Abstract:
A coupling member for interconnecting two containers stacked one above the other, particularly on board ships, having a first coupling projection that can be hooked into a corner fitting of one container and pre-locked there, and a second coupling projection that can be coupled to a corner fitting of the other container, and having an actuating member by means of which the second coupling projection can be switched between an automatic position, in which the containers lock and unlock fully automatically during loading and unloading, and a second position, in which the containers must be manually unlocked by an operator during unloading, wherein the second coupling projection is moved under pre-tension into the automatic position or the second position and can be moved to the respective other position by means of the actuating member, counter to the pre-tensioning force is provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/DE2013/100122, having a filing date of Apr. 4, 2013, based off of DE 20 2012 101 261.8 having a filing date of Apr. 5, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0002]    The following relates to a coupling member for interconnecting two containers stacked one above the other, in particular onboard ships, having a first coupling projection which can be hooked into a corner fitting of one container and be pre-locked there, and a second coupling projection which can be coupled to the other corner fitting and having an actuating member by means of which the second coupling projection can be switched between an automatic position in which the containers lock and unlock fully automatically during loading and unloading, and a second position in which the containers must be manually unlocked by an operator during unloading, wherein the second coupling projection is moved under pre-tension into the automatic position or the second position and can be moved to the other respective position by means of the actuating member counter to the pre-tensioning force. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A coupling member of this kind is described in DE 20 2009 013 140 U1. 
         [0004]    Since the applicant of this utility model commercialized so-called fully automatic coupling members which are based on DE 102 38 895 A1, the fully automatic coupling members enjoy increasing popularity in the market place. The particular advantage of fully automatic coupling members lies in the fact that, when loading a container, for example, on a sea-bound ship, they automatically lock and again in contrast to semiautomatic designs, automatically unlock during unloading of the container. Thus, even when unloading the container, no manual unlocking of the coupling member by stowage personal is required any longer. Accordingly these fully automatic coupling members are able to securely connect two containers stacked above each other during a voyage. 
         [0005]    Furthermore empty containers are often loaded and unloaded above each other in “tandem” which is also called “vertical tandem lift (VTL)”. Two containers stacked above each other, which are connected to each other with coupling members, are thereby simultaneously loaded or unloaded by raising the upper container. This is naturally not possible with fully automatic coupling members. 
         [0006]    There is thus a need for coupling members which can be used both semi-automatically as well as automatically and, when needed, can be switched between the two methods of functioning. The term ‘semiautomatic’ is understood to mean that the coupling members lock independently (automatically) during loading of the container; during debarkation (unloading), on the other hand however, must be manually unlocked by stowage personal. Then whenever no loading or unloading in “tandem lift” is desired or a comparatively quiet sea journey is expected, these coupling members should be used in the fully automatic function. If, however, a loading and unloading in “tandem lift” is desired or rough seas are expected during the transit, these coupling members should be used in the semiautomatic function. 
         [0007]    Coupling members are described in EP 2 007 656 B1 or EP 2 233 408 A1 which can switch between a fully automatic function and a fully manual function. These coupling members are usually in the full automatic mode when loading and unloading containers. If the upper container is displaced from the lower container, the coupling members can be switched to the second position completely manually, in which position no fully automatic unlocking is possible anymore. Now two empty containers stacked above each other can be loaded or unloaded in a tandem lift. In addition, after loading of the containers the coupling members can be brought in this manner into a so-called safe position. For that reason the coupling members must be manually switched by stowage personnel both when loading and unloading. These coupling members thus can only be switched between a fully manual position and a fully automatic position and therefore cannot meet the previously stated requirements. 
         [0008]    The coupling member according to DE 20 2009 013 140 U1 named at the outset should satisfy the above stated requirements, thus should namely be switchable between a semiautomatic position and a fully automatic position. To that end the coupling member has a blocking element which in the semiautomatic position prevents the lower coupling projection from sliding out of the upper long hole in the corner fitting of the lower container. This blocking member must also be manually unlocked, so that the upper container can be loosened from the lower container. 
         [0009]    The blocking member of the coupling member is pre-tensioned in the direction toward the automatic position and can be switched by means of a Bowden cable into a second position in which the coupling member is supposed to act as a semiautomatic coupling member, namely to facilitate an automatic locking with the container, but can only be manually unlocked. Upon a closer inspection of the document it turns out, however, that this coupling member too can only be switched between an automatic position and a completely manual position, since the blocking member is positively secured in the second position against displacement in the direction toward the automatic position. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    Proceeding from this background, the basic problem is to further improve a coupling member of the type named at the outset, so that it can be used in both full automatic operation as well as semiautomatic operation, namely it is switchable between an automatic position and a semiautomatic position. 
         [0011]    To solve this problem the inventive coupling member is characterized in that the second position of the second coupling projection is a semiautomatic position in which the containers lock fully automatically during loading, and in that the second coupling projection can be locked by locking the actuating member in the respective other position and can be moved counter to a second pre-tensioning force in the direction toward the automatic position or the semiautomatic position. 
         [0012]    Just as in the coupling member according to DE 20 2009 013 140 U1, the inventive coupling member in a basic position is located in the automatic position in which it operates as a fully automatic coupling member. Alternatively, it is however possible that the base position corresponds to the semiautomatic position and the coupling member is switched into the automatic position by the actuating member. By means of the actuating mechanism the stowage personnel can switch the lower coupling projection into the respective other position, namely preferably into the semiautomatic position. In this position the actuating member can be locked. The lower coupling projection can be moved out of the second position counter to a second pre-tension force in the direction of the respective other position. If now an upper container is displaced on a lower container, the second coupling projection moves counter to the second pre-tension force because of the downward movement of the upper container in the direction to the other position (preferably the automatic position). As soon as the second coupling projection is immersed entirely in the long hole of the associated corner fitting, the second coupling projection automatically snaps again back into the second position because of the second pre-tensioning force. If the second position is the semiautomatic position, the second coupling projection is now so coupled with this corner fitting that it can now only be unlocked again manually by means of the actuating member. In the semiautomatic position the inventive coupling member functions like a conventional semiautomatic twist-lock. The inventive coupling member can thus be used both as a fully automatic coupling member as well as a semiautomatic coupling member. 
         [0013]    It thereby does not matter in which orientation the coupling member is used, namely whether the first coupling projection is first locked in the upper corner fitting of the lower container, or in the lower corner fitting of the upper container. But because of the existing safety regulations, generally the first coupling projection is inserted into the lower corner fitting of the upper container and locked there. After all four lower corner fittings of the upper container are equipped with coupling members, this container is relocated to a container already stored onboard a ship. The first coupling projection is therefore also often designated as an upper coupling projection, while the second coupling projection is designated as the lower coupling projection. Now if a container of the lowest layer is stored, for example, directly on a hatch cover of a ship, which would also be possible with the inventive coupling members, in practice the coupling members would first be inserted quasi-overhead into the bases welded to the ship and then the containers of the lowest layer would be loaded on the ship. 
         [0014]    According to an additional embodiment of the invention, the actuating member can be locked in the semiautomatic position to a locking means. This locking means is mounted so as to move and is pre-tensioned in the direction toward the semiautomatic position of the second coupling projection. This permits an especially simple manner of construction, since the actuating member is locked to a movable locking means pre-tensioned in the direction to the semiautomatic position. This happens by means of an especially simple design, when the locking means is mounted in a displaceable manner. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, a simple manner of construction can also be achieved when the second coupling projection is mounted so as to rotate in a housing and can rotate between the automatic position and the semiautomatic position. The second coupling projection can hereby, when it is located in the semiautomatic position, automatically rotate in the direction of the automatic position relative to the housing and then snap back into the semiautomatic position, as soon as it is completely introduced into the associated corner fitting. It is especially favorable if the locking means is mounted on the housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         [0016]    Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a front view in the automatic position of a coupling member with inventive characteristics; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a coupling member according to  FIG. 1 , partially cut in the Plane II-II; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section in Plane III-III of a coupling member according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a front view in semiautomatic position of the coupling member according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a coupling member according to  FIG. 4 , partially cut similar to  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section similar to  FIG. 3  of a coupling member according to  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a front view in semiautomatic position of the coupling member according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a coupling member according to  FIG. 7 , partially cut similar to  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a cross-section similar to  FIG. 3  of a coupling member according to  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a coupling member according to  FIG. 4  hung in a lower corner fitting of an upper container; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a coupling member according to  FIG. 7  with a second coupling protrusion partially located in an upper long hole; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a coupling member according to  FIG. 4  in a fully locked state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    The illustrated embodiment of an inventive coupling member  20  features a first, namely upper, coupling projection  21  and a second, namely lower, coupling projection  22 . The upper coupling projection  21  and the lower coupling projection  22  are connected to each other with a common shaft  23 . The coupling projections  21 ,  22  can thereby be connected to the shaft  23  in any suitable manner. In this case the coupling projections  21 ,  22  and the shaft  23  are constructed as one-piece with each other, namely as one-piece cast steel or forged parts. 
         [0030]    The shaft  23  is rotatably mounted in a housing  24 . The housing  24  is formed from two housing shells  25 ,  26  which are screwed to each other by means of screws  27 . The housing shells  25 ,  26  are again constructed as one-piece cast steel or forged parts. Screwed to the housing  24  the housing shells  25 ,  26  together form a stop plate  28 , an appendage  29  extending from the stop plate  28  upward to the upper coupling projection  21  and an appendage  30  extending from the stop plate  28  downward to the lower coupling projection  22 . The contour of the upper appendage  29  thereby so corresponds to a long hole  31  of a lower corner fitting  32  of an upper container  33  (see  FIG. 10 ) that the housing  24  cannot twist with respect to the lower corner fitting  32 . 
         [0031]    In this case the stop plate  28  is constructed as a pronounced flange which with stacked containers  33 ,  34  rests between the corner fittings  32 ,  35  and holds these at a distance (see  FIG. 12 ). Coupling members are also known, however, in which the stop plate  28  is only constructed as a flaring which engages in bevels on the long holes  31 ,  36  of the corner fittings  32 ,  35  such that the corner fittings  32 ,  35  rest directly upon each other. The actual function of the stop plate  28  is to ensure that the coupling member does not slide into the lower corner fitting  32  of the upper container  33 , in the event the crane operator should happen to set the coupling member next to the long hole  31 . 
         [0032]    The shaft  23  features a radially protruding stop pin  37 . The stop pin  37  is positioned approximately in the plane of the stop plate  28  in which a recess  38  is also positioned in the housing  24 . Inside the recess  38  the stop pin  37  and thus the entire shaft  23  with the coupling projections  21 ,  22  can twist around the long axis of the shaft  23  within a certain angular range. In addition, a Bowden cable  39  eccentrically engages on the shaft  23 . To that end the Bowden cable could touch directly on the stop pin  37 . In this case, however, a separate receptacle  40  is provided for the Bowden cable. A thickening  41  engages behind the receptacle  40  at one end of the Bowden cable  39  in a known manner. 
         [0033]    A part of the Bowden cable  39 , namely the section facing the thickening  41  itself, is positioned in a torsion spring  42 . The torsion spring  42  is supported on one side on the receptacle  40  and on the other side on an end area  43 . The Bowden cable  39  is then guided further outward through a bore hole  45  in the area of the end area  43 . At the end of the Bowden cable  39  opposite the thickening  41  a handle  46  is positioned on the Bowden cable  39 . At this end the Bowden cable  39  is guided through a locking means, namely a locking carriage  47 . The locking carriage  47  is positioned to displace in another recess  48 . For that reason the recess  48  features two guides  49  opposite each other (see  FIG. 3 ). An additional torsion spring  50  is positioned inside the recess  48  which again surrounds the Bowden cable  39  and is supported on the one side on the locking carriage  47  and on the other side inside a blind hole  51  on the housing  24 . 
         [0034]    The Bowden cable  39  is also constructed with an additional thickening, namely a locking thickening  52  which in this case is positioned inside the recess  48 . The locking thickening  52  is firmly connected to the Bowden cable  39 . It is separated from the hand grip  46  by a predetermined distance which is determined by what angle the shaft  23  should turn inside the housing  24  when the Bowden cable  39  is activated. The Bowden cable  39  with its handle  46  and its thickenings  41  and  52  thus forms an activation element for the coupling member  20 . 
         [0035]    The coupling member described above functions in the following manner: In  FIGS. 1 to 3  the coupling member  20  is shown in its automatic position. This position also simultaneously forms the basic position of the coupling member  20  in which it has a released locking means. Because of the tension of the spring  42  the stop pin  37  impacts against a stop  53  ( FIG. 3 ) which simultaneously limits the recess  38 . The torsion spring  42  namely pre-tensions the coupling member in the direction of its automatic position. In the depiction according to  FIG. 3  the torsion spring  50  presses the locking carriage  47  entirely to the left into its position farthest from the blind hole  51 . In this automatic position the coupling member  20  operates as a fully automatic coupling member, as described in DE 102 38 895 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference. A detailed description of its manner of operation can therefore be omitted at this point. 
         [0036]    By pulling the handle  46  the coupling member  20  is switched into its semiautomatic position shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 . By means of the handle  46  the Bowden cable  39  is thus pulled out so far that the lock thickening  42  is released behind the locking carriage  47 . Consequently, the shaft  23  turns and with it the coupling projections  21  and  22  by a predetermined angle, in this case 60°, clockwise in the depiction according to  FIG. 6  and the torsion spring  42  is tensioned. The operator next pulls the handle  46  downward depicted with an unbroken line in  FIG. 5 , or alternatively upward as in the depiction with dashed lines. By releasing the handle  46  the locking thickening  52  engages with the locking carriage  47  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0037]    Since the torsion spring  50  is stronger than the torsion spring  42 , the locking carriage  47  remains in its position fully to the left shown in  FIG. 6 . As can be easily seen in  FIG. 4 , the lower coupling projection  22  protrudes left and right in the depiction of  FIG. 4  (shoulders  54  and  55 ). 
         [0038]    When stowing containers, the coupling member  20  is first inserted into the lower corner fitting  32  of an upper container  33 . To that end the stowage personnel initially turn the upper coupling projection  21  by about 90° such that the upper coupling projection  21  approximately corresponds with the upper appendage  29  so that the upper coupling projection  21  can be guided through the long hole  31  into the corner fitting  32 . The stowage personnel can thus so turn the upper coupling projection  21  such that it either pulls on the handle  46  or engages the lower coupling projection  22  and turns it. The upper coupling projection  21  turns into the position shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  upon release because of the spring force of the torsion spring  42 . The coupling member  20  is now locked in the corner fitting  32  ( FIG. 10 ). After the coupling member  20  is inserted in this manner into each of the four corner fittings  32  of the upper container  33 , the crane operator hoists the upper container  33  on the ship and places it on a lower container  34 . The crane operator thereby brings the lower coupling projection  22  in congruence with the long hole  36  at the upper corner fittings  35  of the lower container  34  and threads the lower coupling projection  22  into the associated long hole  36 . 
         [0039]    By further lowering of the container  33  the lower coupling projections  22  are introduced into the long holes  36 . Because of their special contour the lower coupling projections  22  thereby turn back in the direction of the automatic position, as shown in  FIG. 11 . This position is also shown in  FIGS. 7 to 9 . As can be easily recognized in  FIG. 9 , the torsion spring  42  thereby releases tension, while the torsion spring  50  is tensioned. In the process the locking carriage  47  is also displaced fully to the right up to the blind hole  51 . The torsion spring  50  tensions the locking carriage  47  and thus also the coupling member  20  in the direction of the semiautomatic position. 
         [0040]    By an additional lowering of the upper container  33  the lower coupling projection  22  is lowered deeper into the corner fitting  35  until it finally is released below the long hole  36 . Because of the tensioning of the spring  50  the lower coupling projection  22  is again turned back into the semiautomatic position ( FIG. 12 ). In the process the torsion spring  42  is again tensioned. As can be easily recognized in  FIG. 12 , the long hole  36  engages in the shoulders  34  and  35  on both sides so that an automatic unlocking is no longer possible as it was in the automatic position. 
         [0041]    Since the upper coupling projection  21  always turns together with the lower coupling projection  22 , care must be taken in the design of the upper coupling projection  21  that in each position between the semiautomatic position and the automatic position, the long hole  31  always securely engages behind at the lower corner fitting  32  of the upper container  33 . As can be recognized in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  7  and  11 , the upper coupling projection  21  with the shaft  23  forms the shape of a T. As a result of the fact that the coupling projections  21 ,  22  with the shaft  23  are turned by about 60° from the automatic position to the semiautomatic position, it must always be ensured that the upper coupling projection  21  engages behind the long hole  31  on the lower corner fitting  32  of the upper container  33 . Any other measure, however, which ensures this outcome is suitable and resides within the context of this invention. 
         [0042]    As an alternative to the embodiment shown in which the upper coupling projection  21  is firmly connected to the shaft  23  and thus always rotates together with the shaft  23  and the lower coupling projection  22 , the upper coupling projection can also be independent of the shaft, for example, it can be attached permanently on the housing or rotate independently. 
         [0043]    To unlock the coupling member  20  the stowage personnel pull on the handle  46  and release the locking thickness  52  from the locking carriage  47 . Because of the pre-tensioning of the torsion spring  42  the lower coupling projection  21  now turns back again into the automatic position and the coupling member  20  can unlock, like the known fully automatic coupling member according to DE 102 38 895 A1, when the upper container  33  is raised by a crane. 
         [0044]    In order that during the threading into the long hole  36  of the upper corner fitting  35  the lower coupling projection  22  turns out of the semiautomatic position in the direction of the automatic position, the coupling projection  22 , as indicated above, is designed with a special contour. The coupling member  20  features on the lower coupling projection  22  a sideward protruding locking lug  56 . On the (back) side opposite the locking lug  56  the lower coupling projection is provided with an approximately vertical rear wall  57 . In addition, the lower coupling projection  22  runs below the locking lug  56  like an inverted pyramid. Underneath the locking lug  56  the lower coupling projection  22  is also provided with a downward running slope  58  opposite the rear wall  57 . The two side edges  59  and  60  are positioned at an incline to each other. This contour has the result that the lower coupling projection  22  and naturally with it the shaft  23  and the upper coupling projection  21  turn during the threading into the long hole  36  of the upper corner fitting  35  of the lower container  34  solely because of the lowering of the upper container  33  on the lower container  34 . 
         [0045]    In the embodiment shown the actuating organs (Bowden cable  39 , etc.) as well as the locking carriage  48  and the torsion springs  42  and  50  are positioned in the stop plate  28 . The separation between the corner fittings  32  and  35  because of the stop plate  28  simultaneously ensures that the stowage personnel can grasp the handle  46 . With coupling members having a stop plate  28  which is not designed as a pronounced flaring but instead a simple flaring engaging in the bevels of the long holes  31 ,  36 , then as stated above the corner fittings  32 ,  35  rest directly on each other. In this case the actuating organ is so positioned that the stowage personnel can grasp it through one of the openings which are provided in the side walls of the corner fittings. Preferably the opening is hereby selected which is positioned on the front of the container, since the opening located in the other side wall is not accessible, if several containers are stacked closely next to each other. 
         [0046]    The coupling member  20  was previously so described that the torsion spring  42  pre-tensions the lower coupling projection  22  and thus the coupling member  20  in the automatic position. The automatic position also forms the basic position. It is however also alternatively conceivable that the semiautomatic position is also the basic position and the torsion spring  42  pre-tensions the coupling member in the semiautomatic position. The coupling member is then switched into the automatic position by the actuating organ and is locked in this position in the above described manner. That can occur as a result of the fact that the lower coupling projection is positioned to turn around the shaft rotation angle of the coupling member provided for switching with respect to the orientation to the upper coupling projection shown in the drawing opposite the rotation direction for switching, in the case depicted also in the overhead view (viewed from the upper to the lower coupling projection) counterclockwise, or the Bowden cable  39  is laid differently around the shaft  39  and the stop for the stop pin is displaced correspondingly to the other side of the stop pin. 
         [0047]    It is clear to specialists that the invention is not limited to the embodiment depicted and the concretely described modifications but instead that multiple modifications are possible without departing from the invention. For example, instead of torsion springs  42  and  50  other elastic elements can be used and they do not have to surround the Bowden cable  39 . 
       LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
       [0000]    
       
           20  Coupling member 
           21  Coupling projection 
           22  Coupling projection 
           23  Shaft 
           24  Housing 
           25  Housing shell 
           26  Housing shell 
           27  Screw 
           28  Stop plate 
           29  Appendage 
           30  Appendage 
           31  Long hole 
           32  Corner fitting 
           33  Container 
           34  Container 
           35  Corner fitting 
           36  Long hole 
           37  Stop pin 
           38  Recess 
           39  Bowden cable 
           40  Receptacle 
           41  Thickening 
           42  Torsion spring 
           43  End area 
           45  Bore hole 
           46  Handle 
           47  Locking carriage 
           48  Recess 
           49  Guide 
           50  Torsion spring 
           51  Blind hole 
           52  Locking thickness 
           53  Stop 
           54  Shoulder 
           55  Shoulder 
           56  Locking lug 
           57  Rear wall 
           58  Incline 
           59 ,  60  Side walls