair of spaced apart guide portions of the container. The locking mechanism is preferably placed in the first engaged position on removal of forklift tines from the guide portions of the container. The container may be any suitable container. For example the container may be an intermodal container or a vehicle. It is to be understood that in one or more embodiments, the forklift tines may be received within guide portions of the second base portion to cause actuation of the locking mechanism. According to a third aspect, there is provided a method for installing a container on to a base portion of a modular storage system as herein described, the method comprising: inserting forklift tines within guide portions of the container or second base portion; positioning the container in position relative to the contact surface of the second base portion such that engagement feature(s) of the container are received within the corresponding connector portion(s) of the locking mechanism, in which the connector portion(s) are in the second released position; and removing the forklift tines from the guide portions such that the connector portion(s) move to the first engaged position retaining the container in position relative to the second planar base portion. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail in relation to the accompanying Figures: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a view from above of the locking mechanism of Figure 1 with a forklift; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a view from above of the locking mechanism of Figure 1 being operated by a forklift; Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a view from above of the locking mechanism of Figure 1 being operated by a forklift; Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a perspective exploded view of the locking mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the locking mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of a method of installing a modular storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprising the locking mechanism of Figure l;and Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of the modular storage system of Figure 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to Figures 1 to 6, the locking mechanism 1 of the present invention comprises a pair of spaced apart actuator portions 2 configured in use to be moveable, upon contact with (for example pressure supplied by (i.e. compressive forces exerted during insertion of)) a forklift tine 4, between a first extended position (Figure 2); and a second retracted position (Figure 3). The locking mechanism 1 further comprises a pair of spaced apart clamping portions 6 configured in use to receive and engage a corresponding engagement feature 8 of an adjacent container. The clamping portions 6 are each configured in use to be moveable between: a first engaged position, when the actuator portions 2 are in the first extended position, in which the clamping portions 6 each engage the corresponding engagement feature 8 to secure the container in position; and a second released position, when the actuator portions 2 are in the second retracted position, in which the clamping portions 6 are free from engagement with the engagement feature 8. It is to be understood that the locking mechanism 1 may comprise any suitable number of actuator portions 2 and / or clamping portions 6. The pair of spaced apart actuator portions 2 are aligned along a first axis, and the pair of spaced apart clamping portions 6 are aligned along a second axis, in which the first axis extends substantially perpendicular to the second axis. The pair of spaced apart clamping portions 6 are substantially centrally positioned with respect to the first axis. The pair of spaced apart actuator portions 2 are substantially centrally positioned with respect to the second axis. It is however to be understood that the clamping portions 6 may be positioned in any suitable location relative to the actuator portions 2. The pair of spaced apart actuator portions 2 and the pair of spaced apart clamping portions 6 define a plane. The pair of spaced apart clamping portions 6 are configured to receive and engage an engagement feature 8 extending at an angle to the plane defined by the actuator portions 2 and clamping portions 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement feature 8 extends substantially perpendicular to the plane. It is however to be understood that the engagement feature 8 may extend at any suitable angle. The actuator portions 2 are configured in use to be moveable between the first extended position and the second retracted position by movement of the actuator portions in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the forklift tine during use. Movement between the first extended position and second retracted position extends substantially parallel to the first axis. It is however to be understood that such movement may take place in any suitable direction. The locking mechanism 1 further comprises a rack and pinion mechanism 10 connecting the actuator portions 2 to the clamping portions 6. The locking mechanism 1 further comprises a release mechanism 12 operable to move the at clamping portion from the first engaged position to the second released position. In the illustrated embodiment, the release mechanism 12 is manually operable. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in use, forklift tines 4 are inserted into guide portions 14 (in the form of hollow channels) of the container 16. The container 16 is aligned vertically above the locking mechanism 1. The forklift lowers the container 16 such that the first base portion thereof is contacted with the second base portion 18 of the modular storage system. Engagement features 8 of the container 16 are lowered into the corresponding clamping portions 6 of the locking mechanism. As the forklift tines 4 are lowered, the tines 14 cause compression of the actuator portions 2 thereby causing the actuator portions 2 to move from the first extended position to the second retracted position. Movement of the actuator portions 2 towards the second retracted position causes the clamping portions 6 to move to the second released position to enable the engagement features 8 to be received therein. On removal of the forklift tines 4 from the guide portions 14, the compressive forces exerted on the actuator portions 2 are removed, thereby causing the actuator portions 2 to move towards the first extended position. Movement of the actuator portions 2 towards the first extended position causes the clamping portions 6 to move to the first engaged position, in which the clamping portions 6 engage the engagement features 8 received therein. The container 16 is therefore secured in position and the clamping portions 6 prevent any unauthorised movement of the container 16 relative to the second base portion. The engagement features may comprise one or more of: protrusions, ridges, loops, or hooks, or any combination thereof. On removal, forklift tines 4 are received within the guide portions 14 of the container 16 and subject the corresponding actuator portions 2 to compressive forces causing movement of the actuator towards the second retracted position thereby releasing engagement with the engagement features 8. The container 16 may therefore be moved freely away from the locking mechanism 1.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for a modular storage system, the locking mechanism comprising:at least one actuator portion configured in use to be moveable, upon contact with a5 forklift tine, between:a first extended position; anda second retracted position; andat least one clamping portion configured in use to receive and engage a corresponding engagement feature of an adjacent modular storage system, in which the clamping portion is 10 moveable between:a first engaged position, when the at least one actuator portion is in the first extended position, in which the at least one clamping portion engages the engagement feature to secure the adjacent modular storage system in position; anda second released position, when the at least one actuator portion is in the 15 second retracted position, in which the at least one clamping portion is free from engagementwith the engagement feature,in which the at least one actuator portion is configured in use to be moveable between the first extended position and the second retracted position when subjected to compressive forces on contact with a forklift tine, and in which the at least one actuator20 portion is configured in use to be moveable between the first extended position and thesecond retracted position by movement of the at least one actuator portion in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the forklift tine during use.

2. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1, in which the locking mechanism comprises a pair 25 of spaced apart actuator portions, each actuator portion being configured to be moveable upon contact with a respective forklift tine.

3. A locking mechanism as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the locking mechanism comprises a pair of spaced apart clamping portions, each clamping portion being configured to receive and engage a corresponding engagement feature.20 08 244. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 3, in which the pair of spaced apart actuator portions are aligned along a first axis, and the pair of spaced apart clamping portions are aligned along a second axis, in which the first axis extends substantially perpendicular to the second axis.

5. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 4, in which the pair of spaced apart clamping portions 5 are substantially centrally positioned with respect to the first axis.

6. A locking mechanism as claimed in either of claims 4 and 5, in which the pair of spaced apart actuator portions are substantially centrally positioned with respect to the second axis.

7. A locking mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the at least one actuator portion and at least one clamping portion define a plane, and in which the at least one clamping 10 portion is configured to receive and engage an engagement feature extending at an angle to the plane.

8. A locking mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a release mechanism operable to move the at least one clamping portion to the second retracted position.

9. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 8, in which the release mechanism is manually operable.15 10. A modular storage system comprising:a container comprising at least one engagement feature extending outwardly from the base portion; anda locking mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the locking mechanism comprises at least one clamping portion positioned to releasably engage the at 20 least one engagement feature.

11. A modular storage system as claimed in claim 10, in which the at least one engagement feature comprises one or more of: protrusion, ridges, loops, or hooks, or any combination thereof.

12. A modular storage system as claimed in either of claims 10 and 11, further comprising a second base portion defining a contact surface configured to support the container thereon, in which 25 the second base portion comprises the locking mechanism.

13. A modular storage system as claimed in claim 12, in which the second base portion is a planar base portion defining a planar contact surface.

14. A modular storage system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, in which at least one clamping portion is located at or adjacent a periphery of the second base portion.20 08 2415. A modular storage system as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, in which the second base portion comprises a pair of spaced apart hollow channels configured in use to receive forklift tines therein, in which each hollow channel is in communication with a corresponding actuator portion of the locking mechanism.5 16. A modular storage system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15, in which the lockingmechanism is configured to be moveable between a second released position in which the container is capable of being moved apart from the second base portion in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the second base portion; and a first engaged position in which the container is retained in position relative to the second base portion.10 17. A modular storage system as claimed in claim 16, in which the locking mechanism is placedin the second released position on receipt of forklift tines within the pair of spaced apart hollow channels of the second base portion.

18. A modular storage system as claimed in either of claims 16 and 17, in which the locking mechanism is placed in the first engaged position on removal of forklift tines from the hollow channels 15 of the second base portion.

19. A modular storage system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 18, in which the apparatus is an intermodal container or a vehicle.

20. A method for installing a container on to a second base portion of a modular storage system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 19, the method comprising:20 inserting forklift tines within guide portions of the container or second base portion;positioning the container in position relative to the contact surface of the second base portion such that engagement feature(s) of the container are received within the corresponding clamping portion(s) of the locking mechanism, in which the clamping portion(s) are in the second released position; and25 removing the forklift tines from the guide portions such that the clamping portion(s) move tothe first engaged position retaining the container in position relative to the second base portion.

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