Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector having high operation safety and used for vertically overlapping containers.SOLUTION: A connector according to the present invention includes a first latch 2, a second latch 3, and a pull rope 4. The first latch 2 includes a first body having two spaced sidewalls 26 and a first latch portion connected to the top side of the first body along a vertical direction Z. On one sidewall 26, a rope passage hole 262 communicating with the exterior and a mounting space 200 is opened. The second latch 3 includes a second body accommodated between two sidewalls 26 and having a second latch portion 36. The pull rope 4 is fixed to the second latch 3 and exposed from the rope passage hole 262, and when pulled, it can move between a locked position in which the second latch portion 36 approaches the first latch portion and engages with the bottom connecting member and a released position in which the second latch portion moves away from the first latch portion and can be released from the bottom connecting member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector used when stacking containers one on top of the other. [Background technology]

[0002] A container has eight connecting members, each attached to the top and bottom corners. In order to prevent the stacked containers from shifting during the process of transporting containers by ship, when a container is loaded onto a ship, a coupler is first hung on each of the four connecting members on the bottom side of the container, and then when the container is lifted up and placed on top of another container, the couplers hung on each container, due to their special shape and angle design, engage with the four connecting members on the top side of the container below with the momentum of descending, thereby achieving a locking function that fixes the two stacked containers together.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector for connecting two containers that are stacked one on top of the other. The connector includes a first connecting protrusion and a second connecting protrusion that are installed on opposite sides of each other, and a fastening device.

[0004] The first connecting projection engages with the upper container and the second connecting projection engages with the lower container.

[0005] The fastening device includes a block operably mounted to the first connecting projection and a compression spring supporting the block.

[0006] The design of the fastening device can prevent the connector hanging on the container from accidentally falling off during the container's transportation on a ship.

[0007] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a commercially available connector 100 similar to the connector of Patent Document 1 includes a first connecting protrusion 11 that engages with an upper container 101, a second connecting protrusion 12 opposite the first connecting protrusion 11, and a fastening device 13.

[0008] The fastening device 13 includes a block 131 and a compression spring 132. When removing the coupler 100 from the container 101, an operator reaches into the coupler 100 from underneath the container 101, pulls the block 131 with his fingers to the release position shown in Figure 3, and then grasps and rotates the coupler 100 with the other hand to remove the coupler 100 from the container 101.

[0009] In the above operation, the operator must be very close to the container 101 before he can reach inside the connector 100, which makes the operation inconvenient and unsafe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Patent No. 101027233 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a connector for use in stacking containers one on top of another, which connector is highly safe to operate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides: A connector that is used when stacking containers one on top of the other and is attached to a bottom connecting member that is fixed to the bottom side of the container, a first latch, a second latch, and a tug rope; The first latch comprises: A first body; A protrusion portion connected to a bottom side of the first body along a vertical direction; a first latch portion connected to a top side of the first body along the vertical direction; The first body has two side walls spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, The top side of each of the side walls is connected to the first latch portion, and an installation space is defined between the two side walls, and one of the side walls has a rope passage hole communicating with the outside and the installation space; the second latch is installed in the mounting space so as to be movable along the up-down direction, The second latch comprises: a second body housed between the two side walls; and an elastic body disposed between the second body and the first latch so as to be compressible; the second body has a second latch portion; The pull rope has one end fixed to the second latch and the other end exposed from the rope passage hole, and when the pull rope is pulled, an acting force is generated along a direction forming an angle with the vertical direction, so that the second latch can be moved between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the first latch, When the second latch is in the locked position, the second latch portion approaches the first latch portion and together they engage with the bottom connecting member; The present invention provides a connector characterized in that, when the second latch is positioned in the release position, the second latch portion separates from the first latch portion, the elastic body is compressed to accumulate a biasing force that moves the second latch portion toward the first latch portion, and the connector can be removed from the bottom connecting member. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The connector of the present invention has the other end of the tow rope exposed through the rope passage hole, so that an operator can pull the connector and remove it from the bottom connecting member by pulling the tow rope with one hand while maintaining a safe distance from the container.

[0014] The connector of the present invention can be removed by an operator with one hand, which is convenient to use, and can maintain a safe distance from the container, preventing the risk of collision with the container, thereby ensuring high operational safety. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a commercially available connector. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the engagement of the commercially available connector with a container. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the removal of the commercially available connector from a container. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view illustrating the attachment of an embodiment of the connector of the present invention to a bottom connecting member. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the above embodiment attached to a bottom connecting member and a top connecting member. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6, showing the second latch in a locked position relative to the first latch. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the second latch in a locked position relative to the first latch in the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a partial rear view showing a combination of a second latch and a mounting bar in the embodiment. [Figure 10] 9 is a front view similar to FIG. 8 showing the second latch in the above embodiment in a disengaged position relative to the first latch. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional schematic view showing the second latch in the above embodiment in a locked position relative to the first latch. [Figure 12] 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing the second latch of the previous embodiment in a disengaged position relative to the first latch. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 11 showing the second latch in the above embodiment in an unlocked position relative to the first latch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In order to more clearly describe the objectives, technical means and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical means in the embodiments of the present invention in combination with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. It is clear that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention depicted and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided below in the accompanying drawings does not constitute any limitation on the protection scope of the present invention, but only represents selected embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] Before describing the present invention in more detail, it should be noted that, where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

[0018] In describing the present invention, terms indicating orientations and positional relationships, such as "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "left," "right," "front," and "rear," are based on the orientations and positional relationships shown in the drawings or the orientations and positional relationships customarily placed when using the product of the present invention, for the purpose of easier and clearer description, and are not intended to teach or suggest that the corresponding apparatus or device has a specific orientation, a structure or operation in a specific orientation, etc., and are not intended to be limitations on the present invention.

[0019] Moreover, in describing the present invention, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used for distinguishing purposes only and do not teach or imply any relative importance.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the embodiment of the connector of the present invention is a connector that is attached to a bottom connecting member 91 and adapted to connect to a top connecting member 92 when stacking containers one on top of the other.

[0021] The bottom connecting member 91 is fixed to the bottom side of an upper container (not shown) and the top connecting member 92 is fixed to the top side of a lower container (not shown).

[0022] The structure and use of the bottom connecting member 91 and the top connecting member 92 are conventional container technologies, and the details thereof can be inferred by a person having ordinary skill in the art of the present invention, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0023] The connector of the present invention also includes a first latch 2, a second latch 3, and a drag rope 4, as shown in FIG.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the first latch 2 includes a first body 21, a first latch portion 22 connected to the top side of the first body 21 along the vertical direction Z, a protrusion portion 23 connected to the bottom side of the first body 21 along the vertical direction Z, and a mounting rod 24 fixed to the first body 21.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the first main body 21 has a base wall 25 extending along the up-down direction Z, two side walls 26 spaced apart in a lateral direction X perpendicular to the up-down direction Z and installed on either side of the base wall 25, a protruding base 27 formed on the base wall 25, and a connecting wall 28 configured to connect the two side walls 26 along the lateral direction X.

[0026] In this embodiment, the lateral direction X is the left-right direction.

[0027] An attachment space 200 is defined between the two side walls 26 and faces the front side (the lower side in FIG. 6).

[0028] Each side wall 26 has a mounting hole 261 that communicates with the mounting space 200 .

[0029] One of the side walls 26 has a rope passage hole 262 that communicates with the outside and the mounting space 200.

[0030] In this embodiment, the rope passing hole 262 is formed parallel to the lateral direction X, but in other variations, the rope passing hole 262 may be formed inclined with respect to the lateral direction X and the vertical direction Z.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the protruding base 27 is located within the mounting space 200 and is formed between the two side walls .

[0032] As shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the protruding base 27 has a top surface 271 formed on the top side, and a rope groove 272 formed on the front side through which the pulling rope 4 passes.

[0033] The rope tank 272 is formed between the two side walls 26, and includes a straight portion 273 extending along the vertical direction Z, and a curved portion 274 extending from the straight portion 273 toward the rope passing hole 262 and connecting to the rope passing hole 262.

[0034] 4 to 6, the connecting wall 28 is configured in a U-shape such that both opposite ends in the lateral direction X extend beyond the two side walls 26. That is, the right end of the connecting wall 28 protrudes to the right beyond the right ends of the two side walls 26, and the left end of the connecting wall 28 protrudes to the left beyond the left ends of the two side walls 26.

[0035] The position of the connecting wall 28 in the vertical direction Z is aligned with the position of the rope passing hole 262 in the vertical direction Z.

[0036] In this embodiment, when bottom and top connecting members 91, 92 are attached, bottom and top connecting members 91, 92 abut both the top and bottom of connecting wall 28.

[0037] A first latch portion 22 is connected to the top side of each side wall 26 and is used to attach to a bottom connecting member 91 .

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusions 23 are disposed opposite each other on the side walls 26 in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the lateral direction X and the vertical direction Z, and are used for automatically inserting into the top connecting member 92.

[0039] The mounting rods 24 are fixed in the respective mounting holes 261 along the lateral direction X.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, the second latch 3 is installed in the mounting space 200 so as to be movable along the vertical direction Z.

[0041] The second latch 3 includes a second body 31 housed between the two side walls 26 and an elastic body 32 disposed between the second body 31 and the first latch 2 so as to be compressible.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5, 8 and 9, the second body 31 has a main wall 33, two partition walls 34 installed on the main wall 33 so as to extend from the main wall 33 toward the side where the base wall 25 is located (i.e., the rear side) at a distance from each other, a hook wall 35 formed on the top side of the main wall 33, a second latch portion 36 formed on the side of the main wall 33 opposite the side where the two partition walls 34 are installed (i.e., the front side of the main wall 33), and an annular portion 37 connected to the bottom side of the main wall 33.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 9, the top ends of the two partition walls 34 are connected to each other, and the storage tank 30 is defined between the portions of the two partition walls 34 other than the top ends.

[0044] Each partition 34 has a long groove 341 extending in the vertical direction Z.

[0045] The mounting rod 24 is inserted into each of the elongated grooves 341 of the second latch 3. That is, each of the elongated grooves 341 is used for inserting the mounting rod 24.

[0046] One of the partition walls 34 has a fixing seat 342 that is spaced apart from the storage tank 30 in the lateral direction X and is positioned below the hook wall 35 .

[0047] The fixing seat 342 includes an opening 343 that communicates with the mounting space 200 and is formed to allow the rope body 42 to pass therethrough.

[0048] The hook wall 35 includes a through hole 351 located above the fixed seat 342 and aligned with the position of the opening 343 .

[0049] In addition, the hook wall 35 extends toward the first latch portion 22 higher than the top surface 271 of the protruding base 27 .

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the annular portion 37 extends in a direction toward the protrusion 23, that is, toward the rear side, and defines an accommodation space 38 for accommodating the protruding base 27 together with the hook wall 35.

[0051] The elastic body 32 is a compression spring in this embodiment, and is installed in the container 30, and its opposite ends abut against the mounting rod 24 and the second body 31, respectively.

[0052] 4 to 8, in this embodiment, the second latch portion 36 has two locking walls 361 spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction X. Each of the locking walls 361 is formed in a trapezoidal shape.

[0053] 7 and 9, one end of the pull rope 4 is fixed to the second latch 3, and the other end is exposed from the rope passing hole 262. In this embodiment, the pull rope 4 has a fixed head 41 fixed to the fixed seat 342, a rope body 42 extending from the fixed head 41 and exposed from the rope passing hole 262, and a handle 43 attached to an end portion on the outside of the rope body 42.

[0054] The through hole 351 of the hook wall 35 of the second latch 3 is formed to allow the fixed head 41 to pass therethrough. The size of the fixed head 41 is configured to be larger than the size of the opening 343 of the fixed seat 342. Therefore, the fixed head 41 can pass through the through hole 351 and be fixed to the fixed seat 342.

[0055] In this embodiment, the rope body 42 is a wire rope, and after passing through the rope groove 272, it extends and is exposed to the outside through the rope passing hole 262.

[0056] More specifically, the rope body 42 passes through the opening 343 of the fixed seat 342, extends downward along the straight portion 273 of the rope tank 272, then curves along the curved portion 274, extends from the rope passage hole 262, and terminates at the attachment point to the handle 43. In this embodiment, the handle 43 is a gourd-shaped handle.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom connecting member 91 and the top connecting member 92 abut on both the upper and lower sides of the connecting wall 28, respectively, and the rope body 42 and the handle 43 can be exposed between the bottom connecting member 91 and the top connecting member 92, so that the structure of the present invention is not affected when the containers are stacked.

[0058] As shown in Figures 8 and 10, when the pull rope 4 is pulled, a force is generated along a direction that is angled with the vertical direction Z, which can move the second latch 3 up and down relative to the first latch 2 between a locked position shown in Figure 8 and an unlocked position shown in Figure 10. In this embodiment, the force is a lateral force.

[0059] As shown in Figures 7, 8 and 11, when the second latch 3 is in the locked position, the second latch portion 36 approaches the first latch portion 22, and together they engage with the bottom connecting member 91, and the lower ends of each long groove 341 abut against the mounting rod 24.

[0060] As shown in Figures 10, 12 and 13, when the second latch 3 is located in the release position, the second latch portion 36 moves away from the first latch portion 22, and the hook wall 35 abuts against the top surface 271 of the protruding base 27, the elastic body 32 is compressed to accumulate a biasing force that moves the second latch portion 36 toward the first latch portion 22, and the upper ends of each long groove 341 abut against the mounting rod 24. At this time, the second latch portion 36 is not engaged with the bottom connecting member 91, so that the connector of the present invention can be removed from the bottom connecting member 91.

[0061] While the second latch 3 moves between the locked position and the unlocked position, each long groove 341 moves up and down relative to the mounting rod 24. The movable range of the second latch 3 can be limited by each long groove 341.

[0062] When the coupler is to be removed after the two stacked containers have been separated, the fixed head 41 of the pull rope 4 is fixed to the second latch 3, so that the operator can simply take the handle 43 of the pull rope 4 with one hand and pull it in a direction away from the bottom connecting member 91, which will cause the pull rope 4 to quickly move the second latch 3 downward along the vertical direction Z to the release position, causing the coupler to automatically detach from the bottom connecting member 91 and fall down.

[0063] At that time, since the operator's hands are still holding the handle 43 of the towline 4, the coupler can be removed as is, so that the operator can operate the coupler while maintaining a safe distance from the container, which is very safe.

[0064] According to the above configuration, in the coupler of the present invention, the other end of the tow rope 4 is exposed from the rope passing hole 262, so that the operator can simply hold the handle 43 with one hand and pull in a direction away from the bottom connecting member 91 while maintaining a safe distance from the container, and the coupler of the present invention will automatically detach from the bottom connecting member 91. Therefore, since the operator can operate the coupler of the present invention with one hand, it is convenient to use, and a safe distance from the container can be secured, preventing the risk of collision with the container, making the operation safer and achieving the object of the present invention.

[0065] While the invention has been described in connection with what are considered to be exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements within the broadest spirit and scope so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

[0066] The above embodiment is illustratively intended to explain the principles and effects of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make some changes or modifications to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention should be considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0067] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitable for providing a connector for use when stacking containers one on top of the other, which connector is highly safe to operate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 2 First Latch 200 Installation space 21 First Body 22 First latch part 23 Protrusion 24 Mounting rod 25 Base Wall 26 Side wall 261 Mounting hole 262 Rope passage hole 27 Protrusion stand 271 Top surface 272 Rope tank 273 Straight section 274 Curved Section 28 Connecting wall 3 Second Latch 30 Containment Tank 31 Second Body 32 Elastic Body 33 Main Wall 34 Spacing wall 341 Long tank 342 Fixed seat 343 Aperture 35 Hook Wall 351 Passing hole 36 Second latch part 361 Retaining Wall 37 Circular section 38 Containment Space 4. Tow Rope 41 Fixed Head 42 Rope body 43 Handle 91 Bottom connecting member 92 Top connecting member X Horizontal Z vertical direction

Claims

1. A connector adapted to be attached to a bottom connecting member fixed to the bottom side of an upper container when stacking containers one above the other, a first latch, a second latch, and a tug rope; The first latch comprises: A first body; A protrusion portion connected to a bottom side of the first body along a vertical direction; a first latch portion connected to a top side of the first body along the vertical direction; The first body has two side walls spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, The top side of each of the side walls is connected to the first latch portion, and an installation space is defined between the two side walls. One of the side walls has a rope passage hole communicating with the outside and the installation space. the second latch is disposed in the mounting space so as to be movable along the up-down direction, The second latch includes: a second body housed between the two side walls; and an elastic body disposed between the second body and the first latch so as to be compressible; the second body has a second latch portion; The pull rope has one end fixed to the second latch and the other end exposed from the rope passing hole, and when the pull rope is pulled, an acting force is generated along a direction forming an angle with the vertical direction, so that the second latch can be moved between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the first latch, When the second latch is in the locked position, the second latch portion approaches the first latch portion and together they engage with the bottom connecting member; A connector characterized in that when the second latch is positioned in the release position, the second latch portion moves away from the first latch portion, the elastic body is compressed to accumulate a biasing force that moves the second latch portion toward the first latch portion, and the connector can be removed from the bottom connecting member.

2. The second body further includes a main wall and two partition walls disposed on one side of the main wall and spaced apart from each other; A storage tank is defined between the two partition walls, The elastic body is placed in the storage tank, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second latch portion is formed on a side of the main wall opposite to a side on which the two partition walls are provided.

3. Each of the side walls has a mounting hole formed therein, Each of the partitions has a long groove extending along the up-down direction, the first latch further includes a mounting bar secured to each of the mounting holes and inserted into each of the slots of the second latch; The opposite ends of the elastic body abut against the mounting rod and the second body, respectively; 3. The connector of claim 2, wherein each of said long grooves moves up and down relative to said mounting bar during movement of said second latch between said locked position and said unlocked position.

4. The second body further includes a container in which the elastic body is installed, and a fixing seat spaced apart from the container in the lateral direction, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the pull rope has a fixed head fixed to the fixed seat and a rope body extending from the fixed head and exposed from the rope passing hole.

5. The first body further includes a line groove formed between the two side walls and through which the tow line passes; The connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that the rope groove includes a straight portion extending along the vertical direction and a curved portion extending from the straight portion toward the rope passing hole and connecting to the rope passing hole.

6. The first body further includes a base wall on which the two side walls are installed, and a protruding platform formed on the base wall and positioned within the mounting space, The protruding base has a top surface, the second body further includes a hook wall facing the first latch portion and higher than the top surface; 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein said hook wall abuts said top surface when said second latch is moved to said disengaged position.

7. The second body further includes a fixing seat located below the hook wall, The pull rope has a fixed head fixed to the fixed seat and a rope body extending from the fixed head and exposed from the rope passing hole, 7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the hook wall includes a through hole formed to allow the fastening head to pass therethrough.

8. 8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein the rope body is a wire rope.

9. The fixing seat includes an opening formed to allow the rope body to pass therethrough, 8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the size of the fastening head is configured to be larger than the size of the opening.

10. The first body further includes a connecting wall configured to connect the two side walls along the lateral direction, The connecting wall is configured such that opposite ends in the lateral direction extend beyond the two side walls, The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical position of the connecting wall is aligned with the vertical position of the rope passing hole.

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