NZ272824A - Coupling device for horizontal interconnection of containers placed at same level - Google Patents

Description

272824 Patents Form 5 Priority Date<s): Comply'"- Specification Filod: Ciac* Publication Dato: 23,X£JL!!?.??. ! ?.0. Journal No: /ft& N.Z. No.

NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION CoKxr^^ed. \Krte£co<^t^£c~rio>^ xytP't-c, * I, BENGT-OLOF HAMMAR, a Swedish citizen of Elins grand 10, S-517 91 Olsfors, Sweden, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- 272824 1A CONTAINER INTERCONNECTION DEVICE The subject'invention concerns a coupling device for horizontal interconnection of two containers positioned essentially at the same level on a support and provided with corner boxes the outwardly facing sides of which are formed with elongate coupling apertures.

Certain types of transport and lifts of containers in pairs require that containers positioned in juxtaposed position in pairs are interconnected by means of their lower neighbouring corner boxes. Usually, the outwardly facing sides of these corner boxes are provided with elongate coupling apertures. Since the containers often are heavy and comparatively difficult to handle it may be very difficult to orientate them in such a way that their corner boxes to be interconnected will be aligned and in close relationship, which is necessary when the interconnection is to be effected by means of conventional, rigid coupling means. To orientate the containers to this position causes problems, particularly when they are positioned on or are to be positioned on a support that lacks clearly defined demarcation marks, edges or the like.

The main purpose of the invention is to eliminate these drawbacks and to provide a coupling device that may be used without requiring that the containers assume a precise relative position. This purpose is achieved by means of a coupling device designed in accordance with the invention and which is essentially characterized in that is consists of two engagement members, each arranged to be removably connected to its respective one of two neighbouring corner boxes of two containers positioned in juxtaposed relationship, and of a flexible linking member designed for removable interconnection of said two engagement members.

Preferably, each engagement member consists of a body which is insertable into the coupling aperture and which comprises a web portion the cross-sectional dimensions of which are smaller than the smallest cross-sectional extension of the coupling aperture end of which merges into an insert end portion the dimen 272824 which in a first transverse direction are smaller than the smallest extension of the coupling aperture and in a second transverse direction exceed said smallest coupling aperture extension but are smaller than the largest extension of the coupling aperture whereas 5 the opposite end of said web portion merges into an attachment portion for securement of the linking member, said attachment portion being so orientated that in the active position, i.e. in the position in which the two engagement members are interconnected by means of a linking member, said insert end portion engages interiorly 10 of the longitudinal edges of its associated coupling aperture.

Preferably, the attachment portions of the engagement members for securement of the linking member are in the shape of arms so directed that their weight tends to turn the engagement member into said active position. Preferably, the linking member is a chain or a 15 similar means the weight of which tends to turn the engagement members to their active position, the locking position.

In addition, the engagement members preferably are formed with abutments co-operating with the engagement aperture edges and preventing turning of said members in the engagement aperture 20 beyond a position in which their branches are essentially horizontal. This may be achieved for instance by using the side faces of the web portion, owing to the non-round cross-sectional configuration of the latter, to form said abutments.

Preferably, the linking member is a chain which is arranged to 25 be interconnected with the engagement members by means of bolts and which is limited as to its movements with respect to the engagement members in the direction of turning of the latter and in that of said bolts at least one is removable.

The invention will be described in closer detail in the following 30 with reference to accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. 1 and 2 are schematical views of two containers as viewed from above, said containers being interconnected by means of device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 3a-c are views that show the sequence of the interj 3 5 connection of two neighbouring corner boxes provided with coupling device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 4 is a view from above of the coupling device in accordance with the invention in its active position; Fig. 5 is a partly cut lateral view of said coupling device; and Fig. 6 is a separate view of the detail component incorporated in the construction according to Figs. 4 and 5.

In schematical views from above Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate two juxtaposed contaihers 1 which are interconnected by means of coupling devices, generally designated by 2, engaging in and extending between two of their lower corner boxes that are positioned near one another. Such interconnection may be desirable, for instance when one wishes to lift and transport the two containers together. However, such interconnection of the containers could also be of interest in other contexts. For the interconnection, the containers are positioned in juxtaposed relationship, for instance with the aid of a fork lift truck or other loading apparatus. However, it may be difficult when the support is flat and lacks obvious and clear reference indications, to position the containers in such a manner that the corner boxes of the containers are completely aligned and assume a position closely adjacent one another. In other words, the containers may be placed slightly apart and also somewhat laterally off-set, as most clearly indicated in Fig. 1. For instance, the containers may assume such a position that two corner boxes abut fully against one another whereas the other two corner boxes are spaced apart, as most clearly apparent from Fig. 2. It should be pointed out, however, that the proportions of dimensions illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 are exaggerated for the sake of clarity. As most clearly apparent from Figs. 4 and 5 the coupling device consists of two engagement members 5 and 6, respectively, each arranged to be removably connected to the respective one of two neighbouring corner boxes 3, 4 of two containers positioned in juxtaposed relationship, and of a flexible linking member 7 by means of which in the active position, i.e. the interconnected position, the two engagement members are interconnected. The linking member preferably has a length adjusted to ensure that the spacing between the lower coupling apertures of the corner boxes in the taut condition of the linking member corresponds to the standardized distance between corresponding coupling means on. vehicle chassis or the like designed to lock the containers in qu £72824 thereto. Each one of the engagement members 5; 6 consists of a body which is insertable into the coupling aperture 8 and which comprises a web portion 9; 10 having cross-sectional dimensions a and b, respectively, that are smaller than the smallest cross-sectional 5 extension of the coupling aperture and the inner end of the web portion merges into an insert end portion 11; 12 having first transverse dimensions that are smaller than the smallest extension of the coupling aperture, and second transverse dimensions d exceeding said smallest coupling aperture extension but being smaller than the 10 largest dimension c of the coupling aperture. In addition, the engagement member is formed with an attachment portion 13; 14 positioned externally of the container to secure the linking member 7. The attachment portion 13; 14 constitutes a lever which is orientated in the same transverse direction as the inner end portion 11; 12. In 15 the position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the end portion 11; 12 as well as the attachment portion 13; 14 extend horizontally. The shown linking member is in the form of a chain the end links of which project in between the fork-like branches 13a, 13b; 14a, 14b of the attachment portions of the engage-ment members 5; 6. By means of 2 0 one of its end links the chain 7 is secured to the engagement member 5 with the aid of a locking bolt 15 or the like whereas by means of its opposite end link the chain is secured to the engagement member 6, likewise with the aid of a locking bolt 16. In accordance with the embodiment shown the locking bolt 15 is stationary whereas the 25 locking bolt 16 is removable. As most clearly apparent from Fig. 6, the locking bolt 16 is in the form of a pin 17 one end of which supports an abutment plate 18. At its free end the pin 17 is formed with a spring-loaded catch 20, arranged to be forced against spring action into a position in which its outer contour lies within the outer contour 30 of the pin 17. The distance e from the abutment plate 18 to the free end of the catch 20 exceeds the distance between the outer faces of the branches 14a, 14b, i.e. the length of an aperture extending in this direction and in which the pin 17 may be inserted to assume the position illustrated in Fig. 5. As the pin is being inserted the catch 20 35 is automatically pressed inwards, allowing the pin to be inserted through the branch 14a, the end link of the chain 7 and the bran^ 14b, whereupon the catch 20, in response to spring action, pivots' .ao7 V* c ^ , b ~ a 27282 4 outwards, preventing the pin 17 from falling out. Instead of the bolt 15 a similar locking pin could also be passed through the branches 13a and 13b on the engagement member 5. As most clearly apparent from Fig. 5 each web portion 9; 10 of the two engagement members is 5 formed with a protrusion 18; 19 to delimit the turning movement of the associated engagement member to approximately 90°, i.e. movement?from the positions of Figs. 4 and 5 to the position in which the attachment portion 13; 14 points upwards.

The sequencial steps of interconnecting two containers are 10 shown Figs. 3a-3c. The engagement member 5 is inserted with the chain 7 and the attachment portion 13 directed upwards, in which position the end portion 11 of the member may be inserted into the corner box engagement aperture as illustrated in Fig. 3a. The chain 7 is then allowed to drop downwards, thus forcing the engagement 15 member 5 to turn in the clockwise direction to the position illustrated in Fig. 3b, in which its abutment protrusion 18, as also illustrated in Fig. 5, rests against one longitudinal edge of the engagement aperture 21. In this manner the engagement member is prevented from tilting further than to the essential horizontal position. Thereafter, the 2 0 engagement member 6 is inserted into its associated corner box in a corresponding way, i.e. in a position, in which the attachment portion 14 points upwards, and then it is turned downwards to the position in which it has been turned counter clockwise as illustrated in Fig. 3b and also in Figs. 4 and 5, in which position its branches 14a and 14b 2 5 point essentially horizontally to the left. Therafter the free end link of the chain is inserted between the branches 14a and 14b and is locked to the latter by means of the locking bolt 17, 18, 20 which is passed through the branches until the snap-action catch 20 projects outwards, under-neath the branch 14b. The engagement member 6 is 3 0 now prevented from pivoting beyond this position by the abutment protrusion 19, the latter resting against one longitudinal wall of the engagement aperture 8. The weight of the chain 7 then endeavours to maintain the two engagement members in this position.

The embodiment illustrated in the drawings and described 35 above is but one of several examples of application of the invention^ For instance it may be possible to form the flexible link member^ instead of from a chain, from some other easily flexible materi^ .6 272824 6 as a wire or the like. When the link member is not sufficiently heavy in itself to securely retain the engagement members in their active position it may have a particular body attached thereto, providing the necessary weight to the linking member. However, it is likewise possible to give the attachment portions 13, 14, acting as levers, with sufficient length to allow them, by their own weight, to tend to remain in their position of engagement. It would likewise be possible to <■ combine these modifications in any suitable manner without departure from the basic idea of the invention.

Claims (8)

WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A coupling device for horizontal interconnection of two 5 containers positioned essentially at the same level on a support and provided with corner boxes (3; 4) the outwardly facing sides of which are formed with elongate coupling apertures (&)-, characterized in that it consists of two engagement members (5; 6), each arranged to be removably connected to its respective one of two neigh-10 bouring corner boxes of the two containers positioned in juxta posed relationship, and of a flexible linking member (7} for removable interconnection of said two engagement members.

2. A coupling device as claimed in claim 1, characterize d in that each engagement member (5; 6) consists of a body 15 which is insertable into the coupling aperture ■{&}■ and which comprises a web portion (0; 10) the cross-sectional dimensions (a, b) of which are smaller than the smallest cross-sectional extent of the coupling aperture and one end of which merges into an insert end portion (H; 12) the dimension of which in a first transverse direction 20 is smaller than the smallest extent of the coupling aperture and in a second trggisverse direction exceed said smallest coupling aperture extent but is smaller than the largest extent of the coupling aperture whereas the opposite end of said web portion merges into an attachment portion (13; 14) for securement of a 25 linking member f?}, said attachment portion being so orientated that in the active position, i.e. in the position in which the linking member interconnects the two engagement members, the insert end portion (11; 12) engages interiorly of the longitudinal edges of its associated coupling aperture. 30

3. A coupling device as claimed in claim 2, character ize d in that the attachment portions (13; 14) of the engagement members (5; 6) for securement of the linking member ■(?)• are in the shape of arms so directed that their weight tends to turn the engagement members into said active position. 35 € 8

4. A coupling device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said linking member -f?)- is a chain or a similar means the weight of which tends to turn the engagement members f&j--&)- to their active position, the locking position.

5. A coupling device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the engagement members (5; 6) are formed with abutments (10; 19) co-operating with the engagement aperture edges and preventing turning of said members in the engagement aperture beyond a position in which their arms (13; 14) are essentially horizontal.

6. A coupling device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the abutments (18; 19) are formed by the side faces of the web portion (9; 10) owing to the non-round cross-sectional configuration of the latter.

7. A coupling device as claimed in fuiy one of claims 2-6, characterized in that the linking member (2) is a chain which is arranged to be interconnected with the engagement members (5; 6) by means of bolts (15; 16) and which is limited as to its movements with respect to the engagement members in the direction of turning of the latter and in that of said bolts at least one (4-&) is removable.

8. A coupling device according to claim 1 substantially as herein described or exemplified.