Load securing device

Abstract

A container securing device for securing a container with respect to a vehicle, wherein the device comprises a shear assembly configured to move outward and inward with respect to the vehicle and the container, the shear assembly further comprising an engaging portion configured to engage with a side aperture provided in the container, wherein when the shear assembly is in an outward position, the engaging portion is disengaged from the side aperture, and when the shear assembly is in an inward position, the engaging portion is engaged with the side aperture.

Description

LOAD SECURING DEVICEPRIORITY DOCUMENTS

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2024901014 titled LOAD SECURING DEVICE and filed on 11 April 2024, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for securing containers to load-handling vehicles.BACKGROUND

[0003] Load-handling vehicles are trucks which are conceived as carrier vehicles for transporting special containers. Some load-handling vehicles comprise loading arm assemblies which can engage a so-called ISO container and pull this aboard the vehicle, onto a loading area adapted to support the container. Such load-handling vehicles are often referred to as roll-on / roll-off trucks or hook-lift roll-on / roll-off trucks.

[0004] ISO containers, be they box or flat rack type, comprise corner blocks at each corner thereof. Corner blocks are structural elements of cast steel that are used to lift shipping containers, as well as to connect and secure them to whichever mode of transportation is being used to move them, including ships, trains or road vehicles.

[0005] In order to ensure that all lifting and container transportation equipment works properly across the world, these corner castings comprise openings which have been standardised to a tolerance of millimetres. Where a corner casting is in an upper corner of a container, it comprises a top opening and a pair of side openings in a pair of intersecting sides thereof. Where a corner casting is in a lower corner of a container, it comprises a bottom opening, and a pair of side openings in a pair of intersecting sides thereof.

[0006] To this end, a correspondingly configured loading arm assembly of a load-handling vehicle will typically comprise two corner grippers, for gripping the ISO container via upper corner blocks thereof. Moreover, the support loading area will comprise mounting positions for cooperation with the bottom corner blocks of the container, in order to secure it for transport.

[0007] Some load-handling vehicles are used for defence applications, in which case the vehicles and containers are regularly employed on rough, irregular terrain. In such instances, there can be significantmisalignment of the bottom corner fittings, and the mounting positions provided for on the support loading area of the vehicle.

[0008] It is against this background that the present disclosure has been developed.SUMMARY

[0009] According to a first aspect, there is provided a container securing device for securing a container with respect to a vehicle, wherein the device comprises a shear assembly configured to move outward and inward with respect to the vehicle and the container, the shear assembly further comprising an engaging portion configured to engage with a side aperture provided in the container, wherein when the shear assembly is in an outward position, the engaging portion is disengaged from the side aperture, and when the shear assembly is in an inward position, the engaging portion is engaged with the side aperture.

[0010] In one form, the container securing device further comprises an actuator for moving the shear assembly between the inward and outward positions.

[0011] In one form, the shear assembly further comprises a guide element, configured to engage with a corresponding guide aperture provided in the securing device, wherein the guide element is configured to bear against an internal surface of the guide aperture such that the shear assembly is constrained to move in an outward and inward direction with respect to the support device.

[0012] In one form, the guide element is provided with upper, lower and fore and aft bearing blocks, configured to slidingly bear against corresponding upper, lower and fore and aft bearing surfaces provided in the guide aperture.

[0013] In one form, the bearing blocks are made from an internally lubricating thermoplastic polymer.

[0014] In one form, the engaging portion is in the form of a tapered engaging portion comprising upper and lower surfaces, as well as fore and aft surfaces that are all tapered with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tapered engaging portion, terminating in an engagement tip.

[0015] In one form, the container securing device further comprises an outer guide configured to prevent the container from outwardly bearing on the shear assembly.

[0016] In one form, the outer guide comprises a secondary guide assembly configured to provide fore and aft support to the shear assembly.

[0017] In one form, the secondary guide assembly comprises at least a pair of fore and aft bearing blocks, configured to provide sliding support to an intermediate portion of the shear assembly.

[0018] In one form, the fore and aft bearing blocks are made from a high strength steel alloy.

[0019] According to a second aspect, there is provided a container transport vehicle, comprising one or more container securing devices as described.

[0020] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of securing a container with respect to a vehicle, comprising the steps of loading a container on to the vehicle, and using a container securing device as described to secure the container to the vehicle by moving the shear assembly to an inward position where the engaging portion of the shear assembly is engaged with the side aperture of the container.

[0021] For ease of description, a container securement device embodying the present features is described below in its usual in use position as shown in the accompanying drawings and terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal, etc., may be used with reference to this usual position. However, the container securement device may be manufactured, transported, sold, or used in orientations other than that described and shown here.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 is a first perspective view of a container securement device, according to an embodiment, in an unlocked configuration;

[0024] Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the container securement device of Figure 1 , in an unlocked configuration;

[0025] Figure 3 is a side view of the container securement device of Figure 1 , in an unlocked configuration;

[0026] Figure 4 is a front view of the container securement device of Figure 1 , in an unlocked configuration;

[0027] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the container securement device of Figure 1 , in an unlocked configuration, with components removed to reveal the guide element guide aperture;

[0028] Figure 6 is a first perspective view of the container securement device of Figure 1, in a locked configuration;

[0029] Figure 7 is a second perspective view of the container securement device of Figure 1 , in a locked configuration;

[0030] Figure 8 is a front view of the container securement device of Figure 1 , in a locked configuration;

[0031] Figure 9 is a first perspective view of a shear assembly and actuator, according to an embodiment;

[0032] Figure 10 is a second perspective view of the shear assembly and actuator of Figure 9;

[0033] Figure 11 is a front view of the shear assembly and actuator of Figure 9;

[0034] Figure 12 is a top view of the shear assembly and actuator of Figure 9;

[0035] Figure 13 is a first perspective view of a corner block for a container positioned on the container securement device of Figure 1 , in an unlocked configuration;

[0036] Figure 14 is a second perspective view of the corner block for a container positioned on the container securement device of Figure 1, in an unlocked configuration;

[0037] Figure 15 is a first perspective view of the corner block for a container positioned on the container securement device of Figure 1, in a locked configuration;

[0038] Figure 16 is a second perspective view of the corner block for a container positioned on the container securement device of Figure 1, in a locked configuration; and

[0039] Figure 17 is a side sectional view detailing the relationship between the engaging portion and the corner block.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Referring now to Figures 1 to 8, there is shown a portion of a support device 100 for facilitating the loading of a container on a vehicle. Such support devices are typically symmetrically mounted with respect to the vehicle so that there is one support device on each side of the vehicle, at the rear of the vehicle. The support devices are adapted to serve as sliding supports for the underside of a container, where, by providing a support over a sufficient length, damage to the container can be avoided. Such support devices are often configured to pivot with respect to the vehicle so that they can accommodate thechanging attitude of the container during the loading operation as the container becomes horizontal. Each support device comprises a container securement device 200 according to the present disclosure, where each container securement device 200 comprises a securing means for securing the container with respect to the support device 100 and vehicle.

[0041] While in the embodiments shown and described, the container securement device 200 forms part of a support device 100, it will be appreciated that in alternate arrangements, the container securement device 200 could instead form part of the loading area of a vehicle.

[0042] The container securement device 200, according to the present disclosure, comprises a horizontally and outwardly directed linear actuator 210 secured with respect to the support device 100. In the illustrated embodiment the linear actuator 210 is a double acting hydraulic ram 210. A shear assembly 220 is attached to an end of a piston rod 211 of the ram 210 at a first end and is configured to move outward and inward with respect to the support device 100 as the ram is extended and retracted.

[0043] The shear assembly 220 comprises a shear pin 221 at its second end, the shear pin 221 comprising an engagement portion 222 configured to engage with a side aperture 301 in the corner casting of the container 301 (as best shown in Figures 15 to 17). The shear assembly 220 also comprises a guide element 223 configured to engage with a corresponding guide aperture 101 formed in the support device 100. The guide element 223 is configured to bear against an internal surface of the guide aperture 101 such that the shear assembly 220 is constrained to move in an outward and inward direction with respect to the support device 100.

[0044] With reference to Figures 5 and 9 it can be seen that the guide element 223 is provided with upper, lower and fore and aft bearing blocks 224, configured to slidingly bear against corresponding upper, lower and fore and aft bearing surfaces provided in the guide aperture 101. It will be appreciated that it is by virtue of the sliding relationship between the bearing blocks 224 and the internal surface of the guide aperture 101, that the shear assembly 220 is constrained to outward and inward movement only, and that rotation and vertical or fore-aft translation of the shear assembly 220 with respect to the support device 100 is prevented.

[0045] The bearing blocks 224 may be made from a plastic material having a low coefficient of friction, high wear resistance and high load bearing capabilities. In a particular form, the bearing blocks may be made from an internally lubricating thermoplastic polymer of the Nylon family. The bearing surfaces provided in the guide aperture 101 may be made from metal, such as steel. It will be appreciated that the bearing blocks 224 would preferentially wear instead of the guide aperture 101.

[0046] In use, when a container is to be loaded, the actuator 210 is extended in order to drive the shear assembly 220 outward from the support device 100 (as shown in Figures 1 to 5, 13 and 14). The container is then drawn onto the loading area of the vehicle, until it reaches its fully loaded position. A proximity sensor or the like may be used to sense when the container is properly positioned, and a signal from this sensor can be used to report this fact to the operator or the system operating the container securement device. It will be appreciated that when the shear assembly 220 is in the extended position, this can be described as the securement device 200 being in an unlocked or receiving configuration.

[0047] In order to secure the container with respect to the support device 100 and in turn, the vehicle, the actuator 210 is then retracted in order to move the shear assembly 220 inward toward the support device 100, where the engagement portion 222 of the shear pin 221 will engage with the side aperture 301 in the corner block 300 of the container and secure the container to the support device 100, where it will be appreciated that the shear pin 221 acts to prevent or at least reduce forward and rearward as well as upward movement of the container with respect to the vehicle (as shown in Figures 6 to 8 and 15 to 17). It will be appreciated that when the shear assembly 220 is in the retracted position, this can be described as the securement device 200 being in a locked configuration.

[0048] With reference to Figures 9 to 12 it can be seen that the engagement portion 222 features upper and lower surfaces 225, 226, as well as fore and aft surfaces 227, 228 that are all tapered with respect to a longitudinal axis of the engagement portion 222, terminating in an engagement tip 229. It will be appreciated that by providing an engagement portion 222 with said tapered surfaces, 225-228, the securing device 200 is capable of accommodating misalignment of the corner block 300 of the container when the abovementioned retention process is initiated, with the engagement portion 222 capable of accommodating both vertical and horizontal offset of the corner block 300. For example, when the container is misaligned in a vertical direction, the tip 229 of the engagement portion 222 is configured to first enter the side aperture 301, and then either the upper or lower surface 225, 226 of the engagement portion 222 will bear against the perimeter of the side aperture 301 so as to raise or lower the corner of the container into the correct position, and / or to lower or raise the support device 100 such that it is correctly positioned with respect to the container.

[0049] It will be further appreciated that the tapered shape of the engagement portion 222 also acts to clear debris that may be present in the corner block 300 as the engagement portion 222 engages with the side aperture 301 in the corner block 300.

[0050] In use, when a container is to be unloaded, the actuator 210 is extended, and the shear assembly 220 is driven outward, with the shear pin 221 becoming disengaged from the side aperture 301 in the corner block 300. The container is then removed from the loading area of the vehicle.

[0051] With reference to Figures 1 to 8 and 14 to 16 it can also be seen that the securing device 200 further comprises an outer guide 230 secured with respect to the support device 100, which acts to guide the container on to the support device 100.

[0052] As best shown in Figure 3, the outer guide 230 comprises an aperture 231 through which the shear assembly 220 is configured to extend and retract through. The outer guide also comprises a secondary guide arrangement configured to provide additional fore and aft support to the shear assembly 220. It can be seen that the secondary guide arrangement comprises two pairs of fore and aft bearing blocks 232, 233, each configured to provide sliding support to an intermediate portion of the shear assembly 220, between the first end connected to the hydraulic ram 210 and the second end comprising the shear pin 221. The bearing blocks 232, 233 may be made from a high strength metallic material, such as a high strength steel alloy.

[0053] It will be appreciated that the sliding support of the shear assembly 220 facilitates extension and retraction of the shear assembly 220 with respect to the support device 100. It will further be appreciated that in the event of any fore or aft force exerted on the shear assembly 220 by the container, that the sliding support provided by the secondary guide arrangement will work in conjunction with the guide aperture 101 to resist or at least minimise fore or aft movement of the shear assembly 220 with respect to the support device 100.

[0054] The outer guide 230 is also configured to prevent the container from outwardly bearing on the shear assembly 220, and placing unwanted loads on the shear assembly 220 and the hydraulic ram 210.

[0055] With reference to Figure 17, it can be seen that the outer guide 230 prevents outward lateral movement of the container with respect to the support device 100, such that the shear pin 221 is able to be retracted to locate within the side aperture 301 of the corner block 300 while achieving lateral clearance between the corner block 300 and the shear assembly 220, such that no outward lateral load is able to transferred to the shear assembly 220.

[0056] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0057] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0058] In some cases, a single embodiment may, for succinctness and / or to assist in understanding the scope of the disclosure, combine multiple features. It is to be understood that in such a case, these multiple features may be provided separately (in separate embodiments), or in any other suitable combination. Alternatively, where separate features are described in separate embodiments, these separate features may be combined into a single embodiment unless otherwise stated or implied. This also applies to the claims which can be recombined in any combination. That is a claim may be amended to include a feature defined in any other claim. Further a phrase referring to “at least one of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

[0059] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and / or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A container securing device for securing a container with respect to a vehicle, wherein the device comprises a shear assembly configured to move outward and inward with respect to the vehicle and the container, the shear assembly further comprising an engaging portion configured to engage with a side aperture provided in the container, wherein when the shear assembly is in an outward position, the engaging portion is disengaged from the side aperture, and when the shear assembly is in an inward position, the engaging portion is engaged with the side aperture.

2. The container securing device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an actuator for moving the shear assembly between the inward and outward positions.

3. The container securing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shear assembly further comprises a guide element, configured to engage with a corresponding guide aperture provided in the securing device, wherein the guide element is configured to bear against an internal surface of the guide aperture such that the shear assembly is constrained to move in an outward and inward direction with respect to the support device.

4. The container securing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the guide element is provided with upper, lower and fore and aft bearing blocks, configured to slidingly bear against corresponding upper, lower and fore and aft bearing surfaces provided in the guide aperture.

5. The container securing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bearing blocks are made from an internally lubricating thermoplastic polymer.

6. The container securing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engaging portion is in the form of a tapered engaging portion comprising upper and lower surfaces, as well as fore and aft surfaces that are all tapered with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tapered engaging portion, terminating in an engagement tip.

7. The container securing device as claimed in any one the preceding claims, further comprising an outer guide configured to prevent the container from outwardly bearing on the shear assembly.

8. The container securing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outer guide comprises a secondary guide assembly configured to provide fore and aft support to the shear assembly.

9. The container securing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the secondary guide assembly comprises at least a pair of fore and aft bearing blocks, configured to provide sliding support to an intermediate portion of the shear assembly.

10. The container securing device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fore and aft bearing blocks are made from a high strength steel alloy.

11. A container transport vehicle, comprising one or more container securing devices as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

12. A method of securing a container with respect to a vehicle, comprising the steps of: a) loading a container on to the vehicle; b) using a container securing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 to secure the container to the vehicle by moving the shear assembly to an inward position where the engaging portion of the shear assembly is engaged with the side aperture of the container.

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