Rapid coupling for securing a container to a rail
This invention is related to a manually operated rapid coupling of a container to a rail secured in the luggage compartment of a car or a suitable bulkhead in a boat. Most carowners frequently have difficulties in arranging and suitably securing equipment for the car such as a jerry can, bottle of oil, towing rope, wax, as well as containers for sand provided for adjusting the driving properties of the car during winter, in such a way that it does not loosen and disperse in the room due to the relative movement of the vehicle.
An arrangemnet corresponding to the principle of the lego set already has been suggested. Interlocking pins are used on a lego mat toprevent movement of a container. Furthermore a foldable box of plastics for various car- equipment for loose arrangement in the vehicle is known. Fro US patent specification No. 3 172 581 it is known to secure a container to a vehicle by means of a special bifurcurated fork bracket provided with the hooks in both ends and having a metal clamp in the arc of the fork, adapted for clamping to a specially arranged, fixed bracket, or projection, the container being adapted to securely be held by the fork bracket.
The novel rapid coupling for containersto a fixed rail according to the invention provides securing of the container in such a way that displacement or selfreleasing will not happen. Furthermore the rapid coupling is finally room saving and coupling in and out is made very easy and rapidly in use. This is achieved by the invention by the rail being secured to a vertical wall and where the container being provided with a hookshaped projection arranged opposed to each other in such a way that the container may be connected to the rail. To ensure securing of the container against transversely displacement and selfreleasing due to irregular movements of the vehicle provided with the inventio the rail is provided across the entire length with elastomere
side of the projection of the container, thereby holding the connection with a constant pressure. The elastomere lip profiles not being meshed, are providing blocking devices against transversely displacement of the container. The rapid coupling according to the invention is disclosed in the drawing where Fig. 1 discloses a side- view of the rail and the container in meshing relation. Fig. 2 discloses an elevation view of the rail and the container as disclosed in Fig. 1, however with a second embodiment of the hookshaped projections. Fig. 3 discloses an enlarged detail of the lip profile on Fig. 2 and Fig 4 discloses an application of the invention in a car lorry trun .
The rapid coupling, which in the drawings is dis- closed in two embodiments, and comprising principally a necessary part of a container 1 and a rail 2, each provided with a hookshaped projection 3 and 4 opposingly arranged and disclosed in meshing relation. The rail and the container may be constructed of a plastics, a composite or metal material. The rail is provided with elastic, toothedged lip profiles 5 for establishing a support abutment and a meshingly retainment against the rear side 6 of the container, as well as preventing self¬ releasing of the container. The lips 6 not being in mesh, are providing an abutment-against the side edges of the projection 4 of the container, thereby preventing any displacement in transversal direction. The container 1 is provided with Elastic tongues 7 having a cooperative function against selfreleasing of the container as it will abutt against the projection 8 of the rail 2.
The invention is not limited to the above stated embodiments as several modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. Figs. 2 and 3 disclose a principally necessary part of the container 21 and the rail 20, each being provided with a hookshaped projection 13 and 14 which parts are opposite arranged and disclosed in meshing relationship. The rail is provided with elastic
toothshaped lip profiles 15 for establishing a support abutment and meshingly clamping against the rear side 16 of the container, as well as for preventing selfreleasing of the container. The lips 15 not being in mesh are providing abutment against the side edges of the projection 14 of the container, thereby preventing any transversal displacement of the container. The embodiment disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3 differs from the embodiment of Fig. 1 by the container 21 being provided with the tengue 17, narrow arranged at 19 in the internal part of the rail, which tongue 17 having a participating function against selfrelease of the container by preventing the projection 14 of the container in reaching the upper edge 18 of the rail.
By assembling,the rail 2, 20 should be secured, such as by screws 9 or by glue, arranged horizontally to the wall 10. Correct assembling of the rail is achieved by means of the container as well as the reference surface 11 of the rail 2, 20 which substantially should be in right angle concerning the rail 2 and parallel concerning the rail 20, to the resting surface 12 of the container.
In Fig. 4 one application of the invention is dis¬ closed. Here containers 1 are secured in a car luggage trunk, having a floor 12 and a wall 10 provided with a rail 2.