Attachment device for lashing means for containers on vehicles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for fastening lashing means for containers on vehicles, comprising at least one lashing plate, a double plate rotatably attached to the at least one lashing plate by means of a connecting bolt and having at least two lashing eyes, each accommodating one lashing means, the at least two lashing eyes forming a two-armed lever on the connecting bolt, and a first means for limiting rotational movement of the double plate about the connecting bolt, the device adjusting the force balance between at least two forces acting on the at least two lashing eyes. To ensure proper force balance during vehicle operation and to prevent incorrect fastening, it is proposed to provide a stop as the first means for limiting rotational movement of the double plate around the connecting bolt in a first rotational direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for mounting lashing means for containers on vehicles, comprising at least one lashing plate, a double plate rotatably attached to the at least one lashing plate by means of a connecting bolt and having at least two lashing eyes for accommodating one lashing means each, the at least two lashing eyes forming a two-armed lever with respect to the connecting bolt, and first means for limiting the rotational movement of the double plate about the connecting bolt. [Background technology]

[0002] Such a device is known from EP 3612442 B1.

[0003] The stacks of containers are fixed on board the ship by means of fixing rods and clamping screws, in which case so-called external fixing devices, as described, for example, in DE 10 2013 103 951 A1, have proven to be particularly advantageous and effective.

[0004] Nearly parallel fixing rods are one way to ensure that the transmitted force does not exceed a limit. They are arranged so that they are captured by two mooring points, not one. In practice, two nearly parallel fixing rods are preferably fastened to two stacked containers connected by a container clamp. In this case, one fixing rod is placed in the upper corner fit of the lower container, and the other fixing rod is placed in the lower corner fit of the upper container. A clamping screw is placed at the end of each fixing rod facing the container's corner fit. The other end of each of the two clamping screws is connected to a corresponding receptacle on a double plate, known in the prior art as a locking plate, which functions as a rocker plate. This double plate is rotatably supported on the lashing plate. Such a device can be found, for example, in the aforementioned European Patent No. 3612442.

[0005] All of the above devices can achieve good force balance. When the force transmitted from one of the two fixtures to the metal plate is greater than the force transmitted from the other of the two fixtures, the metal plate rotates in the ratio of the force and the leverage. When torque balance is achieved, the metal plate is in a rest position.

[0006] While this functionality is extremely beneficial for ship operation, securing containers can be problematic because, for the device to function optimally, the preloads of the two fasteners located on the metal plate must match in a defined ratio. In practice, this is rarely achieved, as stevedores must precisely tighten two nearly independent clamping screws attached to the rotatably supported metal plate. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to describe a device that ensures proper force balance during operation and prevents incorrect locking. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous improvements are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] The mounting device for a lashing means for a vehicle according to the present invention comprises at least one lashing plate and a double plate. The double plate is rotatably arranged on the at least one lashing plate via a connecting bolt, i.e., has a rotational degree of freedom relative to the at least one lashing plate. Furthermore, the double plate has at least two lashing eyes for transmitting and receiving forces to the device according to the present invention. The at least two lashing eyes may be attached with tightening screws, for example, via shackles. The at least two lashing eyes are preferably arranged at equal intervals relative to the connecting bolt of the double plate on the at least one lashing plate, although different intervals between the at least two lashing eyes and the connecting bolts are also conceivable.

[0010] When a force is transmitted to the double plate via the clamping screw or its shackle, a torque is generated on the connecting bolt. As long as the force transmitted through at least two lashing eyes balances the torque on the connecting bolt of the double plate in at least one lashing plate, the system remains stationary and its position remains unchanged. However, if the torque balance is lost, the double plate rotates around the connecting bolt. This changes the transmitted force and, if necessary, the leverage, until torque balance is restored and the system assumes a stationary position. Such a device, known, for example, from European Patent No. 3612442, compensates for asymmetrically transmitted forces by redirecting the excess force on one of the lever arms to the other, thereby reducing the force acting on the lashing plate. In this way, the risk of damage or loss of containers on board the ship is reduced, and the overall dimensions of the device can be reduced.

[0011] However, properly securing containers on a ship using this type of system presents a challenge for stevedores. When two lashing eyes are placed on a double plate, one lashing eye is attached with a fastening rod and a tightening screw, which is located at the bottom corner of the upper container of two stacked containers. Similarly, the other lashing eye is attached with a fastening rod and a tightening screw, which is located at the top corner of the lower container of two stacked containers. When stevedores tighten the fastening screw to secure the connected containers via the fastening rod, the double plate first rotates around the connecting bolt. To compensate for this, the other fastening screw must also be tightened. In practice, this process is very time-consuming, as stevedores frequently switch between the two fastening screws. Otherwise, to save time, stevedores risk tightening one fastening screw until it stops, followed by the other fastening screw. This significantly increases the risk that at least one of the two containers is not properly secured. Also, if the double plates rotate first, there is a risk that they will collide and will no longer be able to perform their force balancing function, or at least not completely.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to limit the rotatable arrangement of the double plates of at least one lashing plate in the process of loading a container, in order to minimize the risk of mis-fixing by stevedores.

[0013] This object is achieved by the first means for limiting the rotational movement of the double plate around the connecting bolt in a first rotation direction, which is configured as a stop on at least one lashing plate, and which is adapted to the task of preventing the double plate from rotating relative to the at least one lashing plate when the clamping screw is tightened.

[0014] As mentioned at the outset and as can be seen from the following drawings, in the case of parallel-positioned fasteners, a retaining rod is guided from the lashing eye of the double plate, which is located higher in the initial position, to the lower corner fitting of the upper of the two stacked containers, while a second retaining rod connects the upper corner fitting of the lower of the two stacked containers to the lashing eye located lower on the double plate. This geometry, combined with the fact that the transmission of forces to the device in fact always starts from the upper container and thus acts on the lashing eye located higher on the double plate, means that if the double plate rotates about the connecting bolt during operation of the vehicle, this only occurs starting from the initial position and in what is referred to in the scope of the present application as the second direction of rotation. However, when securing a container, the force transmitted to the lashing eyes located at a lower position of the double plate may exceed the force transmitted to the lashing eyes located at a higher position of the double plate, which may cause the double plate to rotate in a reverse direction about the connecting bolt, this direction of rotation being referred to as the first direction of rotation within the scope of this application. The above-mentioned stop is an effective, reliable and inexpensive means for preventing this rotation.

[0015] The rotational movement of the double plate about the connecting bolt in the second direction of rotation must not be permanently prevented. Therefore, for the force adjustment device to function, it is necessary that the double plate be able to rotate in the second direction within the normal rotation angle range during vehicle operation. For this purpose, a preferred embodiment provides a second means for ensuring a semi-rigid system during loading but not hindering the function of the force adjustment device during vehicle operation. The second means includes a biasing element that limits the rotational movement of the double plate about the connecting bolt in the second direction of rotation. This serves two purposes: for forces typically up to 10 kN to 20 kN, which occur during tightening of the clamping screws, the biasing element applies a holding force that prevents rotation of the double plate relative to at least one lashing plate. For larger forces, which typically occur only during ship operation and can reach up to 250 kN, the biasing element minimizes the influence of the force adjustment device. After the holding force is released, the biasing element applies a significantly lower return force to the double plate, which is solely intended to return the double plate to its initial position. This makes the work of the stevedores easier and helps to avoid errors during fastening.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the biasing element comprises at least a spring and a head element. The spring provides the spring force or spring stiffness required to achieve the above-mentioned objective. To this end, the spring is supported on a contact surface defined in at least one lashing means. For example, the lashing means may be provided with a blind hole or a hole with a shoulder, in which the spring is disposed. To transmit the spring force to the double plate, a head element is provided on the end of the spring facing the double plate. This head element may be, for example, spherical, hemispherical, cylindrical, toothed, arcuate, or wedge-shaped.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, the double plate is provided with a complementary shape as a corresponding part to the head element of the biasing element. This arrangement defines the rest position of the double plate relative to the lashing plate, where the holding force of the biasing element acts, and significantly facilitates the work of the stevedore, since the stevedore can perform the fastening work on a semi-rigid system. When forces much greater than those required for fastening occur during vehicle operation, such as during waves, this structure allows the double plate to rotate in a controlled manner around the connecting bolt on the lashing plate, with little influence from the biasing element. As a result, only a restoring force acts on the double plate, and once the external force has subsided, the double plate returns to its initial position.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the biasing member includes at least one spring that directly contacts the complementary shape of the double plate. In such an embodiment, the head member may be omitted. This allows for the use of one or more leaf springs as the biasing member. These orientations can be contemplated, both with the flat of the spring facing the connecting bolt and with the flat of the spring not passing through the connecting bolt.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, the device has two biasing members. These biasing members share the dual functions of the biasing member in the single-biasing-member embodiment. The first biasing member's head member interacts with a complementary feature on the double plate, generating a retaining force to secure the double plate in its initial position. To this end, the spring, head member, and complementary feature are configured to prevent the double plate from rotating about the connecting bolt until a force typically encountered during container fastening is exerted. When this force is exceeded during vehicle operation, the head member disengages from the complementary feature on the double plate, which may be configured, for example, as a concave or spherical washer. At this point, the function of the additional biasing member is activated, e.g., linear loading. As the double plate is displaced from its initial position, the return force of the spring of the additional biasing member also increases. When the external force decreases due to changing conditions, the return force rotates the double plate toward its initial position. When the external force is sufficiently small, the head member of the first biasing member slides back into the complementary feature on the double plate, securing it in its initial position.

[0020] Further preferred embodiments relate in particular to devices in which the head of the biasing element is cylindrical or otherwise configured. In this case, at least one lashing plate has a lateral cutout in which the head is guided along the axis of the spring of the biasing element, thereby preventing the biasing element from breaking or tilting. Furthermore, the attachment means can prevent the head from sliding laterally out of the cutout. This can be achieved, for example, by a split pin guided through the head on the outside of at least one lashing plate. Preferably, such an arrangement is provided on both sides of the head.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of some exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10A-10C illustrate various embodiments of a biasing member. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a device 10 for attaching lashing means for containers to a vehicle, in particular a ship. The device 10 includes two lashing plates 12 connected to a deck, hatch cover, or lashing bridge via connections (not shown), e.g., welded connections. The device 10 also includes a double plate 14. The double plate 14 is connected to the lashing plates 12 via connecting bolts 18, and the double plate 14 is rotatably supported relative to the lashing plates 12 via the connecting bolts 18. The double plate 14 further includes two lashing eyes 16. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lashing eyes 16 are equidistantly spaced relative to the connecting bolts 18. The lashing eyes 16 are used to attach fixing means, preferably shackles, which are provided with tightening screws for tensioning fixing rods for securing the container to the ship.

[0024] Structurally, the fixing rods attached to the lashing eyes 16 are only subjected to tensile loads. The upper lashing eye 16 of the double plate 14 is always connected to the bottom corner fitting of the upper container of two stacked containers, while the lower lashing eye 16 is connected to the top corner fitting of the lower container of two stacked containers. The two stacked containers are directly connected via connecting pieces, also known as twist locks, located at each corner fitting. These prevent the upper container from floating away from the lower container, for example, during high waves.

[0025] With this arrangement, the pulling force is always transmitted first through the upper lashing eye 16, and then the force generated by the lower container acts on the lower lashing eye 16. Furthermore, the force transmitted to the device 10 through the upper lashing eye 16 is always greater than or equal to the force transmitted through the lower lashing eye 16. This allows the double plate 14 to be displaced only counterclockwise from the initial position shown in FIG. 1 , but not clockwise. Therefore, according to the invention, the lashing plate 12 is provided with a stopper 22, which prevents the double plate 14 from rotating clockwise around the connecting bolt 18, which is referred to as the first rotation direction within the scope of this application. This arrangement helps stevedores when, during the operation of the ship, a force greater than that through the lower lashing eye 16 is applied to the double plate 14 by first securing the lower container, a case excluded in this application. It should be noted that the above descriptions of rotational direction always relate to the configuration shown in Figure 1 (and Figures 2 and 4-7 below). If the device 10 is in a mirror image configuration, e.g., on the opposite side of the container, the rotational direction will be correspondingly reversed.

[0026] In the second rotational direction, counterclockwise in the above description, rotation of the double plate 14 relative to the lashing plate 12 about the connecting bolt 18 must not be impeded, because otherwise the device 10 would not fulfill its force balancing function. Specifically, rotational movement of the double plate 14 in the second rotational direction must be permitted within a range that accommodates the forces and resulting rotational angles normally encountered during vehicle operation, and only rotational movement in the opposite direction, i.e., the first rotational direction, must be restricted. Specifically, starting from the rest position shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4-7, where the double plate 14 abuts against the stop, rotational movement in the first rotational direction is limited to 0°, while rotational movement in the opposite, second rotational direction is permitted by at least 15°. The specific angular range is not critical. As mentioned above, what is important is that rotational movement in the second direction during operation, i.e., during navigation, is not impeded to the same extent as occurs during navigation.

[0027] For this purpose, the device 10 according to the second embodiment shown in Figure 2 comprises a biasing element 20. In this embodiment, the biasing element 20 comprises a spring 24 and a head element 26. For this purpose, one, and preferably both, of the lashing plates 12 is provided with a blind hole in which the spring 24 of the biasing element 20 is arranged. At the end of the biasing element 20 facing the double plate 14, the head element 26 is arranged so as to come into contact with the double plate 14.

[0028] One of the tasks of the biasing member 20 is to hold the double plate 14 in the initial position shown until a certain force acts on the device 10 via the lashing eye 16. For this purpose, the part of the double plate 14 that comes into contact with the biasing member 20 is provided with a shape complementary to the head member 26. If the head member 26 is spherical, cylindrical or arc-shaped, it may be, for example, in the form of a concave or spherical washer.

[0029] 3 shows several possible embodiments of the biasing member 20. The biasing member 20 comprises a spring 24 and a head member 26. Depending on the particular situation, the head member 26 may be spherical, hemispherical, cylindrical, toothed, arcuate, or wedge-shaped. Similarly, as shown in the second example from the right, the head member 26 may have a receiving portion to improve connection with the spring 24.

[0030] 4 shows an embodiment of the device 10 according to the invention, in which the biasing element 20 has a cylindrical head element 26. Furthermore, the lashing plate 12 is formed with a slot-like cutout, the width of which is slightly greater than the diameter of the head element 26. This arrangement allows the head element 26 to be guided within the cutout during operation. This prevents the spring 24 from being loaded off-axis, minimizing the risk of the spring 24 tilting and / or failing. On the outside of the lashing plate 12, the head element 26 is prevented from axial movement by a mounting means 28, in this case a split pin.

[0031] 5 to 7 show other embodiments of the device 10. Detailed descriptions of components whose structure and function are the same as those of the above-described embodiments will be omitted. The biasing elements 20 in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6 are leaf springs that are subjected to bending loads. In the device 10 according to FIG. 5, the leaf springs are arranged similarly to the biasing elements 20 of FIGS. 2 and 4, i.e., essentially in the direction of the connecting bolts. In contrast, in the device 10 according to FIG. 6, the holes in the lashing plates 12 may be omitted. The leaf springs therein are arranged parallel to the imaginary connecting line of the two lashing eyes 16.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the tasks of the biasing members 20 are separated. The task of fixing the double plate 14 in its initial position up to a certain force is fulfilled by the upper of the two illustrated biasing members 20. For this purpose, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the double plate 14 is provided with a shape complementary to the shape of the head member 26. The spring 24 in this case is a leaf spring stack instead of a helical spring. The second task of the biasing member 20, i.e., returning the double plate 14 to its initial position, is fulfilled in the embodiment according to FIG. 7 by an additional biasing member 30. This biasing member 30 is positioned approximately horizontally, thereby maximizing the leverage acting on the connecting bolt 18. The force transmission to the additional biasing member 30 is optimized via the corresponding complementary shape of the double plate 14. This separation of tasks allows the use of biasing members 20, 30 specifically designed for each task, which, on the one hand, is economical to use and, on the other hand, ensures high reliability and a long service life of the device 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10 equipment 12 Lashing plate 14 Double Plate 16 Rushing Eye 18 Connection bolt 20 biasing member 22 Stopper 24 Spring 26 Head component 28 Mounting means 30 Additional biasing member

Claims

1. A device (10) for fastening lashing means for containers on a vehicle, in particular a ship, comprising: At least one lashing plate (12); a double plate (14) rotatably attached to said at least one lashing plate (12) by means of a connecting bolt (18) and having at least two lashing eyes (16) for accommodating one lashing means each, said at least two lashing eyes (16) forming a two-armed lever for said connecting bolt (18); and first means for limiting rotational movement of the double plate (14) about the connecting bolt (18), 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said first means for limiting the rotational movement of said double plate (14) about said connecting bolt (18) in a first rotational direction is a stopper (22).

2. second means for limiting rotational movement of the double plate (14) about the connecting bolt (18) in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction; The second means for limiting the rotational movement of the double plate (14) in the second rotational direction is a biasing member (20).

2. The device (10) of claim 1.

3. The biasing member comprises at least a spring (24) and a head member (26), and the head member (26) is configured to be spherical, semi-spherical, cylindrical, toothed, arcuate or wedge-shaped.

3. The device (10) according to claim 2.

4. the double plate (14) has a complementary shape to the head member (26) of the biasing member (20) so as to interact with the head member (26); 4. The device (10) according to claim 3.

5. characterized by attachment means (28) configured and arranged to prevent lateral movement of the head member (26) of the biasing member (20); 5. An apparatus (10) according to claim 3 or 4.

6. characterized by an additional biasing member (30), An apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

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