A connecting piece for connecting two containers stacked on top of each other on a ship

Abstract

To provide a joining part for joining two containers stacked on top of each other on a ship.SOLUTION: A joining part 10 comprises a first joint protrusion 11 which can be inserted into an attaching tool 12 at the lower corner part of an upper container and fixed in advance, a second joint protrusion 13 engaged within the attaching tool at the upper corner part of a lower container in a joint state, a bearing surface 20 of the first joint protrusion 11 mounted on an inner rim in the attaching tool 12 at the lower corner part of the upper container in the joint state, and a spacer 27 of the first joint protrusion 11 with which the joining part 10 can be inserted into the attaching tool 12 at the lower corner part of the upper container only in a specific direction. To increase the pulling force as a result of reducing the opening effect, the joining part 10 according to the present invention is characterized in that the spacer 27 comprises a bearing surface 28, the bearing surface is aligned with the bearing surface 20 of the first joint protrusion 11, and is mounted on the inner rim in the attaching tool 12 at the lower corner part of the upper container in the joint state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides a first container that can be inserted and pre-fixed into a fitting at the lower corner of an upper container. a second coupling projection that engages in a fitting at an upper corner of the lower container in the coupled state; The coupling protrusion, in the coupled state, is located above the inner rim of the fitting at the lower corner of the upper container. The bearing surface of the first coupling protrusion rests on the upper container, and the coupling part is The vessel is provided with a spacer for the first coupling protrusion that can only be inserted into the vessel in a specific orientation. This relates to a connecting piece for connecting two containers stacked on top of each other on board a ship. [Background technology]

[0002] Such a coupling element is known from the applicant's European patent application EP 1 784 348 (B1). There are.

[0003] Such joints are transported as container stacks on the deck of the ship (on the hatch covers). In this process, the bottom container The containers on the higher tiers are also lashed by lashing bridges. In most cases, however, the connecting parts are fixed to the con- Page 11 11 higher level con- It is the only way to protect Tena from being lost during sea transport.

[0004] During container loading, first the dockworkers on the quay The mating piece is attached to the four lower sides of the container to be loaded using its first (upper) mating projection. The container is then inserted into the corner fittings and pre-fixed there. The container bridge is used to lift the containers onto the deck of the ship, where they are loaded onto the containers already loaded onto the deck. During this process, the second (lower) coupling lug is attached to the already loaded container. The containers then slide into the fixtures at the four upper corners of the stacked container. In the state where the container is lying down, the second coupling protrusion is connected to the already loaded container, The bottom engages into the fittings at the top corners of the container, thus securing the newly loaded container. This protects the container, which is now the upper part, from being lost during sea transport. Within the scope of this disclosure, this state will be referred to as the bonded state.

[0005] The aforementioned European Patent No. 1784348(B1) is a so-called fully automatic twistro. Especially in this type of joint, the joint is It is always inserted in a specific orientation and pre-fixed into the fittings at the lower corners of the upper container. It is important to do this because otherwise the container will be For this purpose, the European Special In Patent No. 1784348(B1), the connecting parts are inserted in the wrong direction and pre-fixed. A spacer has been proposed to prevent this.

[0006] In the coupled state, the coupling parts surround the rims of the corner fittings in a C-shaped configuration. Therefore, tension on the connecting parts due to the lifting force of the container caused by large waves is The force causes elastic bending of the connecting parts. Furthermore, the fittings at the corners of the container also bend elastically. In the case of particularly high forces, the sum of these two elastic deformations causes the connecting parts to move at an angle. The worst case scenario is that the device may come off the mounting fixture (the so-called "detachment effect"). The vessel may be lost or the crew may even have an accident. For a given joint, there is a limit to the maximum allowable pulling force, known as the pull-out force in the technical field. We have set up a system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] EP1784348B1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Starting from this, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that the removal effect is reduced. The present invention further develops connecting parts of the type mentioned at the beginning, which can thus increase the pull-out force. The purpose is to emit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve this problem, the connecting part according to the present invention is configured such that the spacer has a bearing surface, and the bearing surface The surface is aligned with the bearing surface of the first coupling protrusion, and in the coupled state, also contacts the upper connector. It rests on an inner rim at the lower corner of the antenna. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The bearing surface of the first coupling protrusion is correspondingly increased by the bearing surface of the spacer. The bearing surfaces are connected to the first coupling projection and are mounted on the inner rim of the corner fitting. Therefore, the same tension force is applied to the rim of the fitting at the lower corner of the upper container. Furthermore, this pressure acts near the inside wall of the corner fixture. This shortens the lever arm. The deformation of the rim of the clamp is less, thus reducing the effect of removal. , and therefore the pull-out force can be increased. This allows for a The safety buffer of the component increases. Conversely, with the same safety buffer, Furthermore, the container angle can be reduced due to less deformation. The vertical play of the connecting parts in the section is also reduced, which also has a positive effect. However, it was surprising that the prototype could be inserted into the corner fixture and pre-fixed. It was also revealed.

[0011] facilitates insertion of the upper coupling protrusion into the fitting at the lower corner of the upper container; Alternatively, further development of the joining element according to the invention, such as further improving the load-bearing capacity, may be achieved. Embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] The present invention will now be described with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a coupling component having features of the present invention pre-secured within a fixture at a lower corner of an upper container. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the corner fixture of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the corner fixture of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 shows a schematic view of the introduction of forces into a joining part according to FIG. 1; [Figure 5] 2 shows a schematic view of the introduction of forces under load into a connecting part according to FIG. 1; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The diagram shows two containers stacked on top of each other on a ship, secured at the corner fittings. For the connection, a coupling part 10, i.e. in particular a so-called fully automatic twist lock ( FAT) is shown as an example.

[0015] The connecting part 10 is attached to the lower corner of the upper container on the quay, which is not illustrated in detail. The device 12 has a first upper coupling projection 11 which is inserted by a dock worker. The containers are then lifted by a crane to the target. The upper connecting protrusions 11 of the connecting parts 10 are inserted into the mounting fixtures 12 at the four corners. The container is then lifted onto the ship by a crane and loaded onto the In this process, the second lower connecting protrusion 13 goes into the fitting at the upper corner of the lower container and fits perfectly with the fitting at this corner. The upper container is automatically lifted by the crane during container unloading. When lifted, the lower coupling projections 13 are released from the fittings at the upper corners of the lower container and completely Nevertheless, the connecting part 10 is not susceptible to being lifted or lost during sea transport. This is demonstrated, for example, in European Patent No. 1534612 (B1) , the aforementioned European Patent No. 1784348(B1) or European Patent No. 289282 8(B1). ) illustrates a lower coupling protrusion corresponding to the lower coupling protrusion 13 of the coupling part 10 of the present invention. are.

[0016] In the present invention, a stop plate 14 is provided between the upper connecting protrusion 11 and the lower connecting protrusion 13. This stop plate prevents the container corner fixtures 12 from being placed directly on top of each other. As an alternative to the illustrated form, the slots in the fittings 12 at the corners of the container may simply be chamfered. The groove may have a bead shape that fits within the groove.

[0017] Starting from the retaining plate 14, the upper coupling projection 11 is provided with a shaft 15; , extending through slots 16 in the corner fixture 12 by shafts 15. The measured length D of the shaft 15 corresponds to the thickness C of the lower plate 17 in which the slot 16 is located. The length D of the shaft 15 is equal to or slightly longer than the thickness C of the plate 17 (FIG. 2). C, because if it is too long, the vertical Ideally, the axial play should be at least within normal manufacturing tolerances. In this case, the vertical direction of the upper coupling projection 11 in the corner fixture 12 is The play of is equal to "zero" (DC=0).

[0018] A fixed head 18 is connected to the shaft 15 on the opposite side (upper side) of the retaining plate 14. The fixed head projects to the side, i.e., on the same side as the fixed nose 19 projecting at the lower coupling projection. Therefore, when containers are stacked on top of each other (joined), The mating part 10 is fixed to the corners of the fixing head 18 and the fixing nose 19 in a C-shape. This is shown in Figures 4 and 5 by the hatched areas. The lower bearing surface 20 of the fixed head 18 rests on the plate 17. The protrusion 15 has a width B, and the width B is the distance from the longitudinal edge of the slot 16 to the adjacent slot 16. In other words, the width B is the distance B1 below the bearing surface 20. The width B1 of the rim of the plate 17 around the slot 16 is equal to the width B1 of the rim of the plate 17 around the slot 16. Specifically, B= B1 or slightly smaller. Generally, the dimensions B and B1 are determined by the lateral dimension of the shaft 15 relative to the slot 16. The directional play should be approximately equal to the play between the fixed head 18 and the side wall 21. Ideally, both plays are equal.

[0019] Furthermore, an imaginary circle 22 is plotted in FIG. 3, and the center of the diameter E of the circle is the center of the elongated hole 16 ( short axis 23 and Longitudinal axis 24). The arched surface 25 of the slot also follows the contour of this circle 22, as can be seen clearly in FIG. 3. The diameter E therefore corresponds to the maximum length of the slot 16.

[0020] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the fixed head 18 Longitudinal axis Starting from 24, it projects by a dimension F, which corresponds to the length of the radius of E. In this case, the side edge 26 of the fixed head 18 is tangent to the imaginary circle 22. Alternatively, F may be greater than the radius of E. Therefore, F≧E / 2 applies.

[0021] The described coupling element 10 further includes a special element that prevents the coupling element 10 from being installed backwards. The spacer 27 is the same as that described in the opening paragraph of European Patent No. 1784348 (B1). However, the spacer 27 of the present invention is, in a substantial aspect, This is different from the prior art.

[0022] The spacer 27 of the present invention is a bearing surface 20 aligned with the bearing surface 20 of the fixed head 18. 8. Therefore, the bearing surface 28 of the spacer 27 is also In other words, the bearing surfaces 20 and 28 rest on the plate 17 and on the uniform surface of the fixed head 18. In other words, the length A of the fixed head 18 reduced by the spacer is , the total length of the fixed head is L. The total length L is the length of the straight edge of the slot (in this case, A). (possibly a finite element) and, in this case, even E.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, as can be seen in Figure 3, the spacer tapers in a wedge-shaped fashion away from the actual fixed head 18 to the free forward end of the spacer. Wall side 29 (outside, The side wall 21 (facing the side wall 21) is Long 24)。 (extending parallel to the axis 24) is arranged at an angle Z. Side of slotted hole 30 (facing the opposite direction from the side wall 21) is the longitudinal direction of the slot 16 Long Extending at an angle Y to the axis 24. As can be seen from the drawing: Wall side 29 , and Side of slotted hole 30 approach each other in the form of a wedge. Angles Y and Z may be equal or different from each other. Angles Y and Z each range between 0 and 30 degrees. Preferably, they are 10 degrees.

[0024] The upper surface 31 of the spacer 27 also moves away from the original fixed head 18 to the unfixed end. , in a ramp-like configuration, i.e., inclined at an angle W (Fig. 1). This angle W is also 0 degrees. and 30 degrees, with 10 degrees again being particularly preferred.

[0025] Finally, the combined upper surface 32 of the fixed head 18 and spacer 27 faces outward (toward the side wall 21). towards it) in a ramp-like form, i.e. inclined at an angle X (Fig. 2). This angle X is 3 It ranges between 0 and 60 degrees, with 45 degrees being particularly preferred.

[0026] The angles Y and Z also contribute to the upper coupling protrusion 11 entering the slot 16 more easily. X serves to substantially reduce weight.

[0027] As can also be seen in FIG. 1, the shaft 15 is provided with a shaft step 33 adjacent to the stop plate, which is itself significantly longer than the shaft 15. When viewed from above, this shaft step 33 has a contour corresponding to the contour of the slot 16 and therefore extends in the longitudinal direction ( Longitudinal axis 24) to reduce the play relative to the slot 16 of the connecting part 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 10 Connecting parts 11 Joint protrusion 12 Corner mounting fixture 13 Joint protrusion 14 Stop plate 15 axes 16 slotted hole 17 boards 18 Fixed Head 19 Fixed Nose 20 Bearing surface 21 Side wall 22 yen twenty three short axis twenty four Longitudinal axis 25 Surface 26 En 27 Spacer 28 Bearing surface 29 Wall side 30 Side of the slotted hole 31 Top side 32 Top side 33 axis step A Edge length of slot 16 B Width B1 distance C Plate thickness D Shaft length E diameter F dimension L full length W angle X angle Y angle Z angle

Claims

1. A coupling element (10) for connecting two stacked containers on a ship by stacking one on top of the other, comprising: a first coupling projection (11) insertable and pre-lockable into a fitting (12) at the lower corner of the upper container; a second coupling protrusion (13) that engages with the fitting at the upper corner of the lower container in the coupled state; a bearing surface (20) of the fixing head (18) of the first coupling projection (11) resting on an inner rim of the fitting (12) at the lower corner of the upper container in the coupled state; and the coupling part (10) comprises a spacer (27) of the first coupling protrusion (11) such that the coupling part (10) can only be inserted into the fitting (12) at the lower corner of the upper container in a specific orientation; The spacer (27) has a bearing surface (28), and the bearing surface (28) is flush with the bearing surface (20) of the first coupling protrusion (11); In the coupled state, it rests on the inner rim of the lower corner fitting (12) of the upper container, the total length (L) of the slot (16), which is the sum of the length of the fixing head (18) and the length of the spacer (27) in the longitudinal direction of the slot (16), is greater than the length (A) of the straight edge of the slot (16) of the lower corner mounting fixture (12), and the longitudinal direction of the slot (16) and the straight edge of the slot (16) extend in the same direction; In the coupled state, the spacer (27) protrudes from the fixing head (18) toward the corner of the lower corner fixture (12) in the longitudinal direction of the slot (16) in the lower corner fixture (12). A coupling component characterized by:

2. A connecting part according to claim 1, The spacer (27) has a wall-side spacer side surface (29) located on the side of the side wall (21) of the mounting fixture (12) at the lower corner, and a slot-side spacer side surface (30) located on the side of the slot (16), A coupling component characterized in that as the spacer (27) protrudes, the wall-side spacer side surface (29) and the slot-side spacer side surface (30) approach each other to form a wedge shape.

3. 3. The coupling element according to claim 2, the wall spacer side surface (29) extends at a first angle (Z) in the range of 0° to 30° relative to the straight edge of the slot (16); The slot-side spacer side surface (30) extends at a second angle (Y) in the range of 0° to 30° relative to the straight edge of the slot (16). The joining part is characterized in that the wedge shape is formed by

4. A connecting part according to claim 3, A coupling component characterized in that the first angle (Z) and the second angle (Y) are equal.

5. 5. The coupling element according to claim 4, the wall spacer side surface (29) extends at a first angle (Z) of 10° relative to the straight edge of the slot (16); The slot-side spacer side surface (30) extends at a second angle (Y) of 10° relative to the straight edge of the slot (16). The joining part is characterized in that the wedge shape is formed by

6. A connecting part according to claim 2, The upper side of the fixing head (18) of the first coupling protrusion (11) forms a protrusion from the straight edge of the slot (16) toward the side wall (21), and the dimension (F) of the protrusion from the longitudinal axis (24) of the slot (16) to its tip is at least half the length of the longest diameter (E) of the slot (16) in the lower corner mounting fixture (12) (F≧E / 2).

7. A connecting part according to claim 6, The width (B) of the bearing surface (20) of the fixing head (18) of the first coupling protrusion (11) is equal to the width (B1) of the inner rim of the plate (17) that extends inside the lower corner mounting fixture (12) provided to receive the bearing surface (20) and forms the slot (16).

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