Patent ID: 6679660
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: B60P,B65D

Abstract:
A rotatable clamping device of the type used to clamp a corner fitting of a freight container to an underlying support, and comprising:a main housing defining an upright cylindrical passage in which an actuator shaft is rotatably mounted; a clamping head secured to an upper end of the actuator shaft, and rotatable with the shaft between a release position and a clamping position with respect to a corresponding corner fitting; actuator means coupled with the shaft and operative to rotate the clamping head at least from the clamping position to the release position; and a detent arrangement acting between the outer surface of the shaft and an inner wall surface of the cylindrical passage and operative to define a detent position and permit location of the shaft in at least one predetermined angular setting relative to the passage which corresponds to at least one of the release and clamping positions of the clamping head; in which: the detent arrangement comprises at least one recess formed in one surface of said shaft surface and said inner wall surface, and a resiliently biassed element pressed towards said one surface and engageable in said recess upon rotation of the shaft to said predetermined angular setting; and a downwardly extending slot is formed in said one surface and communicates with said recess in order to form a means of gravity discharge of dirt/debris collected in an annular space between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner wall surface of said passage.