LOCK FOR CONTAINER ON A WAGON

Abstract: A support surface (2), for example of a railway wagon (1), has a locking device for locking a container (4). The support (2) has a frame (3) that can be rotated about an essentially vertical axis with respect to the support surface (2), such that the container (4) can be slid onto and off the frame (3) when the frame is in the rotated position. End stops (6) are also provided to restrain the container (4) when the frame (3) is in the position in which it has been rotated above the support surface (2). One of the end stops (6) is movable between a release position, in which the frame (3) with container (4) can be rotated past said end stop (6) and a locking position in which the container (4) is prevented from shifting.

Description: Lock for container on a wagon The invention relates to a locking device for locking a container on a support surface, for example of a railway wagon, which support surface has a frame that can be rotated about an essentially vertical axis with respect to the support surface, such that the container can be slid onto and off the frame when the frame is in the rotated position, and end stops to restrain the container when the frame is in the position in which it has been rotated above the support surface. A locking device of this type is disclosed in EP-A 431 690. Prevention of horizontal movement of the container is effected by means of end stops rigidly mounted on the support surface. A locking device intended to prevent upward movement of the container, from the frame, is also present. The fixed end stops on the support surface form a boundary past which it must be possible to rotate the container without restraint. This means that the length of the container must remain restricted in comparison with the length of the support surface. It also means that the shape of the container cannot be freely chosen: in the partially rotated position the corners of a standard container (ISO container) would project a relatively long way and collide with the end stops. A further disadvantage is that a separate lock is needed for locking in the vertical direction. The aim of the invention is to provide a locking device which does not have these limitations. Said aim is achieved in that one of the end stops is movable between a release position, in which the frame with container can be rotated past said end stop, and a locking position in which the container is prevented from shifting. In the release position it is always possible to rotate the container, irrespective of its shape or type. When folded away, the end stop then forms no impediment. The movable end stop can be constructed in various ways. An embodiment in which the movable end stop has a stable triangular shape in the locked position, such that a first triangle element runs obliquely downwards from the frame to a hinge point on the support surface, is preferred. The sloping triangle element is a thrust element that provides reliable locking. Furthermore, the movable end stop can have a second triangle element that is rotatably connected to the support surface in a position between the frame and the connection of the first triangle element to the support surface. The two triangle elements together with the support surface form a stable triangle which forms a very reliable lock. The first triangle element can consist of two element halves hingeably connected to one another, all hinge pins running parallel to one another transversely to the support surface, such that the second triangle element can be folded flat onto the support surface when the element halves of the first triangle element are hinged towards one another. The two element halves and the second triangle element form, as it were, a linkage that is movable from the triangular shape into the folded away position. To increase the stability, in the locked position the element halves can be bent slightly beyond the straight position in the direction of the support surface and supported in that direction by stabilising means on the support surface. The stabilising means can comprise a rotary eccentric that on rotation causes the element halves to flip in the opposite direction away from the support surface. The eccentric can also be joined to securing means, which securing means are rotatable with the eccentric and, when the element halves are in the stable position, secure said halves against turning away from the direction of the support surface. The triangle elements are plate-shaped. Furthermore, the end stop can be placed against a counter-element on the container, which is provided as standard. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an illustrative embodiment shown in the figures. Figure 1 shows the locking device according to the invention, on a wagon with a container. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the locking device according to the invention in the locked position. Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 1. Figure 4 shows rotation of the locking device out of the locked position. Figure 5 shows the release position of the locking device. The wagon 1 shown in Figure 1 has a support surface 2 on which a rotatable frame 3 is located. Said frame 3 is mounted, approximately in the middle, by means of a pivot ring (not shown) with an essentially vertical axis on the wagon 1. A container 4, which is also designated an "ISO container" and at each of the eight corners has a corner piece 5 that can be gripped by container hoists known per se, is located on the frame 3. At both ends of the support surface 2 there is a locking device 6 according to the invention, which in the locked position has a stable triangular shape. The locking device comprises a first triangle element 7 and a second triangle element 8. Said triangle elements 7, 8 are connected to one another by means of hinge 9; in addition, triangle element 7 is connected to the support surface 3 by hinge 10 and triangle element 8 is connected to support surface 3 by means of hinge 11. The locking device 6 is in contact with a nose 20 on the container 4. The first triangle element 7 consists of two element halves 13, 14, which are hingeably connected to one another by means of hinge 12 and which in the locked position lie virtually in the extension of one another. As shown in Figure 3, they are supported in said locked position by means of the stabilising means indicated in their entirety by 15. Said stabilising means consist of an operating shaft 16, on which an eccentric 17 is located. In the stable position shown in Figure 3, element half 13 bears on the stabilising means 15; in this position the element halves 13, 14 are bent slightly beyond the straight position in the direction of the support surface 2, such that locking is still assured even when compressive forces are exerted in the first triangle element 6. Furthermore, triangle elements 8 have fingers 21, which are hooked over the nose 20 on the container, such that upward movement thereof is prevented. On rotating the stabilising means 15, the element half 13 is lifted, such that the locked position is no longer stable and is transformed into the release position according to Figure 5. This also provides an indication as to whether or not the container is locked. In this position the container 4 can be rotated, the position 18 indicated by broken lines constituting the outermost position that the corner piece 5 of the container can reach in the rotated position. It can be seen from this that the container 4 can be rotated past the locking device 6 when the latter is in its release position. Two securing hooks 19 are mounted on the rotary shaft 16, which securing hooks 19, in the locked position in Figure 3, engage around the hinge pin 12. By this means the locking device is secured against unintentional transition to the release position.

Claims: Claims 1. Locking device for locking a container (4) on a support surface (2), for example of a railway wagon (1), which support surface (2) has a frame (3) that can be rotated about an essentially vertical axis with respect to the support surface (2), such that the container (4) can be slid onto and off the frame (3) when the frame (3) is in the rotated position, and end stops (6) to restrain the container (4) when the frame (3) is in the position in which it has been rotated above the support surface (2), characterised in that one of the end stops (6) is movable between a release position, in which the frame (3) with container can be rotated past said end stop (6), and a locking position in which the container (4) is prevented from shifting. 2. Locking device according to Claim 1, wherein the movable end stop (6) has a stable triangular shape in the locked position, wherein a first triangle element (7) runs obliquely downwards from the frame (3) to a hinge point (10) on the support surface (2). 3. Locking device according to Claim 2, wherein the movable end stop (6) has a second triangle element (8) that is rotatably (11) connected to the support surface (2) in a position between the frame (3) and the connection (10) of the first triangle element (7) to the support surface (2). 4. Locking device according to Claim 3, wherein the first triangle element (7) consists of two element halves (13, 14) hingeably (12) connected to one another, and all hinge pins (9-12) run parallel to one another transversely to the support surface (2), such that the second triangle element (8) can be folded flat onto the support surface (2) when the element halves (13, 14) of the first triangle element (7) are hinged towards one another. 5. Locking device according to Claim 4, wherein in the locked position the element halves (13, 14) are bent slightly beyond the straight position in the direction of the support surface (2) and are supported in that direction by stabilising means (15) on the support surface (2). 6. Locking device according to Claim 5, wherein the stabilising means (15) comprise a rotary eccentric (17) that on rotation causes the element halves (13,14) to flip in the opposite direction away from the support surface (2). 7. Locking device according to Claim 6, wherein the eccentric (17) is joined to securing means (19), which securing means (19) are rotatable with the eccentric (17) and, when the element halves (13, 14) are in the stable position, secure said halves against turning away from the direction of the support surface (2). 8. Locking device according to one of Claims 2-7, wherein the triangle elements (7, 8) are plate-shaped. 9. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end stop can be placed against a counter-element (20). 10. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the end stop has at least one finger (21) which in the locked position hooks over a nose (22) on the container to prevent upward movement thereof.

Inventors: VAN DEN POL AART ANTONIE, VAN DEN POL, AART, ANTONIE
Applicants: ARK GROEP BV, DEN POL AART ANTONIE VAN, DE ARK GROEP B.V., VAN DEN POL, AART, ANTONIE
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B61D45
IPC codes: B60P7, B61D45