Coupling Means Joint Arrangement for Container Lashing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling means for lashing and supporting containers on cargo ships face issues with longitudinal adjustment limitations and lashing bar collisions, particularly when placed crosswise, which restricts alignment and increases the risk of collision and reduces the transverse gap between containers.
Innovation Solution
A coupling means featuring a joint arrangement with an elongated slot in the locking head and a movably installed shaft of the lashing bar, positioned above the horizontal plane of the corner casting's locking hole, allowing for adjustable lashing bar placement without collision and optimizing the distance from the container corner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the lashing bar is placed crosswise with a longitudinal adjustment margin, then the lashing bar can be positioned farther from the container, but the lashing bars may still collide with each other and alignment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the joint arrangement (elongated slot) above the horizontal plane of the corner casting, moving the adjustment mechanism from a longitudinal-only arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration. This vertical displacement allows the lashing bar to achieve both longitudinal adjustment and proper alignment without collision, resolving the contradiction by adding a vertical dimension to the adjustment space.
2Device complexity
If the joint arrangement is positioned below the horizontal plane of the corner casting, then the structure is simpler, but the lashing bars collide and the transverse gap between containers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the joint arrangement from below to above the horizontal plane of the corner casting, the patent creates vertical clearance that prevents lashing bar collisions. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by sacrificing minimal structural simplicity for significant improvement in reliability and collision prevention.
3Device complexity
If the lashing bar is fixed at a set distance from the container, then the structure is simpler, but the alignment and stability during transportation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a fixed-distance connection with a dynamic joint arrangement (elongated slot) that allows the lashing bar to move and adjust its position. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt to different alignment requirements while maintaining stability during transportation, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and alignment stability.
4Quantity of substance
If the transverse gap between containers is reduced to 38 mm, then more containers can be loaded, but the lashing bars cannot be properly aligned and collisions occur
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the joint arrangement to a vertical position above the corner casting, the patent creates additional adjustment space that allows proper lashing bar alignment even when containers are positioned close together (25 mm transverse gap). This dimensional relocation resolves the contradiction by enabling alignment capability within reduced transverse spacing.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
Coupling means to be used for lashing and supporting containers, more particularly containers to be transported on cargo ships, which coupling means comprises a lashing bar (2) and a locking head (1) connected to it, which locking head comprises a locking means for locking into the corner casting (7)of a container, and between which locking head (1) and lashing bar (2) is a joint arrangement, which enables movement of the lashing bar in relation to the locking head towards the corner casting and away from the corner casting. The invention is implemented such that when the locking head (1) is locked into the corner casting (7) of a container at least a part of the joint arrangement is above the horizontal plane (L) traveling via the centre of curvature of the bottom edge of the locking hole of the corner casting.